high heart beat? chronic hyperventilation?

lietchi · 02-27-2005, 03:17 PM

I wasn't quite sure where to post this... I'm sometimes a bit worried obout my heartbeat: it's 70 when I'm very relaxed (as in barely awake...) but it goes up to 120 very quickly just by light physical activity or stress. One doctor told me it's normal for a heart beat to be variable, but another doctor who monitored my heart beat, said that it was extremely variable (she seemed very surprised, and somewhat concerned). I know that my parents both have high heart beats, so it's probably hereditary, but I'd like to know if I should be worried about this... And could it possible be related to the fact that I (supposedly) suffer from chronic hyperventilation? Will cardio work-outs make it better?

Bell99 · 02-27-2005, 03:38 PM

Well if the Dr. didn't do any follow up I wouldn't worry. What did the 2nd Dr. say?
I have racing HB Mine was cronic as in it would not stop even when sleeping it would go about 120-122. They ran tons of test and I saw a Cardiologist who did a Echogardiogram. It's been a year and to this day I think they are clueless. They put me on Beta Blockers and a aniexty med to help keep me calmer. They did Chest X rays, blood work, EKG I was in and out of the Hospital having tests for a month.
Every now and again it will still race and often thump and scare me half to death. My Cardio did say that it is hard wear and tear on your heart to beat fast all the time? I would ask the Dr. again what she/he thinks. Maybe you should see a Cardiologist. Good Luck

hilery79 · 02-28-2005, 01:13 AM

I've had the same problem for a year and a half now. It seemed to just start out of the blue. One day I started noticing that I was more short of breath with light exertion. I started checking my HR and it was running 120-150 just standing or walking around. I had periods of time when it wouldn't drop below 110 no matter what I was doing...even at rest. I also had chest pressure. I ended up seeing 2 different cardiologists over this. I was put through a ton of cardiac tests(ekg's, 2 echo's, holter monitor, tilt table test, and a chest ct). I was also hospitalized for a few days and hooked up to a heart monitor. My 2nd Cardiologist even did a cardiac cath to be safe and finally assured me there was absolutely nothing wrong with my heart. My final diagnosis....Anxiety

.

Now, my HR is still pretty fast with minimal exertion(110-120), but it is down in the 80's at rest. It seems to go up 30-40 bpm when I just go from sitting to standing. I also experience lots of skipped beats and palpitations several times a day. I took Toprol xl(a beta blocker) which helped my heart slow down for awhile, but I had to stop taking it because of the side effects.

Anxiety and hyperventilation could definately be causing your heart rate to go up. Maybe you should ask your Dr. to atleast do an ekg(if he hasn't already) and maybe have you wear a holter or event monitor for 24 hours.

Best of luck, Hilery

One more thing...there are a couple others over on the anxiety forum who have similar symptoms. You might try posting over there, too.

lietchi · 02-28-2005, 09:39 AM

The doc who said my heart beat was extremely variable was actually testing my muscle tension, and my breathing. She's the one who diagnosed me with chronic hyperventilation. She told me I "really need to learn how to relax". The thing is: I'm not tense, I'm not anxious. (Sure, I have agitated moments, who doesn't?) She barely knows me and already starts judging my lifestyle...
She didn't say I needed to see a cardiologist, so I'm guessing I'm just exceptional with my heart beat, not dangerous.
I have to admit: I do suffer from palpitations sometimes, and the feeling that my heart beat is "out of sync" (once or twice a week? it varies a lot). I've had this for a long time, I can't remember when it started. But it only happens when I'm really calm, or when I'm resting after a physical exercise that got my heart beat up. It's probably related with the chronic hyperventilation...

Unfortunately cardiologists are expensive, and I'm still on my parents healthcare. They'll freak if I go to see "yet another" specialist when there's "nothing" wrong with me. Could a GP do anything?

zuzu8 · 03-01-2005, 02:24 PM

Lietchi,

Cardio and aerobic exercise is great for the heart. A lot of well-trained athletes have heart rates in the 60's. Exercise on a regular basis, over time, should indeed lower your heart rate. Think of it this way: the heart is just a muscle. Conditioning makes it stronger. The more "toned" it is, the less likely it has to go into overdrive upon exertion.

zuzu xx