Any idea what's going on?

[2blue4me]

So I had a 2D Echo approximently 2 weeks ago because my resting heart rate has been staying over 100. It has gotten up to 200 before and my doctor heard a heart murmur. The echo showed I had Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Mitral Valve thickening, and Mitral Valve Prolapse. I work at a physicians office and was teaching myself how to do a 24 hour holter monitor on a patient. I put it on myself and went along with my day. I took it into work and learned how to upload the results and what results needed to be printed. Well the physician I work for wanted to look at the actual data. She said that it wasn't good at all and said I need to show my PCP a copy of this ASAP and will be seeing a cardiologist soon. She did say that I was having a lot of arrhythmia's and my heart is going from one extreme to the other. I know she tried to explain it too me the best she could in the 2 minutes we had to really go over it. I know she was a little concerned, which concerns me.  

I don't really know how to read the holter report. My max heart rate was 170 and min was 50. So she did say that their are medications that could be used to treat the tachycardia but those probably wouldn't work for me since my heart rate is also dropping really low and those would make it go too low.

I am having symptoms: chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.  I'm only 26.

[kenkeith]

Q: "She did say that I was having a lot of arrhythmia's and my heart is going from one extreme to the other."

I see this as the above comment as the problem...not tachycardia and not bradycardia...in a sense it is both.  It can be stress related as there are a number of physical acts can increase parasympathetic nervous supply to the heart, resulting in blocking of electrical conduction through the AV node. Stress interacts with the parasympathic system and the vagus nerve.  This in effect influences the specialized cells (sinus node) that controls rhythm. Impaired signals from the sympathic nerve network, can/will impair sinus output and cause an alteration of fast to slow arrhythmia.  

The sinus node is an area of specialized cells in the upper right chamber of the heart that controls the rhythm of your heart. Normally, the sinus node produces a steady pace of regular electrical impulses and sometimes requries a pacemaker implant.

Thanks for the question, and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  I wish you the best going forward, take care

Ken .  

[erijon]

As you know, there are several types of rhythm issues. In your case it's tachycardia or a rate over 100. Typically, they will use beta blockers to slow the heart rate but with your low readings already under the normal 60-100 beats er min, it could cause brachycardia which is a heart beat which is too low. The fact that these resolve on their own is a good signh as well.

Also, 170 is a bit too high to be explained as anxiety. I'm sure that anxiety can increase your heart rate but with numbers like you describe between 170-200, it really needs to be checked out to find the origin of these runs. There are many treatment options so this can be controlled, but you should see your PCP who will most likely refer you to a cardiologist to be safe.

In the mean time, try not to get too worked up as additional anxiety will only make it worse. I know, easy for me to say.

Good luck,

Jon

[vienna13]

I think your symptoms are stress related. You know we can stress out our self with worrying very much.
As you said you work there, so I am positive they arrange you all the necessary tests and they will give you all opinion and treatment suggestion they can.
In the meantime have a worry free time, spending as much you can outdoors on the fresh air!

My best!