Heart Rate Suddenly Jumps to 150 bpm All Tests Normal, Still Suffers

Posted by madihajsk @madihajsk, 4 days ago

Hi everyone, I really need some support and advice.

Since I got COVID-19 back in August 2021, I’ve been dealing with a very distressing issue:

I randomly get episodes where my heart starts beating very fast, reaching 140–150 bpm. It lasts for about 5 minutes, and during that time it feels unbearable. I try to wait for it to calm down on its own, but when it doesn’t, I have to take medicine — and thankfully it becomes normal within minutes after that.

I’ve seen multiple doctors, done all kinds of tests including ECG, echocardiogram, and Holter monitor, and everything comes back normal. While I’m grateful that nothing serious has been found, it’s also very frustrating because the problem is still there, and it happens suddenly and frequently.

One thing I noticed: when I was regularly eating mixed dry fruits (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews) for a couple of months during the winter, I felt more energetic and didn’t experience any episodes for almost 3 months. That felt like a relief, but the episodes slowly came back again once I stopped.

Right now, I’m writing this just after a very intense episode, and I feel scared, drained, and honestly tired of not getting answers. I’m doing everything I can, but it’s affecting my peace of mind.

Has anyone experienced something like this? Could this be post-COVID dysautonomia or POTS? What helped you? Any advice or shared experiences would mean a lot.

Thank you in advance 🙏

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

gently | @gently | 4 days ago

They are using the stellate ganglion block for post- Covid disautonomia. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9822527/

gloaming | @gloaming | 4 days ago

IT could be many things, unfortunately, but the lack of evidence on an ECG is troubling. Could you use a smart watch, smart ring, or even a less costly Kardia device and record the events? When they happen, you can activate the ECG functions on all of them, and then uploade the digital file to a server or to your desktop/laptop, or just send it to a cardiologist directly from the app...if that is possible. This way, the physician will immediately know that there was a noteworthy event, and the graphic depiction might even show unmistakably that it was an arrhythmia or a tachyarrhythmia...which is sounds like.
You shouldn't expect that this is just a phase or that it is normal. It doesn't even have to be your 'new normal'. You need help, and you need a conscientious expert on your side looking at real evidence. Please consider using a Kardia. They're not much money, and they work really well.

bigheart | @bigheart | 3 days ago

I am scheduled to have a loop recorder inserted that should record what is going on in my heart and will be monitored by my doctor.

lindy9 | @lindy9 | 3 days ago

Yes, I believe related to covid, and/or did you get the vax??

When you have an episode, is it after drinking or eating anything with caffeine? Are you drinking water throughout the day?

tuckie | @tuckie | 2 days ago

Seems like either potassium boost or magnesium boost s helping you.
Full blood test with your regime of nuts etc.
Then without.
This will be interesting.

Also some meds like Bisoprolol have an additive of .... taurate. either potassium or magnisium.
I have a banana daily in morning. The dog eats the tip. Now 11 vet exclaims "she is not 11". And she has a sleep daily at about 12 midday.

cheri JOY. Tuckie

Scott R L | @scottrl | 2 days ago

I had a similar experience once or twice after my stroke.

Scared the living hell out of me, which didn't help.

What did help was acupuncture. After the last such episode, whatever the practitioner did really worked. It's been years with no more trouble.

raleedy | @raleedy | 1 day ago

150 bpm is a common symptom of typical atrial flutter, an eminently treatable condition. You should make every effort to capture and record one of these episodes.

cedarbog | @cedarbog | 1 day ago

Are you taking bisphosphonates (for osteoperosis or some other reason). This could be a trigger. Highly recommend you purchase and carry a Kardia so you can record an EKG during these episodes, as Gloaming suggested. What meds are you taking to get your heart rate down from 150?

Please sign in or register to post a reply.