Tachycardia

[Cookieisland]

Hello,

Looking to find out if anyone else has been through similar. Back in March I went out for a cycle and my watch noted a heart rate of 200. Following a visit to the gp about it, I had a 2 week event recorder which picked up an abnormal rhythm, which my gp didn’t know what it was. It was 17 beats at 200bpm and the rhythm itself looked very odd on the ecg recording. I then got referred to cardiology and have an appointment booked in the next month. Between then and now, I regularly have very short episodes of fast heart rate, as well as short runs of palpitations that I feel in my neck. I can be sitting doing not much and my heart rate will jump from 80 to 160 then back again. It does it in my sleep as well. When exercising I can easily get a heart rate of 180 and chest pains. So I’ve really cut back on that until I find out what is going on. I’m 31, female and on the underweight side but healthy. It has been incredibly stressful going through this and having to wait so long for answers. My cardiology appointment is an urgent one, but still that means a few month wait on the nhs! I’ve started beta blockers which have got rid of some of the hr spikes but not all of them.

Really hoping that the cardiologist can tell me what this is but worried about what it all means, if it is dangerous and any future treatment.

thanks for reading!

[Jalia]

I would seek a private appointment with cardiologist if you have a several month wait on NHS. It shouldn't have to come to this but that's the way things are right now. Meanwhile don't overdo the exercise bit.

[Tos92]

Ectopic beats are usually considered harmless and are very common, although they can be incredibly worrying when we get them. However, I notice your fast heart rate is accompanied by chest pain which would require further investigation.

I go through periods of abnormal heart rhythm however, because they are rare episodes, my burden is quite low therefore, it does need to be treated yet, although I am on a calcium channel blocker which treats a high heart rate if necessary.

I agree with Jalia, perhaps reduce the amount of exercise you’re doing. It is never a good idea to push through the pain when exercising.

All the best.

Tos

[devonian186]

Have you changed your diet recently or had a stressful event like moving house or starting a new job?

[LittleElf]

Hey Cookieisland, I’m so sorry to hear of your recent struggles. If you feel worried and want to be seen sooner, definitely book a private cardiologist appointment.

I’m now 27 and started suffering with crazy palpitations and high heart rate episodes early last year when I was 25 ( before my 26th birthday) and I was loosing my mind with worry. I booked a private cardiologist appointment but I’d also bought my own holter monitor (wellue holter monitor from Amazon) so I had proof of recordings to take to them, with this I immediately got a diagnoses of SVT and VT and they referred me back to the NHS and rushed me for an emergency procedure.

Booking private was the best thing I did!

Unfortunately the procedure didn’t work but I’m now stabilised with medication and I’m due to go for another try at the procedure.

I hope this helps and I hope you feel better soon xx

[Fazerboy]

Hi, I also do a lot of cycling and I found my hr would instantly jump from say 90 to 150. I could see it because I ride with a hr monitor (chest strap) linked to a garmin cycle computer so I could download a hr graph. Anyway mine was diagnosed as svt, after I'd had a loop recorder fitted etc. I eventually had an ablation and all has been good since then. I actually found that stress (sudden surprise etc) or bending down triggered my episodes. I also found that I could reset my hr by lying on my back (not always easy depending where you are. I hope you get it sorted.

[Cookieisland]

Thank you so much for everyone’s responses. I did consider going private, but I now have my appointment in 3 weeks time. I can’t get one sooner even going private so will just wait, it is with an electrophysiologist.

This all started after catching covid in February. The covid itself wasn’t awful, but the recovery from it took ages and I was breathless doing exercise for weeks. Don’t know if it has anything to do with it or just a coincidence. I do remember having similar issues around 10 years ago when I was at university but just put it down to stress.

SVT is what my gp first thought it was, but it didn’t quite fit with the ecg when I had palpitations so from googling myself I am wondering whether it’s two different things, SVT when it’s jumping about to a fast heart rate quickly, and NSVT when it is palpitations. The gp had mentioned something about the ecg being wide for one episode. Obviously I am just guessing but hopefully I have the answers soon!

Lying down definitely does help! As the heart rate goes so fast it’s like you want to run around so it does feel weird making yourself lie down. I’ve started noting other triggers too, caffeine, sugar, all the nice things!!

Glad to have found others that have been through similar!

[Sheffield55]

Sorry about that. I am 34 and a female. I have suffered from Sinus Tachycardia for years and I finally started taking propanol last year. Every blood test came normal except my blood level being low. It seems for young women with heavy menstrual flow over a long period of time, anaemia can cause a fast heart rate. I try to keep my blood level as normal as possible and hopefully will come off medication someday.Cheers!

[Deejay62]

Hi Cookieisland if you are worried at anytime you can call 111 if you can’t speak to your doctor.

I don’t like to talk about arrhythmias because some have the same symptoms, I know because I have loads going on at some time or another. And the symptoms of fast pulsating heart beat coming out of the neck I’ve had that as part of one of them. It’s hard not to worry it’s new. Hopefully the months will go by quickly for you. Let us know how you’re getting on. All the best.

[Cookieisland]

Thanks, I was tested for anaemia but came back clear, but did have low iron stores and low b12, that has been corrected with supplements now though. I’ve had low iron stores for a long time so the gp didn’t think it was causing it, as the level a few months ago was actually higher than it had been in previous years.

Does anyone wake up at night feeling a bit funny and then get a sudden racing heart? It has happened a few times, before I started taking propranolol it would go to 180bpm or higher, but last night it only went to 140bpm, although still uncomfortable. It only lasts about half a minute though, then goes back to normal, and I’m left feeling on edge for half an hour or so until I can fall asleep again! This is the symptom that resulted in my cardiology appointment being changed from routine to urgent, and when I was prescribed beta blockers