Hi everyone I'm new here and I'm hoping I can get some advice. I'm 20 yrs old and about 140 lbs ( 5'7) and I have moderate asthma.
The problem is for the past month or so I have been experiencing very long runs of palpitations. My resting hrt rate is 65 and during these episodes it has gone as high as 260 and has lasted for more than an hour. It usually feels like my heart is going to explode and it kind of flutters after every couple of beats. During these episodes I get really dizzy, weak, kind of black out, and I've passed out twice. I also have chest pain/pressure and shorteness of breath during these attacks.
I don't think that is asthma related because it hasn't occured with any wheezing or chest tightness and doesn't improve after taking meds. However; it has happened after taking albuterol for mild asthma attacks. I have had asthma for my whole life and my heart has never gone crazy like this until recently.
I usually happens out of the blue and without any warning. The first time it happened I was started while watching a movie. The first time I passed out, I was just reading a book and my heart started pounding. I stood up and bent over to catch my breath and I just blacked out.
I was rushed to the ER once after I passed out at work. There my heart rate was 260 and I had to be shocked twice before it went back to normal. They ran tests that included an ekg ans it showed multiple runs of pvcs. They told me to lay off the caffeine. The problem is I don't drink any caffeine and drink more than the recommened 8 glasses of water.
I'm just confused and scared. During these attacks I feel like I'm going to die. It's starting to become unbearable and it happens at least TWICE a DAY.
If anyone has experienced anything like this or has any advice I would really appreciate it.
HELP!!
Hi jazziegurl,
Sorry to hear you're having so many problems with this.
You should definitely get a general checkup from your doctor. Palpitations can be completely benign and caused by a variety of things, so it's a good idea to see what the issue is. Even getting stressed out can cause palpitations, and not only at the moment of getting stressed. I would see your doctor and tell him/her about the ER episode. Make sure your doctor gets to the bottom of the problem and answers all your questions.
My own palpitations were partly caused by having an upset stomach, believe it or not!
Make sure you're eating a balanced diet. Avoid foods high in suger. Of course, don't smoke. Alcohol and tea, as well as coffee can also bring on episodes. Even late nights caused me trouble.
Hope you get well, soon!
Chris
Hi jazziegurl, Welcome to Healing Well forum. We are happy to have you. I dont have PVC's..but from what I have read they are very bothersome. Chris has given you some excellent advice as usual. There are often posts on this topic on this forum if you want to go back through the archives and read up on them. I did a most recent search and pulled this one up...
http://www.healingwell.com/community/?f=42&m=439816&g=441532#m441532
I am sure that some of our other members that do suffer from this will be along shortly to post to you. Take care...
Hi! I do get palpitations-PACs and PVCs, etc. What you describe is NOT normal for PVCs. They DO NOT cause black outs in a structurally normal heart. Also there would be no need to have your heart shocked to get it back to normal for PVCs!!!! Also PVCs alone do not cause a heartrate of 260. That is tachycardia of some sort. Something else it going on here-maybe just anxiety but you need to go see a doctor right away. I would recommend you seeing a cardiologist and not just a regular internist! Please make an appointment to be seen by a doctor and let us know how things are going.
i do not think this is just pvc's either, if your medication is new to you and this has happened just since you started it, look at that as a possible cause. otherwise go to a dr. soon. the blackouts are not okay to ignore. keep us posted
Hi again Jazziegurl, After reading Hopes post and rereading yours I have to agree with hope here. If you went to the ER and had to have your "heart shocked twice" then you were in a full code. After such an incident I am sure you would of been admitted to the hospital for them to run tests and for specialists (cardiologists) to have time to examine you, right? A heart rate of 260 is not by any means normal or ordinary. At the very least you should take Hopes and Chris's advice and seek the treatment of a specialist or physician.
Elisha
. After such an episode was your father admitted to the hospital? Just wondering...