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fast heart beat

My wife - age 65 - was admitted to hospital a week ago with a fast heart beat. At one point it was 160. She was given Bisoprolol tablets which lowered it and discharged the next day. Since yesterday she has experienced short spells of faster beating, and she says the worst thing is that she's 'aware' of her heart beat and feels 'weird'. She saw the doctor a couple of days ago because she had a throat infection and he gave her penicillin. He said the heart was fine - although it's since then that she has felt these shorter spells.
Should she still get this problem even when she's taking the tablets? I wonder if her fear is making things worse.

Thank you in advance.
Geoff
9 Responses
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177337 tn?1310059899
Just another comment!
This has been a problem of mine since my early 20's.  atenolol has been the drug I have taken every day for 20 years.  It works magic.  And, I only take 1/4 of the 25mg pill.  If I get a breakthrough (meaning during the day I notice it starting to race) I just take another 1/4 of the pill.  Atenolol is a great drug because you can use it as needed or just take a small amount daily.  Good luck, I know how she feels about traveling with your heart racing.
Frenchie
Helpful - 1
230125 tn?1193365857
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The best way to answer the question is with a home heart monitor like Holter monitor if it is happening every day or 30 day event monitor if it only happens a few times per month.  Beta blockers will sometimes treat the tachycardia completely but it depends on what the mechanism is for the tachycardia.  There a  host of fast heart rhythms that can be cured with an ablation (small burns inside the heart).  Ablations disrupt the circuit that is causing the tachycardia.  If there is still question about what is going on, it might be best to see a heart rhythm specialist close to your home.  You are correct that anxiety about tachycardia can sometimes also cause fast heart rates and weird sensations in the chest.

I hope this helps.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
hi. i have had the same problem for years.  i am on atenolol.  if i miss a pill i will experience the same thing your wife does.  ask your doc about atenolol , it was the only meds that worked on me.  my doc says i have tachycardia.
maryann
Helpful - 1
230125 tn?1193365857
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
atenolol is a good, inexpensive drug.  it sometimes makes people tired. i often use generic metoprolol.  if atenolol works for you that is great, I wouldn't switch.  some people are sensitive to it.
Helpful - 0
516040 tn?1213837018
I am 21 near 22 years old and for the past few mornings, this week I been waking up with a hard thumping heart and with my heart rate going up from about 60-80 at resting straight to 100. I been taking Ibuprofen 200mg and Tylenol extra strength 2x500mg as directed. I am scared that something might be wrong with my heart. the doctors say that I am to young to be having heart problems but my family history tells other wise. my mother died at 33 of a massive heart attack and my grand mother of a heart aneurysm. but they both smoked a lot and my mother had other issuse that I dont know about. I dont smoke, drink or do drugs, however, I feel as though I have been taking to much NSAIDs.
My Questions are:
1. What could be the cause of me waking up with a thumping and racey heart? possibly the meds i describe?
2. I had been taking Ibuprofen since the end of march. for costochondritis (diagnosed by my doc.) and. am I taking to much? How much is to much NSAIDs?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Kev,
Thank you for your reply and good wishes. I appreciate your advice and for sharing your experiences.
I know my wife has drawn comfort from all of the replies, and I am pleased to say she has shown a significant improvement today, and is looking forward to our trip.

Geoff



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

Hi
Same comment exactly as Frenchie - take 1/4 tenormin tablet once a day and another 1/4 if it plays up a bit. More can make you too tired. Also I started taking it intermittantly several years ago but finally gave in to the Dr and started taking it every day at roughly the same time and it has improved things for me beyond beliefafter 15 years of suffering SVT's and irregular heartbeats which started after taking a large dose of sunus medication called Sudafed..
I have definately noticed though that if I miss a dose I start to get some 'missing beats' and uncomfortable. At first it made me a bit 'puffy' and tired but that seems tro have receded. This is about the 5th or 6th thing they have tried me on and it is the only one that works.  I would also suggest you ask the Dr about some valium to take with you on the trip. I take a small dose now and then when I get excited or upset and it helps the tenormin no end. Have been doing this for years and years and have no dependancy problem at all. Have a nice time. Best wishes, Kev
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks very much Frenchie for your comments, and you are the second person to mention this drug to me. I will certainly enquire about it.
Hopefully Dr.McWilliams will be able to add something in this regard.

Geoff
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you Doctor for your reply and recommendations. I much appreciate it.
My wife has to have a further ECG in a month's time and her own GP made the comment that he might change from Bisoprolol for her because he says it's not 'ideal' . (Whatever that means.)
We are due to fly to Italy next week - first holidy for years - and I think she's really frightened she will be taken ill whilst abroad.
I should also add that she is normally a very energetic 'get up & go' type so she finds this very frustrating, I'd like to be able to reassure her that the events she is now experiencing do not necessarily mean a re-admission to hospital is imminent.

Maryann, thank you also for your response. I will pass on your experiences to my wife and I know she will derive some comfort from the fact that another person can relate to her situation.

Geoff
Helpful - 0

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