Tachycardia postpartum

[venusi]

I was diagnosed with sinus tachy 3 yrs ago and have been on beta blockers for it.  It developed after I had my first child.  Not sure if it had anything to do with the birth or the pregnancy, only that my hr and bp became continuously elevated after the birth.  Resting rate would range between 90 and 110 at rest and would go up to 120 on standing.

Anyway, I was put on Atenolol 50mg a day and it really helped.  It didn't however remove the palps after eating which I always now get, and the elevation after a meal or snack.  My resting rate went down to just under 60 when I first went on them and I felt a new lease of life.  Then I became used to them and it came up into the 80's sometimes 70's at rest.  

When I was pregnant with my second my hr was quite normal, ranges would be around 70 ish at rest and 80 after food.  During the birth it stayed at normal rates for birth also.

However, just after the birth I got up to go and get showered and as I did my heart raced, I felt faint and had to sit down.  It continued to race through the night, though the nurses said it was normal for what I had just been through.  I had some bloods taken as normal which is fair enough.  Next day my rates seemed to normalise to the usual 70 or 80 but would still charge as soon as I stood up.  I was told it was because I was exhausted and not slept through the night (tending to little one).  

The registrar of the ward checked me over before letting me go, my bp was perfect and my hr was 77 bpm, the registrar also sounded me and said all sounded fine.  They let us go home.  

Then I had a meal - tachy started up, palps started up.  I'm also feeling like I have a cold or something, my nose is blocked but only on and off.  My hr has been elevated most of today.  I took my beta blocker as normal in the morning, and my hr came down to about 70 ish by lunchtime, then I ate - it went up to 90 at rest, then 110 standing.  It palpitated also.  I then took another beta blocker in the afternoon like normal but it did nothing, it's just not worked.  If anything I started feeling very sleepy instead but the hr was not affected, nor did it come back down.  I've been checking it and it seems to remain around 90 ish.  I darent eat another meal.

My question is: Can beta blockers stop working after such events such as birth etc?  Would this be just because I'm tired and my body needs to adjust?  I've even found myself come across stuff on google and scaring myself which I know is wrong but started seeing stuff about cardiomyopathy postpartum and now I'm really worried.

I've also found that the hr goes way up when I've been breastfeeding.  I know today I've felt swollen and filling up and it seems to have coincided with the hr elevation - would that mean it could be hormones?

I'm worried because I have a lovely new baby and I want to just be her mum and not get sick or worry.  I've read so many negative articles on this cardiomyopathy thing that I am now worried about it big style but know my dr will think I'm a hypochondriac if I bring it up.

I guess I just need reassurance or to hear from someone who has been through similar to me.

[IaneFortin]

Sorry to hear that you keep getting Tachycardia even after seeing your doctor. But on the other hand congratulations on your new baby. I would suggest to see your cardiologist and talk about changing meds as the atenolol might not be working for you. Mention to him all the symptoms you have and what seems to cause them. The more they know the better it is for you.
As for the cardiomyopathy postpartum, You really shouldn't keep reading about such things. You will only end up making yourself feel worst and worried. Keep up with the cardiologist as much as you can they will do the proper testing and they'll tell you what you probably suffer from.

Just focus on your new born, and the rest will come together
We are here for you.

Iane F.