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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Neurocardiogenic syncope and fast heart rate
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Neurocardiogenic syncope and fast heart rate
by Neener44, May 20, 2003 12:00AM
Without medication my heart rate is generally fast all the time rarely dropping below 100 bpm even while sleeping and averaging 120 to 140 bpm during the day, during exercise hr frequently exceeds 220 bpm.
The only diagnosis I have officially been given by my ep is NCS. My question is, do individuals with NCS generally have a fast heart rate? Also, my blood pressure is generally high averaging 140/90, but within the past year it has been as high as 180/117 (taken at the doctor's office). From what I've read I got the impression that individuals with NCS generally have low blood pressure. I don't get dizzy when arising from a sitting position, etc. The times that I have fainted it has come on suddenly without warning in either a standing or sitting position. I have also felt faint at times when lying down.
I am female, age 46, normal weight, otherwise good health. I have had 2 ep studies/ ablations without success. I take sotalol 80mg every 12 hours.
The only diagnosis I have officially been given by my ep is NCS. My question is, do individuals with NCS generally have a fast heart rate? Also, my blood pressure is generally high averaging 140/90, but within the past year it has been as high as 180/117 (taken at the doctor's office). From what I've read I got the impression that individuals with NCS generally have low blood pressure. I don't get dizzy when arising from a sitting position, etc. The times that I have fainted it has come on suddenly without warning in either a standing or sitting position. I have also felt faint at times when lying down.
I am female, age 46, normal weight, otherwise good health. I have had 2 ep studies/ ablations without success. I take sotalol 80mg every 12 hours.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-KE, May 21, 2003 12:00AM
Dear neener99,
Sorry to hear about your episodes of fainting. Based on what you have described I am unsure of what is causing your symptoms. What is your heart's rhythm? Has your thyroid gland(TSH) been checked?
I would recommend the following:
1. Your blood pressure needs aggressive control. Of the issues you have mentioned, the blood pressure is the most important one to control.
2. I am not sure why your heart rate is elevated and why you are experiencing episodes of fainting. However, your doctors likely have more information regarding this. I get the impression that you are not convinced of your diagnosis and are unsure of what is causing your symptoms. If this is the case it might be a good idea to get some input from another cardiologist. Sometimes a second opinion can be very helpful. I would recommend visiting an electrophysiologist at a major university based medical center. You should have records of your prior studies and clinic visits so that the new doctor will have all of the information he/she needs to make recommendations. Hope this helps.
Thanks for your question,
CCF-MD-KE
Sorry to hear about your episodes of fainting. Based on what you have described I am unsure of what is causing your symptoms. What is your heart's rhythm? Has your thyroid gland(TSH) been checked?
I would recommend the following:
1. Your blood pressure needs aggressive control. Of the issues you have mentioned, the blood pressure is the most important one to control.
2. I am not sure why your heart rate is elevated and why you are experiencing episodes of fainting. However, your doctors likely have more information regarding this. I get the impression that you are not convinced of your diagnosis and are unsure of what is causing your symptoms. If this is the case it might be a good idea to get some input from another cardiologist. Sometimes a second opinion can be very helpful. I would recommend visiting an electrophysiologist at a major university based medical center. You should have records of your prior studies and clinic visits so that the new doctor will have all of the information he/she needs to make recommendations. Hope this helps.
Thanks for your question,
CCF-MD-KE
It's me! :oP
I have IST along with the NCS, so I am one with the syncope and fast heart rate.
My bp was low 90/60, but after starting beta blocker and calcium channel blocker I actually got a healthy bp. It rarely goes to 90/60 anymore, it is most often 110/70 and 120/80. Someone told me that was because the tachy was controlled and now the heart was pumping more efficiently.
As far as standing up and not getting dizzy, do you get like a graying out? Everything goes gray, or white?
When you are experiencing it sitting or laying, have you been in that one position long? Have you locked up your legs while sitting (crossed or with them bent so knees are in the air)? Do you have palps at those times? It can happen standing still also, it has been called "the soldiers faint" (which I have witnessed).
I awoke out of sleep one time and had tachy and this rushing feel'g go from waist up to head twice and ea time I was sure I was going to faint. I didn't, I was just left very curious and went back to sleep. The dr. here at the time said it sounded like near syncope.
My EP suggested my tachy could be setting off NCS at times, too.
Now, the spells I had when sitting or on my feet for a long time -groan- that felt just like near syncope, we found out were seizures.
Do you have the link to the NDRF? It's a forum for autonomic dysfunction, NCS, POTS, IST, and more.
http://216.149.163.247/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=NDRF+General+Discussion&number=1&DaysPrune=20&LastLogin=
OT : My EP just raised the dose of my beta blocker. :o( I have been having a good bit of near syncope experiences the past few wks. Then he looked at my last EKG and saw my heart rate was 92. I think it is the Flexeril caus'g near syncope, do you have any experience with it??? I asked on the site above and seems nobody has.
Talk to ya soon on Yahoo, I hope.
Go to the NDRF site, the link is in my previous comment. You will find others like yourself who can help you out. :o)