Tachycardia After Shower

[Joeyez]

Hello,
I am a 28 year old male Nursing student, living in upstate NY.  Over the past 6 months or so, I have noticed an intermittent increase in heart rate after a warm shower.  My resting heart rate is around 70-73 (after waking), my normal heart rate is about 80-84 (during walking hours), and after a shower I have seen it go to about 114-118.  This lasts about 10-20minutes, and causes me to go into panic attack mode.  I feel dizzy and spacey, and I usually lie down or drink cold water.  My BP during these episodes is my usual - about 105/68.  Within 20 minutes, my rate returns to about 85 gradually.  No dyspnea, syncope or blurred vision noted.  

My question is - is this a normal response to a warm shower ?  I usually stay in there a good 20 minutes.  Any techniques to prevent or treat this once the HR is at 115-120?  I read ice cold water may help on the face.  I had recent blood chemistry done & CBC - electrolytes all normal, blood counts normal (no anemia). I take no meds except multivitamins and Lorazepam .5mg as needed.   Any information would be greatly appreciated!  

[Forheavensakes]

Coca Cola is LOADED with caffeine and caffeine can cause palpitations. Besides, EIGHT cans of Coke is excessive...no wonder you have heart palpitations!
A shower will cause your heart to rev up, too...just as physical activity will... and since you like those LONG, warm showers, this will cause your heart to remain in "speeded up" fashion. This is why your medical doctors do not seem "concerned" as your heart is undergoing a "normal" physiological response to your enjoyment of LONG, warm showers. It is a good idea to limit the number of cans of Coke you drink...caffeine is a drug and can have longterm, physiological effects...headaches, irritability, shakiness, difficulty in sleeping, besides heart palpitations.

[Hiker in Hawaii]

I seem to have alot of my palipations oringiate in the morning, just before or after a shower, I've noticed that....Also, sometimes a "gloom & doom" feeling sets in, it's wierd, then i have the palpitations/sensations....It usually resolves in few minutes, but I can recall several times where it seemed like i was out of rhythm for hours....But even in my worst episodes of palpitations, never had trouble breathing, sweating, etc. anything like that...

I've seen a cardiologist 3x (in less than a year) & he basically said, I really don't need to see him (primary care physican is enough), but i'm certainly welcome to....He thinks because echo, Holter, & lipid & metabolic profiles (which i do couple times per year) were fine, no reason to test any further....

Of course, drinking 8 cans of Coke Classic doens't help with my palpitations either, lol.....But my weight is fine & my fasting glucose is 76, so no issues there....

[Joeyez]

Cleveland Clinic-

My MD seems to be not concerned to order a Holter - due to my age and rapid resolution of the tachycardia.  He also says it is sinus tach, as the rate never exceeds 120bpm whereas A-Fib & other SVT usually exceed such.  I never have runs of tachycardia in the rest of my day/nights.

To uncleoliver - My BP remains stable actually...around 115/80, all day - except for night time, seems to go to 95/60.  My HR only increases after the shower, and not everyday - which leads me to believe it is panic related too.

[uncleoliver]

I have the same episodes in the shower. I think mine is more related to panic and trouble breathing in the hot steam. I have also heard really hot water was bad for people with hight BP (which I have). Does hot water make your BP go up?

[Cleveland Clinic]

I would suggest wearing a Holter monitor to try to capture this tachycardia and see whether it is sinus tachycardia or some other SVT.  This would help decide further therapy which may be medication versus an ablation.