Since I began nursing school in 2007 I have began to be aware of my pulse, and the fact that it is usually very fast. My resting heart rate since this time, at any given point in the day, is between 100-130. If I walk--not run--up or down a singe flight of stairs that will increase to 140-160. Persistent cardiovascular activity for more than one minute elevates it to 180-200. Continued exertion past five minutes raises it past 200. The fastest I have actually felt it myself--not using electronic devices--it was 230. The faster that it is, the weaker the peripheral (arms and legs) pulse. Several medications will raise my resting heart rate into the 150 range. These medications are not usually known for tachycardia. When my heart rate hits about 140 or higher I begin to wheeze and have fast respiration.
This will sound ridiculous, but one day ago I danced for one minute and forty five seconds (approximately) to a song to entertain my mother, who was feeling unwell. At the end of that period I was really struggling for breath and my heart rate was 170. Five minutes later my heart rate was still 140-145. Ten minutes later it was still in the 130 range.
I have had several EKG's, all of which have been normal except for the tachycardia. Most doctors refuse to listen to me, even when they themselves have personnel who report tachycardia, so I have not had a holter monitor or a stress test. I realize that these are the important steps in determining the cause and possible treatment. I have asked my network of health care providers about this issue and I haven't got any particularly exact responses.
I would love to know if anyone else has experience this and been diagnosed, or if anyone has any ideas about this. For all I know, this has been a problem much longer than six years, but I never took my pulse regularly before then. Any and all responses are very welcome.