sudden acceleration of heartbeat and sweating

[solotraveler]

I am 28 years old going into 29. I am 5" and 117 lbs. I have no family history of any heart diseases.

What usually happens is that my heart rate would suddenly start accelerating, then I start feeling dizzy, sweating and light headed and nauseous,  every motion becomes too much of an effort such as standing, talking or anything. All I usually can do it to lay down and try to relax until it goes away (it usually takes from 30-60 mins to feel functional again)

This have happened few time in my life, I remember the first time I was 16 and setting in the living room and just finished drinking coffee, I thought maybe i had to much coffee for the day and just let it slide. It is usually associated with those days that I don't eat well, however I consider myself very healthy, I'm not a fan of junk food and I do workout but get into some periods of laziness.

This also sometime happens after an intense cardio workout even if I have done the workout many times before with no issues.

I am just trying to figure out what might be the cause for this. it is becoming an issue as the last time it happened I was in the mall and I basically had to get help to get home and I was in no condition to drive or even walk.

[tom_h]

The mall, movie theater, church, the market, mass transit are all prime places where an anxiety or panic attack can occur.  I'd consider all possibilities.  Get your blood tested.  Do you know a diabetic person? Bum a test strip, and a fresh lance, and check your own blood sugar.  It's an easy procedure that could hopefully eliminate one possible cause and set your mind at ease.

[solotraveler]

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate your help...

[tom_h]

Oh no... you can have panic attacks anytime, anywhere.  As I mentioned above, my wife would get them in the middle of the night..... in bed!  They were so bad that she truely thought she had lost her sanity.   I caution though to uderstand the difference between anxiety and panic attacks, and paroxysmal cardiac events like SVT which can come and go suddenly, and while in between, an EKG will show a perfectly normal heart.

[solotraveler]

so when you say panic attacks, I think of troubled situations... is it possible to get a panic attack being in the mall or working out?

[tom_h]

I'd advise you to note your observations if this happens again; rate, duration, how it started, and how it ended.  A condition l Ike SVT start and stops very abruptly, and is unmistakable in feeling.  High rates can be vey uncomfortable.  I hesitate to say the following because I'm often cautioning people to know the difference, but have you considered the possibility of a panic attack?  My wife had a terrible time with them years ago, and they could come on at any time, even awakening you from sleep.  I hope you find an answer to what you're experiencing.

[solotraveler]

Hi tom, I did not measure mt heart pulse. the heartbeat acceleration starts suddenly but ends gradually (while lay down and resting). when it starts I first feel anxious, then I get so irritable/uncomfortable (hard to really explain). After that it comes the nauseous feeling and the dizziness (seeing while spots).

At that point I feel like all energy have been drained out, and that when I have to lay down as standing or even talking becomes more troubling.

I did at some point think it might be some sort of diabetes but according to blood tests I don't have diabetes.

[tom_h]

I need more information regarding your symptoms.  How fast was your heart rate.  "Accelerating" could be anything from 100 to 250 beats per minute.  Did you measure your pulse?  DId it start and end suddenly?  Can you provide me with more immpressions of how it felt?

[solotraveler]

I did do the diabetes test and came out negative...

[Jerry_NJ]

Your connection to eating/drinking makes me ask if you have any history (have been checked - just a blood test I think) diabetes?

Maybe you should try putting your post on the diabetes community.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Diabetes---Adult-Type-II/show/46
for example.  I don't know anything about "types" there may be better choices to start with than with "type II"... unless you know what that means.

Just a guess.