I’ve found that often when I’m out eating somewhere I will get the high heart rate notification on my apple watch. I don’t seem to get this same notification when I’m eating at home. We don’t have a dining table so I’m always on the sofa at home and I think always at a table when I get the notification when out.
The only thing I can think of is that eating around people can make me anxious but I’ve gotten it when I’m just with my husband that doesn’t make me anxious.
I’ve just gotten the notification and my chest is feeling sore now. I had a heart attack in January but my heart rate has been high for years (I suspect PoTS). No diagnosed heart issues, no blockages or heart disease.
Thanks
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Sorry to hear about your worries at the moment. It might be good to remember that the smart watches are sensitive to movement. I presume that when you are out eating, you are moving around a lot more than when you are at home eating. I have noticed that my heart rate is lower when I’m at home, compared to when I’m outside, even if it’s just a case of sitting down for a drink etc.
The other thing could be as you mentioned yourself, anxiety. My heart rate increases in stressful or anxious situations. You may find it worthwhile to seek therapy if you feel your anxiety is disrupting your life. Sometimes, therapy can also help you to get down to the bottom of why we are anxious too. You are definitely not the only one if that is the case.
There are also other techniques you could try, such as breathing. My therapist told me of the 4-7-8 breathing technique where you breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. It can help bring the heart rate down.
Interestingly, I note that you mentioned you had a heart attack in January without any blockages. Was the cause of your heart attack determined? I had a heart attack called a MINOCA (myocardial infarction in non-obstructed arteries) 2 years ago as a result of a coronary artery spasm. My arteries were clear. I wonder if you had experienced something similar?
There’s some more information on this type of heart attack in the links below if you were interested in reading into it further.
That’s a good point. My heart rate shoot’s up at the slightest movement too so that could contribute. But if I’m sat at a table drinking or talking I don’t tend to get the alert but I do when eating.
They said it was my thyroid medication but I don’t trust that’s what it was for a few reasons. I have APS which is a blood clotting disorder and is known to cause a lot of the heart attacks in young people. I’ve heard of that type and read a little on it but I’ll definitely read those links too, thank you. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been through a lot also.
You may find this information about Myocardial Infarction non obstructive coronary arteries MINOCA helpful.frontiersin.org/articles/10...
MINOCA isn't a diagnosis as such more a description of an acute cardiac event. What is important is knowing the underlying cause so you can receive the appropriate treatment.
One of the possible causes of a heart attack without blocked coronary arteries is a blood clot blocking one of the coronary arteries.
As someone who lives with antiphospholipid syndrome I am sure you are aware of this risk.
There is also an association between APS and ischaemia/ angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA/ANOCA in particular microvascular dysfunction.
I have been prescribed clopidogrel as I have vasospastic angina which is a type of INOCA/ANOCA to help prevent me having a stroke or heart attack due to a blood clot.
Another possible risk of a MINOCA is an arrthymia such as a a high heart rate.
Have your Cardiology team determined why you had your heart attack or offered you anf further tests?
Causes of heart attacks without blocked coronary arteries.
Thanks. I’ll definitely look up all the info you’ve offered.
As you said, I think it’s the APS that is the cause but feel they’ve scapegoated a thyroid treatment I wasn’t getting on the NHS. They did an echo, said my function was fine and shoved me out of the door with no explanation, no follow up, no cardiac rehab, no further contact with cardio and zero information about anything. I asked questions to PALS like can I take painkillers, should I be treating my APS now or at least start on aspirin, can I exercise, is it normal that I started getting chest pain a few days after leaving hospital (I had none once the initial heart attack pain had stopped. Felt completely normal in hospital). But they replied to say they were on my case and then I never got another response. I had a social prescriber because I’m disabled anyway and she contacted them and was ignored for ages. I threatened to put in a complaint so my social prescriber got a reply saying they’d tried to phone them so I replied and then never heard from them again.
