Heart issues linked to something else?

I am a nurse, and I think sometimes that is a bad thing when something goes wrong because I know enough to get me into trouble. Anyway, I have had ulcerative colitis for about 8 years, was diagnosed with membranous glomerulonephritis this past May and now my heart has been feeling funny. I went to my primary care doc and an EKG was done and I had to wear a holter monitor for 24 hours. During that time it showed runs of couplets, bigemeny and trigemeny and my HR got up to 185. There is no sign of pericarditis, my EF is 68%, I just don't know what to think and my appointment with the cardiologist is not for a couple of weeks. My QT is a bit long, and I feel SOB and extremely fatigued with my heart racing like it does. It is happening more and more frequently  lately and just was curious as to your thoughts. Do you think this could all be connected like with lupus?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Unless you already have a diagnosis of lupus, it is not likely.

It is hard to say what the cause is and often there is no particular cause that can be definitely given in situations like this.  If you have a structurally normal heart, no ischemia and a normal EKG, you can be reassured that it is not a dangerous heart condition.  You will probably have to wait this one out until you see your cardiologist.  don't be surprised if they simply reassure you and are not able to give you a specific cause.