bad heart day almost everyday

[isha2810]

Hi,

I am a 23 year old female, studying medicine. For past 8 months, i have been having some episodes of heart 'dysfunctions' that now have turned constant. I need help in knowing what is the condition.
It started last may when one day i started feeling so weak that i just could not get up and was having a splitting headache, when i measured my BP was 90/55mmHg ( before it was always 120/80mmHg). I was having palpitations, bradycardia at times, tachycardia at times, extreme weakness, sweating ( especially on scalp) after sleeping after headache. I was also having light sleep.
Slowly, these episodes became constant. Now I am feeling weak all times, light headed if sitting or standing for long, headache (thumping with constant heaviness), inability to sleep, tightness in chest, chest pain sometimes, tachycardia at any normal activity (walking, doing some tidy up), BP is still low. I also get dry cough on breathing sometimes.
So i got a holter done for 24 hours, got following:
- sinus tachycardia( 110- 120) almost all day with some normal rate, my heart rate dropped to 50 in middle of night ( reason causing me to wake up from sleep and not to sleep again) and it remained like that for 3 hours
- average pulse -81
- my heart rate jumped to 179 per min when i climbed stairs ( 9 floors, easily climbed by others), breathing became laboured, headache with blacking out sensations ( i did not faint though)
- I have left axis deviation on my holter ( lead I and III), QTc>450ms is 47%, no ST deviation, no T wave abnormalities
I also have tachypnea (26-28 per min) and accentuation of Pulmonary part of second heart sound. I also have slight edema on my feet ( bluish tinge)
I also did a blood work up, I do not have thyroid problems or anemia
I need some advice on what i might be having, so as to proceed further on treatment.
Thanks in advance

[Mom2four85]

I've had fainting episodes and arrhythmia's since age 9 but I didn't find a doctor who understood about these until age 42, others it takes even longer.

The many varying symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction can make Dysautonomia very difficult to diagnose, treat, and ultimately to live with.  It can be very difficult to diagnose and many doctors just do not understand the disease.

For some of us, a tilt table test can be an easy way to make a dx, others it takes specific testing and sometimes more advanced ones to find the cause.  

here's some great info from the DYS forum here:

Diagnosing Dysautonomia - http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Diagnosing-Dysautonomia/show/827?cid=196

What are some examples of specific dysautonomias - half way down is common symptoms http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Autonomic-Dysfunction-FAQ/show/181?cid=196

I don't know where you live, but you need to find a doctor who has knowledge of ANS issues and can coordinate care with a local doctor.  Here's a list of dr's http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Dysautonomia-Specialists/show/717?cid=196

Even though I had a dx, my new cardiologist referred me to Vanderbilt University to get some in depth answers to what is wrong, since they have more advanced technology & equipment there =)

[isha2810]

hi,

i just wanted to ask how  would they decide if this is a heart problem or ANS one?
does doing echo help? is it normal in ANS problems?
how long have u been having this problem n when did it start for u?
thank for the suggestion, i could use all the help i can get

[Mom2four85]

have TTT (tilt table test) done to see if you're having ANS issues; sounds like you have some of the same symptoms many of us ANS patients go through

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Autonomic-Dysfunction-FAQ/show/181?cid=196

[isha2810]

i did blood work up and it was normal. even the thorax x-ray came back almost normal.
now what?
and yes i don't have mitral valve prolapse.
thanx anyways

[curmudgen]

Stop being the medical student and become the patient. You need to see a cardiologist for advice.  

[cindy707]

Just tossing in a thought...have you been tested for Mitral Valve Prolapse yet?  Alot of your indicators are pointing in that direction......................