Heart Rate Jumping to 200bpm,during exercise

[sidbee]

I am 29 years, 5 feet 11 inches, 195 lbs, i had an episode of atrial fibrillation, and after all the tests, the doctors called it Lone, ie they could not find any physical causes. They still put me on Toprol-XL 25mg, After taking Toprol for 3 months, i was feeling fatigued, depressed and thereby i tapered it to 12.5 mg for 3 days and i stopped it.
I am a hyper active(personality) and over anxious persion, My resting hear rate is around 80-90bpm. After discontinuing my Toprol last to last  weekend , i started exercising in a health club, just doing cardio over a threadmill, After about 6 days, while exercising for 30 min at 130-140 bpm, my heart rate jumped to 200, It was jump. I was wearing a event monitor and could record my heart rate till 180, and it was sinus tachycardia. Now i am even afraid to go to gym, Please help me and share your experiences, I cant sleep at night, due to fear.Please suggest

[ajc57]

I had this happen to me many times and luckily during my stress/echo over 200bpm!  I am afraid to do much of anything anymore.  I suffer from panic/anxiety also which does not help.  I would like to try a more natural anti-anxiety drug.  Hang in there. Mine is called atrial tacchycardia and they said it would not kill me.  Keep in touch.  ajc57

[casualreader]

Your comment "chances of having side effects from herbs are negligible) is inaccurate.  Herbs can be dangerous.  Be careful.  They're often much better alternatives than conventional medicine, but to think they are 100% safe is dangerous.

[sidbee]

Thanks a ton for your inputs,
Feels much better , my GP has infact precribed me laxapro, and i was just not ready to take it, I would try it soon.

I was just planning to try a herb, just like an experiment(chances of having side effects from herbs are negligible), Its call Ashwagandha, and is availale in the US easily.
Would update you with any positive effects.

[slarew]

that is frightening that you had an episode of atrial fibrillation! but just try to internalize that they couldn't find a cause for it, so chances are it won't happen again. I have sinus tachycardia myself, and I'm managing it without the beta blockers. I found a few things are really important to not get a jump like that: get enough potassium and magnesium, get enough sleep, drink tons of water (more than recommended), do breathing exercises, and do relaxation exercies. What actually helped me most with tachycardia was getting on lexapro (antidepressant) for my anxiety and panic disorder. This actually has lowered my resting heart rate, but in a different and more effective way than the beta blocker because it was due to my anxiety. I was usually at 115 at resting, but after doing all of this, I'm usually in the 60s and 70s at rest.

Also, while exercising, do you start to get nervous and tense up? That might be why you had such a spike in your heart rate. I usually have that when I have a pvc that I can feel, it usually jumps up 20 beats or more. I actually had one while walking up a big hill, and then my heart rate skyrocketed and after resting for 10 minutes, it was still at 160! But I ran to the ER and it turned out it was fine...just sinus tach. They told me it was because I was sick and dehydrated and very low on potassium.

Basically, I get this too, and it's always been from anxiety. If it is sinus tach, that's good news! It just means it got a little too high, but you were exercising, so keep in mind that's why it got to 200! I know it's awfully scary though when it happens. Oh, did anyone tell you about bearing down with your stomach, like you're having a bowel movement? This helps bring the heart rate down pretty quickly. Also, I found taking a deep breath through my nose until I can't anymore, holding it for a few seconds, and then slowly breathing out through my mouth helps too.

[iamfaithful]

Hi-

I am taking a guess and wondering if you tapered too quickly.  I am on 25 mg of toporol (metroprolol) and even though I have been on it twice as long as you, I think you have to taper slowly.  But like I said, I am really guessing at this as I haven't been able to taper off just yet.  I hope you get the answers you need.