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Heart Rhythm (Expert Forum)
18 Year Old With EXTREMELY Fast Heart Rate
Answered by
Michael J. McWilliams, M.D. - atrial fibrillation, Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Arrhythmias (SVT, VT), PVC/PAC, Ablation
Wilmington Health Associates
Wilmington - NC
Questions in the Heart Rhythm forum cover topics that include heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
18 Year Old With EXTREMELY Fast Heart Rate
by LookingForAnswers1964, Jan 04, 2009 03:14PM
Dear doctor:
My 18 year old daughter (135 pounds/does not smoke, drink, or use caffeine) is currently seeing an Electrophysiologist that is STUMPED by her symptoms. We have not received a diagnosis as of yet. She has had the following symptoms for (at least) one year:
1. Resting heart rate varies between 70 to 140 bpm.
2. Upon standing, her heart rate immediately jumps approximately 30 to 40 bpm.
3. Walking (normal pace) heart rate varies between 110 tp 170 bpm.
4. Chest pain.
5. Dizziness.
6. Low energy.
7. Small toes on both feet turn purple upon standing.
8. Erratic "jumpy" heart rate while in a sitting position (changes from 70 to 140 to 80 to 110 to 150 within seconds).
9. Doctors (2) had a hard time finding a blood pressure reading at her ankle, yet it is normal at her knees.
10. Blood pressure used to be normal, but is now slightly high at times.
She has had an EKG, Holter Monitor, Event Monitor, numerous blood tests, 24 hour urine, Echocardiogram, and tests to rule out a tumor on her adrenal gland. Everything checked out fine. Her doctor recently put her on 12 1/2 mg beta blocker (twice per day), but that only lowers her heart rate for about 15 minutes. PLEASE HELP!!! I am VERY concerned that her heart is working much too hard to keep up with her fast heart rate. It's come to the point that I don't want her to stand up or walk because I don't want to put more stress on her heart!!! I would truly appreciate any input, suggestions, or advice you may have as to why this is happening and where we should go from here.
Thank you in advance for your input.
Warm regards,
Lisa
My 18 year old daughter (135 pounds/does not smoke, drink, or use caffeine) is currently seeing an Electrophysiologist that is STUMPED by her symptoms. We have not received a diagnosis as of yet. She has had the following symptoms for (at least) one year:
1. Resting heart rate varies between 70 to 140 bpm.
2. Upon standing, her heart rate immediately jumps approximately 30 to 40 bpm.
3. Walking (normal pace) heart rate varies between 110 tp 170 bpm.
4. Chest pain.
5. Dizziness.
6. Low energy.
7. Small toes on both feet turn purple upon standing.
8. Erratic "jumpy" heart rate while in a sitting position (changes from 70 to 140 to 80 to 110 to 150 within seconds).
9. Doctors (2) had a hard time finding a blood pressure reading at her ankle, yet it is normal at her knees.
10. Blood pressure used to be normal, but is now slightly high at times.
She has had an EKG, Holter Monitor, Event Monitor, numerous blood tests, 24 hour urine, Echocardiogram, and tests to rule out a tumor on her adrenal gland. Everything checked out fine. Her doctor recently put her on 12 1/2 mg beta blocker (twice per day), but that only lowers her heart rate for about 15 minutes. PLEASE HELP!!! I am VERY concerned that her heart is working much too hard to keep up with her fast heart rate. It's come to the point that I don't want her to stand up or walk because I don't want to put more stress on her heart!!! I would truly appreciate any input, suggestions, or advice you may have as to why this is happening and where we should go from here.
Thank you in advance for your input.
Warm regards,
Lisa
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J. McWilliams, M.D., Jan 04, 2009 08:18PM
, Jan 04, 2009 08:18PM
It sounds like inappropriate sinus tachycardia. I don't reference wikipedia very often, but there is a very simple article about it there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inappropriate_sinus_tachycardia
I can't explain the purple toe and the lack of blood pressure in ankles but normal around knees --- not sure if this is related.
If all the cardiac tests are normal, her cardiac prognosis is very good. The problem you are left with is the symptoms, which tend to be very difficult to treat. It is very common for people with IST to not tolerate the lowest doses of medications and to say things like "i am very sensitive to medications." This is a big part of why the medical treatment is difficult -- medication intolerance.
You didn't mention irritable bowel symptoms -- my guess is that they are also present.
People often are caught up with the heart rate and think the heart rate is driving the symptoms. It is actually the opposite. The problem is with the autonomic nervous system and the fast heart rate is as much of a symptoms/sign as dizziness, fatigue (low energy), GI symptoms, etc. People are often referred to cardiology because of the heart rate but many times the symptoms persist even if the heart rate is slowed down with medications or procedures.
This is a diagnosis of exclusion after other causes are ruled out -- as your doctor is doing now. It is very frustrating for the patient, family and doctor. Patients will often see many physicians fearing that something more dangerous is being missed.
I am not saying that she has IST, but it is starting to sound that way. I hope this helps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inappropriate_sinus_tachycardia
I can't explain the purple toe and the lack of blood pressure in ankles but normal around knees --- not sure if this is related.
If all the cardiac tests are normal, her cardiac prognosis is very good. The problem you are left with is the symptoms, which tend to be very difficult to treat. It is very common for people with IST to not tolerate the lowest doses of medications and to say things like "i am very sensitive to medications." This is a big part of why the medical treatment is difficult -- medication intolerance.
You didn't mention irritable bowel symptoms -- my guess is that they are also present.
People often are caught up with the heart rate and think the heart rate is driving the symptoms. It is actually the opposite. The problem is with the autonomic nervous system and the fast heart rate is as much of a symptoms/sign as dizziness, fatigue (low energy), GI symptoms, etc. People are often referred to cardiology because of the heart rate but many times the symptoms persist even if the heart rate is slowed down with medications or procedures.
This is a diagnosis of exclusion after other causes are ruled out -- as your doctor is doing now. It is very frustrating for the patient, family and doctor. Patients will often see many physicians fearing that something more dangerous is being missed.
I am not saying that she has IST, but it is starting to sound that way. I hope this helps.
Member Comments (1)
by jairo1482, Jul 27, 2009 04:54PM
A related discussion, fast heart rate was started.
by Jenny1215, Aug 16, 2009 12:24AM
A related discussion, Extremely consistant heart rate was started.
