Hi everyone
I am 25, f, obese (50 pounds overweight, working on weight loss). I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's to be specific) 2 years back. I started my weight loss journey last year and am down 40 pounds with 50 more to go. I had no cardiac /cardiac mimicking symptoms last year when I started working out. But, this year, I started having palpitations at night every time I exercise. There were times when I had palpitations the next day after exercise, and I assumed it was a case of overtraining. Then, they went away for 2 weeks only to come back later with a vengeance. Basically, my Resting heart rate was over 100 at nearly all times. The beats were regular, hard and very fast. They actually made my shirt move, around my chest with each beat. It was very disconcerting. They came and went cyclically over the weeks. At one point, I felt so uncomfortable that I had to check my BP and it was 150/90, and I felt like crap. I was exhausted, irritable, my heart was thudding in my chest, and I couldn't tolerate any sounds. And, I hadn't even worked out that day. My normal is around 100/60 to 120/80. Because of the issues with palpitations either coming on at night and staying until the next day after exercise OR starting at night the evening I exercise and resolving when I fall asleep OR just coming and going throughout the day, even at rest, I have become scared of exercising.
I had no symptoms during exercise, but all hell has been breaking loose (heart rate 120-140) 3-4 hours after exercise and usually when I am laying in bed. I am terrified of my workouts. For financial reasons and other personal crises, that are about to get resolved, I haven't been able to see a doctor and haven't even had my thyroid tested in over 2 years. I was on Synthroid 100 mcg, and like an idiot, I continued to take it all this while.
A few days back, I read that these symptoms might be related to my thyroid issues and Synthroid dosages. I stopped taking it altogether, and this may be an ad hoc fallacy, but my palpitations went away entirely, and my BP came back down to normal. Since my situation has improved, I've booked an appointment with a cardiologist in about 10 days, but until then, if anyone has any kind of insights/questions/comments, please share.
I am very worried because the palpitations scare me to the point where I am afraid of working out, and I desperately need to work out to lose weight.
Upcoming plans:-
1. See doctor; get blood work and other tests done
2. Continue workout steadily
Additional Info:-
1. I've had insulin resistance (as a part of PCOS due to my weight presumably) in the past, though until 2 years back, I didn't have diabetes. So, I'll only find out where I am at after the test results are back.
2. I have had constant dizziness for 6-7 years now, and since I've never had any extensive cardiac testing done, I can't say if it is connected to my palpitations and related to heart disease OR the doctor was correct in the Migraine associated Vertigo diagnosis.
Pointed queries:-
1. What sort of tests do you think the doctor will order? Which ones shall I ask them to order in case they skip them?
2. If you have experienced these symptoms, what turned out to be the cause? How were they treated?
Thank you very much for reading.
That said, though disconcerting the rate you are experiencing is not a threat to your health. If you stayed at that rate for years on end you might run the risk of tiring out the heart but if your heart is structurally normal then you likely have nothing to worry about. I say this to try and put your mind at ease a little. Heart stuff can be scary but the heart is very resilient and can actually handle a lot. It sounds as though your thyroid issues are what is interfering so it is important to address those issue as it seems as though your heart troubles are being caused by the external influence of hormones. I would say keep your appointment with the cardiologist but more than likely there isn't much to address with the heart persay but you may need to address an imbalance in your thyroid medication. It is really vitally important that you pay attention to your thyroid issue because that will cause you health issues down the road if you don't. Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.