tachycardia (newly diagnosed)

[shulsey]

Almost two weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with my heart racing at 120 bpm.  My heart rate stayed at this level until I went to the doctor at about 10:00 the next morning.  My doctor prescribed Toprol and it finally brought my heart rate down.  Now I have also visited with a cardiologist who says he suspects that I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia.  I am going to have my thyroid checked, but I was wondering if this is the way people usually find out they have tachycardia?  I felt great until that moment in the middle of the night and now I am looking at taking medicine for the rest of my life.  Are there any other possibilities?  Is there a chance that I won't have to take medication forever?

Thanks,

Shelley

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear shelley,

There are many causes of tachycardia (fast heart beat).  They can roughly be divided into those coming from the top chambers (supraventricular tachycardias or SVTs) and those coming from the bottom chambers (ventricular tachycardias or VT).  Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a type of SVT.  The diagnosis can only be made after "appropriate" causes of fast heart beats such as elevated thyroid have been excluded.  IST is more common in young women and sometimes requires medical therapy.  Beta-blockers are the most common drug used. Drug therapy is not necessarily life-long.  In very severe cases a procedure known as an ablation may be used to 'modify' the sinus node.

Tachycardias usually have an 'index' case where the person first notices it.  These are often at night because the individual is more aware of their heart-beat at this time.

[ZEET]

My problems started the exact same way. One day in 1993 my heart one day in the morning started racing just like yours, for no reason. From that day it did the same thing everyday, especially in the a.m. I lived with it for a couple of years with out ever seeing a doctor. Then I started feeling like a flutter or an extra beat or something. It's like you feel it but then it's gone. Then the next thing I felt which scared the hek out of me, was a slight flutter then my heart beats slow, then I cough or do something with a quick motion, and it goes from a slow rate to a fast rate, then back to normal. I still didnt see a doctor, then one day in Feb. 1998 my heart this day raced all day, and never slowed down, like it usually does. That night I went to the E.R. and had a cardiogram and told it was inappropiate sinus tachcardia, also they did blood work to check my thyroid. Finally saw a cardiologist, and had echo cardiogram, and different monitors, and told my heart is fine, but still have all these symptons. He put me on Toprol, my dosage is now 100mg. a day. This stuff has helped so much. I still have these symptons, but at a much less severity. But I'm like yourself am wondering if I have to be on this for the rest of my life? Or is there a procedure that can cure my arrythmias. As long as the Toprol does help to a point, I know it's not a cure, and it wont hurt me to be on it for a long period of time, then I don't mine staying on the med. I was 33 when all this started in 1993. Also I noticed around that time of the month symptons can come about more.

[shulsey]

I forgot to say that I am 34 years old, and the time of month does seem to make a difference to me, too.  I didn't ask about long term effects of the Toprol.  I am taking 50mg right now and it is working so far.  Is it dangerous to take a beta blocker for a long time?

Shelley

[sram8]

This sounds like what I am going through, I have been rushed to the hospital 2 times with a rapid heart beat, my blood pressure is around 175/118, heart rate is 130 and I have a tightness in my chest. This will wake me out of a dead sleep or will happen when I am very relaxed and still. I can always tell when it is going to happen my palms will feel damp. Mine usualy last anywhere from 1 to 10 mins. I have seen several doctors and had a angiogram done and no one can give me an answer. They have me on Toprol 50mg XL also. It helped for a couple weeks but now it back to the same ole thing. When this happens to others, does it typicaly raise your blood pressure? Is there any other info you can give me as far as other symtoms or treatmeant. I have an appointment with a third cardiologist next week to see what he thinks.

[Lyn2]

I too suffered from inappropriate sinus tach.  My rate averaged 120 - 150 24 hrs. a day.  Eventually it was suggested that I have an ablation of my sinus node.  Now I have a pacemaker and several more serious arrythmias with much more heavy duty antiarrythmic medications.  All I can say is if your doctors do not think your in danger of anything bad, try to stick with the beta-blockers.  The other alternative is far less appealing.

