AboutDavid Richardson Expertise Adult heart function and disease. Not very good about children lesss than 12. Hypertension is o.k. Heart rhythm a special interest.
Experience Certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Was chairman of division of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia. Am now mostly retired.
Organizations Fellow of American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology and member of American Physiological Society..
Publications Circulation, American Heart Journal, Hypertension.
Education/Credentials M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Residency training at Yale Uhniversity School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia.
Awards and Honors Gold Heartt Award from American Heart Association in 1995.
Question QUESTION: HI David,
I seem to be a healthy 45 yr old woman, whom exercises daily, skipping days here and there. I run & fast Walk on my treadmill 3-6 X's per week along with other cardio exercises. I have had anxiety in the past but 3 months ago for the very first time I was awaken at 145am with rapid heart beat, thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest, really scary! I went to a holistic Dr. I had him run a full blood panet, TPO TSH T3 T4 Progesterone (Units ng/mL) Testosterone (Units pg/mL) you name it. The test revealed Low Progesterone and Testosterone. Both were 0.7 units shown above. My estradiol is 131 not sure you know this area but, could this be the reason for the rapid heart beat? I have not seen a heart doctor. My BP runs anywhere from 109/77-122/81 resting pulse is 47-70. I need some re assurance. I do have a lot of stress in life but, with anxiety I have never had my heart beat so fast! Last night when I finally could get my BP machine to read my BP while the RHB was going, my BP was 150/97 (NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE) Pulse was 124 BPM, but, trust me my HB slowed way down before the machine would read it. It was going much faster prior to this reading. Probably 160+ BPM. Should I be worried. This only seems to happen at night! I can remember one time it happened while waiting in the car for my husband to come out of the store. HELP!
ANSWER: Dear Sue,
Supraventricular tachycardia runs at 180-220 beats a minute and starts and stops in one heart beat. Atrial flutter runs at 150 and also starts and stops in one heart beat. Normal sinus tachycardia can run at up to 175 and starts and stops gradually, over several minutes. That's what yours seems to do. Sinus tach is usually brought on by anxiety, bad dreams or exercise. Atrial fibrillation speeds up and slows down gradually, but is totally irregular. Probably best to ask a heart doctor for an event monitor, which records your EKG for a few minutes before and after you push a button to indicate that your heart is beating fast.
Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.
David Richardson
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QUESTION: Thank you David, Actually my heart beat does start as deep strong normal beats and goes up from there. If I get scared it seems to last longer, it Does NOT change back in one beat, it takes its time coming down, that is what scares me so much. The very first time this happened I was so terrified I tried to sat up and became very lightheaded, probably hyperventilated? It seemed to last a good 1/2hr- 45 minutes. I thought I was going to die, my mouth was also so dry, but the heart was beating to fast to even get water down comfortably. After this was over, my body trembled. If this was a heart problem would I tremble? With all of this being said, is it POSSIBLE this is Pre Menopause and nothing to worry about? I am fine until this happens. The first time was BY FAR the worst. When it happens I am always in a deep sleep, I wake almost feeling startled and wham it hits me. I never have had this from Anxiety, but if its due to pre menopause does anxiety symptoms increase and or change for the worst.
Thank you,
Sue
Answer Dear Sue,
It's all fear and anxiety. Your symptoms are the classic symptoms of anxiety. Gradual slowing down is the normal heart response to anxiety, and lightheadedness is from hyperventilation. Breathing slowly and not deeply may help all to subside. Are you dreaming when you wake startled? Bad dreams can sure cause all these symptoms. You can't help but worry, but there is no threat to your life.
Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.
