What could be causing fast heart rate?

[Willard]

I had an incedent of atrial flutter about a month ago, I have had maybe 2-3 other incedences before that of AF. I went into the er and they gave me an arythmic and I converted in 1/2 hour. Now ...since then I have a reaccuring fast heart rate thing going on. It can happen anytime but seems more visible at sleep time. Yesterday I was in a movie and all of a sudden started feeling wierd in my chest very nervous type feeling like a caffiene high ..but i don't use caffiene. Checked my pulse and it was 140-150bpm...my resting heart rate is usually 60-70bpm. It lasted on and off all night and the next night to...making it very hard to sleep. Usually when it happens in bed I get a tingly feeling in my arms and maybe a slight discomfort in my upper chest and left shoulder. What could be causing this? I just had a checkup and my Dr. said cholesterol levels were great tryglycerides were good no diabetes...and my enzymes and thyroid came out good. He said I had an arythmia when I breath my heart slows when breathing out and picks up when breathing in..he said this is very normal. Please inform...Thank you..

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Some patients have elevated blood pressure in the doctor's office, but normal pressure at home. This response, due to anxiety, cannot be controlled. In your case, currently, your blood pressure at home is not entirely normal, even on medication. Therefore, I would suggest continuing with your internist's approach of treating you for elevated blood pressure, incorporating the measurements that you get at home.

[dot]

Eight years ago, I went to my clinic and had a nurse check my blood pressure. When she told me that it ws 170/72, I got very concerned.  On Monday, I went to my clinic at work and got a BP check for three days in a row.  Each day the pressure got higher, and I really got concerned.  My doctor put me on a BP med., but the pressure was still high in the doctor's office, clinic, etc.
My new OB/GYN told me to get off the med. because if I were hypertensive, the med. would work.  He had me purchase a BP machine for home use.   I was so obsessed with my BP that I couldn't even get a normal reading at home.  Then my OB/GYN sent me to a cardiologist who reviewed my latest tests:  echo, and treadmill, and saw nothing wrong except he thought I needed calming down.  Then my clinic (NASA) at work suggested I wear a BP monitor.  The monitor showed that my BP went up and down with emotions, was normal when I was on the computer at work or the phone, and at nights.  After that I was able to get some really great readings (110 to 128 over 60 to 72).
At night when on the monitor, the BP registered 110 to 117 over 50 to 70 with one reading of 90/40.  The cardiologist did not recommend med. at that time for fear that I would bottom out on the bottom number and create bigger problems.

NOW, I AM FACED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
When I went to my internist (new because I have retired and moved) the end of Oct. 1999, she was alarmed because my pressure was 190/84, then 170/72. This also alarmed me because she said I was at stroke level, and my mom died of strokes. She asked me to check BP at home for one week and return.  During that week I could not get a normal pressure; they were all high (188/86, 170/79, etc.,etc.  So, she put me on AVAPRO 150MG day.  At home my pressures have averaged 145/70 for three weeks.  When I visited my internist last Monday, the pressure was 180/86 (nurse took) and 180/70 (doctor took). She thinks I should continue taking the AVAPRO once a day and keep monitoring the pressure.

SO, WHAT AM I DOING WHEN I GET IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE TO RAISE THE PRESSURE.
I DO NOT FEEL ANXIOUS, NERVOUS, ETC.  I AM ON MEDICATION TO CONTROL ANXIETY.

[bill]

Thank you for the input...but if I have atrial flutter isn't that an abnormal heart beat..I was told I have a normal sinus rythm but just fast...

[sid]

I was told that I had edema about a month ago,now I'm wondering how seious this proplem is??

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Edema refers to swelling, usually of the lower extremities. It can be due to varicose veins, heart failure, or a number of other causes. So, the seriousness depends on what is causing it.

[bill]

Just some more info on my previous question.I am 43 years young and weigh 210lbs.. blood pressure last checked was 137/89 this may be helpful in determining whats up with me. Thanks again..and this is a great forum..

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

It sounds like you are having recurrent episodes of atrial flutter. You should see a cardiologist for either medications or consideration of an ablation procedure to cure the atrial flutter.