exercise induced tachycardia

[mojojojo]

I have exercise induced tachycardia causing nausea,arm and chest pain at times. I am a 32 year old woman , I exercise at least three times a week (aerobics). I always have a heart rate above my 90% level for exercise.However, it sometimes is higher than 250 bpm. My doctor does not seem concerned. I was able to push and get a stress test and echocardiogram. The echo was normal and I had some slight changes in st segments on the stress test that the MD said was negligible because I am a woman. Now I am going to have a 24 hour holter monitor with the hope that I can recreate an "episode". If this is "normal" ,what would my next step be? Can you suggest questions I may want to ask? I am not on any medication currently and other than Pre-eclamsia with two pregnancies I am in excellent health.My resting heart rate is high at 75-85,my resting bp is 120-135/ 65-75. thank you.

[Fina603]

A related discussion, Scary Heart Racing was started.

[Mel22]

Was your prior echo a stress echo?

Just curious!

[ballplayer23]

I'm 33 and was in perfect shape, especially cardiovacularly. My cardiologist seems to think that I have Supraventical Tachycardia as well. It started as just some flutters and palpitations. I played an excessive amount of basketball at 110% until those palpitations...scary at first. The first doctor convinced me that it was stress or anxiety... "go play basketball, you need to" Well everytime I played I felt worse. I did the blood tests, EKG, stress treadmill (twice), 24 hour monitor (twice), echocardiogram and nothing... "You are healthy"... then I had my first noticeable tachycardia, it scared the poop outta me because I had been sleeping and then woke up to a 145 bpm heart rate. That finally gave them a clue... it seems that since I was always running and keeping a very fast heart rate...I never even knew that I had a problem, but now knowing what I know, it all makes sense...the heat & sweat spells, nausea after playing...the high heart rate during "cool down" periods after playing ball. I'm very upset about this whole thing as well, but it was easy for me to slow down and feel better rather than go through the misery that was starting to accompany my extreme workouts.

[Polaria]

I am 37, and as far as I know, in good health. I started working out regularly at the age of 27, and continued the exercise for four years, never experiencing problems. When I was 31, I had a very bad flu and had to give up the routine for six months. When I restarted working out, I was haunted by episodes of tachycardia. I've had so many tests since then, the doctors say "it's OK, go on with your routine", but each time I wake up with my heart racing (140-150 bpm), I feel like I'm gonna die.
My symptoms are very much like mfaith, my heart suddenly starts racing when I just stand up from a sitting position. But I also wake up with a racing heart in the middle of night, and I usually have little bit of vaginal bleeding (not red, but brown) the next day.
The thing is: When I give up my workout routine, all these symptoms disappear, I'm quite normal again. But I like working out, I need the exercise, and I want to be able to go on with it!! I feel like I'm cursed when everyone else can do whatever they want.

[Easy does it]

I have Supra ventricular tachycardia. I take a medication called Betapace or Sotalol. I have had catheter ablation performed by my elctrophysiologist to rid the problem but no such luck. I am told to exercise, just at a slower pace than I normally have. I have good days and bad days. My doctor says that it is not life threatening but when I am in tachycardia, it sure feels that it is. I am 36 and very depressed by my heart disfunction. I wish there was some majical cure. There are a lot of things you can do. Seeing a Cardiologist is the first thing. Once they capture the heart racing, then they can treat it. It took me about 2 years to catch it on tape. Now, I have them at least once a week. Unless I exercise or exert myself then I can have them at will. Of course I never will them. Anyway, I hope the doctors find out what is happening. Just stay on top of it and don't take no for an answer from the doctors. You have to live with it not them. Good Luck

[mfaith]

Hi,

I was experiencing something similar.  I am 27 years old, and my heart beats fast when I do activities. For example, if I am laying down and I get up abrubtly, it starts racing as if I just ran instead of walked.  Once, my blood pressure rose to 150/90 and my pulse was at approx.150bpm.  When I sit down, or even lay down it stops racing, and goes to normal beats again.  This has had me very upset.  I admire you for being able to workout.  I stopped working out because it scares me now when it happens.  I am now seeing a cardiologist and I have worn a holter monitor before.  But nothing abnormal comes up.  It was caught on record in the emergency room, but they said I was in normal sinus rythm and agreed however that it was beating fast.

I am going to have an echo done next week.
I've also thought it could be something else triggering this response.  I do have really bad indigestion and constipation, and sometimes when my stomache feels acidic, my heart beats either harder or faster.

Have you experienced any of these things as well?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear mojo,
250 is a very high heart rate and I suspect you have a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).  I agree with checking a Holter monitor and trying to "induce" an episode.  If this fails to capture an event then you need to ask for a "loop recorder" that can be worn for several weeks to months.  Once an episode has been recorded you need to see an Electrophysiologist who can recommend the best treatment.

[jackdrum]

If you don't end up in tachycardia while wearing the 24 hr. monitor, you should get a event monitor and you could record it when you do have a episode.  
It might be possible that it is a tachycardia from atrial fibrillation.   Have you ever noticed any irregular heart beats.