Post viral tachycardia

Hi

I am 28 yr old female and contracted Parvovirus B19 spring 2010. Although this is usually a mild illness for children I was very sick in 2010 and continue to have several unpleasant post-viral symptoms. I have a daily battle with muscle pain, joint pain, extreme fatigue and a constant fast heart rate (110-120 resting). I get extremely tired, dizzy and fatigued with only mild exertion (175-180 walking up stairs). I had a holter monitor for a day which confirmed this. I recently had a treadmill stress test which did not go very well. I only managed just over 6 minutes and had to stop in Stage 3 with a heart rate of 175. Apparently I had a 'flat BP response' which is abnormal, right? I have had echo's and ultrasounds and no sign of a blockage.

What could be causing this abnormal HR and flat BP response? Will the flat BP response explain why I get fatigued and dizzy with mild exertion? I understand parvovirus can cause a lot of damage to the body in adulthood - is it possible that it has damaged my heart?

I am waiting to see my Dr for official feedback on the stress test and the next steps.

(I am 5"4, 119lb, non smoker, no drugs, minimal alcohol, thyroid was slightly overactive in December but back to normal now).

Parvosufferer

[itdood]

Stage 3 isn't so bad.  Some folks are so bad they can't even do a normal stress test and have to do a "chemical" stress test where they are injected with something to speed their heart rate up.  Your's sounds about average to me.

Have you had an echo yet?  They would be able to tell your ejection fraction and stroke volumes which could provide more clues if there's anything wrong.

The only thing I can think of the flat BP are two things.  Either the central nervous system response is innappropriate or your heart isn't able to raise BP for some reason.

I think this is just all part of the viral impact/immune response. Some of these viruses can take 18+ months before they start to resolve.  It won't last forever, the one thing that's constant is change.

[itdood]

Stage 3 isn't so bad.  Some folks are so bad they can't even do a normal stress test and have to do a "chemical" stress test where they are injected with something to speed their heart rate up.  Your's sounds about average to me.

Have you had an echo yet?  They would be able to tell your ejection fraction and stroke volumes which could provide more clues if there's anything wrong.

The only thing I can think of the flat BP are two things.  Either the central nervous system response is innappropriate or your heart isn't able to raise BP for some reason.

I think this is just all part of the viral impact/immune response. Some of these viruses can take 18+ months before they start to resolve.  It won't last forever, the one thing that's constant is change.

[rilesnic]

I have a close friend who was getting very tired and dizzy. They did a Tilt Table Test and found, like itdood said, it was the central nervous system, which was affected by a virus. The virus was unknown, but all they could pinpoint. It was affecting his heart and was causing his intolerable symptoms. He is doing much better now with medication, keeping his BP and heart rate up. I'm a teacher and this year I had almost half of my class out within a 3 week period with Fifth's Disease (aka parvovirus). I know pregnant women have to be very careful as it can cause birth defects to the fetus (I've seen the effects of this as well). Scary, because once you break out into the rash and the fever is gone, you are no longer contagious, just miserable and you've already possible infected others unknowingly.
I hope you start feeling better very soon!

[Parvosufferer]

Thank you both for your comments.

I had an echo at the end of last year and they said it was OK. I believe they are scheduling another one following the stress test. I will pass your comments on to my Dr at my next appointment.