Heart Problems

[emc_xo]

I'm a 17 year old female, not really active in sports or anything of that nature. Recently I have been having these episodes where my heart races to where it is hard to count my pulse, and I get lightheaded and nauseous. I went to the hospital last night because that was the first time it has happened 3 times in one day... they ran a CAT scan, Chest X-ray, blood tests, and everything came back negative. I had been laying down for over an hour when my pulse jumped to 130...this usually happens when i'm just sitting down doing nothing. I don't know if this is just a coincidence, but it happens mostly after I eat. A relative of mine said it could possibly be diabetes, but who knows. Help?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Awareness of your heartbeat is termed as palpitation and it can be due to hyperthyroidism( overactive thyroid), arrhythmias (altered electrical system of the heart), certain medications, heart failure, anemia and low blood sugar. It can be aggravated by exercise, fever, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and dehydration. Anxiety, fear or stress can cause palpitations. Please discuss this with your doctor am sure he will provide further assistance.

Hello and hope you are doing well.

[emc_xo]

I would have said the same thing, but My doctor told me not to do any kind of exercise or strenuous physical activity due to this. New symptoms have occurred and whenever i have these episodes, my arms and feet go numb and i have chest pain. Just walking somewhat far distances makes me feel like im going to pass out

[vienna13]

The answer is in my opinion could be in this sentence that you said:
  "Not really active in sports or anything of that nature. "
Try exercising every day, start with 20 minutes, add every day 10 more minutes and go up to 2 hours a day. You will feel much better. Don’t tell you don’t have time for that, we all do, how many hours we spend with things that are not important , watching TV etc….think about it.  It doesn’t have to be sport or regular visit to the GYM , It can be aerobic type of old fashion  exercise, get an old Jane Fonda  book for example ,or look her programs up on line ,you can chose your program for yourself  mix with your favorite music and DO IT.

  If I am wrong and after all you have some hiding medical issue from exercising you still will benefit.

[ed34]

I think you should perhaps recommend a thyroid blood test.

[emc_xo]

They didn't test my blood sugar levels, and this doesn't just occur after eating. For example, today the left side of my face felt droopy and my hands were shaking so hard I couldnt pick up my pencil, let alone use it. In the hospital, I hadn't eaten anything for over 4 hours and I had been laying there for about 2, and my heart rate suddenly went from low 90's to 130. At times it feels like i'm going to passout. This has been going on for months but now it is more frequent. I'm 4'11 & 120 pounds, the doctor said that 130 was high for me, but nobody at the hospital gave me any explanation as to what this could be. If you have any other suggestions as to what this may be, please let me know. Thank you for responding :)

[ed34]

I'm sure they would have tested your blood sugar levels. What you describe is more common than you think. heart rate increase occurs in many people after eating and can go over 100. With some people it's worse with high fat content foods or high carbs. I think you probably had some anxiety added to the event, where you are scared, wondering what's happening. This would release adrenaline and get your heart racing even more. When you eat, a considerable blood volume changes its route to feed energy to your digestive system.