Sinus Tachycardia

About 4 weeks ago I was bending over picking something up from the ground and when I sat up, I felt a rush of warmth fluid rush from my chst to head. This made me light headed and dizzy. Two days later I saw the primary care physician who did blood work and an ECG. I compained about a dull pain in the center of my chest. Both tests were normal so he had ruled out the heart being the problem and said it was gastrointestinal. He gave me some protonix to see if that would help, I was on it for about two weeks, but I continued to get the dull pain and the occasional shooting pain through the chest.

At this point I saw a cardiologist, I had an echocardiogram and thryroid blood work done. The thyroid blood work was normal, but the echo found a mild tricuspid regurg and the mitral valve with slight bowing, but not prolapsed. He said that both were still in the normal range. However, my heart rate was at 95 throughout it. I have monitored my heart rate since and noticed that in the morning its around 60-70bpm, during the day 80-100, at night 60-70bpm. I had a followup with the cardiologist and told him of this. He couldn't figure out why I would have tachycardia because of my lifestyle and since diagnosed me with inappropriate sinus tachycardia.

I am 24, male, don't smoke, no alcholol. Before this episode I worked out 3-5 times a week doing cardio exercises for 40 minutes at a time.

I have been given low does inderal, 20mg to take twice a day. Will I need to be on this forever? Any long term side effects? What is my lifespan? Any other causes of the tachycardia? Thanks.

[Cleveland Clinic]

almy,

Im not sure how you were diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia from the data you present or discussed in the followup.

If anything I think the inderal may have been prescribed for aniexty about your symptoms, but I would be sure that you see an electrophysiologist or someone specializing in autonomic dysfuction before you carry around that diagnosis at such a young age and are medicated for it.

hope this is a start

[almy]

Also, what would have caused the original episode of being dizzy and lightheaded with the pain in my chest? Will this go away and is there a reason to worry everyday of my life?

[almy]

In the original post its supposed to state 80-100+, I have had heart rate of 110 before. Before this episode my heart rate was always around 60-65bpm.

[almy]

I have always been heart aware ever since I was 17 when I felt a palpitation while lying in bed. My normal heart rate was around 60-65 anytime I ever checked over the past couple of years. It didn't matter if it was night or day. Then 4 weeks ago it all changed. My heart rate is 60-65 only before bed, all day its at 80+, its been as high as 120, but its everyday. Its not comfortable because it causes chest pain, a dull pain right over the heart.

[telemonster]

hi,

i read your post. you said you were 17 and you felt heart palpitations while lying in bed.

I am 17 and feel palpititaions almost every night while lying in bed. they last for about 8-10 seconds at a time . i feel my pulse every time one happens and its all over the place. it feels like there is an empty spce in my chest where my heart used to be. i don't understand why this is happening, i am constantly training in the gym and on the track.

anyway i went to a doctor, he took my pulse for two minutes and said i was fine. I'm still worried. they're getting worse. I went to a crappy little clinic, i wouldn't trust my goldfish with this guy.

how much of an affect does caffiene have on the heart? i drink two to three cups a day. should i stop? what can i do to get rid of the heart hiccups?

i would really appreciate you comments!

Luke

[Momto3]

Luke,

If you are not feeling comfortable with the information you have been given, please do not hesitate to contact a different doctor. Do you have a pediatrician? sports doctor? family doctor?  

I agree, that probably what you are feeling are pvcs or pacs, but as most of us here will tell you, they can feel pretty weird and scary at times.  Best to be certain...

A monitor (holter or event) can be a great way to see what's going on...

[jan]

Almy,

I agree with the doc, there isn't anything in your post that would support a diag. of IST.  I can't understand why that cardio would tell you that.  If it was just to help with your anxiety and give you meds for that, shame on him.

What you experienced sounds completely normal to me.  Many people experience the same thing bending over and getting up.  Your body needs to adjust, bp and heart rate to compensate.  Also, everybody heart rate chgs throughout the day.  Many have tachycardia upon rising.

If you are nervous about this get a 2nd opinion, but whatever you do, I wouldn't go by the diagnosis you have received.

Good luck

[heartdancer]

Hank,
I cannot get through to post a question so I thought I would ask you. I am the one with the 20 year old daughter who is prone to episodes of sinus tach. Well, yesterday she came down with the flu. Her fever is high and she is vomiting also so is becoming dehydrated. She is at the ER right now being checked out and I am sure they will give her IV fluids. What I am worried about is her heart rate. I know that hearts race because of fever but since she has the tachycardia problem it is really zooming...she said it was like that all day yesterday....she just called and they were getting ready to take her vitals....I am SO scared. I am afraid with the fever her heart rate will be out of control...I am hoping you can ease my mind. She is at the ER and I guess that should make me feel better. But since they won't do an echo to make sure her heart is normal and haven't really diagnosed why her heart races I am not feeling very reassured just because she is at the Dr. Please help...I am one scared to death mother....

[heartdancer]

Hank,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly and for the ressurance. I know you are not a doctor but you have so much knowledge. I will try and relax. M daughter is still at the ER...she will call when they are finished treating her. I will keep you posted....heartdancer

[Kimma]

heartdancer
i also have sinus tach and i got the flu a week ago. my heart was at about 120 the whole time it was very annoying and i could hardly sleep but as i got better it went away. whenever i get sick my heart always beats alot faster it never kills me though or does me any harm.

