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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Sinus Tachycardia
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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Sinus Tachycardia
by almy, Dec 14, 2003 12:00AM
About 4 weeks ago I was bending over picking something up from the ground and when I sat up, I felt a rush of warmth fluid rush from my chst to head. This made me light headed and dizzy. Two days later I saw the primary care physician who did blood work and an ECG. I compained about a dull pain in the center of my chest. Both tests were normal so he had ruled out the heart being the problem and said it was gastrointestinal. He gave me some protonix to see if that would help, I was on it for about two weeks, but I continued to get the dull pain and the occasional shooting pain through the chest.
At this point I saw a cardiologist, I had an echocardiogram and thryroid blood work done. The thyroid blood work was normal, but the echo found a mild tricuspid regurg and the mitral valve with slight bowing, but not prolapsed. He said that both were still in the normal range. However, my heart rate was at 95 throughout it. I have monitored my heart rate since and noticed that in the morning its around 60-70bpm, during the day 80-100, at night 60-70bpm. I had a followup with the cardiologist and told him of this. He couldn't figure out why I would have tachycardia because of my lifestyle and since diagnosed me with inappropriate sinus tachycardia.
I am 24, male, don't smoke, no alcholol. Before this episode I worked out 3-5 times a week doing cardio exercises for 40 minutes at a time.
I have been given low does inderal, 20mg to take twice a day. Will I need to be on this forever? Any long term side effects? What is my lifespan? Any other causes of the tachycardia? Thanks.
At this point I saw a cardiologist, I had an echocardiogram and thryroid blood work done. The thyroid blood work was normal, but the echo found a mild tricuspid regurg and the mitral valve with slight bowing, but not prolapsed. He said that both were still in the normal range. However, my heart rate was at 95 throughout it. I have monitored my heart rate since and noticed that in the morning its around 60-70bpm, during the day 80-100, at night 60-70bpm. I had a followup with the cardiologist and told him of this. He couldn't figure out why I would have tachycardia because of my lifestyle and since diagnosed me with inappropriate sinus tachycardia.
I am 24, male, don't smoke, no alcholol. Before this episode I worked out 3-5 times a week doing cardio exercises for 40 minutes at a time.
I have been given low does inderal, 20mg to take twice a day. Will I need to be on this forever? Any long term side effects? What is my lifespan? Any other causes of the tachycardia? Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Dec 14, 2003 12:00AM
, Dec 14, 2003 12:00AM
almy,
Im not sure how you were diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia from the data you present or discussed in the followup.
If anything I think the inderal may have been prescribed for aniexty about your symptoms, but I would be sure that you see an electrophysiologist or someone specializing in autonomic dysfuction before you carry around that diagnosis at such a young age and are medicated for it.
hope this is a start
Im not sure how you were diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia from the data you present or discussed in the followup.
If anything I think the inderal may have been prescribed for aniexty about your symptoms, but I would be sure that you see an electrophysiologist or someone specializing in autonomic dysfuction before you carry around that diagnosis at such a young age and are medicated for it.
hope this is a start
i read your post. you said you were 17 and you felt heart palpitations while lying in bed.
I am 17 and feel palpititaions almost every night while lying in bed. they last for about 8-10 seconds at a time . i feel my pulse every time one happens and its all over the place. it feels like there is an empty spce in my chest where my heart used to be. i don't understand why this is happening, i am constantly training in the gym and on the track.
anyway i went to a doctor, he took my pulse for two minutes and said i was fine. I'm still worried. they're getting worse. I went to a crappy little clinic, i wouldn't trust my goldfish with this guy.
how much of an affect does caffiene have on the heart? i drink two to three cups a day. should i stop? what can i do to get rid of the heart hiccups?
i would really appreciate you comments!
Luke
If you are not feeling comfortable with the information you have been given, please do not hesitate to contact a different doctor. Do you have a pediatrician? sports doctor? family doctor?
I agree, that probably what you are feeling are pvcs or pacs, but as most of us here will tell you, they can feel pretty weird and scary at times. Best to be certain...
A monitor (holter or event) can be a great way to see what's going on...
I agree with the doc, there isn't anything in your post that would support a diag. of IST. I can't understand why that cardio would tell you that. If it was just to help with your anxiety and give you meds for that, shame on him.
What you experienced sounds completely normal to me. Many people experience the same thing bending over and getting up. Your body needs to adjust, bp and heart rate to compensate. Also, everybody heart rate chgs throughout the day. Many have tachycardia upon rising.
If you are nervous about this get a 2nd opinion, but whatever you do, I wouldn't go by the diagnosis you have received.
Good luck
I cannot get through to post a question so I thought I would ask you. I am the one with the 20 year old daughter who is prone to episodes of sinus tach. Well, yesterday she came down with the flu. Her fever is high and she is vomiting also so is becoming dehydrated. She is at the ER right now being checked out and I am sure they will give her IV fluids. What I am worried about is her heart rate. I know that hearts race because of fever but since she has the tachycardia problem it is really zooming...she said it was like that all day yesterday....she just called and they were getting ready to take her vitals....I am SO scared. I am afraid with the fever her heart rate will be out of control...I am hoping you can ease my mind. She is at the ER and I guess that should make me feel better. But since they won't do an echo to make sure her heart is normal and haven't really diagnosed why her heart races I am not feeling very reassured just because she is at the Dr. Please help...I am one scared to death mother....
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly and for the ressurance. I know you are not a doctor but you have so much knowledge. I will try and relax. M daughter is still at the ER...she will call when they are finished treating her. I will keep you posted....heartdancer
i also have sinus tach and i got the flu