Tachycardia: Benign or Not?

KimC · Jan 9, 2004

Hi,

About four years ago, I felt a fast fluttering in my chest, then broke out into a heavy sweat. The episode only last a minute, so I wrote it off as stress-related, (and changed my deoderant ... ha). Looking back, this was probably my first symptom of anything cardiac-related.

Well, now that I know I have a little problem with a couple of heart valves, I'm not as able to blow off such an episode: the fast fluttering happened again last night. Same pattern, and I was instantly covered in sweat. (I think it was the sweating that bothered me the most -- could anyone explain why that happens? It's very unnerving).

I know a lot of tachycardias are benign, unless there's an underlying heart problem, right? No reason that I couldn't wait until next Wed. to speak to my cardio, right?

Thanks,

bvdr · Jan 9, 2004

Hi Kim,

Tough question, right?

I can't say what happened to you but when the sympathetic nervous system is activated you can start to sweat. I don't know what I would do if I were you. If it happened again and didn't change in anyway I would definitely call and speak to your cardiologist or whoever was on call. If it happened again and was worse or was different I think I would go to the ER.

That is what I would probably do. You do what seems right to you as you know yourself better than anyone else does. Either way, avoid caffeine or other stimulants(like some herbs) until you get checked.

I hope you and your family are doing well.

Karlynn · Jan 9, 2004

The sweating could be from a rush of adrenaline as your body instantly responds to the abnormal heart beat. Were you light-headed at all, dizzy, or felt like you might pass out?

Betty is right, no caffiene, alcholol or stimulants of any kind. And call and check with your doctor.

Karlynn

Kenny F · Jan 10, 2004

I have a variety of tachy & PVC incidents since surgery. The continuous PVCs are what really get me. After the last big episode and 4 hours at ER, I was told I was the picture of health (but was sure I was checking out!).

The bottom line is there is no way to self-diagnose unusual rhythms. It takes an EKG (hopefully your cardio or PCP can provide this w/o the ER cardiac work-up I went thru).

Once properly identified and diagnosed, I have learned to live with them for now (they are supposed to, and are starting to, go away with time.) I did experience them pre-op, altho on a much smaller scale.

Knowledge is good, but even knowing what is going isn't always enough - a good flutter can freak out even a hardy soul!

Ross · Jan 10, 2004

COMBIVENT® Inhalation Aerosol contains the beta agonist albuterol and the anticholinergic ipratropium bromide. It is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to soya lecithin or like foods, such as soybeans and peanuts. Extreme caution is advised in patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants. Caution should be taken in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, those sensitive to sympathomimetic agents, narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy or bladder-neck obstruction.Albuterol sulfate can have significant cardiovascular effects , and the potential for life-threatening paradoxical bronchospasm and significant hypokalemia.

Also, be sure to tell your doctor if

You have a heart condition or high blood pressure.
You have a convulsive disorder, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes.
You are allergic or hypersensitive to soya lecithin or foods such as soybeans and peanuts.
You are being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or tricyclic antidepressants.
You are pregnant.
If you should notice any unusual side effects while using COMBIVENT® Inhalation Aerosol, tell your doctor about them.

Please see full Prescribing Information for COMBIVENT® Inhalation Aerosol

KimC · Jan 11, 2004

Thank you, Ross. (He knows I'm taking Combivent and Advair for asthma). I had the irregular heartbeats after taking a puff.

I called my pulmonologist today; he said the tach would be a very rare side-effect of the inhaler for a person without heart disease. For someone with a couple of malfunctioning valves, it means something, and he wanted me to see my cardiologist.

I know this sounds like denial, but I was shocked, then felt depressed all evening. I still have this image of me having valve surgery when I'm 50, not 40.

Karlynn, Betty & Kenny ... thanks.

Best,