kk123
06-18-2004, 09:11 PM
I have been having troubles with my heartbeat for about the past 10 years. (I am a 31 yr. old female.) I read many postings about others who have fast heartbeats and palpitations, but haven't found any that sound similiar to my episodes. When my heart races, it instantly kicks in to a beat that is twice as fast as normal. This lasts about ten minutes, and then it instantly goes back to the normal speed - no gradual slowing at all. When it races, it pounds incredibly hard. It is so unnerving, because I keep wondering how it can take that abuse, and feel certain I will die at any minute! My doctor says I have a type of tachycardia, but by his questioning, I know he also thinks I might be dealing with panic attacks. I find it hard to believe that they are panic attacks - I am never feeling fearful or afraid when the episodes strike. So, I am at a loss what to call these episodes.
The only other symptom that I have noticed the past few times is a sickening cold rush through my body, which I attribute to being an adrenline rush. Occassionally I have had only the rush, and no racing heart.
Can anyone identify with any of these symptoms? I'd be very interested to compare notes with you, if you do. I would really like to find out what is going on with me!
The only other symptom that I have noticed the past few times is a sickening cold rush through my body, which I attribute to being an adrenline rush. Occassionally I have had only the rush, and no racing heart.
Can anyone identify with any of these symptoms? I'd be very interested to compare notes with you, if you do. I would really like to find out what is going on with me!
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L-Town
06-18-2004, 09:21 PM
My daughter is 19 and gets the racing heartbeats. They come out of nowhere but don't last as long as yours. Hers only last about a minute. She says it feels like her heart is going to stop when it's done. I can't get her to see a doctor about this as she can be hardheaded. I get the extra beats that many say feel like skipped beats.
Has your doctor suggested you get a echo test done? This test takes a picture of your heart much like a sonogram does. It will show any heart edefects if any and show how the blood is flowing in and out of your heart as it pumps. Also, has he recommended a beta-blocker to help with the palps?
Has your doctor suggested you get a echo test done? This test takes a picture of your heart much like a sonogram does. It will show any heart edefects if any and show how the blood is flowing in and out of your heart as it pumps. Also, has he recommended a beta-blocker to help with the palps?
hummingbirdkiss
06-18-2004, 10:05 PM
message deleted
kk123
06-18-2004, 11:38 PM
Well, it feels a little reassuring to know that someone else suffers from this, and is still alive and kicking! Have you noticed the adreneline rushes that I mentioned? Also, do you notice that your heart will often kind of skip a beat, and then the next hearbeat is extra vigorous, like it is trying to catch up? Mine has been doing that alot since my last major episode, which was in late April. (I usually get three or four nasty episodes a year, how about you?) Also, you mention seeing a cardiologist. Have you been given any good tips on how to prevent these episodes, and probably more importantly to me, how to stop them when they start?
kk123
06-18-2004, 11:42 PM
Thanks for the reply, L-Town. I haven't had an echo test done. I have worn a heartbeat monitor on more than one occassion - once for a whole month, and of course I didn't have any trouble with racing heartbeats at all! That is probably my soloution - wear a monitor for the rest of my life, and I'll never have another episode! :) No one has mention beta-blockers to me before. Have you or your daughter had luck with these?
mattiza
06-19-2004, 11:58 AM
I wake up from sleep sometimes or will just be sitting around the house watching TV and I will get these horrible rapid heart beats as well.
I have had many tests, Stress, Echo, EBT scan, cardio-pulmonary, pulmonary-angiogram, and a 30 day heart card, all test were normal.
The heart card caught the rapid heart beat and my Cardologist said they were normal, and nothing to worry about.
I have also heard of panic attacks that happen out of the blue for no reason, I tend to think this is what it may be.
I have been taking Lexapro and klonipin and I have not had an attack in 3 weeks now. But I still have the shortness of breath sensation most of the time.
Good luck, and I hope you can find an answer to your problem.
Van
I have had many tests, Stress, Echo, EBT scan, cardio-pulmonary, pulmonary-angiogram, and a 30 day heart card, all test were normal.
The heart card caught the rapid heart beat and my Cardologist said they were normal, and nothing to worry about.
I have also heard of panic attacks that happen out of the blue for no reason, I tend to think this is what it may be.
