I cried on the way home from the cardiologist.

To make a long story short, I get tachycardia daily, usually after eating.  It doesn't last too long, usually not more than 5 - 10 minutes, and I can mostly get it to stop with a valsalva  pressure or by coughing.  It's mostly after eating a little processed food,   which contain sulfites (preservatives), to which I have found out I am sensitive.  I had a heart attack 3 1/2 years ago when the tach triggered a coronary vasospasm which caused a plaque rupture. 

Alcie,


You had a right to cry all the way home and your Dr. needs to pay attention to you and answer you when you have a problem. That is what he is trained to do and if he does not know then a referral to someone else should have been arranged. Can you make an appointment with someone else for a medical screen exam?



I am sorry this happend to you. (((((((((Hugs)))))))))



Kindly,



Kitt

Hi Alcie

I have had difficulties with rapid heart rates and the beta-blockers that I tried - could not tolerate them. But I am now on a cardio-selective beta blocker which does not cause problems with mood or other side effects. I don't know what difficulties you were having but - Zebeta has worked very well for me when I could not tolerate the usual beta blockers.

Thanks Kitt, Sasha and Cinnamon. I appreciate the suggestions. I'll talk with my PCP about a different cardiologist, but I don't want to get rid of the current one because he's the best at what he does when it comes to getting a stent. I may be getting another clogged artery - can't walk up my hill easily again. I had to insist the last time I got a stent that I felt like I was going to have another heart attack. I don't want another cath, but maybe that's what I need.

I looked up the Zebeta, but it says nothing about rhythm, only lowers pressure and rate. It looks like just another beta blocker. My heart rate can drop below 50 at night now, and relaxing the blood vessels with meds hasn't stopped tachy events in the past. My regular rate is fine. I get tachycardia events, usually, but not always, after eating processed foods (even stuff like corn starch or bread). My BP ranges all over the place from 103/65 to 127/85.

I'm still hoping to find something that controls heart rate without relaxing the blood vessels.

---

Alcie

Good Morning Alcie,


Sad to say beta blockers decrease the heart rate and cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure.

I understand your wanting to hold on to your current cardiologist if you are looking at needing another stent in the future. I would certainly look at getting that second opinion re medications that control heart rate without causing decrease in BP.

Your input and advice has been greatly appreciated here in the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="/community?f=42">Heart & Cardiovascular Disease</A> forum.

Kindly,

Kitt

I also have tachycardia.

Why don't you tolerate betablockers? What are your side effects?

Maybe you should try a different one? Have you tried metoprolol? They even give this one to pregnant women with heart problems.

You should probably be medicated because tachycardia can occasionally lead to a life threatening disease called cardiomyopathy.

Please seek more medical advice.

Best wishes.