Tachycardia / heart healthy diet

[heartygirl]

About 2 1/2 years ago I developed sinus tachycardia - not incessant - but it would happen many, many times a day.  I wore a 24 hour Holter which showed about 100 PAC's/no PVC's and that every hour my heart rate was getting up to at least 120 (sinus tachycardia) and also some short runs of SVT.  However, it would also go back down to about 60 or 80 every hour, so this was not a sustained thing.  This went on for about a year and a half without treatment, then about a year ago, I developed an episode of sustained SVT where I ended up in the hospital for 3 days.  So, since that time I have been on 50 mg. of Lopressor twice a day and it works beautifully.  No more SVT and hardly any sinus tach.  

Now, my question is - I have read that tachycardia can cause problems like cardiomyopathy.  Is that only when it is a sustained thing?  Or could my up and down rates have caused heart damage?  I have no reason or symptoms to suggest that I have any problems, I just worry about it because of what I have read.  I did have an echo about a year into the tachycardia and it was completely normal with an ejection fraction "above 55%".  Is an ejection fraction of 55% normal in a 32 year old?

Also, during a health screening at work I found out that my cholesterol was elevated at about 230, normal triglycerides and my BMI was elevated - I am about 20 lbs. overweight.  
I would love some recommendations or a website you could direct me to for HEART healthy diets.  I have also started walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day, so I really hope to change my eating and exercise habits.

[francie12]

This is a very useful site, and kind of fun: www.mypyramid.gov.

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hello,

1. I have read that tachycardia can cause problems like cardiomyopathy. Is that only when it is a sustained thing?

It usually.  Have you seen an electrophysiologist?  I have seen cases like this where an ablation cures the problem, but it depends on what the problem is.   An ep study may be necessary.

An Ef of 55% is normal.

The South Beach diet and the Mediterranean diet are both good choices.  This is semantic, it is really a life style change, not a diet.  diet implies a temporary change.  If you only temporarily change your diet and exercise,  you will almost certainly put the weight back on.  Some of the keys are:

1. high fiber diet -- about 28 grams per day
2. Low saturated fats and avoid trans fats.
3. low or no red meat, increase fish consumption
4. avoid simple sugars

I hope this helps and good luck!