I have been taking Lexapro and klonipin and I have not had an attack in 3 weeks now. But I still have the shortness of breath sensation most of the time.
Good luck, and I hope you can find an answer to your problem.
Van
L-Town
06-19-2004, 10:08 PM
No, my daughter hasn't even been to the doctor for this. I keep telling her to go get it checked out just for piece of mind. Once in a blue moon my heart will race like that. About a month ago that happened while I was sleeping. I shot straight out of bed and my heart was racing like I ran a marathon. I felt dizzy for a minute or two then it went away. Mostly I get the skipped beats on a daily basis on and off through the day.
I have tried beta blocker and it helps stop the skipping beats. I don't want to be on meds my whole life for this so I've learned to live with them. I would be more prone to take the beta blocker regularly if I had the racey beats being thier much more scary. If I'm right they can help with racing heartbeats also. You might want to mention this to your doctor to see what he/she says. Good luck with everything and let us know what your outcome is.
I have tried beta blocker and it helps stop the skipping beats. I don't want to be on meds my whole life for this so I've learned to live with them. I would be more prone to take the beta blocker regularly if I had the racey beats being thier much more scary. If I'm right they can help with racing heartbeats also. You might want to mention this to your doctor to see what he/she says. Good luck with everything and let us know what your outcome is.
dadwhocares
06-25-2004, 02:32 PM
yes I had the exact same symptoms and and was diagnosed with wolfe parkinsons white disease (WPW) is scared the crud out of me and I had a minor surgery to correct the problem. Now I feel my heart pound a couple of times every now and again when it is trying to race again but it can't so all is good. I hope you don't allow your to go for as long as I did. Have the surgery if this is the problem you'll be in and out in a day.
kk123
06-26-2004, 11:40 AM
I'm glad that worked out for you. Was the surgery called ablation? I've been reading about that procedure, but I'm wondering if my condition is dangerous enough to take the risk of having surgery? This is kind of what I'm trying to find out. Also, how is Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome different form other types of tachycardia? I've read about it, but it kind of goes over my head.
dadwhocares
06-28-2004, 04:29 PM
to be honest I just know that I was tired of it happening and rather than take the medication I opted for the surgery. I was 22 at the time and didn't care what it was but wanted it fixed. During the surgery the went in through cathaders and burned away extra fibers in my heart that from what I understood, would allow the blood to basically flow in a circle. Not sure if that is what it truly is but I know I'm all better now.
dreamer40
07-01-2004, 03:26 PM
I get them too, I have had anxiety attacks but I think the anxiety attacks I got in the past was because I worried about the fast heart beat or funny feeling in my stomach (probably adrenalin surge) but I learned they mean really nothing and that I am probably not breathing naturally or I am holding my breath inadvertedly.
irregular breathing trying to control the breathing too much breathing to fast can triggor the body's defense mechnism, this is the adrenalin surge that causes teh heart to race. I know ti is weird but there you have it, and panic attacks are not caused by panic per say but causes the panic we feel afterwards when we anticipate them. we start to associate them with the situation and become fearful of teh panic attacks not the panic attacks being caused by panic but fear of that panic if I am making any sense.
when you get the racing heart try to relax all the muscles of your body and breath as normally as you can and do not hold back the breath and no forcing yourself to breath slow but breath in such a way as to get the suffocating feeling to go away, and see if that helps the racing heart, if in fact it is a anxiety attack.
RR
irregular breathing trying to control the breathing too much breathing to fast can triggor the body's defense mechnism, this is the adrenalin surge that causes teh heart to race. I know ti is weird but there you have it, and panic attacks are not caused by panic per say but causes the panic we feel afterwards when we anticipate them. we start to associate them with the situation and become fearful of teh panic attacks not the panic attacks being caused by panic but fear of that panic if I am making any sense.
when you get the racing heart try to relax all the muscles of your body and breath as normally as you can and do not hold back the breath and no forcing yourself to breath slow but breath in such a way as to get the suffocating feeling to go away, and see if that helps the racing heart, if in fact it is a anxiety attack.
