Rather a long post I’m afraid. In 2000 I was 44 and developed unstable angina over 4 months. My husband had BUPA with his work so I saw a cardiologist quickly, put on aspirin, Bisoprolol and GTN. The cardiologist was always unsure whether it was a blockage to my LAD or a spasm and I was due to undergo a nuclear study at The Brompton but I had an awful episode where I thought I was having a heart attack which eventually passed. Went to A&E and because I had no pain was on a trolley in a corridor. My husband managed to get me transferred to the private hospital under the care of my Cardiologist. I had a similar episode overnight, ecg taken and when reviewed put on bed rest and nitronol infusion and transferred to another hospital for a CABG x2 a few days later, leaving me with RBBB. My heart rate has always been around 40bpm.Bisoprolol now reduced to 1.25mg and heart rate now 50 - 60bpm. Over the years it has been found that I have a heart murmur first thought to be an aortic stenosis but now known to be a subaortic membrane and am being followed up on a yearly basis for this. My heart rate whilst on 2.Last year I underwent a Cardiac MRI and found to have Microvascular angina and put on nitrates. Recently had not been well and been started on Levothyroxine. Had an episode of chest pain 2 weeks ago and went to A&E, nothing found but a couple of days later had my routine cardiology, nitrates and Atorvastatin increased and have undergone a cardiac stress MRI and a 24 hour heart monitor, waiting for results at my next cardiology appointment in a couple of weeks. I’m being well looked after but the last week I’ve been unwell then yesterday my heart rate rose dramatically on minimal exertion even to the point where I couldn’t complete my shopping. Fine when doing nothing but same symptoms I’m exertion. Managed to speak to cardiology dr. Nitrates reduced, investigations seem to show nothing though there were arrhythmias shown on monitor. Hopefully everything will be sorted but it’s a shock after 22 years to be having such problems. Thank you for reading, writing it all down helps.
Tachycardia: Rather a long post I’m... - British Heart Fou...
Tachycardia
Hi goldenbay
I’m sorry to hear of your recent troubles with your heart. I can see you’ve been through a lot with your heart health by the sounds of it and this must be overwhelming.
I’m not familiar with the heart conditions which you have however, it does seem like you have a cardiologist who is knowledgeable and proactive in your care and that always helps when trying to get the best treatment.
In regards to your suspected abnormal heart beats, as you mention tachycardia, the 24 hour holter monitor should be able to pick up any abnormalities with your heart beat. Be rest assured that if there is something wrong with the rhythm of your heart, then this test will most likely show it.
Please keep us posted on the outcome of your holter monitor and your recent MRI.
We do have other members on here which have experience of your heart conditions. Hopefully they will be by soon.
All the best.
Tos
Thank you for your reassuring reply. Just feeling a bit down at the moment and needed to talk about it and understand it. I’m so lucky that I’ve been so well looked after by my local general hospital.
And have the doctors checked your thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after starting, or changing levo dose? Unfortunately many drs. leave TSH too high and are too frightened to allow it to go below range allowing our FreeT3-4 well below ideal. Wrong thyroid levels, too high and too low, can equally lead to high HR etc etc. is it a coincidence you are having these cardio problems as you are newly diagnosed hypothyroid ( have you autoimmune thyroiditis with TPO or/and TgAb out?).?
Absolutely correct! Levothyroxine is notorious for heart rhythm disturbances... it's a well known unwanted side effect... just Google it to verify that.... also it's essential to take with water only and to wait one hour before any food or tea drink... otherwise it will skew blood test results.... the levothyroxine may consequently be prescribed at too high a level for your needs.... I recommend that you request alternative thyroid medication or a reduction in levothyroxine level to trial the outcome... I am not a medical practitioner but have had to self help by researching this topic online... levothyroxine is the cheapest thyroid medication and it's very widely prescribed but there are many alternatives that may be far better...of course any decisions you make must be made under medical supervision of your doctors. Good luck and be well.
Are you replying to me or Golden Bay? GB might not see it as you have written it. I have long since been on T4 for over 20 years, T3 too last 5 years, and my BP/HR problems relate to Long C(that cannot be named on some healthunlocked sites) for over 3 years, and where I live never got to see a cardio on referral from GP, nor for that matter ever got to see NHS endocrinologist. It’s more likely inappropriately treated hypothyroidism rather than levothyroxine itself that gives heart problems, though some do have problems with the hormone replacements like upsets from fillers in Teva T4, and a very few need liquid levothyroxine.
Yes my reply was meant for golden bay..as a newbie here, I have wrongly sent it to you in error.... I acknowledge that you very helpfully replied to golden bay... unfortunately I am not sure about how to forward my original response posting to the latter?
What you have done ie re post will have done the job JoeFran!
Forwarded to golden bay
3 hours ago
Absolutely correct! Levothyroxine is notorious for heart rhythm disturbances... it's a well known unwanted side effect... just Google it to verify that.... also it's essential to take with water only and to wait one hour before any food or tea drink... otherwise it will skew blood test results.... consequently you could be prescribed levothyroxine at too high a level for your needs.... I recommend that you request alternative thyroid medication or a reduction in levothyroxine level to trial the outcome... I am not a medical practitioner but have had to self help by researching this topic online... levothyroxine is the cheapest thyroid medication and it's very widely prescribed but there are many alternatives that may be far better...of course any decisions you make must be made under medical supervision of your doctors. Good luck and be well.
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Judithdalston profile imageJudithdalstonJoeFran
2 hours ago
Are you replying to me or Golden Bay? GB might not see it as you have written it. I have long since been on T4 for over 20 years, T3 too last 5 years, and my BP/HR problems relate to Long C(that cannot be named on some healthunlocked sites) for over 3 years, and where I live never got to see a cardio on referral from GP, nor for that matter ever got to see NHS endocrinologist. It’s more likely inappropriately treated hypothyroidism rather than levothyroxine itself that gives heart problems, though some do have problems with the hormone replacements like upsets from fillers in Teva T4, and a very few need liquid levothyroxine.
Last edited by Judithdalston
Yes my reply was meant for golden bay..as a newbie here, I have wrongly sent it to you in error.... I acknowledge that you very helpfully replied to golden bay... unfortunately I am not sure about how to forward my original response posting to the latter
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Thank you for your response. I’m on a low dose and my GP would only prescribe it on my Cardiologist’s ok. I think my original problem with my heart rate going extremely high was due to the increase with my nitrate being increased. I’m now back to my normal dose and things have settled down. Unfortunately I also have issues with tablets if they contain Magnesium Stearate, which most do as this triggers epileptic seizures. The Levothyroxine tablets I take are very small and have not caused any issues so far.
Thanks for your updates... may you be well, happy peaceful and at ease
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