Aa
Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia
I've recently been diagnosed with IST, after months of tests, meds etc. I also have very frequent runs of bigeminy and short runs of NSVT (5-6 beats at a time. I have a few questions I'd like to hear your opinion about...as I wait to see my own doctor
1. What is the likelihood of developing cardimyopathy from IST? If I don't take medications I can have rates up to 150-170 for hours at a time, despite making all the usual lifestyles changes (no caffeine etc.)
2. Is ablation an option to treat IST? If so is it usually successful?How risky?
3. Is the IST and the ventricular ectopy related. Since I have a normal heart by echo, I wondering if the IST somehow causes the venticles to be irritable as well.
If it's of any consequence I'm 29, female...exercise regularly,relatively stress free good cholesterol, mild HTN, don't and never have drank or smoked...and sadly now , no coffee either :(
I'd appreciate any answers you can give and thanks for providing this great service.
1. What is the likelihood of developing cardimyopathy from IST? If I don't take medications I can have rates up to 150-170 for hours at a time, despite making all the usual lifestyles changes (no caffeine etc.)
2. Is ablation an option to treat IST? If so is it usually successful?How risky?
3. Is the IST and the ventricular ectopy related. Since I have a normal heart by echo, I wondering if the IST somehow causes the venticles to be irritable as well.
If it's of any consequence I'm 29, female...exercise regularly,relatively stress free good cholesterol, mild HTN, don't and never have drank or smoked...and sadly now , no coffee either :(
I'd appreciate any answers you can give and thanks for providing this great service.
Hi Catelynn
I just wanted to thank you for the link to that article you sent. I know it wasn't directed to me but I had been watching Jenni's post for responses as her symptoms appear similar to my own. I had always had flip flops in my heart, even as a kid...maybe once or twice a year and it felt kind of neat (in my innocent kid mind) and never concerned me.
Over Christmas, (which was happy and uneventful) I started having more frequent palpitations, (my idea of palpitations is a skipped beat or flip flop feeling) rapid heart beat and generally feeling weak and very scared. That impending doom type of feeling. Also a very deep cough whenever I had the flipping. (anyone get this??) I finally went to the doctor who wanted me to have an ekg done first which showed my heart rate at 109 (pretty slow for me, actually) but normal otherwise. My pulse upon going into the exam room was 112. I was given the array of blood tests to rule out a deficiency or infection, etc. All of the blood work was normal.
I was sent given xanax and referred to a cardiologist. The cardiologist was very nice and explained that he didn't think the pain in my upper back was related to my heart at all and was musculoskeletal (sp). How he knew this, I don't know...maybe my description of the pain, etc. He, as well as my primary doctor said my lungs were clear so they can't explain the coughing. He ordered a 24 hour holter monitor which will start Jan. 30 and an echocardiogram which will be done when I return the monitor on the 31st. He said that I will hear usually within a week if there is anything unusual in the tests but that he expects not to see me again.
Don't get me wrong, I was so happy to hear that but once the euphoria faded, I was home, thinking, 'But, I am still having all of these symptoms and I can't be out shopping or something for longer than an hour and I am ready for a nap. I am only 37 years old! I have a 7 year old to keep up with.' What do I do if my heart appears normal (fingers crossed) but I am still plagued with these symptoms?
I just don't know where to go from there. I would appreciate ANY advice from anyone here if they know what kind of doctor to seek out next if my heart appears normal with the exception of the tachycardia and pvc's or pac's (yet to be determined with holter, I hope).
I don't know if the doctor will see this post but if he/she does , I would love to hear their impression. Anything, at this point. I feel like the tests he offered are a formality and maybe I am being cast off to the anxious crowd? I told him myself that I hope it is anxiey but why all of a sudden? I am quite happy in my life and this is really ruining it.
This site is wonderful and I am happy to feel less alone in this whole mess. Thank you for reading.
Heart_and_Soul <3
I just wanted to thank you for the link to that article you sent. I know it wasn't directed to me but I had been watching Jenni's post for responses as her symptoms appear similar to my own. I had always had flip flops in my heart, even as a kid...maybe once or twice a year and it felt kind of neat (in my innocent kid mind) and never concerned me.
Over Christmas, (which was happy and uneventful) I started having more frequent palpitations, (my idea of palpitations is a skipped beat or flip flop feeling) rapid heart beat and generally feeling weak and very scared. That impending doom type of feeling. Also a very deep cough whenever I had the flipping. (anyone get this??) I finally went to the doctor who wanted me to have an ekg done first which showed my heart rate at 109 (pretty slow for me, actually) but normal otherwise. My pulse upon going into the exam room was 112. I was given the array of blood tests to rule out a deficiency or infection, etc. All of the blood work was normal.
I was sent given xanax and referred to a cardiologist. The cardiologist was very nice and explained that he didn't think the pain in my upper back was related to my heart at all and was musculoskeletal (sp). How he knew this, I don't know...maybe my description of the pain, etc. He, as well as my primary doctor said my lungs were clear so they can't explain the coughing. He ordered a 24 hour holter monitor which will start Jan. 30 and an echocardiogram which will be done when I return the monitor on the 31st. He said that I will hear usually within a week if there is anything unusual in the tests but that he expects not to see me again.
