another arrhythmia question

[mookie333]

Hello....I am a 42 yr. old female with unexplained idiopathic neutropenia, no other history and have had unexplained bouts of tachycardia.(rate140-160) Once, it landed me in the ER and they gave me a beta-blocker and supplemented my potassium.  Level was 2.9.  I am absolutely healthy and take no diuretics or laxs. My weight is normal and exercise heavily at least 3/4 times a week.  I have had event monitors, cardiac evals, and countless lab test.  They sent me home with lopressor and potassium as needed. These tachy events seem to occur 4 to 5 times a year...and make me feel extremely uncomfortable.  I've noticed that after having a large meal and if I drink more than one glass of wine...that this may be a contributing factor.  I've eliminated all alcohol from my diet.
Questions:  What could be the cause of potassium loss without kidney disease?  
Changes of position like bending over also have started these tachy episodes..What could be the cause of this?
What further evaluations are necessary for me? Would you advise EP studies?  
The lopressor and potassium really seem to help me control my symptoms of tachy episodes-but the beta-blocker makes me feel dizzy.  While tachy..my blood pressure is pretty high like 150/90 when I usually run 110/70.   I'm just trying to figure out why this occurs>  Thanks a whole bunch!

[Cleveland Clinic]

mookie,

thanks for the post.

There are some rare potassium wasting diseases. I would be surprised that this is one of them, but there are some specific test to look to see of they are a possibility, such as collection of urine to see if potassium is wastin through these mechanisms. It would be hard to relate these to your tachycardia episodes.

I would look into a event monitor to recored your episodes. If they are related to episodic tachycardia, then a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker is usually the first line of treatment. Once the episodes are documented and if they are recurrent on medical therapy then there are some procedures that could be curative.

I would not look into an EP study until the episodes are documented fully.

good luck

[suzzie1]

Hi All,  

Multifocal Ventricular Ecoptic beats

Ventricular Ectopic beats

Atrial Ectopic beats

Wide Complex Tachycardia

Can anyone explain to me what the above are...Iv had them all come up on a holter monitor and im confused as to exactly what they are. My cardio wants me to have 'ablation' done but Im worried about the danger involved with such an invasive procedure!!  

It also seems I have 3 clefts on the anterior mitral valve and 'moderate' regurgation.

8-/

[oneil420]

I am sure this message board will lite up with answers for you, i know that the eptopic atrial and ventrical beats are pavc/pvcs and i beliee the multi focal vetrical beats are pvcs that are occuring from stimuli in different parts of the ventrical i am not sure about the tach but like i said you will gety your answers here.

[suzzie1]

Hi.....thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Doesnt look like anyone else will, but I understand people have their own problems to deal with!!!! I hope things are going well for you!  Thanks again B-)

[woodruff]

suzzie, try typing, one by one, the terms you don't understand, as well as ablation, into the search box at this site.  Probably, some discussion of each one will pop up.

[oneil420]

ok so go to about.com click on health and fitness on the left then click cardiology, you can ask Dr rich your question and he will answer in 24 hours its free but you will have to sighn up, He will answer all your question good luck keep us updated

[suzzie1]

Hi there, I have taken your advice and I can see why people would not want to reply to my question !! It seems the 'wide complex tachycardia / ventricular tachycardia is the dangerous irr. heartbeat..(its not nice giving someone that kind of information)..looks like I have no choice but to have the ablation done. Its one of those situations in life where you have to take 'bad news' or news one would rather not hear, or in this case 'read'. Last week after seing my cardio I found out my mitral valve was in bother...phew. At least I know Im not the only person going through similar stuff, and this site has been a tremendous help. Though I must say, my two kids are in bed and sitting here on my couch I feel more alone than I ever have in my life !!! B-(
Thank you.

[suzzie1]

Thank you so much.

[suzzie1]

Sorry ....I meant the above 'Thank you' for you !!

[cmiller]

I just posted info that Magnesium deficiency has been shown to cause K difficiecy....  in order to hold potassium... you need magnesium. (Search for cmiller postings)  Studies show Mg supplementation can help with arrythmias, even for people with normal serum potassium.  You can search pubmed and the internet for more info.

This web site below is written by a doctor... he does a good job of summarizing the scoop on Magnesium.  

http://askwaltstollmd.com/archives/cardiac.html

I have found Mg to be extraordinarily helpful for my PACs.

Good luck and please share your results.