rapid heart rate

[barblyme]

I have had  rapid heart rate - 106 - 140 for the past week.  Occasionally it will drop into the 70-80 bpm range.  I wake with it in the 100's bpm and it can change rapidly from low to high 140's.  It makes my chest/heart hurt by mid afternoon.  I have been to the er with this 3 times during this week.  My ekg is fine - blood work is normal.  What should I do?  I am afraid my heart will give out before it slows down.  

[Me967]

Hi.  Has your Doctor put you on any heart meds such as beta blockers to knock your BP down?  Do you have chest pains?  Do you get lightheaded or SOB?
After I had an attack it took me 3 years of a very high HR of 120 - 165 to finally give in and go to a doctor.   I was just a bit stubborn about getting checked out or taking pills.

A fast HR can cause issues with your heart if it is not addressed over time.  

If you know for certain it is not stress don't let them try to play it off with something that will just drug you to shut you up.  I hate to say it's a doctors favorite answer and sometimes they're right.  You know yourself better though.  It is important you be honest with yourself.  I knew with myself stress was not the issue though.  I would think they would put you on BP meds.  Maybe even monitor it for a day.   I hope you can get some answers from your cardiologist.

Take care.

[julesluvsdrew]

That makes me sick that the er doc told you that!You would think that no matter what to be on the safe side,he would of wanted you to be seen by a cardio...just in case.I would deff make that appointment..a low dose of a beta blocker might do the trick for your heart rate.Im on atenolol for high blood pressure but its also used for patients with high heart rates.Like I said before my pulse runs high usually and when I go to the dr they do not say or act like anything is wrong with it being over 100.You will feel a lot more comfortable once your checked out by a cardiologist.

[worried784]

For years I'v been told that my stress and anxiety is what is wrong, not my tachycardia.
I DO suffer from stress and anxiety, and my tachycardia makes me MORE anxious and stressed out.
I think it is good your heart rate can go down to the 70s without any medication. My heart rate has never gone down to the 70s until recently, and that is only because I'm now on beta blockers.  I know from experience your heart will not give out because it is racing over 100 bpm, but go to a doctor ASAP.

[barblyme]

I had a cardiologist apt. and the er doctors told me to cancel it.  They told me there was nothing wrong with me - that I just can't control my stress.  I was quite offended by the stress comment, as I do know my stress level, and really needed a better answer.  The doctor has now suggested schlorderma.  I will go back and reschedule the cardio. My heart rate is still staying above 100 bpm.  I have been able to get it down in the 70's a few times.  It was 116 in the middle of the night when I woke up...so frustrating!

[nicolette36]

i agree,you should see a cardiologist,i know from my own experience how frustrating it is.certainly with svt  an ekg will show normal when im not having an attack so there has been several times ive been in the thros of an attack ,got to the ER then before i am seen the svt stops,then i feel like an idiot!just to mention also some svt will show up on an ekg but mine didnt.

[dolfnlvr]

I don't think your heart will give out, but I do think you need to see a cardiologist.  There are treatments for chronic tachycardia, and I think you need a baseline observation along with regular monitoring (every 3-6 months like the dentist) to help make you more comfortable with what's giong on.

The ER's job is to stabilize patients and send them on their way.  You need to see a doctor who will follow-up with treatment and observation.

Take care.