Heart Troubles

[jus_tine_e]

I'm female, 19 years old and I have had palpitations, increased heart rate and low blood pressure. Every time I get a cold, no matter the severity - even a sore throat - I get palpitations and an increased heart rate during normal, everyday activities.

I was hospitalized in April overnight and they did an echocardiogram and blood cultures but found nothing except elevated white blood cells they said was caused by an infection somewhere in my body. My family doctor also had me on a 24-hour holter the Tuesday prior to being taken to the ER on Thursday night by my roommates.

Loud bass from music also seems to have an effect on my heart.

Everything seemed to be fine over the summer, and I got back to relative normality in August. It was only recently that the symptoms came back, and now that I have a small cold and flu season is around the corner, I'm worried it might only be the beginning of more problems for my health.


What could be causing my heart troubles?

[caregiver222]

The echocardiogram is often used to determine if you have a bacterial infection on the heart, which sometimes causes palpitations. This is a two part test, one part involves rubbing an ultrasonic probe on the skin. The second part involves swallowing a probe. Have you been asked to swallow a probe? Often they only do one part of the procedure.

[jus_tine_e]

Just the first part.

I believe they were looking at my valves though because the waves were irregular and there were extra sounds .. instead of the lub dub it was more like lub dub dub.

[whatayear]

you need to read about IST innapropriate sinus tachycardia.....you can have this and have a normal heart there is also something called POTS which is similar to IST but has a more effect of the blood pressure along with heart rate and papls are a main symptom.  Alot of doctors dont know about this condition but it is brought on after a cold or infection for the most part. I have this I got it after a cold. it is a chronic illness but can get better and then worse. sit down and take your heart rate and then stand up and take your heart rate and what it does over a couple min a polar heart monitor from target would be help ful and next time your at the doc have them take your heart rate and BP sitting or laying and then have them take it when you stand up and see if it goes down instead of up these are symptoms of POTS.  Drink a bottle of gatoraide in the morning and though out the day the sodium in it helps with blood volume helping BP and heart rate also cut out all caffiene and stimulants including cold meds these meds are horrible and you really dont need them try this and see if it helps. but def try the checking the heart rate sitting and standing and ask your doc for a 24 hour holtier if not a 30 day they are better. rmwagoner03@ yahoo . com  good luck Im 27 and was diagnoised about 5 months ago but i knowpeople that it took years and years to get diagnoised with IST.

[whatayear]

ohhhh I went back and read your post agian .....the loud music thing is funny!!!! we were talking about that tonight on our IST forum we all get that to. sounds alot like IST if your echo is normal. It unfortionaly happens to young women!!!!! I posted my email if I can help you anymore let me know but you need to also ask for a tilt table test.  IST is not life threatning just life changing. its more annoying then anything but it cant kill you!!!!

[jus_tine_e]

Thanks a lot =)

I had a 24 hour holter back in April when all this first started; I didn't know there were 30 day ones =P

The result of my 24 hour holter was my doctor telling me, "When you said you were having symptoms, it showed up on the read out." Thanks, doc (I don't like my doctor as my doctor). I'm going to go back to him this week then.

[sugarpea013]

Hey there, I also have IST! What is the forum you are talking about? I would love to be able to chat with others who have IST. I saw your post to Celeste, she is amazing. She really knows what to say to make you feel more at ease with this.

[sugarpea013]

Hey there, I also have IST! What is the forum you are talking about? I would love to be able to chat with others who have IST. I saw your post to Celeste, she is amazing. She really knows what to say to make you feel more at ease with this.

[whatayear]

yeah celeste is awesome If I can track her down!!!!!