Fast Heart Rate: Hi I was wondering if... - Asthma Community ...

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Fast Heart Rate

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Hi

I was wondering if anyone else feels like they are running a marathon (I wish!!) whilst just sitting. My heart races early evening whilst I am doing nothing. I dont know if its the medication or just struggling to breath as usual. Heart rate is always high when I have it checked at GP but gets worse early evening.

Thanks for any comments

1 Reply

Hi zoejade,

I'm sorry to hear that you're having this problem. I have had episodes of unexplained fast heart rate, so I know how unpleasant it can feel.

There are several possible explanations for this, and it's really impossible to say what is going on without being able to see you and without you having further tests. You are on several medications that can potentially increase your heart rate - in particular, salmeterol, salbutamol, tiotropium, ipratropium and Uniphyllin. You are right to say that the effects of struggling to breath can make your heart race, especially if you have low oxygen levels.

Fast heart rate can also be due to other causes, though, including primary heart problems. A condition called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is reasonably common in young women - this is due to a small area of heart tissue producing an abnormal heart rhythm, and it needs quite different treatment to the other causes described above. There are many other causes of fast heart rate, including anaemia, hyperthyroidism and other drugs. Drinking alcohol or caffiene and taking certain illicit drugs like cocaine can also cause fast heart rate.

As I said, it is impossible to unpick what is going on with your fast heart rate in this setting. Please do go back to your doctor and explain that this is causing you significant problems. They may want to do further tests or even refer you to the hospital cardiology department.

Hope this helps

Em H

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