Question for the Experts

I went to my Cardiologist today because I believe I have a fast heart rate.  Indeed, my HR was 100 and he said that it was too fast.  I am a 25 male.  He said though that there has to be a reason for it but we must go through some tests.  I did an EKG there which was fine.  He then did an ECHO on me and said that my heart was a normal size, normal structure and had normal ventricles, all normal - which is good.  But then he reminded me that my HR was still too fast.  Next week I will wear a holter monitor.  On friday I have to do blood tests.  He ticked a whole lot of boxes for my blood tests, I managed to see that thyroid and kidney function were included.  But I am interested in knowing what else I will be tested for? Do any of you know the standard blood tests that I can expect on Friday?

I also wanted to say that he was so friendly and understanding.  I had went to two GPs (PCPs) before this with my concerns but they just dismissed me.  It is so good to find a caring doctor who wants to find what is causing your problems.  I am still quite worried but my normal ECHO has reassured me.

[Capleton]

and i wanted to say that if a doctor does dismiss you get a second or even third opinion.  It really helps ease your mind!

[KLB32]

I agree with you about finding a doctor who takes your concerns seriously.  It can make all the difference.

High thyroid levels can cause tachycarida so that's why they are checking your thyroid.  I am unaware of kidney problems causing tachycardia but they are probably just checking everything to make sure they have covered all of the possibilities.

Is your resting heart rate this high all the time?  

Do you smoke, drink alcohol, consume caffeine, or have alot of stress right now?  

[ireneo]

Hmmm, I don't know of any dissolving staples, just sutures. Very odd, I think, to have left them in.

[jimwindy]

My dad had quad. by pass surgery a month ago.  he did great but kept complain about pain in his left shin.  This was never addressed.  He was sent to rehab and now is in another hospital.  They found 2 staples left in his left shin.  My dad is 81 and is a diabetic.  He now has mrsa and a deep seated absas.  Does anyone out there know if these staples should have been removed.  I feel he is getting very poor care and I think I should have him moved to  another facility.

[PghPanther]

Cap.............elevated heart rate in a sound structured heart with no underlying heart disease merits checking thryoid function and in the kidney your neorphoine is screted which controls adrenal to the heart which can raise the heart rate....

See if they can rule those out...........make sure you have a blood test on electrolyte levels of minerals...................perhaps a test on any heavy metals toxic to the body could be merited here.....

If you are healthy and fine then I would use lifestyle as the first line of defense..........a healthy heart diet and habits.....including some heart rate lowering light aerobic exercise over months may bring this all back in order....

Drugs to slow the heart rate are out there.......but I would prefer to try to slow it by lifestyle choices before facing any medicated managment of it......

[angelinax2]

I have arrhythmia problems and it all started when I noticed that my resting heart rate was faster than normal (90's-100's w/ palpitations). I also noticed that my heart rate during exercise would rapidly excelerate to high rates of 160-180.  I was diagnosed with Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia.  Ask your doctor about this.  This could very well be what you have.  This could also be a warning signal that you could have other arrhythmia problems- as was the case for me.  My first EKG's read that I had an Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block.  I am a cardiac nurse and all the cardiologists said not to worry about it- it was nothing.  Well, they were wrong.  This was a hint for me there were more problems to come.  I ended up having Idiopathic Left Ventricular Tachycardia and had an ablation done 12/06.  Have not had return of prolonged arrhythmia, but now am left with skipped beats (50-100/day).  Good luck and please make sure to mention to your doctor if he thinks you have INAPPROPRIATE SINUS TACHYCARDIA!