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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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kelton | @kellycross | Mar 13, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "@kellycross I have the same issue too! And I had a loop recorder implant at the..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

@kellycross I have the same issue too! And I had a loop recorder implant at the end of January as well to test for afib. So far there's no sign of it. It usually happens when I am on my walks, sometimes it went over 160 but never lasted long, only a few minutes. It happens though every morning when I get up and walk 10 steps to the bathroom and my heart rate can go up from 70s to 110. I don't feel dizzy and sometimes I don't even know it until I check my fitbit. My resting HR is not as low as yours. It's frustrating because if I am busy with housework, my heart goes on cardio mode. Two cardiologists told me it's "conditioning", the first actually told me to go to the gym and starting running on the treadmill. I had stress test, and treadmill test, echogram (?) heart monitor and all my EKG come back normal. I even check my EKG at home with Kardia everyday. After my TIA, I had the loop recorder. I have high blood pressure too, it's usually pretty good but always very high when I'm at the doctor's office. Blood pressure varies during the day, I learn not to worry about it too much, stress can make it worse.

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Thanks for the message. My loop recorder has been in for 1.5 years and there have been no reports or warnings. I do take Diltiazem to control the SVTs and blood pressure. Now they suspect a tumor on my adrenal gland as a cause of my sporadic blood pressure? Have you ever heard of that before?

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mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Mar 13, 2020

No, I have not heard of this. I do suspect that the heart rate issue could be due to hyperthyroidism. I have thyroid test every year and my doctor says it's normal. My daughter did a lot of research and thought I might have POTS, but my cardiologist said it isn't but I was not tested for it. Are you getting your adrenal glands tested? Please keep us informed.

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kelton | @kellycross | Mar 13, 2020

I have hypothyroidism, not hyper! My nephrologist conducted a scan of my adrenal glands, which was negative - then he ordered a unique adrenal gland-specific scan (MGBI??). I was injected with radioactive dye (Day 1) and scanned over the next two days. It was a 3-day process. Results from that indicate "activity" in my adrenal glands. My doc wants me to go to Mayo for an adrenal artery scan to determine whether to remove my left adrenal gland. He sent my case to Mayo for their opinion. I'll keep you posted.

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mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Mar 13, 2020

I thought a nephrologist is a kidney doctor! But I'm glad you're going to Mayo. Best wishes. Hope you get some answers. There isn't a Mayo close to where I live.. California.

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sue225 | @sue225 | Mar 13, 2020

Isn't there a Mayo Clinic in Arizona?

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kelton | @kellycross | Mar 13, 2020

Yes - kidney doctor, that's who handles my blood pressure issues. I'm in Idaho - no Mayo close by. With COVID 19 I don't plan on traveling anytime soon so I'm hoping this is something that can wait.

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kelton | @kellycross | Mar 13, 2020

I think there is - thanks for that info!!

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slynnb | @slynnb | Mar 13, 2020
In reply to @kellycross "Thanks for the message. My loop recorder has been in for 1.5 years and there have..." + (show)
@kellycross

Thanks for the message. My loop recorder has been in for 1.5 years and there have been no reports or warnings. I do take Diltiazem to control the SVTs and blood pressure. Now they suspect a tumor on my adrenal gland as a cause of my sporadic blood pressure? Have you ever heard of that before?

Jump to this post

Yes. The tumor is a pheochromocytoma - they are quite rare but not THAT rare... and they are almost always, always benign. They can cause spurts of extremely high blood pressure..There is now an easy blood test to first rule in or out the possibility of the tumor (the little tumor can trigger spurts of adrenaline which shoot BP up). Some doctors are not aware that it is now in the medical literature that you must NOT TAKE any PPIs ( drugs for reflux or heartburn or GERD ) for several weeks before the blood test or you will get a false positive for the tumor.

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1 reply
slynnb | @slynnb | Mar 13, 2020
In reply to @kellycross "I think there is - thanks for that info!!" + (show)
@kellycross

I think there is - thanks for that info!!

Jump to this post

Yes, a pheochromocytoma.

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cecilias | @cecilias | Mar 13, 2020
In reply to @kellycross "I have hypothyroidism, not hyper! My nephrologist conducted a scan of my adrenal glands, which was..." + (show)
@kellycross

I have hypothyroidism, not hyper! My nephrologist conducted a scan of my adrenal glands, which was negative - then he ordered a unique adrenal gland-specific scan (MGBI??). I was injected with radioactive dye (Day 1) and scanned over the next two days. It was a 3-day process. Results from that indicate "activity" in my adrenal glands. My doc wants me to go to Mayo for an adrenal artery scan to determine whether to remove my left adrenal gland. He sent my case to Mayo for their opinion. I'll keep you posted.

Jump to this post

I am sorry, but I love to hear of folk that have the same problems as me. I just don’t feel so alone! I have had problems for many years, but I am at the wonderful age of 81.. One Dr told my Dr that he was glad he wasn’t my Dr because I have too many problems. That upset me because I thought when I was being treated I was fine. Now a problem without a cure or help would frighten me, but I feel good most of the time, and there are good people helping me.
I have had two brain ops for pituitary adenoma. Triple by pass. And now secondary adrenal insufficiency.
And the odd stent here and there... Not too bad. This wonderful life has been grand really!
Sincerely, Celia
Now I have rapid heart beat, taking Tykosin for this.
I have to say I am now on Prednisone and this has caused weight gain, being a woman I was happy with my weight, now I have gained 25 Ibs. But I thank my Lord many times during the day for this life he has given me... I know it could be much worse

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