Sudden onset of tachycardia

[Concerned28277]

3 weeks ago while at work, I developed sudden onset tachycardia (ranging in the 120's).  In addition, I had neck, left shoulder and left sided chest pain, a flushed feeling, shortness of breath, dizziness and I felt somewhat disoriented. I felt fine one moment and the next moment I felt acutely ill. I was working at my desk the entire time. I have a history of idiopathic cardiomyopathy and pericarditis. My symptoms lasted about four hours, resolved for a couple of hours, and then returned for an additional 45 minutes.  I have not had any symptoms since the last episode. Last summer an echocardiogram did show some type of abnormality with the apex of my heart, so a cardiac cath was ordered, which came back normal. In addition, I was diagnosed with Type I DM 10 years ago (at the age of 38) as well as hypothyroidism.  I work in a doctor's office as a CMA so I do have a medical background.  After an EKG was performed, I was sent to the hospital via ambulance.  While in the ambulance, after the administration of a bag of fluids, my BP dropped to 76/48.  My blood sugar rose to 500 and it did take 24 hours just to get it back down into the 200 range. At the hospital, I was tested for a pulmonary embolism and my cardiac enzymes were checked.  Everything came back negative.  The only rationale they could come up with was that my TSH was low (0.04) which was probably due to a recent increase in my Synthroid dosage (interestingly enough, one doctor thought the symptoms were all muscular related - I do wonder where she earned her medical degree).  However, my endocrinologist does not feel this was a cause for my symptoms as they were of a sudden onset.  My cardiologist has no explanation either.  Unfortunately, while in the hospital, he was not contacted and therefore, he was not able to review my EKG.
Is this something I should be concerned about? I am far from an anxious person and it is very unlikely that I would ever have a panic attack. This has never happened to me before and I am concerned that this may happen again.

[Mom2four85]

Definitely keep trying to get your question in the heart disease expert forum, it seems about 12pm EST is a good time - but I think it depends on how backed up it is.

The tachy at 120's isn't too alarming in itself, but tachy with your symptoms and history = red flags that they need to do something and you need to find a doctor who will figure out what's going on asap.

Did they say what was at the Apex? It's very difficult to work in there since it's so thin so maybe they didn't go as far as they needed...

did they do anything for your sugar levels being so high? is it still 200? that seems really high still

Have you had a tilt table test and how is your hr/bp normally?  Here's some info http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Autonomic-Dysfunction-FAQ/show/181?cid=196  Dysautonmia covers alot of things and may take a few dr's to find if that's what's going on.

good luck with your dr's appt hopefully they'll find out what's going on soon; keep us posted

[Concerned28277]

Yes, I did try, but the maximum number of posts had already been exceeded for the day.  I will try again tomorrow.

[bbxx]

You are welcome. Have you tried asking in the doctor section so a cardiologist can answer you? It may be good to hear from another cardiologst just for more ideas.?

[Concerned28277]

Thanks for your comment.  My cardiologist did tell me yhat if it happens again, make sure I call him because the hospital doesn't always let him know.  I am just keeping my fingers crossed that it never happens again!

[bbxx]

I would be concerned. The hospital should have a copy of your EKG and they can fax it to your cardiologist. I know that is what the hospital did with mine. Next time you have those symptoms get to the hospital and dont wait! If your cardiologist is not willing to dig deeper, then get a new one. I am not a doctor, but something sounds off here.