Post-Covid Racing Heartbeat?

Posted by spinto02 @spinto02, Mar 13, 2021

I had covid for several weeks. I had a bacterial infection in my throat and I felt like the middle of my chest during this time . I purchased a oximeter during Covid to monitor my oxygen levels they were always between 97 and 100 .however after feeling better my heart rate appears to go very high and I get stabbing chest pain . I have been hospitalized once for this a couple of days ago . I also have inflammation in my upper lungs area confirmef with a catscan I am wearing a heart monitor for a month. Doed anyone who has had covid experience a racing heartbeat?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Welcome to Mayo Connect - We are a community of people living with a wide variety of conditions, and trying to help one another along the way by sharing experiences. I have been lucky to not have Covid, so I cannot speak to the issue of the rapid heartbeat & chest pain. It must be very unsettling to experience, I am glad you are being monitored.
I hope someone here sees your post and can give you information, and that you continue to heal. My daughter says she is just now beginning to feel "normal" one year after she first got Covid.
Sue

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@sueinmn

Welcome to Mayo Connect - We are a community of people living with a wide variety of conditions, and trying to help one another along the way by sharing experiences. I have been lucky to not have Covid, so I cannot speak to the issue of the rapid heartbeat & chest pain. It must be very unsettling to experience, I am glad you are being monitored.
I hope someone here sees your post and can give you information, and that you continue to heal. My daughter says she is just now beginning to feel "normal" one year after she first got Covid.
Sue

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Hi Sue thank you so much for your response . I have been reading articles about long haulers due to COVID. Sorry your daughter got sick with this horrible virus.

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Hello @spinto02. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will notice that I have edited your post title slightly to be a little more descriptive of what you would like support for from other members regarding what you are experiencing post-COVID.

To that point, I would also like to mention to you that in the week or so, you will see some additional support on the topic of long-term effects of COVID and those suffering, AKA long haulers. Please stay tuned for a Post-COVID Recovery blog here on Connect.

I am glad to hear you are monitoring your symptoms closely. What are you doing to cope and was anything done with regard to the inflammation in your lungs?

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I am waiting for the results of wearing a heart monitor for two weeks. My main symptom is incredible shortness of breath. While in my doctor's office for a routine visit my blood pressure was abnormally low and heart rate dangerously high. He sent me to the ER by ambulance. They ruled out heart attack, pneumonia, blood clots but kept me two days for observation. My cardiologist has ordered a chemical stress test and made a referral for a pulmonologist .
I had been Staying Home Staying Home with the only contact with outsiders was physical therapy when I contacted Covid. I had had cervical spine surgery 12 weeks prior and was still getting my strength back. Simple things like just taking a shower and getting dressed leave me winded and exhausted.

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I also experienced a sustained fast heart rate when I repeatedly had to walk back and forth in a hallway at work. My heartrate would stay elevated between 112-125. Once it went up to 135 without any warning. I didn't have any chest pain either time, just a little shortness of breath. An EKG was done (turned out normal) and a chest CT with contrast to rule out a pulmonary embolism (normal result). During my COVID19 diagnosis I developed pneumonia, then pneumonitis. I still do Pulmocort nebulizer treatments to address lung inflammation, and I am still on oxygen at bedtime due to desaturation issues when I sleep (the oxygen is piggybacked into my CPAP machine). Continue to monitor and record your heart rate, and report to your medical provider.
- Kim P

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I had Covid back in December. I know exactly what you are experiencing. It would happen often and especailly when walking from my car to the door of my work. It seemed to last about two months for me and I still get it once in a while when I lay down at night and am either laying on my side or stomach. Once my heart starts beating really fast, I end up turning over and laying on my back. I had an ekg about 3 weeks ago because I was still feeling the heart racing, but was told that everything looked good. I still think there is something going on, but it is better than it was. Now, it's just the constant joint pain that I have.

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I had covid Dec 2020, w 3 weeks intermittent racing heart , now April it's not happening, cardiologist says there's been no change in my heart after a echo. Altho I'm easily winded on some days. Not on any meds.

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New to this so if I’m not correct please let me know
67 male post Covid issues, high BP, have never had BP problems, Meds don’t seem to work on bringing numbers down to safe level also have a flushed face don’t know why. I’m sure I’m not alone with these issues

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@dw3

New to this so if I’m not correct please let me know
67 male post Covid issues, high BP, have never had BP problems, Meds don’t seem to work on bringing numbers down to safe level also have a flushed face don’t know why. I’m sure I’m not alone with these issues

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@dw3, you are unfortunately not alone in experiencing lingering side effects after having had COVID, including high blood pressure and heart issues. I've moved your message to this existing discussion called "Post-Covid Racing Heartbeat? where you can read the experiences of fellow members @spinto02 @mhugs @kpatterson @lsmorgan and @grammad, who also talk about heart symptoms post COVID.

I found this article helpful
- Why You May Want to Get Your Heart Tested if You've Had COVID-19 https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-you-may-want-to-get-your-heart-tested-if-you-had-covid-1

It sounds like you are seeing a medical professional for these issues. What are the proposed next steps if the current meds aren't working? Are you able to be physically active?

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I've been dealing with covid side effects too
since I became ill on Aug 7th, the lingering symptoms now are the fatigue,brain fog, shortness of breath and rapid hearbeat, especially if I'm walking. Also the fast HR seems to happen at night when I'm lying down, making it difficult to sleep without the use of zzquil. I'm wondering if I need to be further concerned on heart rate or let it ride for a while. I do have the residual opacities in my lungs, so that explains the SOB and heaviness I feel in my lungs, but the episode of the fast heart rate concern me.

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