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Any updates from the 48 hour heart monitor?
I had heart problems when I was on Prednisone. My heart rhythm was "irregular " because of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
A few PVCs once in a while aren't a problem but I was having too many. When I felt my pulse, I had a lot of "skipped beats." I told my PCP about the skipped beats and an EKG was done. The EKG revealed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) which surprised my PCP since I never had any heart problems before.
Since LVH is usually caused by high blood pressure my PCP wanted me to check my blood pressure at various times of the day to see if I could detect "hidden" high blood pressure. I detected a blood pressure of 210/110 one morning and I ended up going to the emergency room. I was placed on telemetry with every 15 minute blood pressure checks. After 2-3 hours my blood pressure returned to normal. An emergency room doctor suggested my 210/110 blood pressure was caused by anxiety from checking my blood pressure too often!!!
When my PCP doctor found out ... he was livid. He sent me to a cardiologist who determined that Prednisone was likely causing my blood pressure to fluctuate and be out of control. The cardiologist said my heart was irritable because it was being stretched by extremely high blood pressure at various times. For some reason my blood pressure could be anywhere from normal to extremely high. I needed 3 blood pressure medications to control my blood pressure.
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/prednisone-raise-blood-pressure-3562473/
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I stayed on 3 blood pressure medications for 10 years while I was on Prednisone. I tapered off Prednisone about 5 years ago. After I tapered off prednisone, I had episodes of low blood pressure. One by one my 3 blood pressure medications were discontinued. Within a few years of stopping Prednisone all my cardiac medications were discontinued.
After stopping Prednisone --- along with my 3 blood pressure medications ... I have also stopped 5 additional medications which were treating Prednisone side effects. I don't have high blood pressure anymore and my LVH has resolved.
Replies to "@caroljeand Any updates from the 48 hour heart monitor? I had heart problems when I was..."
@dadcue
Just had the report downloaded on my chart along with a call from the office saying nothing significant was found.
Report said baseline rhythm is sinus.. no pauses over 3 seconds in duration…HRR is 44 to 125 bpm with average 68 bpm. Rare PVCs, no VT.
Rare PACs and 5 atrial runs, longest 7 beats.
Symptoms noted during sinus rhythm with no ectopy.
You probably understand more from this than me but it sounds like I have nothing that needs attention for the moment.
Thanks for your concern!
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@dadcue
Thanks for checking in… I turned in my monitor on Thursday and had a message yesterday to check my chart. There was no report so I put in a call to the doctor and haven’t heard anything back yet. It could take 5 to 7 days for a reading but why the my chart message?!🤷🏻♀️
I have a feeling my issues are all due to the prednisone and have two more days of one mg. I will be so glad to be off to see how my body reacts.
I have cataract surgery scheduled for March and April. Just have a concern about being on Kevzara that I need to sort out. Someone on here posted about needing to be off Actemra for knee surgery so I wonder if cataract surgery would have the same need to be off kevzara.
Did you not feel different when your BP rose over 200? I do know checking it so often can cause anxiety for higher readings. I just check it in the morning before breakfast unless I feel odd. Last few days I haven’t gotten the irregular heartbeat notification so very anxious to hear my results.
Assume I’ll get a call today.