Hi my son has been experiencing high heart rates [190+] for the last 2 years. It doesn't seem to have a trigger and can start at anytime, even when he is in bed. He's gone to A&E but by the time he is seen [4 hours later] it's down to 120, still a bit too high as it can stay like that for more than 8 hours. We are struggling to get seen by a cardiologist with full support from his GP and the appointment has now been cancelled again with no chance to re-book. His heart drops in and out of rhythm more often now, he's exhausted struggling to work and is expecting his first child in 3 months. Does anyone have any ideas how I can help him more or how we can at least get him seen.
Thank you [worried mum]
Written by
Boots970
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
If you can afford it I would suggest having an initial consultation privately. This typically costs £200 - £250. I had one at the start of my cardiac journey and my meds were tweaked resulting in less angina attacks. A friend also recently did this. He has a similar problem to your son. His GP had rescribed Aphibahn to reduce the stroke risk but nothing else. The consultant added Bisoprolol and he has felt far better since.
Thank you Michael. I will look into that. He is only 32 so it is rather young to be starting heart medication, but would be good to talk with someone as you suggest.
Hi Boots970.No-one is ever "too young" to start heart medication if it makes them feel better and cope with everyday life. My son has a bicuspid aortic valve and started medication last year when he was 12 to help his heart cope. I also have a cocktail of daily meds after a heart attack last year aged 43 so if the meds help him lead a healthier life then thats only a good thing. Hope he gets some answers soon x
Hi Jules. Thank you for response. You are absolutely right just we are lacking in direction as to when to use it. At the moment he has just been told to take them when his heart rate is exceptionally high. He has done that once and it bought it back down to the 120 rate, which then seems to linger for a few hours. It's just that we both feel like we are lacking direction, but are still suffering the consequences.
Hi if he can afford it can he get an Apple Watch with heart trace function. That way he is basically wearing a heart rate monitor all day so it can be recording a daily trend and when he feels he’s experiencing the high rates he can record it and download the trace to show GP or cardiologist. It’s really difficult to diagnose heart rhythm issues unless there is a heart trace capturing it. I know I struggled for years before I could prove what had been happening. The other option is that he waits to get seen and chances are they will give him a wearable heart monitor to keep on for a few days to see if that captures it.
Hi ScoobyDoo and thank you for your response. I have bought him one of these watches and it has managed to capture a couple of episodes, but when it is at it's highest, his hands are shaking and he has pins and needles so struggles to keep his fingers still around the watch for the reading.
It sounds like you have had the same problem and it is so difficult to prove that it is happening, so I am pleased you managed to have some recognition and hopefully some help.
I had this too and was diagnosed with psvt. I am currently on bisoprolol and flecanide and touch wood I haven't had an episode since last August 😁. I was on bisoprolol alone and would still get episodes but not so often but since adding flecanide everythin seems to be good x hope this helps as it's not nice especially not knowing when the palpatations will start
Hi Dawny. Thank you for your response. It has given me some hope that we can have a diagnosis and be offered some help so he can lead a normal life as he's exhausted! x
Totally understand. I can just be sat watching TV or at night it wakes mme up etc. X when I first went to hospital with mine they told me some ppl gave an episode and nvvr have another and other ppl get iit again x my tablets have def helped x I just don't like going far as docs told me to give the palpatations 15 mins and. If they don't stop by themselves I'm to go to hospital x and the dreaded adenosine always seems to work thank god x
Hi Dawny, Thank you for your understanding. I have passed your messages on and it does help to know that everything is indeed so random! I wish you all good health for the future x
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.