Nutrition Health Chat: Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 5-6 PM Eastern. Learn how vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients affect your health. Free live Q&A. Join us!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Rapid Heartbeat
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Rapid Heartbeat
by Larry K., Sep 01, 1999 12:00AM
I am a 48-year old male, and I am beginning to experience a rapid heartrate when I am not active. I have no symptoms during the hours that I am awake and active. For the past six months, I have experienced this problem as much as 4 times per month. I have experienced a rapid heartbeat that wakes me up in the middle of the night. I exercise every day by walking 3-4 miles. I weigh 200 pounds and I am 6 feet tall. My cholesteral levels are around 215 -220, possible lower. My resting heartrate is normally between 76 - 84 beats per minute. I only experience a rapid pulse and noteable heartbeat after I have gone to bed and I awake during my sleep. During these episodes my heartrate is elevated between 120 and 140 beats per minute and it takes anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes for my heartrate to return to normal. This never happens during the hours that I am awake. Could this be from stress or anxiety, or could this signify a medical condition that I should be concerned about?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Sep 01, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Larry,
It is difficult to say what these rapid heart rates are caused from. I would bring this to the attention of your physician and consider the use of a holter monitor to determine the exact cause of these episodes.
At your age, this may represent an atrial arrhythmia that may often be associated with hypertension, alcohol use or caffeine use.
It is difficult to say what these rapid heart rates are caused from. I would bring this to the attention of your physician and consider the use of a holter monitor to determine the exact cause of these episodes.
At your age, this may represent an atrial arrhythmia that may often be associated with hypertension, alcohol use or caffeine use.