Don't get me wrong, I was so happy to hear that but once the euphoria faded, I was home, thinking, 'But, I am still having all of these symptoms and I can't be out shopping or something for longer than an hour and I am ready for a nap. I am only 37 years old! I have a 7 year old to keep up with.' What do I do if my heart appears normal (fingers crossed) but I am still plagued with these symptoms?
I just don't know where to go from there. I would appreciate ANY advice from anyone here if they know what kind of doctor to seek out next if my heart appears normal with the exception of the tachycardia and pvc's or pac's (yet to be determined with holter, I hope).
I don't know if the doctor will see this post but if he/she does , I would love to hear their impression. Anything, at this point. I feel like the tests he offered are a formality and maybe I am being cast off to the anxious crowd? I told him myself that I hope it is anxiey but why all of a sudden? I am quite happy in my life and this is really ruining it.
This site is wonderful and I am happy to feel less alone in this whole mess. Thank you for reading.
Heart_and_Soul <3
feels good to hear I am not alone, but I am sorry you have similar symptoms. I too will cough, but only for a second, when my heart skips a beat. I forgot to tell the cardiologist this, but don't think it would change anything. I have been cast off into the anxiety world. This all started one day at work when my heart started racing and I felt like I was going to pass out. I don't get the fatigued thing that many of you get (unless I am taking my lorazapam), and actually have slightly higher blood pressure rather than lower (such as in that website). I have always been an anxious person, and hope I can say this is all related to my anxiety and nothing more serious than that. I hvae had a normal echo, and even a CT scan done on my lungs (also upper back pain that comes and goes), which appeared fine. Good luck to you heart and soul and good luck to me to figuring out our problems!!
One more thing I forgot to mention to heart and soul. I have been seeing a chiropractor and he said that anxiety and depression can "sit" on your upper back, causing back pain. Since I have been going to him as well as frequent back massages, the back pain has almost completely subsided. Hopes this helps.
Can I just ask if those people who are on heart meds for anxiety related arrythmic heart issues have actually tried some of the range of anxiety related meds?
Just seems odd that so many people are on these - sure it will settle your heart rate but aside from the adrenaline issue other hormones which come with the fight or flight (anxiety response) are still being fed into the system hence increasing the likely hood of further anxiety attacks leading to requirements of higher doses in the long term?? No??
Hi,
Although your problem may be anxiety, I just want to make sure you don't make the same mistake I did. I have had tachycardia for about ten years and was told that my heart is completely normal so it must be anxiety. I have tried MANY SSRIs (ie-Paxil, Zoloft) They have helped to some extent, but never really took away the tachycardia. I also tried Lorazepam and it just made me more tired. Anyway, there is an excellent article you should read to help you determine if your problem may be Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia.
http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/arrhythmias/a/IST.htm
Please go to this website and see if you can relate to this. Also, follow some of the links to read about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and dysautonomia. I am 35 years old and over the last ten years, I was referred to many different specialists trying to find out what was wrong with me. The allergist said I had asthma because of my shortness of breath. Of course the inhalers made it far worse as far as my heart racing - even more shortness of breath followed. With minimal exertion, I can hardly breathe because my heart goes so fast most of the time. I am in the process of trying some other avenues since reading the article I referred you to. The doctor who wrote the article suggests going to a Cardiac Electrophysiologist. That is where I am headed next.
I just wanted to share that in case it could help you avoid searching for answers as long as I did. I wish you well and pray that you find your answer quickly. God Bless You!
Although your problem may be anxiety, I just want to make sure you don't make the same mistake I did. I have had tachycardia for about ten years and was told that my heart is completely normal so it must be anxiety. I have tried MANY SSRIs (ie-Paxil, Zoloft) They have helped to some extent, but never really took away the tachycardia. I also tried Lorazepam and it just made me more tired. Anyway, there is an excellent article you should read to help you determine if your problem may be Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia.
http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/arrhythmias/a/IST.htm
Please go to this website and see if you can relate to this. Also, follow some of the links to read about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and dysautonomia. I am 35 years old and over the last ten years, I was referred to many different specialists trying to find out what was wrong with me. The allergist said I had asthma because of my shortness of breath. Of course the inhalers made it far worse as far as my heart racing - even more shortness of breath followed. With minimal exertion, I can hardly breathe because my heart goes so fast most of the time. I am in the process of trying some other avenues since reading the article I referred you to. The doctor who wrote the article suggests going to a Cardiac Electrophysiologist. That is where I am headed next.
I just wanted to share that in case it could help you avoid searching for answers as long as I did. I wish you well and pray that you find your answer quickly. God Bless You!
I was just diagnosed with sinus tachyardia, beginning with frequent visits to my doc and one to the er with symptoms of feeling like i was going to pass out, rapid HB and occasionally skipping beats, feeling like i cannot take a deep breath, chest pressure, and just a weird feeling overall. I had an echocardiogram which they tell me looked fantastic. I have had suggestion from my doc and cardiologist that this could be anxiety and panic attacks. I am taking a very small dose (.5) of lorazapam, doesn't seem to be helping much, at least with the breathing thing. Any ideas?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Forum
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
