Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Autonomic Tachycardia
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Autonomic Tachycardia
by robin__0__0, Apr 29, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by robin on April 29, 1999 at 21:49:49
I am a 31 y/o F, with significant PMH of smoking 15 yrs (I quit 2 months ago). I began having a rapid heart rate and a fluttering feeling in my chest 6 months ago. Although it was a very stressfull time in my life it was not what I would consider the most stressful time. These symptoms appeared only after waking but then gradually over about a month's time the rapid heart rate (100 bpm at rest) seems to occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I especially notice it at night when I am trying to sleep and at times feel my body move slightly with each beat and hear my pulse in my ears. If I am in a slightly stressful situation my body reacts to it ten fold than before these symptoms occured. At about the same time, I began having extremely painful and abnormally heavy periods. The cardiologist checked my blood and did an echo, both of which were normal except a cholesterol level of 234. The doctor prescribed Tenormin and states I have autonomic tachycardia due to stress. I prefer not to go on the medication and am astonished that my body continues to react this way even though situations have resolved and life is pretty good! Should I get a second opinion? Will the rapid heart rate damage my heart if not treated? My friend told me to take Hawthorn berry and CoQ10, will this help? Thank you for your input.
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on April 30, 1999 at 14:09:14
Dear Robin, thank you for your question. First, congratulations on quitting smoking - make it last! Second, the Hawthorn Berry and Coenzyme Q will not help - don't waste your money. Third, I don't think you can be given a true diagnosis unless you have worn a cardiac monitor to continuously record your heart rhythm over 1-2 days. Autonomic tachycardia refers to a normal sinus tachycardia that occurs when you are stressed and your adrenaline levels increase. Tenormin is a beta blocker that can blunt that response, so it's worth trying. You're always entitled to a second opinion, but it sounds like your cardiologist is doing a just fine at this point.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