RR
oney
07-15-2004, 10:02 PM
I have been having the same problem, racing heart beat..it has happened 6 times in the last year..it happened yesterday again..for no known reason??? I have been on inderal the last year for it, i take it before I go to bed because all the attacks have happened during the night but 2...today they put me on Tiazac..180 mg. a bata blocker...I hate taking all this medicine but have been told they think it is SVT, they were thinking A fib for a long time....the problem is when your heart beats like that it can't get the blood threw your viens fast enough and than you could get a blood clot??So that scares me a lot...I have seen a cardioligist and have anothe appointment next month and have had all kinds of tests too...and they still are not sure if it is the A fib or SVT?? It relly worries me everytime it happens that it will weaken my heart???
jpos
07-16-2004, 01:55 PM
Oney,
6 times a year it isn't going to weaken your heart in less it is for many hours. Also, if you find out it is SVT and not A-fib, there isn't a risk of clotting and for those few events you could go off meds. I have IST and a blood clotting factor and I am not at risk for clots from the tachycardia.
Hugs
6 times a year it isn't going to weaken your heart in less it is for many hours. Also, if you find out it is SVT and not A-fib, there isn't a risk of clotting and for those few events you could go off meds. I have IST and a blood clotting factor and I am not at risk for clots from the tachycardia.
Hugs
Bell99
07-16-2004, 02:53 PM
Oh I have this too! I spent almost an entire Month in and out of the hospital getting poked, Xrayed, Echo Cardiogramed you name it I had it done.
Mine was found on accident , I never knew it was even going on! I was at a routine Dr. visit when they noticed it. The first test was Tyroid which came back fine. Mine never stopped resting was a minimum 121bpm at it's highest I think it was 126 laying down for hours on end!
My diagnosis was Sinus Tacharida? I am on Inderal and HATE it. Sad thing is I took this a few years back for Migraine prevention and got off of it due to side effects. I take 80 mmg at bed time and 15 mg of Bupar twice a day for keeping stress/aniexty low. Since I started Inderal I am tired all the time. I also started to get a bulging vein in my neck which almost hurts with muscle aches in the side of my neck. The Dr, told me not to worry it was due to aging and the skin and fatty tissue thinning? I still feel in my cut it has something to do with this Inderal.
Even on these meds if I get stressed my Heart will start to go up in the upper 90's. I got a home HR BP monitor to check it daily.
Mine was found on accident , I never knew it was even going on! I was at a routine Dr. visit when they noticed it. The first test was Tyroid which came back fine. Mine never stopped resting was a minimum 121bpm at it's highest I think it was 126 laying down for hours on end!
My diagnosis was Sinus Tacharida? I am on Inderal and HATE it. Sad thing is I took this a few years back for Migraine prevention and got off of it due to side effects. I take 80 mmg at bed time and 15 mg of Bupar twice a day for keeping stress/aniexty low. Since I started Inderal I am tired all the time. I also started to get a bulging vein in my neck which almost hurts with muscle aches in the side of my neck. The Dr, told me not to worry it was due to aging and the skin and fatty tissue thinning? I still feel in my cut it has something to do with this Inderal.
Even on these meds if I get stressed my Heart will start to go up in the upper 90's. I got a home HR BP monitor to check it daily.
jpos
07-16-2004, 03:52 PM
Bell, My heart rate is still all over the place, but rarely as high as 170bpm anymore. I do have more normal rates now and feel better, but cardio says most of my improvement is due to NCS being treated. Anyway, maybe you should try a calcium channel blocker. I can't take the side effects of the beta, so just take 12.5 mg atenolol and added to that verapamil ER.
Bell99
07-16-2004, 04:18 PM
What is NCS? I just don't like Dr.s I was just there and mentioned how this med made me feel and it flew right over her head! I will ask though. Not sure why the cardiologist put me on inderal when I told him I had problems in the past with it.
For migraines I was on 120 mmg a day and would faint out in public,not good at all. I remember standing at Pet Co with my 9 year old son telling him what to do if I passed out! He seemed to think 80mmg would be more tolerable?
I just feel tired all the time and do sometimes get the occasional light headedness.
What is the difference between the calcium, I know I have read about them back when dealing with Migraines. Do you have any side effects?
I know how scary it is when your heart races and it won't stop. Mine had been doing it so darn long I got use to it! My Cardiologist told me "it ages the heart" that made me sleep good that night!
