Question Title: 17 year old daughter having rapid heart beats

In the last year or so she has expirenced extremely rapid heart beats sometimes during her interval workouts on the track (intensive, fast speed work) every other month or so. She ONLY gets these around her period. Usually if its in the first few days. Her coach has pulled her off the track because her heart beats so fast but by the next day she seems fine and never has pain but it makes her very nervous.

-Is there any danger here or
-should she be checked for something specific or
-should she do something to different around her period.
-what could this be?

With her racing schedule she has to train 5-6 days a week to get and stay in peak condition. And she has no choices on the race schedule.

Dear Pamela,

Thank you for your question. A person of 17 can have normal maximum heart rates of 203+. I would suspect that this is a physiologic response to her high workload. Has she every had any symptoms with the fast heart rate? If not I would not be too concerned. If she has had any symptoms such as passing out then I would have her evaluated by her doctor or a cardiologist. There is nothing I can think of with her period except that maybe her hemoglobin is a little lower which could cause an increase in heart rate. Hope this helps. Feel free to write back with any additional questions.

Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist