tachycardia from palpitations

Tachycardia and Palpitations

by Gemita - 2021-07-22 08:17:37

Francophone, as an arrhythmia sufferer, I can confirm that spikes in my heart rate, together with chest, throat, epigastric, abdominal pressure can be common for me on bending over.  Bending over places extra pressure on the abdomen, chest, may shift organs and fluids around.  But of course all this discomfort doesn’t always mean that something serious is about to happen or is causing it.  Gastric reflux or gastric problems may also be causing this, as well as problems relating to the heart and circulatory system.

I feel if you haven’t already done so, that you need some extra, external monitoring for your “fluttering palpitations” so that your doctors will know what is happening and at what heart rate.  I note they are only intermittent which means that they are stopping on their own which is a good sign because prolonged high heart rates would be more concerning.  But please have a word with your doctors and ask whether monitoring would be helpful.  Alternatively if you have home monitoring, maybe you could transmit a download to give your clinic some documentary evidence of the problem.  I see you have had problems with your mitral valve also, so perhaps another echocardiogram to have a closer look at this valve might be helpful?  All questions for your doctors.

Good luck and please try to stay calm.  Five weeks post-implant for heart block is still early days for a recovery.  My worsening palpitations triggered by my implant were troublesome for longer.  You will get better.  This may be all perfectly normal, but do get a few checks.  If the heart monitoring fails to give answers, go along to see your general doctor for some general checks, like electrolytes, thyroid.  Please do not suffer in silence and if your chest/throat pressure worsens, you can always pop along to your emergency department for advice.

Tachycardia and palpitations.

by TAC - 2021-07-22 16:36:00

You're probably having episodes of supra-ventricular tachycardia. Which cannot be stopped with the pacemaker. This type of arrhythmia can be successfully treated with an ablation. Talk with you doctor.

Blood clot on mitral valve chord

by Francophone - 2021-08-06 13:00:31

Thanks Gemita and TAC for the advice.  So helpful to hear from someone who has been through this process.

My cardiologist ordered an Echocardiogram after my last pacemaker adjustment did nothing to rectify my symptoms.  I was having A-Tachychardia and PVCs but the chest pain was concerning. The echo showed a mass on the mitral valve chord right near the aorta, which they initially thought was an infection.  I was in the hospital for 10 days initially on Vancomycin and then on Heparin.  My blood cultures were fine, so the thinking changed from infection to a blood clot, calcification of the chord or fibroelastoma (based on imaging from a transesophageal echo (TEE).  Had an angiogram and my arteries were clear.  I was scheduled for surgery last Friday to remive the mass, was prepped and anesthesized.  They performed another TEE on the table before cutting and could not find the mass.  Surgery was cancelled and a frantic search ensued to try to locate a residual mass (contrast ct and ultrasounds of everything).  Nothing was found. I was discharged the next day with scripts for Eliquis and Metopropolol. My heart rate is up both at rest and with actvity and I am really shaky in the morning.  First time on these meds, so wondering if they are to blame for my jitters.  I also realize that my cortisol levels are probably still high from all that I have gone through.

A friend calls my story "a friggin miracle".  While I am infinitely grateful that I am here writing this story, it is hard to not know why the clot formed and what the road ahead will be.

It is therapeutic just to write this all down. If anyone has thoughts on all of this, please reach out.  Thank you.