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Why have I had sudden heart rate increase?

Sudden increase in heart rate cause for concern?

  • Over the past weekend I had a sudden increase in my heartrate which stayed between 140 and 150 for over two hours. Since then I have been extremely tired, very lightheaded and had ...show more

  • Answer:

    What you are experiencing sounds like paroxysmal tachycardia (times of accelerated heart rate). You may have an underlying condition, so you are doing the right thing by visiting your doctor. However, to put you at ease, I'll quote from the AMA Family Medicine Guide: "What are the risks? Despite any anxiety or fright, paroxysmal tachycardia is not usually a serious disorder. There is a slight risk of congestive heart failure, but there is usually no danger. What is the treatment? Self-help: Heartbeat rate can be slowed down by certain nerve impulses, which can be induced in several ways. Try holding your breath for a while, or taking a slow drink of water, or bathing your face in cold water. It may help if you hold your nostrils closed and try to blow through your nose, which will make your eardrums "pop." If you have had an attack of paroxysmal tachycardia, you may want to take some preventive measures agains tfurther attacks. Cigarettes, alcohol, tea and coffee may all increase your susceptibility. Try cutting down on whichever of these you usually use. There also seems to be a link between anxiety and tachycardia, but it is unclear whether anxiety causes tachycardia or vice versa." I would recommend that if you are experiencing one of these episodes at night, you ought to go the ER and have them do a 12-lead ECG. During the day, get to your primary care doctor for the same reason (most have ECGs in the office nowadays). It's important to catch the problem while it is occuring. But I also agree with the answerer that recommended you see a cardiologist ASAP. Most doctors will be able to take an ECG and calm your immediate fears, but I would want a cardiologist to investigate to find the underlying cause and advise treatments going forward.

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Please be sure to keep your appointment.If you feel you need to between now and your doctors appointment by all means go on to the E.R. Good luck and let us know what the doctor says ok??

Rita R

That kind of heart rate is EXTREMELY dangerous. Anything over like 120 and one should immediately head to the Emergency room. What you indicate is Atrial Fibrillation, a condition in which the electrical system of the heart goes haywire. If not properly treated with drugs, a heart with symptoms similar to yours can literally speed itself to the point of total destruction and death will occur. You need to go and see a Cartiologist, a Family Practice doc or an Internal Medicine doc will do you zero good. So dont waste your money on these people. The Cartiologist will immediately medicate you and have you wear a monitoring holter around your neck. This device records for a weeks period your heart rate for every minute of that week. From this, they can determine if you have Atrial Fibrillation. Since the heart's oxiginated blood goes directly to the Brain from the second chamber, a clot can occur in there with an Atrial Fib condition. It will then cause a stroke and that in itself is really serious condition that will disable you permanently in life. I have this condition. I am speaking from experience. I take the standard regiment of Toprol and coumaden, a blood thinner plus an anti Atrial fib drug which controls the heart rate. Some people cannot stop these high speed hearts with medication, they immediately head for the Emergency Room should this occur. And many have PaceMakers installed to combat this disease. In the mean time, take a look on the Net Atrial Fibrillation, on the Cleveland Clinic website, one of the best known heart hospitals in the world. I am not trying to use any "scare tactics" on you whatsoever. Go see a Cartiologist in the AM for sure. They will immediately see you since this is a death threat that you are experiencing.

James M

Yes, it could be serious but it may not be.Anxiety and or thyroid problems could be causing your symptoms. People who suffer from an Anxiety disorder feel short of breath and their heart can beat fast ,flutter or even skip a beat the same if you suffer from HYPO(not enough thyroid produced in your body) Or Hyperthyroidism(to much thyroid produced in your body) same symptoms. Don't worry to much just go and see your doctor and he will run tests on you.Good Luck and God bless I suffer from anxiety and hyperthyroidism and experience the same symptoms as you do.

Michael Jackson 1958 - FOREVER

try not to worry to much=it only worsens the problem =i had that and am now taking a pill to keep my heart regulated=so i know how you must feel scary about it

caffsans

Could be a heart condition or something as simple as panic attacks.

schwanbeckchristina

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