My poor little heart might be broken

Published on December 23, 2005 By dharmagrl In Misc

I went to the doctor's this morning to talk to him about my high heart rate. I got some blood drawn to see if perhaps it was my thyroid that was causing my ticker to run faster than normal (this morning's rate was 115 in case you're interested).

My thyroid levels are normal. So we can rule out hyperthyroidism. My cholesterol is normal - 177 overall, and triglycerides are at 77.

So, it's not hyperthyroidism or cholesterol that's causing the tachycardia.

Basically, we're not sure what it is. So, I'm going to have to see a cardiologist. By the time the referral gets authorized, by the time I've called and got an appointment with a civilian cardiologist.....it'll be February or March.

In the meantime, I'm supposed to be taking it easy and not doing anything high impact or strenuous. Here's the thing, though - there's a possibility that my heart rate is high because I'm out of shape. Not being able to exercise in months will do that for a person. If that's the case, then the best way to get my resting heart rate down is to exercise, right? Right. But I've been told not to do that because I have a high resting heart rate. So, I'm caught between a rock and a hard spot. Do I exercise in the hopes that doing so will bring my heart rate down? Or do I sit on my ass and wait to see the cardiologist so he can maybe tell me 'Ms F, your heart rate is high because you're out of shape. You need to start getting more exercise.' ?

Then again, if there IS something wrong with my heart, exercising and pushing my heart rate up could cause me some serious problems. Like my heart could tire itself out and simply cease to beat. Which would kill me.

I promised that if I had any other symptoms, like chest, neck or arm pain, shortness of breath or fainting and dizzy spells that I'd go straight to the ER. I don't think that's going to happen, but you can bet your ass that if I have ANY symptoms like that I'll be at the hospital like a shot.

To summarize, they don't know what's wrong with me, but they're sure that SOMETHING'S not right. My poor little heart could be broken. It could just be tired. It's wiring might be messed up. Or, it could be out of shape and in need of some exercise.

Looks like we'll have to wait until next year to find out.

Comments (Page 2)

Ziggystyles

on Dec 26, 2005

hopefully its something small...that is what Im leaning towards. I never noticed my fast heart rate at all until the last 18 months or so.

After I got done with dinner one night, I had a diet Coke with it and after a half hour...I got light headed and my pulse rocketed...I tried laying down but it was so fast and hard that the pulse was shaking me. We hopped in the car and I called the clinic to let them know I was coming, on the phone they told me to go to the Emergency room where I felt like I was going to throw up and/or pass out. I can't remember what my pulse was...I think it was 180...it was doing a polka or something. They had me to to one of the beds and I laid down and they hooked me up to an IV and boy did that make me feel better. I had to go through 2 IV bags before I could..........fill a cup.
After that session...I would get light headed and have panic attacks....but if i sat down and chugged water...I could feel my pulse slow down. I normally don't even feel stressed out about anything...but I think its because of the whole new job situation after graduating college, being on my own...etc; must have had me stressed more than I thought. For the next 9 months or so...I would get panic attacks and get antsy and couldnt sit still...felt like I was going to die. Finally this summer, that has pretty much gone away. I'm not totally sure what it was, but I try to walk, or walk even more when Im at work at Wal Mart...and I keep water with me at all times and so far so good...as far as the panic attacks. Unfortunately, I lost 20 lbs this spring and gained a chunck of it back already so I need to change some habits.

dharmagrl

on Dec 26, 2005

That's the thing, Ziggy. I DON'T feel bad. AT all. I feel fine. I know I'm not chronically dehydrated because I pee regularly. I know I'm not overweight (128 as of last week), I know my cholesterol isn't high (177 over all), I don't have panic attacks (I had one back in my 20's and I know how they feel - they're kinda hard to miss)...in other words there is NO reason for me to be tachycardic.

I walked and ran a little today. I walked for 2 mins, ran for 1. Walked for 2, ran for 1. Did that for 15 mins, then power walked my way back to the car and came home. I didn't have chest pain, I didn't feel out of breath or faint...I felt like I always do when I work out. If my doc knew I went running I think he'd be a little upset because I promised him that I'd take it easy, but goddam it I'm fekkin' tired of sitting on my arse and saying 'I just had surgery, I can't'. So I went, and I ran, and I didn't keel over and die. I'm going to go again on Wednesday. And again on Friday. Matter of fact, I'm going to try and go 3 days a week until I see the cardiologist in the hopes that it will bring my resting heart rate down and we can rule out my being out of shape as a cause. The less causes we have to look at, the faster I'll get a definitive diagnosis and the faster we can start the treatment.

I'm looking forward to that.

foreverserenity

on Dec 28, 2005

That's what I'm doing. I'm creating a log of what I do and when and taking my heart rate whilst doing so in the hopes that we can identify a pattern. The lowest it's been in the

This is good. Also make a note of what you eat and drink to see if this could be causing any effects. Caffeine and alcohol can cause changes. And with so much caffeine being added to different foods these days you will have to keep tabs on the intake if this is the problem.

I'm glad you're not having chest pains and can walk without stress. I agree with you exercising but I would caution not doing too much until after meeting with the specialist. After all, your doctor has a reason to tell you not to stress yourself too much and that's because since he's not sure what's going on, it's just a precautionary measure.

Walking (and swimming) are good exercises to do though so you're on the right track.

I do hope everything will be alright with your health. Worrying about it, that in itself can be stressful.

My hubby has been stressing lately about his heart. He's a smoker and was told to quit and he hasn't done that yet. But he knows what he needs to do and it's up to him to do it. No amount of bullying will make him change. Anyway, I hope everything will be OK as I said before. Taking care of you is very important and you're doing that.

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