Shortness of breath after ventricular tachycardia

[Marleymoo98]

Hi, my husband is 57, was fit and well until He collapsed whilst out running with a heart rate of 260. This was resolved with cardio version. After angiogram, mri and exercise tolerance test the cause was still not clear and he was told there is nothing wrong with his heart. This was three months ago and since then he has been suffering with shortness of breath which is getting worse. He now can’t walk for more than 15 mins at a slow pace without suffering for ages afterwards. We’ve been to a and e twice as he was particularly bad but his ecg was normal both times. Any suggestions? This is really getting him down and worrying me!!

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I’d talk to your GP about a second opinion.

[Marleymoo98 in reply to Kristin1812]

The gp has given him an inhaler?!? Needless to say it’s not made any difference! Sw

[Shar28]

Hello, your husband’s symptoms re walking sound similar to my husband’s. He had a chest X-ray which showed his heart was enlarged and an Echo to see how the heart muscle itself was working. His ECG was ok, but that just shows the electrical workings of the heart. I’d suggest going back to his GP and asking for these tests. In the meantime if you phone the BHF helpline one of the nurses will be able to support and suggest ways forward. Best wishes.

[Shar28]

In my reply I should also have said please don’t google the symptoms because there’s all sort of information out there which is outdated, wrong or simply not applicable and it can be unnecessarily scary. Equally my husband’s experience and condition may be very different from your husband’s. The BHF nurse helpline is available on weekdays 0300 330 3322. In the meantime, please try not to worry too much and persist with your GP until he has answers.

[Marleymoo98 in reply to Shar28]

Thanks for the reply. He did have an echo at the initial onset of the tachycardia. Initially they said it showed scarring of left ventricle but then changed their minds as the mri was normal. He’s had three chest X-rays, all normal. It’s all very baffling at the moment!

[Ianc2]

Blood pressure? Weight as in Bmi? Sugar levels? clogging of arteries? Cloresterol levels?

[Marleymoo98 in reply to Ianc2]

Hi lanc2. His bmi is 24.8. Sugar levels were normal at the time of the initial incident, not tested since. Cholesterol normal. Angiogram showed no clogging of arteries. Initially it was assumed he’d had an MI, hence the angiogram, but no stents needed so they then assumed it was an electrical problem, but never got to the bottom of it. He was discharged feeling ok. The breathlessness started after he started to resume ‘normal’ activity.

[Marleymoo98 in reply to Marleymoo98]

And blood pressure is normal. He is on bisoprolol but only 1.25mg, the lowest dose possible I think so I know that will bring it down but it wasn’t high in the first place!

[Ianc2]

Have a look at milkfairy's posts?

[Copsem in reply to Ianc2]

Yes milkfairy

[Marleymoo98]

Thankyou I will

[buggles84]

Get a full thyroid function test done.

(TSH, T4, T3, And thyroid antibodies

[Hidden]

I was on drugs that would drop my blood pressure quite dramatically - making me feel sick and breathless. Have you had the BP tested?