Years of tachycardia

[worried784]

This is for the doctor, thank you in advance.
I am female, past 50, and I have had tachycardia (between 100 bpm and up to 155, probably more) for years.  I am very sedentery, and suffer from stress, depression and anxiety as well.  Doctors say my heart is fine, just fast.  I have never been treated for my tachycardia.  I was recently started on a calcium channel blocker, and he raised the dose after just one week of my taking it.  I detest medication, and rather not take it.  What should I do?  Even though I am used to my fast heart rate, it is very very scary, as just thinking/lying down/exerting no energy my heart is still racing.
It does slow down at times as well, when sleeping, laying down for several hours etc.
Thank you very much in advance.

[worried784]

Thank you so much for your answer.  
How long would I have to take the medication?  Which is better, beta blockers or calcium channel blockers?  How much above 100 bpm should one be started on a medication to lower your heart rate?  Why does it sometimes cause chest pain?  Does the dizzy feeling ever go away?
Again, thank you.

[worried784]

Thank you so much for your insight.  I am currently taking the meds but they are not really lowering my heart rate.  My tachycardia has affected the things I do and how much I do, but I'v always lived with it.  How long do I have to take the medicine?  I have chest pains at times since I started taking the meds, could the meds be why?
I am so glad I found someone else who knows what tachycardia is and how it can affect someones life.
Thanks

[ireneo]

I've had arrhythmias all my life and just lived with them, made adjustments. I'm like you - avoid medications as much as possible. Then came the day a cardiologist said try a medication for my heart. Unfortunately it didn't agree with me which just reinforced my aversion to meds. Ended up with 3 catheter ablations on my heart (that's another story). Now I'm 55 years old. I had to have surgery recently and they wouldn't do it until my heart was more under control which meant taking medicine for it. The surgery wasn't optional so I did what I had to. Surprise! As much as I resented it, the medicine worked. I was having some chest pains and they've stopped. My arrhythmias are calming down even though they're not completely gone. My BP is better and overall I feel 20 years younger. I never knew I could feel so much better because of one stupid little pill a day. I still cringe a bit when I take it but I'm not going to let my stubbornness steal my improved health.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

The problem is that you can't have it both ways.  It is going to take medications to slow down your heart rate but you have to be willing to take them for this to help.  It is common for people with anxiety disorders to not want to or frankly be afraid to take medications.  If your heart rate is too fast, I generally recommend medications (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers) to my patients.

I hope this helps.