[Addie]

For the past 3 weeks, I have expereinced a very irregular heartbeat.  it flutters and jumps and does summersaults.  These episodes start at 5:00Pm and last 3-4 hours before quieting down.  I get lightheaded and walk like I am drunk.  When these episodes start, I have funny feelings in my left arm and fingers.

MY BP can be 120/66  to  150/70 during these episodes (home monitor)  My pulse rate is between 90-100.

I did have a 24 hour Urine collection test for Pheochomcytoma (sp) and they said it was normal.  I had this done 4 months ago for another reason.  I am on Thyroid meds for Hypothyroidism and this very stable.

I see a cardiologist (3 weeks to get in to see him) this week.

I am wondering why only at 5:00PM and why 3-4 hours and why this is happening.  Stress?  

Anyone else like this?

Thanks.

[kcossich]

I have the same thing happening to me, and my dr. thinks it is all being caused by stress.  I suffer from panic attacks, and for awhile, they occurred like clockwork between 7-8 pm and lasted for several hrs.

Kristy

[Addie]

Thanks Kristy.

I see the doc tomorrow.  Yesterday, they started at 4:00PM but strangely they were not as bad and lasted only 2 hours.  

I am praying that I have a better day today.

Thanks for answering my post.

[shulsey]

I don't think my problem is pheochromocytoma because my blood pressure is always around 120/75.  Thanks for the suggestion, though.  I am having trouble with my medication (Toprol).  I think it is giving me heartburn and small stabbing pains (not often) in my chest.  I have never had a problem with either of these before.  Has anyone else had side effects like these?

[MLS]

When I was in my 20's I started experiencing "out of the blue" rapid heartbeat, pulse of 120 or higher & fluttering in chest.  This came and went, much to my dismay.  After I had my children I began experiencing "panic attacks" with all of the symptoms above and more.  Some days my heart would skip a beat the whole day.  I never did go to the Dr.for it because I was 22 yrs. old and just never at that age that it could be serious, but I learned the hard way what stress can do to some people. First of all you are tense to begin with, then when you start to notice the symptoms you tense up even more and began to think "oh no, what if...." and come up with a multitude of things that could happen.  This only increases your rapid heart rate.  It creates a viscious cycle of fear...adrenaline....symptoms, fear... adrenaline....symptoms......and it can go on indefinitely.  Even if you don't have actual fear, a "dislike" is also a negative emotion.  I know it is easier said than done...and now I know better, that everyone should go to the Dr. to make sure it is nothing serious.  

My point in writing is that I learned (with support of others who experience panic attacks" (23 years ago) that these were the symptoms of a panic attack or someone under a lot of stress and actually learned to go with the flow.....accept the symptoms they are there and it will get better, and....think positively about them, because negative thoughts will only increase the adrenaline and symptoms.  Your body becomes so "sensitized" and all your thoughts tune in on yourself and you notice every little thing.  I got to the point that I could just roll over and go to sleep with my heart racing along.  

I know that my body is more sensative and still to this day if I have too much stress, or caffeine in my life this will happen.  It still mangages to catch me off guard until I remember to think positive.....I hope this helps someone.  I learned a lot about stress during this time.  I became acquainted with Dr. Claire Weekes who was a pioneer in the study of phobias and panic attacks....and I learned a lot about life's lessons.

[JR]

shelly...beta blockers do have a side effect of sharp chest pains caused by constiction of airways in your lungs....or thats what ive heard anyway.

[Buzz]

Toprol will give you heart burn.  Most drugs will.  Just need to eat a full meal with it.  I also take Tagament, but like to wait one hour after I take my Toprol to take the Tagament.  When I take them together, then it seems that the Toprol does not work well durning the long long day.

[wildbill]

I had svt until I had an ablation done (it was the best decision I ever made). I had it done at cleveland heart clinic, their the best in the world when it comes to the heart. Before my ablation my heart rate would jump up to 230 bpm and would usally go away before I got to the hospital (20 min drive). The real thing to have to worry about with rapid heart rate is if it goes over 275 bpm the lungs can fill with blood, the heart can lock-up.