Friend with rapid heartbeat

I’ve just been talking to an old girlfriend who reported that she woke up with a rapid heartbeat (170bpm) a few days ago which was regular. It lasted about 45 mins. She reports having this in a milder form on and off for a few years, but hasn’t seen a doctor about it. She also said that if she goes running then she feels her legs going weak and has to stop after a few minutes. She is going to see a cardiologist in a few days. An echocardiogram looks normal (although it’s in Italian and my Italian is rusty). It sounds like a superventricular tachycardia, but I wondered what others thought.

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Well that’s what it sounds like, hope she finds out more when she sees the cardiologist……

[BobD Volunteer]

Always dangerous to try and second guess when you are not a doctor.

[rosyG]

If she can afford a cardia device (£99)( use it with your phone) she can record this when it happens and sen it on by email to her doctor Otherwise hard to get a diagnosis

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello and thank you for your message, I am sorry to hear that your friend has been experiencing such symptoms, and the advice you have already received from the members is really helpful, however, if she would like to contact the A F Association direct - the patient services team will be happy to provide advice and support [e-mail]

[Paulbounce]

Hi Sam.

"She is going to see a cardiologist in a few days"

Sensible thing to do - at least your friend will get some informed choices.

Rosy wrote

"she can record this when it happens and sen it on by email to her doctor"

Wise move to record such events. Maybe not enough time to get one if your friend see's the cardio in a few days but it's a good idea.

As it happens a neighbour of mine as just been told she as afib (PAF). She is far older than I and I've suggested this (in one ear and out the other). The lady has been in bed for 5 day's now feeling rotten. I think it's a good idea to record such events to show your doctor.

Paul

[KG70]

She should also consider whether she may have sleep apnea which would explain these symptoms.

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Thanks to all for their comments on this thread.

[Maggimunro]

Sounds just like me at the start of my AF journey. Getting a diagnosis can be difficult.. A 7 day Holter (portable ECG) is usually how they manage to capture it.

[Bawdy]

I am confused, "when she goes running," if only. think I'm too old for this conversation. If you are able to run, be grateful.

[RapidRandomHeart1]

Hey this sounded like me. I had a few SVT episodes in the past but never knew it was SVT.. just thought they were palpitations. They went away on their own normally but this year during labour and infront of doctors (yay!) my bpm jumped to over 200 and they diagnosed me. I downloaded an app on my phone (only a few £) where you can put your finger over the flash light and it records your bpm. Would this help instead of purchasing an expensive device for the time being? Good luck to her with the cardiologist. I was put on metoprolol and offered ablation (I declined the ablation as I am 30 with a newborn & don’t want to take the risks just yet but possibly in time I will reconsider). Hope you will update us on how she’s doing!

[Deadwoodmike]

My wife had that about 10 years ago. She was diagnosed with SVT. She had an ablation procedure done. The SVT has never returned.🤞But she should definitely see a cardiologist.

[Aloha99]

I had (have) a similar problem. It was very difficult to diagnose because portable monitors with only one or two leads may not provide enough information for the cardiologist. After about two years mine was finally picked up on a five lead monitor in the hospital and it was diagnosed as atrial tachycardia, a type of SVT. I was put on sotalol which pretty much eliminated the problem for me.