I lost my Grandmother at 58 to HA and My Father at 63 to the same so I get pretty scared.
For migraines I was on 120 mmg a day and would faint out in public,not good at all. I remember standing at Pet Co with my 9 year old son telling him what to do if I passed out! He seemed to think 80mmg would be more tolerable?
I just feel tired all the time and do sometimes get the occasional light headedness.
What is the difference between the calcium, I know I have read about them back when dealing with Migraines. Do you have any side effects?
I know how scary it is when your heart races and it won't stop. Mine had been doing it so darn long I got use to it! My Cardiologist told me "it ages the heart" that made me sleep good that night!
I lost my Grandmother at 58 to HA and My Father at 63 to the same so I get pretty scared.
jpos
07-16-2004, 06:46 PM
NCS is neurocardiogenic syncope. I don't actually faint though, which is what syncope means, I just have the reflex. It causes my heart rate and bp to crash at the same time and I nearly faint and there is always the potential to faint.
I cannot tell you the diff between the beta blockers and calcium channel blockers othar than the block different chemicals. Don't even know that "chemicals" would be the right word. Sorry. But both the atenolol and verapamil ER are used to treat my tachycardia. I was lucky in that all the times I had the tachy I only felt my heart race twice. Even when it was 120, 130, 170bpm I wouldn't have known, except that it was caught on the holter monitor and other ekg's. I had symptoms of fatigue (but like I said cardio feels that was more the NCS) and dizziness sometimes.
I cannot tell you the diff between the beta blockers and calcium channel blockers othar than the block different chemicals. Don't even know that "chemicals" would be the right word. Sorry. But both the atenolol and verapamil ER are used to treat my tachycardia. I was lucky in that all the times I had the tachy I only felt my heart race twice. Even when it was 120, 130, 170bpm I wouldn't have known, except that it was caught on the holter monitor and other ekg's. I had symptoms of fatigue (but like I said cardio feels that was more the NCS) and dizziness sometimes.
kk123
07-20-2004, 01:45 PM
Thanks to all who took the time to reply to my question. I have recently been to the doctor again to discuss my heart problems with him. He still gives me a diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and I do think I agree with him. He describes it as more of a nuisance than a threat to my health, so I guess I have to trust him on that. As I only have around two or three episodes a year, he doesn't think I am a candidate for any meds. He would like to have tests run on my heart while it is going crazy, which is a little tough since episodes only last ten to twenty minutes, and I live about twenty minutes out of town! But, that is my new goal - to try and record the next episode when it happens.
jpos
07-20-2004, 03:34 PM
KK,
If he/you want to catch these episodes you should be given an event monitor. You can wear one for a month or longer. The one I had looked like a pager. It only has two electrodes which you can remove for showering and then replace. Very easy and not at all uncomfy. To record you push a button and then you dial the number given, push another button and it sends out a signal that produces an ekg on the other end. If it is anything they go ahead and send it to your dr. It's really neat and helpful.
If he/you want to catch these episodes you should be given an event monitor. You can wear one for a month or longer. The one I had looked like a pager. It only has two electrodes which you can remove for showering and then replace. Very easy and not at all uncomfy. To record you push a button and then you dial the number given, push another button and it sends out a signal that produces an ekg on the other end. If it is anything they go ahead and send it to your dr. It's really neat and helpful.
reijo
07-20-2004, 07:41 PM
Even though you have already been diagnosed, I wanted to post what happened to me for other who might be reading. I have very similiar episodes. At about 35 my heart would speed up and seemed to beat twice the proper rate for perhaps 15 seconds or slightly more.......however, it seemed an eternity. Suddenly it almost seemed to skip a beat to get back into proper rhythm and that was all. Only problem was that it happened sometimes 8,9 10 times a day or more.
I went to a cardiologist who did an echo. He told me that if he had to say that I had a normal or abnormal heart that he would go with normal since the problem was so slight. However the report back to my doctor said that I had "mitral valve prolapse". He said that many people had it. 5-6 years later I had another echo due to a few fainting spells. I also wore a Holter Monitor for 24 hours and was told that the prolapse was still minor but my family doctor wanted to put me on medication. If the cardiologist said that it was minor and that most people were never put on medication why did my general practitioner decide I needed medication? I didn't do it.