I was prescribed a statin which caused a ton of side effects so that plus what I’ve read about them has lead to me stopping them. But the NHS website says you shouldn’t be prescribed them if you have hypothyroidism. I also found another contraindication as well but I can’t remember what it was now. Other than that no change to meds
I’ve asked for a referral to a haematologist who specialises in APS so I’m hoping he can help. But to answer your question, I don’t have a cardiology team and no further tests have been done. I’ve had 0 contact from the hospital.
If you wanted to resume statins at any time then hypothyroidism is no contraindication. It is only when someone receives a diagnosis of high cholesterol that statins are not recommended until s thyroid check is done, as untreated or undertreated hypothyroidism can be the cause of high cholesterol. Once this is ruled out, or treatment for the hypothyroidism initiated or increased as needed, statins can then be prescribed if necessary. I am hypothyroid and take statins with no adverse issues.I assume that liothyronine is the thyroid med in question, or possibly NDT? Excess T3, either in liothyronine or the non-human ratio found in NDT can cause heart issues, which has probably been of concern. If on these treatments then regular FT3 testing is vital to make sure all is stable.
I do hope you get some answers soon, because stress and anxiety will make matters worse, especially as you are now constantly on the alert for problems, which doesn't help.
Sorry to hear about the APS. I imagine it was a scary time for you. I was also young when I had my heart attack, so I understand the importance of being able to talk to others in a similar age group who may have experienced something similar. I hope you are recovering well.
If you want to chat, whether it’s about the anxiety or anything else, feel free to send me a PM.
Thank you, that’s a really kind offer. I haven’t really had anyone to talk to. Someone I follow on Instagram recently had a PE at a young age and has had counselling sorted and all sorts and I’ve been offered nothing.
So sorry to hear. I was not offered any cardiac rehab or counselling services after my heart attack either, so I understand how difficult it can be.
You can now self-refer yourself for counselling sessions/therapy via the NHS through the below link without having to go through your GP. I hope this helps.
Hi, not sure if anyone has signposted you to Talk works? I attended talkworks after sending in a self referral and undertook CBT. I am a great believer in CBT, the way the therapist supported me was stunning and having learnt the techniques, I can mainly maintain myself. One of the little things I keep on my phone is an app called "Stopp" and the other app Is "Balance". Regards John
Hi there, are you on blood thinners? It might be worth reading the side effects of this if you are as I think some of these can increase your heart rate. I hope you get to the bottom of it.
Do you take medication with food? My hr has been all over the place since my op. Cardiac nurses tell me this is common and can be worse when I e just taken my meds.
Hi, I get this often but usually when I’ve overdone carbs and fat at the same time. Could it be you are eating different food that are more “rich” than you’d normally eat at home? X
This is what I think, too. When out, you may be more inclined to indulge in rich and yummy foods which cause a spike in heart rate? A naan bread or a chocolate pudding could cause chaos!
First, this may seem like an obvious question, but have you discussed all of this with your doctor? That would be a good first step.
My first reaction was that you may have a specific situational anxiety disorder. You mentioned that you had a HA in January. After my HA in March 2022, my heart always raced. Just standing up and walking to the bathroom—a few yards—made my heart rate race to over 120+ bpm. My cardiologist increased my beta blocker dosage and my statin. That medication change, and lifestyle changes, finally helped my heart rate normalize.
You stated that you have no diagnosed heart disease, blockages, etc., but you did have a HA in January. My HA was apparently caused by a piece of cholesterol plaque breaking off, forming a blood clot, and causing the HA. I learned that my cholesterol was high and that I had some blockages due to plaque buildup. The statin drug and lifestyle changes have dramatically dropped my cholesterol levels. You might want to check with your doctor(s) to see what led to your HA. Were you started on a statin drug after your HA? That might mean that you have CAD. You didn’t mention what new prescriptions you received following your HA, but those drugs might help to suggest your diagnosis.
The most important advice that I could offer is to talk about all of this with your doctor. I wish you the best in getting your too rapid heart rate under control. ❤️
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