Had a little scare, has anyone else had this???

[billiejo]

Hi everyone. Its been 6 weeks since my surgery, and at this point I have been feeling so great, and normal again that I could hardly believe that I actually had open heart surgery. I have been walking 2 miles a day, have alot of energy, just feeling all around great! Ok, so now for the downside. Last night I was awaken from a deep sleep with a rapid heart beat. I went to the E.R. right away and they took my pulse and it was at 220! So they rushed me back and had it down in about 10 minutes. I have had episodes in the past with this tachachardia, (probably not spelled right). Its happened to me about 6 or 7 times that I can remember in my childhood through adult life, seems like since jr. high, every 2 or 3 years I get this, its been about 3 years since my last. I guess I just wasnt expecting something like that to happen so soon after my surgery, its kinda a downer. What scares me is on my discharge papers it says that this is usually not a harmful episode, and can be treated easily, but they all seemed shocked that my BPM was SO high?? And Im a little scared now. Has ANYONE else had this?? Help! Billie Jo

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I had tachycardia for quite a while after surgery; however, not 220 bpm. My heart rate was 100-120 for several weeks. 220 bpm would worry me, especially if it happened while I was sleeping and lasted long enough to get to the emergency room and be checked in. Did you wake from a frightening dream, or something else that might have triggered it? If so, perhaps it just took your recovering heart a long time to remember what it was supposed to be doing.

You should definitely call your Cardiologist.

 

[ctyguy]

I don't have any experience with tachycardia so I can't help you there but I know if it were me I'd be on the phone tomorrow with my cardiologist to get his/her opinion. When I was in the hospital I remember being freaked out when my heart rate was at 110-120. The fact that you've had something like that before could mean your heart is doing what its always done but 220 bpm isn't right, you need to know what triggered it.

 

[Ross]

I too had it happen about 6 weeks out, only mine went to afib and stayed that way for 3 days. Resolved itself. Not a pleasant feeling at all.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

DEFINITELY notify your Cardiologist ASAP and ask for an appointment. You may want to consult with an ElectroPhysilogist (Cardiologists who specialize in the Electrical Functions of the Heart). Be sure to tell them of your prior episodes so that they know such events are not solely due to your surgery.

You may be asked to wear a monitor in hopes of capturing one of these events on tape. I *assume* (hope) they did an EKG which caught your heart rhythm. Did you get a copy of that recording? If not, go back to the hospital records office and request a copy or have them send a copy to your Cardiologist.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Bina]

I was told that a HR over 120 can be SVT.
Two weeks post op I woke in the night with a HR of 170 which was brought down with Sotalol (Betapace) meds. I went home on Metoprolol as a prevention and to keep the HR down.
During my recovery I had several episodes of SVT during the night over a period of several months.
The heart gets stronger and sorts itself out most times, but it needs to be checked out!

 

[Dennis S]

DEFINITELY notify your Cardiologist ASAP and ask for an appointment. You may want to consult with an ElectroPhysilogist (Cardiologists who specialize in the Electrical Functions of the Heart). Be sure to tell them of your prior episodes so that they know such events are not solely due to your surgery.

You may be asked to wear a monitor in hopes of capturing one of these events on tape. I *assume* (hope) they did an EKG which caught your heart rhythm. Did you get a copy of that recording? If not, go back to the hospital records office and request a copy or have them send a copy to your Cardiologist.

'AL Capshaw'

I would second this good advice.

 

[hall]

I would definately call your cardiologist. I had tachycardia all my life. I did go the EP and they did an ablation. No more tachycardia. Mine would go to 170-180 bpm. Did they tell you all the tricks to stop it yourself. Coughing, lay on the floor and put your legs straight up, or fill the sink w/cold water and put your face in it. I stopped mine tons of times w/these methods, but I let the docs know. Let us know how it goes.

Deb

 

[Smiley2000]

I had PSVT episodes pre-op. The first time it happened (HR 180 while reading a book and I was so freaked out that it was sitting at 200+ by the time I reached the ER). I had some "time share" in CICU and a few days later it happened again and they were able to make a print-out and I was referred to EP Cardiologist.

I had EP studies and mapping done and Ablation. Turned out I had 3 AV nodes! EP ablated 1 and I have never had PSVT again.

Would not be a bad idea to take a copy of your EKG and go to a EP Cardiologist.

All the best. These tachy-episodes are no fun.

 

[johnb]

I had something similar two weeks after the surgery and was told the rapid hear beat was afib. They put me on ameodorone (forgive the spelling) for 3 months, all has been ok since...and that was 4 years ago. Please have your cardiologist check you out...but don't be bummed out. They repaird your problem.

 

[Bina]

This is where a cardiologist exam is most important....you would not want to take a med like amiodarone unless absolutely necessary.
Follow all instructions.

 

[Superbob]

I haven't had an episode like that but I echo all those who suggest it would be a good idea to get in touch with your cardiologist about it. Take care.

 

[aussigal]

You are lucky...it went back to normal quite quickly. The ER was a good idea...I dont know if they automatically contact your Doc for you (I know in Aus. they do)...

I was back at the hospital where I had my OHS for a blood transfusion and ended up on a drip (with digoxin) for 2 hours watching my heart race at 200+ bpm( I got a little anxious about the blood transfusion and that sent my heart racing ...)...Others have had evenmore complicated episodes of this. So yeah...its pretty common for the heart to have a few hiccups as it mends and adjusts to the new hardware.

Congrats on the walking that is one almighty effort and you and your heart will see great rewards.