Tachycardia without a reason

[Emzies2207]

Hi all,

In mid 2018 I went to see my GP routine appointment but nothing to do with my heart. Whilst I was there she tested oxygen and pulse rate with the oximeter and sent me for immediate ECG and blood tests. Blood results all came back normal and I had a repeat ECG the following day, I was then referred to the hospital and had an Echocardiogram and a 24hr ECG. I heard nothing back from hospital or GP so assumed there wasn't an issue however I ended up in A&E a few weeks back as I was struggling to catch my breath (I had flu at the time) but my heart rate was running around 145 - 155.

My question really is, is it normal to be tachycardic (my heart rate is pretty much always over 100) with no reason for it?

[stevejb1810]

The simple answer is ‘no’. There is always a reason behind cardiac ‘events’ but it is true that the cause might not be obvious or might be temporary, but there will be a cause somewhere.

Never assume that no news is good news or indeed, bad news. It is simply ‘no news’. If you do not here about the results of your tests, phone and chase them up. The NHS is brilliant but it isn’t always the most efficient at getting results out to patients. A gentle reminder certainly helps speed things along.

[Emzies2207 in reply to stevejb1810]

Thanks for your reply, the sonographer who did my echo did say if they find anything out of the ordinary they’d ring but if not they likely wouldn’t bother contacting me. I have a family history of heart problems and my dad died of heart attack at 45 with his dad and his grandad the same so obviously I’m more worried than I probably would have been if it wasn’t for that.

[ILowe]

Did the tachycardia stop? How long did it last? Did you try the Valsalva Maneuver? Did you try other tricks to stop it?

[Emzies2207 in reply to ILowe]

I wouldn’t say it stopped as such, my heart rate is normally at 110 - 120 but it’s not usually as high as when I had flu! I haven’t tried anything to stop it but will look into the manoeuvre you mentioned, thank you!

[ILowe in reply to Emzies2207]

The manoeuvre and other tricks usually only work if you do them as soon as the tachycardia starts, within 5 minutes or so, without waiting to see if it stops naturally.

Over on the AF forum they also have a lot of knowhow about PIP, Pill In the Pocket. For years I would have the tablets in my purse, and would crunch some bisoprolol + flecainide. But only a cardiologist can give you the first prescription for flecainide because there are some extremely rare but very dangerous side effects they have to check for.

I also learned the difference between tachycardia because of generally having a long day, and tachycardia because I was stressed.

[tunybgur]

Sounds like you have a problem, but how did you manage to get to A&E with the flu? Last time I had flu I couldn't even get up the stairs to bed.....did you call an ambulance?

[Emzies2207 in reply to tunybgur]

I actually didn’t feel all that ill with the flu, I called 111 because I felt like I was struggling for breath and they sent the ambulance. Paramedics took me to A&E because of my heart rate it was 152 when they arrived so they wouldn’t let me stay at home

[ILowe]

Google it. A high heart rate is common in flu. It is part of the recovery mechanism. But since these things are often multi-factor, you to well to get it checked out.

[Pommel]

Hi emzies, I'd have thought that maybe if your heart rate is consistently quite high they would follow up with more tests or maybe some meds to bring down your heart rate if needed. I'd try and get someone to go through the test results, especially the echocardiogram with you to check it all again. Can you feel your heart racing?

[Emzies2207 in reply to Pommel]

I didn’t get to discuss my results with anyone, called the doctors twice after my echo and the 24hr ecg to try to discuss it both times receptionists said they’d get a doctor to call and then never heard a thing! I went back to GP on Friday and he said they’ve done all the tests, left it as he would email the cardiologist at the hospital and see what he suggests. No I can’t feel it at all, I do notice when it gets to the 125-130 stage as it makes me feel slightly out of breath but that’s all.

[Pommel in reply to Emzies2207]

Hi sorry for the delay! I guess then just chase the GP for the email reply in a week's time. See what comes of that. I can feel my heart if it's racing. I hope that you find out soon what's going on!

[ss017]

Hello, I am not sure if you still get on here but I have been having Tachycardia as well and I did a search and found your post. I have had all the heart tests and all came back normal. Did you ever figure out what was causing it and did you have any treatment for it? Do you still have it now?