Help! Tachycardia

[scareddee]

Hi,

It is 2:16 a.m.  I have been up for over 30 minutes after awakening out of a sound sleep with a bout of tachy.  I have a home bp monitor, so I decided to check it out.  My heart rate was 116 and my bp was 163/82.  This seems pretty bad, considering I'm on 50mg Toprol XL.  I've been on this for about 3 months after a trip to the ER for similar symptoms, except they occurred while wide awake and my HR was about 140.  I was told it was sinus tachycardia at that time and was sent home, after an overnight stay, with the Toprol.  I thought the Toprol was working.  It seemed to help with the palps, too.  I feel like I'm back to square one.

I know nobody here is a doctor, but many of you seem to know a lot from personal experience.  What does this sound like to you?  I also suffer from panic and anxiety like many of you here, but this seems different.  Of course I'm scared.  Who wouldn't be?

I'd appreciate any comments.  I'm worried I have SVT or A-fib or something and they just haven't been able to catch it.  I hate to be a hypochondriac, but I want my life back.  I hate this!!

[StevieB341]

OMG!!! I have anxiety disorder, and bouts of tachy...but thought I was alone with the eating thing. Bloated tummy = rapid heart rate and pvcs. Im so glad that I found this site, just to know im not alone. Thanks.

[bama jane]

svt rates for me are higher as well 160-200 bpm.  Also my blood pressure drops during svt. 116 with a high blood pressure could be anxiety. I have heard a lot of people say that their anxiey attacks wake them from sleep.  See your doc and find out what he or she thinks.  If it happens often try and catch it on monitor.
good luck.

[ireneo]

I'm a little late here in posting seeing that it's the next day. But I had a thought/a question. Did you happen to take any OTC medicine, say for cough or cold? That makes my heart beat faster but not a true tachy time. Another thing that causes my heart to beat a bit harder and faster is if I'm bloated, a bit of fluid retention. Eating salty food or eating too much and poof - I get a puffy belly and a thumping heart most of the night. Just a couple of possibilities. Hope you're feeling better today.

[sb786]

wow i thought i was the only one! if i eat too much or if i've got a bloated tummy i too have a much higher heart rate!
I also think that sometimes the bloated belly triggers  pvcs and svt. Have you ever experienced this?

[erijon]

I have to agree, 116 is not really all that high and the increase in blood pressure, as well as the 116 heart rate, can both be a result of anxiety or panic attack. Neither number is all that terrible, but I'm no doctor, I just know I see similar numbers if I am experincing a panic attack myself and my heart has been given a clean bill of health.

If you are concerned you should certainly visit with your doctor.

Good Luck,

Tony

[scareddee]

Hi Again,

Thanks to everyone who posted.  Thanks for the info regarding the SVT and A-fib numbers.  I feel for anyone who has a heart rate of 160 or higher.  That must be awful.

One explanation did seem to fit my situation.  It was the one about eating.  My husband and I went out to eat at an Italian restaurant.  I admit I did eat too much.  I also ate two really good, really big, chocolate chip cookies.  The combo might have done it.  I definately do not take any OTC meds that might cause an increase in heart rate.  I stay away from caffiene as well.  Guess I should cut out the cookies.

I also struggle with anxiety and panic attacks.  I have had them at night, but not for a while.  The high BP and the elevated heart rate is the classic combo for panic for me.  It's still scares me, even though I've had it off and on for ten years.  I think I felt that the Toprol was working and that would be it.  (Wouldn't that be great?)

I feel better today, but I'm going to call my doctor on Monday just to see if he has anything to say.  I'm due for a physical this month anyway.

Thanks again for all your help.  You guys rock!


  

[Donna-lee]

Interesting that you all talk about SVT causing drop in blood pressure cause that ison of my hubbies symptoms too generally it falls to 100/65 or soemthing like that. Did you have any coca cola cause that can cause palps too.

[sb786]

It doesn't sound like svt!! When i have an svt attack my heart rate is about 190-200 bpm not 116 or even 140! Also during an svt attack my bp goes low not high, it goes high if you are anxious or having a panic attack