Intermittent high bp and tachycardia

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NoReply - 30 May 2008 01:39 GMT

I had a strange episode the other day that prompted me to go to the ER. I
was typing an email when out of the blue, I felt a vein on the left side of
my neck start to pound, like I was doing a work out.

Then I checked my blood pressure with my digital bp monitor, which showed my
pulse at 145 and bp at 165/100. Normally my heart rate is 80 and my bp is
105/70, so I went to the ER. They said I had a sinus tachycardia, did some
blood work and gave me a beta blocker. Everything checked out ok and I went
home. This has happend twice now.

Today I had a treadmill test and my cardiologist ramped the treadmill up to
top speed on incline, and my heart rate was 189 then he slowed it down. He
said that I didn't have any strange rhythms and I had good stamina.
Although, I felt dizzy. He DID say that it was taking an awful long time for
my heart rate to come back down (it took a good 20 minutes to get below
100). Why?

Before I did the treadmill test, my heart rate jumped from 80 to 115 just by
looking at the treadmill. He suggested I had some hormonal problems and told
me to take 25mg beta blocker.

I do have high DHEA, low testosterone, low thyroid, low cortisol, etc. and
I'm going to see a new endocrinologist at the mayo clinic next month. I've
had a CAT scan of my adrenals that was ok.

Certainly, without thinking about anything in particular, just anything
startling can send my heart rate up into the 110's. Its not a panic per se,
rather my heart rate just jumps up before I even have time to think! Its
totally automatic.

Does this sound like something familiar? My cardiologist said the beta
blocker should help until the endo has checked me out. I'm not an axious
person btw, but I'd agree something is wrong with my hormones. What could
this be?

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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 30 May 2008 10:36 GMT

> I had a strange episode the other day that prompted me to go to the ER. I
> was typing an email when out of the blue, I felt a vein on the left side of
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> my heart rate to come back down (it took a good 20 minutes to get below
> 100). Why?

Most commonly deconditioning.

> Before I did the treadmill test, my heart rate jumped from 80 to 115 just by
> looking at the treadmill. He suggested I had some hormonal problems and told
> me to take 25mg beta blocker.

Could be anxiety.

> I do have high DHEA, low testosterone, low thyroid, low cortisol, etc. and
> I'm going to see a new endocrinologist at the mayo clinic next month. I've
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> rather my heart rate just jumps up before I even have time to think! Its
> totally automatic.

Again, could be anxiety.

> Does this sound like something familiar? My cardiologist said the beta
> blocker should help until the endo has checked me out. I'm not an axious
> person btw, but I'd agree something is wrong with my hormones. What could
> this be?

It is possible that you are predisposed to having panic attacks.

Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be healthier:

http://TheWellnessFoundation.com/BeHealthier

Marana tha

Prayerfully in the infinite power and might of the Holy Spirit,

Andrew <><

Signature

Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Lawful steward of http://EmoryCardiology.com
A latter-day disciple of the KING of kings and LORD of lords.
http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/DiscipleNow

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NoReply - 30 May 2008 19:23 GMT

> > I had a strange episode the other day that prompted me to go to the ER. I
> > was typing an email when out of the blue, I felt a vein on the left side of
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> It is possible that you are predisposed to having panic attacks.

I'm unsure but that last ordeal didn't start as a panic attack to my
knowledge. I had a panic attack afterwards (30 minutes later, driving to the
hospital wondering if I'm having a heart attack) but I suppose that is to be
expected.

Thanks

> Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be healthier:
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Andrew <><

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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 30 May 2008 20:28 GMT

> Andrew, in the Holy Spriit, boldly wrote:
> > >
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
> hospital wondering if I'm having a heart attack) but I suppose that is to be
> expected.

Those not predisposed to having panic attacks typically don't no
matter what is happening around them.

> Thanks

Laus Deo :-)

Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be healthier...

Marana tha

Prayerfully in the awesome name of LORD Jesus Christ,

Andrew <><
--
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.med.cardiology/msg/3558812d72ab4e17?

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zob - 30 May 2008 19:14 GMT

>I had a strange episode the other day that prompted me to go to the ER. I
>was typing an email when out of the blue, I felt a vein on the left side of
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>blood work and gave me a beta blocker. Everything checked out ok and I went
>home. This has happend twice now.

These were the *exact* same symptoms I started having last October:
Bouts of racing pulse and very high BP. I (and my PCP) thought it was
panic (anxiety) attacks, and Klonpin did seem to lessen the symptoms.
Then one evening when it happened, I really did panic because my heart
was also skipping beats and feeling like it was "fluttering." I went
to the ER, and the symptoms suddenly went away and everything
spontaneously returned to normal while I was waiting to be seen. An
EKG showed nothing abnormal. They were getting ready to release me
when the (thankfully) prudent cardiologist on duty recommended that I
have an angiogram as a precaution because my symptoms had to have a
cause. He called my collective symptoms "ACS" (Acute Coronary
Syndrome) and said that intermittent ACS can be a classic warning of a
heart blockage. They kept me overnight, and the angiogram the next
morning sure enough showed my Right Coronary Artery 98% blocked and
another 85% blocked. I had angioplasties with 3 stents inserted that
afternoon, and have not had any problems with the racing pulse or any
bouts of elevated blood pressure ever since.

I know every situation is different, but still you might want to see a
cardiologist. If that Dr. hadn't insisted on my having an angiogram
when I did, I probably wouldn't be here right now writing this.
---
Zob

_________________
"A lot of people pay good lip service to the idea of personal freedom...
right up to the point that someone tries to do something that they
don't personally approve of." - Neal Boortz

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NoReply - 30 May 2008 19:29 GMT

> >I had a strange episode the other day that prompted me to go to the ER. I
> >was typing an email when out of the blue, I felt a vein on the left side of
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> cardiologist. If that Dr. hadn't insisted on my having an angiogram
> when I did, I probably wouldn't be here right now writing this.

That is interesting, thanks for sharing. Its a good thing that cardiologist
requested that angiogram. wow

I'm only 32 (how old are you?) but my cholesterol was through the roof for
two years due to hypothyroidism. Also, I was drinking protien shakes, tons
of eggs, greasy meats, etc. for a year prior to this.. and I didn't realize
how much cholesterol I was taking in. On top of this, I know that my dad had
hardening of the arteries at a young age. I guess this is worth mentioning
to my doc.

Thanks,
Richard

> ---
> Zob
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> right up to the point that someone tries to do something that they
> don't personally approve of." - Neal Boortz

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zob - 31 May 2008 07:19 GMT

>> >I had a strange episode the other day that prompted me to go to the ER. I
>> >was typing an email when out of the blue, I felt a vein on the left side
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>
>I'm only 32 (how old are you?)

I was 55 at the time.

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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 31 May 2008 09:07 GMT

convicted neighbor zob <zob@ cox.net> wrote:

>I was 55 at the time.

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/PrayForZob

<><

http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/Counsels

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bean-counter - 31 May 2008 10:50 GMT

> I'm only 32 (how old are you?) but my cholesterol was through the roof for
> two years due to hypothyroidism. Also, I was drinking protien shakes, tons
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> hardening of the arteries at a young age. I guess this is worth mentioning
> to my doc.

Are you sticking to a healthy diet now and getting exercise?

> Thanks,
> Richard

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