LUKE
when i was 16 i got supra ventricular tachycardia. when i was 17 i had an ablation for it. now i have sinus tach and lots and lots of pvc's a day. the pvc's dont scare me everyone gets them. u are just more aware of your heart like me, it sucks doesnt it? from all the research i put in this last year pvc's wont kill u and are hardly anything to worry about. i would love to only have pvc's and no sinus tach
kim

[glassheart46]

How long ago did you have your ablation?  It would be intersting to know as I have a similar experience.  I also had an ablation for avnode reentry and now have had two attacks of sinus tachycardia since the ablation.  Please post so that we can talk.

[pandora9049]

hi,
I was just wondering how ur daughter made out at the er. hope she's feeling better soon.
regards,
Pan

[heartdancer]

She is still feeling pretty sick....the fever came back yesterday afternoon and she got tachy again...but after taking some more Tylenol and getting her fever down again her heart rate went back down...now her nose is so stopped up she is miserable...but she plans on staying in bed today so I am sure she will be on the mend soon....Thanks for asking about her.....
heartdancer

[tachy1969]

Hi all Merry Christmas!!! About 2 months ago I started having episodes of a racing heart and I could literally feel it pounding out of my chest and I was scared to death.These episodes went on for days until I finally went to the ER when I got there my heart rate was 160 and my blood pressure was up. they hooked me up to the monitor and started an IV and did all that stuff. I was admitted to the hospital on the cardiac floor. The cardiologist was a wonderful man he ran all kinds of tests on me, I had a nuclear stress test, heart/lung scan,blood work every 2 hours and a echo done......All were 100% normal.I have always had high heart rate and blood pressure in a doctors office and the cardiologist gave me a prescription for Xanax and Lopressor and sent me home and to a therapist.After that I got really sick and could barely get up off my couch. the diagnosis was severe anxiety and I was given more medicine.After about 2 weeks the medicine made me feel better but I was still very aware of my heart beating and very nervous. I went back to the cardiologist and he had me do the holter monitor. this was after he did an EKG and told me it looked normal but it looked like I had just run a marathon I was so nervous. The thing with the holter is they just called me and told me that out of 117,000 beats 11 were abnormal like PVC they told me that was ok and not to worry that alot of healthy people haved that. But of course I am scared and I need more reassurance that this is nothing to worry about....Can anyone help? By the way I am a 34 year old female.

[pandora9049]

Hi,
many people on this forum suffer from PVCs, PACs, or other problems.  I get skipped beats (thats what PVCs feel like to me)
sometimes, and they r scary. I suffer from a rapid heartbeat almost daily.  But as far as PVCs go, I was told they r a benign condition in a structurally normal heart, which from all ur tests I'm assuming u have.  
Good luck,
Pan

[steveswife]

Hi Hank,

Me 'again'. I was doing my own "research" via internet. Which I probably shouldn't have done, because now I've got myself worked up into a frenzy about SSS (sick sinus syndrome). Reading on what the symptoms are, they are so much like my own. How does one get diagnosed with this ... and do you know anything about SSS?

Sorry to keep on ya like this,

Thanks :)

Tammy

[heartdancer]

Hi Hank,
   Thanks for inquiring about my daughter. Yes she much better and she went back to work yesterday. Just has a little cough left. The flu was rough though. She was off work all last week. The tachycardia was really bad during the fever. She has not mentioned if she has had any more episodes of it since the fever broke. I am almost afraid to ask because I am afraid she wil say she has and it scares me. I just wish it would stop happening to her. Happy Holidays Hank and a have a Wonderful New Year!!!

heartdancer

[MJ F]

I am not sure what one would call the situation where the heat starts beating in an irregular fashion, but only does it occasionally.  I have personally experienced similar symptoms as most everyone I have read comments on.  I know that I have a reoccuring chest wall infection and that seems to kick off the flutters or irregular heartbeats.  Also, a change in the weather will do it, especially if if goes from hot to cold very quickly. Actually what it feels like sometime that the heart stops beating briefly and then it thumps pretty hard and I get a little lightheaded. The chest is actually SORE to the touch.  When I think of the word "sinus" involved in a medical situation I think that maybe there are sinus associated with heart health.All I do know for sure is that it is very scary, especially when by the time you get into see the Doctor to get a holter monitor the heart flutters/irregular heartbeats have quit happening.

[xmasflu]

Had the same thing-- Sinus Tachycardia.
This is not medical advice ----!

Got it as soon as I got sick with the flu I think on Wed. the 24th. I was a little sick and probably stressed w/ school -grad student- work and Christmas....  Was going to the store to check out some movies, got out of the car and then all the sudden my heart went crazy.
I went to ER.

The nurse said sometimes "to strain or 'bear-down'" this will stop the rapid heart beat.

After a trip to the restroom I was fine.
  
Too bad I did not do this at  home; I would have
saved $100.

I am not a doctor so I don't want to give any medical advice;
I am just passing this on to you.

ON Another NOTE:: For SVT--
One of my kids has had SVT attacks when given too much
albuterol for asthma.

Anyway at the ER in Amarillo they had her put her face in
a little tub of ice and water.  This "shocked" her heart quickly back to normal.  This has been used twice in ER with my child.  We use zopenex (sp)now instead of albuterol.

Anyway here is a link to info on this...
http://www.coloradohealthsite.org/heart/
primer6/primer_supra8.html

AND for SVT
http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc0111.htm

[pearliegirl23]

A related discussion, Similar problems was started.