Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia

[flipflopgirl]

I've recently been diagnosed with IST, after months of tests, meds etc. I also have very frequent runs of bigeminy and short runs of NSVT (5-6 beats at a time. I have a few questions I'd like to hear your opinion about...as I wait to see my own doctor
1. What is the likelihood of developing cardimyopathy from IST? If I don't take medications I can have rates up to 150-170 for hours at a time, despite making all the usual lifestyles changes (no caffeine etc.)
2. Is ablation an option to treat IST? If so is it usually successful?How risky?
3. Is the IST and the ventricular ectopy related. Since I have a normal heart by echo, I wondering if the IST somehow causes the venticles to be irritable as well.
If it's of any consequence I'm 29, female...exercise regularly,relatively stress free good cholesterol, mild HTN, don't and never have drank or smoked...and sadly now , no coffee either :(
I'd appreciate any answers you can give and thanks for providing this great service.

[flipflopgirl]

If my rate is high for a long period I get short of breath, with some chest tightness...not pain per se. Also when I get the runs of PVC's together there is usually a little chest tightness. This always stops as soon as the rate or PVC's are under control. I think this type of discomfort is normal....but I would be concerned that it's lasting days for you.

[prjose56]

Does anyone experience a variability in their heart rate?  I bought a heart rate monitor and constantly monitor my heart rate.  Just moving around can cause it to jump 20-30bpm...sometimes even 40bpm.  The rates aren't really sustained that long though.  I can't explain this.  Docs say it's anxiety, but I'm on vacation and don't really feel anxious.  Can anyone help?

[flipflopgirl]

Hi..it's normal, in fact healthy for your heart rate to vary from beat to beat. Most healthy and or young/fit people have a large degree of variability in their heart rate, anxious or not.

[Fran71]

Hi everyone and happy new year from Italy!
I have a question that I would like to put to the doctors when I manage to click at the right time :-) but maybe you can help me. I suffer from sinus tach and PVCs. I can be OK for months and then have an episode. My cardiologist says my heart is healthy, PVCs are benign, etc, and that I must not let it scare me. But sometimes I lay there in bed at night, scared to death, with a racing heart, just praying for it to end. It usually goes away with a beta blocker which I take when needed, as prescribed.
My question is: when should we bo to the ER? Is it OK to just lie there and wait? Are there specific symptoms we should watch for? My cardiologist just tells me to wait till it goes away and not be frightened....easier said than done!

Thanks for listening and again have a wonderful, healthy new year

Fran

[Fran71]

Sorry, of course I meant "go to the ER"!

BTW, does sinus tachycardia really improve with age in some cases? That sure was great news to start the year...!

Thanks again

[tickertock]

All the best and a Happy New Year. Go to this website,very informative on IST.

http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/arrhythmias/a/IST_2.htm