Cold Sweat & Rapid Pulse

  Last night my husband, male, age 40, 6'2", approx 300 lbs. experienced a
  rapid pulse and a very cold sweat.  Earlier in the afternoon he had consumed
  approx. 6-7 cans of beer, after two hours he consumed another.  His pulse
  started racing and he broke out in a cold sweat.  During that 2 hour period
  he was standing watching a baseball game.  The temperature was not hot.  He
  layed down and after about 1/2 hour his pulse returned to normal.  I can't
  tell you his exact pulse count be he said his chest was pounding abnormally.
  Can you offer me any advice that might convince him to see his physician?
  Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

_
Dear Leslie,
You might tell your husband that all tachyarrhythmias (fast/abnormal heart rates) are unpredictable and
some are fatal.  There are a wide variety of fast heart rates as well as ones
that just cause symptoms and do not threaten one's life, however, without an
investigation by a cardiologist one can not predict which of these rhythms
are occuring in the patient.  
Concerning symptoms to beware of when having a 'fast heart beat' are dizziness,
light-headedness, nausea, chest pain,shortness of breath, and syncope(passing out), that is to say these symptoms
in the setting of a fast heart rhythm should prompt the patient to go to an emergency room.
In someone who is willing to see a physician, I would suggest a general history and physical exam initially followed by a referral
if indicated to a cardiologist (there are specialized cardiologists that deal just with abnormal heart rhythms and they are called
electrophysiologists.)  If your husband is interested in living the next forty years of his life as well as he did the first forty
he should see a general physician (family medicine or general internist)soon and heed the advice of that physician.  By the numbers you gave
me (height and weight) your husband is significantly overweight and would greatly benefit from a history and physical before starting an
exercise program to help him lose weight, thereby reducing his future risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.  Just as an aside
some heart rhythm abnormalities are related to ingestion of certain foods and alcohol.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended
for general informational purposes only, actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).