Re: More info re: Sudden Bradycardia

[Lyn__0__0]

Posted By Lynn on July 27, 1999 at 10:13:11
I posted on July 8th after I had been hospitalized for a sudden episode of bradycardia (bpm 38).  Since then, I have had another episode of bradycardia that has lasted for the past 5 days.  I also had an upper G.I. done which revealed nothing that would explain the bradycardia.  I am feeling light headed, dizzy and some mid chest pressure.  My BP last evening was 100 / 58.  I have been increasing fluids, etc., but still feeling poorly.  My pulse falls into the 40's and then it will go up into the 80's at times.  The faster my heart beats the more I feel a pounding sensation in my chest.  Should the next step be to have more GI tests or should I have my heart checked for other possibilities, as I have no heart blockage or damage?  I truly appreciate your help.  Thank you.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD- CRC on July 27, 1999 at 11:07:00
Dear Lynn (Tanja?),
What kind of heart evaluations have you had?  Generally vagal reactions only last for a minute or two.  If it is lasting longer than I would question bradycardia due to a GI source.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[Tanja-Lyn]

Posted By Tanja Lynn on July 27, 1999 at 12:28:13
When I was hospitalized, I had a gallbladder ultrasound; an ultrasound of the heart; and a stress test that involved a nuclear injection.  I had to be scanned for 15 minutes prior to exercise; then I exercised on a treadmill and then was scanned post-exercise for 15 minutes.  Everything came back normal.  My blood work was normal.  Now my upper GI is normal, too!  My understanding of these tests were to determine if there was any blockage or heart attack damage.  What about electrical activity of the heart?  My sister had Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome and had the node burned out and now she has chronic bradycardia.  Her cardiologist told her she had to learn to live with her HR in the 30's and 40's!
Thanks again for your response and help.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on July 27, 1999 at 14:11:56
I would ask about having a Holter monitor or loop monitor to see if there is a correlation between a slow heart rate and your symptoms.  If so you may need a pacemaker.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[Deb__0__0]

Posted By Deb on July 27, 1999 at 23:04:15
Hi Tanja,
I also had some heart rates like this for many years.  I had slow ones and then fast ones.  I also passed out many times.  I then passed out in the hospital where I worked, I had a cardiac work-up.  Nothing showed.  Then a year later I had a very fast heart rate that felt like pounding in my chest.  I went to the ER where I worked.  On monitor I had a fast rate of 156 BPM and about 10 minutes later I had sinus arrest.  I had all kinds of cardiac tests and then I ended up with a pacemaker.  I have, Sick Sinus Syndrome/Tachy-Brady Syndrome".  It is when the sinus node in your heart is "sick" and can't decide if it should go fast or slow or just stop. I had to take a beta-blocker for the fast rates, and then the slow ones got even worse on the beta-blocker.  But with the pacemaker now,I don't pass out,and I don't have the slow rates. I feel much better.  I'm not tired all the time, and I only take the beta-blocker now and then, in small doses when I get Tachy.  My doctor told me how to go on and off of the beta-blocker.  It's not good to just stop this type of medication. So do ask about the holter and or loop like the doctor suggested.  Do not let your doctor tell you no, there is a reason for your slow and fast rates.  I was told that it was "normal" for a woman my age, I was 40. Well, it was not normal !! Keep trying to find out.  At times, doctors tend to blow women off when it comes to our hearts. It's nice that the doctors on this site do not do this.  They always seem so concerned.  Take care.










Follow Ups:


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