Feeling faint and uneasy after busy day of exercise

[Cookieisland]

Hello,

I’ve had episodes of fast heart rate for the past year, which is controlled by propranolol and I have seen a cardiologist a year ago.

Generally things have been getting better and I haven’t had any issues for quite a few months, so at the weekend I signed up for a badminton competition which was 4 hours long. Over the 4 hours, my heart rate was up to 190 and generally stayed around 150, dropping to 120 when resting. This was from my watch. By the end of the competition I was feeling pretty ropey but not too bad. Once I was home my heart rate came down and I felt fine.

Then when I was about to go to bed after having a bath, I felt really odd and uneasy. I did an ecg on my watch and it came back looking very odd. It was really flat and spaced out, which then made me panic. I repeated it and it was the same. After getting up and trying to not flap, the feeling eventually went away and when I did a 3rd ecg it was back to normal.

I spoke to the doctor this morning and he said I probably overdid it and my heart was possibly tired from being at such a high rate for a long time.

Has anyone ever experienced similar? I am 32 and fairly active. I am trying to balance out living with a fast heart rate and not worrying about it, or causing myself any long term issues by ignoring any symptoms I should be looking out for.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Listen to what your body is telling you, likely as a consequence of your heart rate rising to a sustained period at 190bpm. There is a message on there somewhere which can't be too difficult to interpret.

[Cookieisland in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for replying. The frustrating thing is that my heart rate jumps up pretty much as soon as I start, so it was pounding away at 150 before I was even warm let alone out of breath.

I don’t know whether to contact the cardiologist I saw last year. I hate to feel like I’m wasting anyone’s time but also I’m worried about what I experienced.

I have decided that it’s not worth playing any more sports competitively though, I don’t want to go through the same thing again.

[Garden24]

Did the cardiologist carry out any tests & come back with a conclusion as to why you were having such fast heart rates? He put you on propanol but then what? Who is following you up? Keeping a heart rate sustained for any length of time at 190/150 in my view is a cause for concern especially as you had symptoms afterwards. The ECG recorded which was abnormal, were you able to save it or can access it again for review by a professional? I would definitively seek another review. You aren’t wasting anyone’s time. That’s what they are there for. Good luck.

[Cookieisland in reply to Garden24]

Last year I had a 10 day monitor which picked up atrial tachycardia at 200bpm and some other normal rhythm at 170-190 when doing exercise. I had an echocardiogram which came back normal. The cardiologist said it was most likely due to me being aware of it and anxiety (both of which I disagreed with as it only started after I had covid last year and although I suffer from anxiety, it’s never and still isn’t heart related) he also said to stop wearing a smart watch in case that was why I was worried. Again I disagreed because I go days without wearing it and check it if I’m feeling off, not the other way around). I like my Apple Watch for all its other features so I’m not just going to ‘throw it in the bin’ as his words were.

So I’m hesitant to contact him as I feel like he will just say it’s because of anxiety and being overly aware of it. Any advice on being assertive would be appreciated!

[Garden24 in reply to Cookieisland]

Which country are you in? Thanks.

[Cookieisland in reply to Garden24]

I’m in the uk - Scotland

[Garden24]

Right. If it were me, I would ask to see a different Consultant when you are referred back. This one’s manner sounds not to my liking, shall we put it like that! Speak to your GP & explain your concerns re heart rate etc. Yes Anxiety can cause a raised heart rate but 190 to me, is some going! I’ve become much more assertive as I age but I’m much older than you. As an ex CCU nurse I can fight my corner but at the end of the day, even if it’s just reassurance you need, please pursue some medical advice starting with your GP & if he thinks a referral to Cardiology is in order, he can arrange this. Bin your Apple Watch isn’t in the slightest bit helpful either!

[Cookieisland in reply to Garden24]

Thank you for such sensible advice!

I will try my best to be assertive and raise my concerns, and actually say what I think rather than just agree with them at the time and come home and get annoyed with myself that I didn’t say half the things I should have. Thank you again!

[Garden24 in reply to Cookieisland]

Good. If you’ve a few questions as well, go armed with a notepad with them on. Looks official! 🤣

[Cookieisland in reply to Garden24]

Just wanted to let you know after your advice I made a doctors appointment, who straight away said that’s not right at all, and is doing an urgent referral back to cardiology. I had said that I kept doubting myself and didn’t want to waste anyone’s time but they assured me it was quite important and definitely not a waste of time. So I am feeling relieved and very glad to have spoken to someone that listened to my concerns and took them seriously. Now the long wait for cardiology to get in touch but at least I made the first step.

[Garden24 in reply to Cookieisland]

That’s brilliant! Great news. I’ve learnt that you’ve got to be on the ball with your own health, more & more these days. You will be on a roll now. Don’t forget to jot down those questions as that always helps. Also, as you don’t know how long you will be waiting for cardiology, if you get anymore of those symptoms always seek help. Ring 111 (NHS helpline) they might get you seen pronto but also contact your GP to expedite the Cardiology referral. It worked for me when I was worried sick. Take care!