Heart Rhythm Episodes - AFib; Tachycardia, High Blood Pressure

Posted by jayhawk57 @jayhawk57, Jul 30, 2019

Hello! I'm looking for feedback and any information on anyone who has episodes of excelled heart rate 160 + with increased blood pressure. I have been experiencing this for the past year. It comes without warning. If I try to eat or drink it will happen as well periodically and have lost 18 lbs in 6 weeks. I feel confused, dizzy, nauseated and foggy with a hard time breathing. It can last approx 1 hr. My pulse usually goes back down but blood pressure usually stays up. Feel sick 24 hrs after these flare ups. Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!

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@kellycross

I have Supraventricular Tachycardia and Mitral Valve Prolapse (minor) added to a severely enlarged left atrium (they said this may be caused by all the running I did during my life). My heart rate used to soar up above 100 for no reason (my resting rate is typically in the 50's) and I couldn't catch my breath. Now I take Diltiazem each day and that helps. I also try to not get my heart rate above 130 when I exercise. I still cannot talk when I'm walking up a hill. My father, who passed away from heart failure, had A-fib and the docs believe it's coming my way so my cardiologist inserted a loop recorder near my heart. I've had it for almost two years and nothing worrisome has been recorded, I'm wondering whether I can have it removed?

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@kellycross Hi I can't say a know alot about Supraventricular Tachycardia but the fast heartbeat over 100 and short of breath are symptoms I'm familiar with. I find it interesting that the Loop recorder has not seen anything but you pulse goes over 100 with out of breath? When those symptoms happen to me it usually meant i was having an arrhythmia. Since you have had the loop recorder have you felt the out of breath and heart rate(not while exercising) been over 100? I would probably be writing down when that happens so the doctor can look at that time frame on the recorder. When I would have a mild arrhythmia my pacemaker would not always see it as an issue but if i knew the aprox time the doctors could then see it. Usually the only time my pacemaker would report an event is when it went over certain levels or when my pacemaker had to actually do something to correct an issue. I'm not familiar with loop recorders but they sound similar. Kind of like what we also call holter monitors. it can take a lot of time to read thru hours of testing so they ask you to log your activities. Just a thought that you may ask. I'm not a doctor but these are the areas I would probably be curious about. Let us know how you make out?
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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Thank you for the sage advice. The high heart rate is a lot less often and feels more like I"m out of breath. Good idea to write it down and compare it to my loop data. I have never received any summaries of my loop recorder, but maybe I'll ask about that. Thank you!

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@kellycross

Thank you for the sage advice. The high heart rate is a lot less often and feels more like I"m out of breath. Good idea to write it down and compare it to my loop data. I have never received any summaries of my loop recorder, but maybe I'll ask about that. Thank you!

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@kellycross Your welcome and thank you for the new word. I actually never seen sage used before and had to look it up. So thank you I now know a new word.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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@kellycross

Thank you for the sage advice. The high heart rate is a lot less often and feels more like I"m out of breath. Good idea to write it down and compare it to my loop data. I have never received any summaries of my loop recorder, but maybe I'll ask about that. Thank you!

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@kellycross @danab.. I have a loop recorder too mainly to test for afib since I had an episode of TIA in January. So far no signs of afib. My heart rate would spike sometimes when I am going for my walk. But I never felt it until I check my fitbit and whoa it went up to 140 and over sometimes, but it always come right down. I am never out of breath or feel like I need to sit down. It doesn't happen everyday. Two cardiologists in the same office told me it's "conditioning". I also talked to Metronics, the people who made the loop recorder. It turns out he and my son went to the same high school and friends with my son's best friend... He said besides afib, it should alert the doctor if there's any abnormal heart rate. I'm definitely going to press my cardiologist for more information next time I see him I'm October. Take care.

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@mayofeb2020

@kellycross @danab.. I have a loop recorder too mainly to test for afib since I had an episode of TIA in January. So far no signs of afib. My heart rate would spike sometimes when I am going for my walk. But I never felt it until I check my fitbit and whoa it went up to 140 and over sometimes, but it always come right down. I am never out of breath or feel like I need to sit down. It doesn't happen everyday. Two cardiologists in the same office told me it's "conditioning". I also talked to Metronics, the people who made the loop recorder. It turns out he and my son went to the same high school and friends with my son's best friend... He said besides afib, it should alert the doctor if there's any abnormal heart rate. I'm definitely going to press my cardiologist for more information next time I see him I'm October. Take care.

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@mayofeb2020 Thanks for the information, so by conditioning is that mean as you work out more it gets less noticeable?

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@danab.. One cardiologist told me to start jogging on a treadmill. Ha! I have never jogged before in my life, with my bad back and constant leg pains I don't think I can do that. There's no rhyme and reason to my high HR,

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@danab...ooops..didn't finish my sentence.. Sometimes it just happens when I am walking, sometimes not. If there's a pattern it would be easier to diagnose, won't it? I'm not overweight, don't smoke, don't drink, no caffeine, eat a pretty healthy diet, no other health issue other than hypertension which is under control. It's frustrating. I had stress test and treadmill test, they can't see anything wrong. Had heart monitor twice, and finally the loop recorder. I would love to see a definite diagnosis. It's the unknown that is worrisome.

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@mayofeb2020 Yes the unknown, is frustrating. Take care also. Hopefully you will get some answers in October

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@danab

@jayhawk57 yes usually unless i was in an episode yes ekg look pretty normal. Because i had a pacemaker it records any episodes so when i would get to the hosp they would download and see what happen. And i was also on meds to slow down my heartrate . The first step i would say is a cardiologist. But realize this particular problem is electrical. So there are specialist in this field that are also cardiologist but are called EP specialist. The ep stands for Electrophysiologist. Have you ever been tested with a halter its a device you ware for a period of time like 25 to 48 hours. Depending on how often you have these it will also record what your heart is doing like an ekg. I also knoticed you mentioned eating. Another condition that ive been told by a friend who has it is a condition called afib. Less dangerous than what ive been talking about but he would sometimes have episodes after eating. There's a nerve called the vegas nerve that runs between your brain and thru your heart and stomach. So also mention that to the cardiologist. I look forward to hearing how you make out.

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Wow Dana! You are a wealth of information! All of my Afib episodes were triggered by eating, in fact for a long time I thought I had reflux, and that was what made my heart beat fast, I explained to every doctor I ever saw (many) including cardiologists that it always happened after eating, especially if it was a heavier meal, and I was NEVER told about the vegas nerve. Thank you my friend! Blessings!

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@cecilias

I was wondering if I should try going without my tykosin. I was on Hydrocortisone for my Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency the Hospital Dr changed me to prednisone. If hydro caused my afib and I am no longer taking it could I stop this Med... just a thought.. What do you think.... I would not do it without a Dr.

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Never stop Tikosyn wo talking to your doctor!

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