I have noticed that I am having more episodes of this happening. Still doesn't last too long just too many a day for me. I'm now 55 and will probably have another echo soon.
I've talked with so many people with this problem. I just have to take an antibiotic with any dental work.
I went to a cardiologist who did an echo. He told me that if he had to say that I had a normal or abnormal heart that he would go with normal since the problem was so slight. However the report back to my doctor said that I had "mitral valve prolapse". He said that many people had it. 5-6 years later I had another echo due to a few fainting spells. I also wore a Holter Monitor for 24 hours and was told that the prolapse was still minor but my family doctor wanted to put me on medication. If the cardiologist said that it was minor and that most people were never put on medication why did my general practitioner decide I needed medication? I didn't do it.
I have noticed that I am having more episodes of this happening. Still doesn't last too long just too many a day for me. I'm now 55 and will probably have another echo soon.
I've talked with so many people with this problem. I just have to take an antibiotic with any dental work.
jpos
07-20-2004, 10:18 PM
reijo,
Your dr. prob wanted to put you on med for the fainting spells. I am treated for this and the tachy. (I, also, have MVP/ with MR and TR.) The fainting prob I have is neurocardiogenic syncope. You can be tested for this by a tilt table test.
Your dr. prob wanted to put you on med for the fainting spells. I am treated for this and the tachy. (I, also, have MVP/ with MR and TR.) The fainting prob I have is neurocardiogenic syncope. You can be tested for this by a tilt table test.
kk123
07-20-2004, 11:10 PM
jpos- Thanks for the suggestion. I actually did wear that type of monitor for one month last summer, and agree that it is a great device. In fact, I should purchase one for myself, because they seem to keep my heart beating perfectly normally! No episodes at all during that time! Must be Murphy's Law, or something like that.
littleone1972
07-28-2004, 09:23 AM
Hi, I posted yesterday but only just noticed this post duh :) I too have just been diagnosed with SVT's been having attacks for years eventually pushed to be referred toa cardio after my hear beat started going up to 264 beats a minute which frightenend the life out of me. This last year has been weird, more and more attacks and feelings of lurching in my neck and dizziness. The doctors I saw initially said stress I'll be glad to correct them. Don't know if Dadwhocares is reading this. My cardio has suggested ablation but I am absolutely terrified of what this involves, how uncomfortable it is, etc etc and does it cure it completeely? The only other alterantive is to try a calcium blocker but I'm not sure what those side effects are either... hope you are able to respond. BTW kk123 I had countless ECG's done and wore a halter. Funnily enough I had a big attack the night before the halter and then nothing. I got this wrist watch thing which I had to press if I felt anything, and was thankfully able to record an attack.
Bell99
07-28-2004, 09:30 AM
Hi Little One :wave: I have Sinus Tachycardia and have been run through the test mill myself. All they can tell me is they think it's aniexy/stress related.
I take Inderal LA and can't stand it!! It's a Beta Blocker. I take 80 mmg at bed time. LA of course means long acting so I feel the effects all day.
The worst being fatigue. At one point they had me on 120mg a day and I was blacking out! I can tell you that within two hours of my first pill my heart rate went from 126 to 86!
We all react differently to meds.
As far as the ablation I don't know? I have seen lots of posts on these boards from people who have gone through it.
Good Luck and keep us posted :)
I take Inderal LA and can't stand it!! It's a Beta Blocker. I take 80 mmg at bed time. LA of course means long acting so I feel the effects all day.
The worst being fatigue. At one point they had me on 120mg a day and I was blacking out! I can tell you that within two hours of my first pill my heart rate went from 126 to 86!
We all react differently to meds.
As far as the ablation I don't know? I have seen lots of posts on these boards from people who have gone through it.
Good Luck and keep us posted :)
kk123
07-28-2004, 11:52 AM
Hi littleone- Is the wristwatch monitor something you purchased, or was it loaned to you by your doctor?
Bell99
07-28-2004, 12:20 PM
You can get monitors at Walgreens, walmart pretty much anywhere.
They even have the type you can put on your finger tip!
I have to check my pulse/bp 3 times a day. I got one off of HSN for like 30 bucks.
They even have the type you can put on your finger tip!
I have to check my pulse/bp 3 times a day. I got one off of HSN for like 30 bucks.