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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Heart Palpitations
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Heart Palpitations
by ROWDY, May 21, 2003 12:00AM
Our Son is in Track and has always been healthy. He got shin splints this year and the doctor put him on Vioxx for the inflammation. He started getting heart racing and palpitations and when he ran his last race, he got a severe headache. We thought he was just weak because he had not eaten since lunch and it was 9:00 at night and once he had some sugar he felt a bit better. BUT he continued to feel 'funny' in his head like a blood vessel burst (his description) and his heart kept racing on and off from that point forward. I called our doctor and he is on vacation. The nurse said to take him off the vioxx as that could be causing the problem which we did and that part (heart racing) seems better. We checked his blood pressure though and it has been pretty high. We took it 4 times yesterday and the readings were as follows: 145/66; 143/53; 128/50, 128/59. Does any of this seem enough of a concern to take him to the Emergency Room? His heart does not seem to be racing anymore---but he runs his last Track Meet )Sectionals) tomorrow night and we are very concerned. Randi
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, May 21, 2003 12:00AM
, May 21, 2003 12:00AM
Hello - thanks for asking your question.
Please note that in this forum, I cannot make any comments on whether emergency care is indicated or not - I can only discuss general medical information.
The symptoms you describe are in the side effect profile of Vioxx. One of the side effects is high blood pressure, occuring in 2-10 percent. Palpitations are also possible, occuring in 0.1-2 percent of patients.
However, it is worth being evaluated by your personal physician for other causes. Tests for thyroid, electrolytes and an electrocardiogram should be considered.
One disease to always consider in young athletes is known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a genetic heart disease) where palpitations can be a symptom. An echocardiogram (ultrasound to evaluate the structure of the heart) should be considered.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Please note that in this forum, I cannot make any comments on whether emergency care is indicated or not - I can only discuss general medical information.
The symptoms you describe are in the side effect profile of Vioxx. One of the side effects is high blood pressure, occuring in 2-10 percent. Palpitations are also possible, occuring in 0.1-2 percent of patients.
However, it is worth being evaluated by your personal physician for other causes. Tests for thyroid, electrolytes and an electrocardiogram should be considered.
One disease to always consider in young athletes is known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a genetic heart disease) where palpitations can be a symptom. An echocardiogram (ultrasound to evaluate the structure of the heart) should be considered.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Please note I will be unavailable until May 27th. I look forward to answering your questions when I return.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Brian