Heart rate over 130 causing me to feel unwell

[Westie2012]

I’ve had my cardiology appointment through for June 14th after my gp phone appointment where gp said he’d do an urgent letter to my cardiologist because of my symptoms and recent admissions to cardiac assessment after feeling really unwell when I was taking my daughter to school . I feel ok until my heart goes over 130 then I start to feel very strong palpitations, dizziness and get so out of breath which are the symptoms I was having before having my pacemaker . That’s happened twice now . I’m on 5mg bisoprolol which helped to keep my heart below 130 for a while . The nurse looking after me on one admission asked if I knew what my heart rate was when I was feeling unwell , when I said it was between 135:/150 she said for my age it could safely go up to 220 , I dread how I’d feel if it was that fast . Does anyone start to feel unwell if your heart goes over a certain rate ?

[R2958]

Hi Westie, I have avnrt and when I've had SVT incidents, my rate has gone well over 200 per minute and that makes me miserable. Your 130+ rate symptoms sound like mine at 220+, and sounds like you are having a form of svt. Pacemakers are supposed to keep that from happening from what I've been told. Meantime, until you see your cardiologist, I would ask my doctor about possibly using valsalva maneuvers if needed during an incident of accelerated heart rate to slow things down. Best of luck, R

[Westie2012 in reply to R2958]

Thank you for your reply , when I had my discharge letter from cau it did mention SVT , the pacing team had looked at my pacemaker readings from that morning and could see when my heart rate had shot up .

[JKJLH]

Hi there,I had a diagnosis of non sustained VT, a different rhythm to you, but I felt unwell at times, often after exerting myself ( climbing stairs and exercise). It’s a really strange feeling of feeling unwell, if that makes sense, you can’t quite explain your symptoms of feeling unwell more specifically.

I appreciate what the nurse said about max heart rates for your age, but if the heart rate goes up and stays up then it is a different matter. Also, the signs you experience of palpitations and dizziness are key signs to keep reporting.

I find the cardiologist who is an electrophysiologist knows and understands your diagnosis the best, they are the experts in the field, and as great as many hospital cardiac units are - they may not be best to guide and advise.

You’ve done the right thing with the GP referral to your cardiologist.

It’s always good to keep a diary of events and symptoms, conversations with Drs, admissions etc. The more you capture the more informed your cardiologist can be of your condition.

Hope you make progress with the pacemaker and feel better soon.

Take care.

[Westie2012 in reply to JKJLH]

Thank you so much for your reply , it is difficult to explain how you feel do others understand the symptoms . I do keep a diary of my symptoms dates and times etc so if I do have to go to hospital or see/speak to a gp then I can tell them what’s been happening as I know I’d forget . My cardiologist is also an electrophysiologist .

[JKJLH]

Hi,That’s great to hear you are in the good care of an electrophysiologist.

It can be very challenging at times, I find people are so kind but until you experience it yourself it’s difficult for people to really get it.

Take good care of yourself and keep pushing for the right support and treatment.

[Westie2012 in reply to JKJLH]

Thank you for your kind words , I hope my cardiologist has some answers when I see him , it’s a bit scary when I feel so unwell . I dread to think what would happen if my heart rate went any higher . It is difficult as like you say no one knows or understands how it feels . I have learnt I need to be a bit persistent in getting answers to what’s causing my symptoms , slightly worrying that my old symptoms pre pacemaker are returning .

[JKJLH in reply to Westie2012]

Hi

We are sturdier than we think. I am 46 so know exactly how you feel. Post my ablation mine went up to 210, I was asleep and it woke me up. It went down though, but really frightened me. The heart was unsettled by the ablation.

130 walking up a hill is probably ok, but always check with the cardiologist. They are more concerned if it goes up and stays up.

Keep going and searching for answers, and reassurance.

Take care.

[HamishBoxer]

You really do Not want to be over 100 normally , unless through exercise, up to 220, no!

[Westie2012 in reply to HamishBoxer]

It only happens when I’m walking up the very steep hill to the school , hubby keeps suggesting I need a mobility scooter . I’m only 48 so not ready for one of those yet .🤣 I dread how I’d feel if my heart went over 150 u think at 220 I’d probably be in a heap on the floor .

[ETHEL103]

I thought max hr 220 less your age.