A young woman was at the gym doing great her normal workout. She would spend 45 minutes on the elliptical and then 15 minutes doing weight training. This was the regular routine for her as she did this almost everyday. One day her normal routine turned upside-down. As she finished her elliptical workout and was making her way to the weight machines, she experienced a rapid heart beat. This washould nothing alarming at first because she had experienced this rapid heart beat before. When it happened previously the rapid heartbeat lasted only 10 or 20 seconds. However, this time was different. She experienced the rapid heart beat, but this time the heart beat did not slow down after 20 seconds. The rapid heart beat continued and she began to feel shortness of bread, some pressure I her chest, as well as feeling light-headed. Scared for what might be happening in general she went home called her husband. Frantically she tried to explain how she was feeling and how scared she was. They went to the E.R during her sTay in the ER her heart rate was constantly monitored. For five hours her heart rate remained between 130 and 150 bpm. After 5 hours her heart rate spontaneously returned to a normal rhythm. She was kept overnight In the ER and attending cardiologist prescribed low-dose beta-blockers
She was given a number of different test and the results were:
-blood pressure normal
- hematocrit normal
-cholesterol normal
She is 34 mother of two. She is of adequate weight and BMI for her age and height. She has regular wellness checkups every year and has never had high cholesterol or hypertension.
So??
We're not doctors here, so don't expect a diagnosis.
Based on the information provided, it seems that the young woman experienced a prolonged episode of rapid heart rate, also known as tachycardia. Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate above the normal range, which is typically 60-100 beats per minute at rest.
To understand what might have caused her symptoms and the prolonged episode of tachycardia, it is important to consider a few possibilities. One potential cause could be exercise-induced tachycardia, which is when the heart rate remains elevated for an extended period after physical activity. However, considering that her heart rate remained elevated for several hours even after she stopped exercising, this scenario seems less likely.
Another possibility is a condition called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). SVT is an abnormal heart rhythm that originates above the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart. It can cause a rapid and irregular heart rate, along with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pressure, and lightheadedness. Since the woman experienced these symptoms during her episode of tachycardia, SVT could be a potential explanation.
Given that the woman had a regular wellness checkup, normal blood pressure, hematocrit, and cholesterol levels, it suggests that she did not have any obvious underlying health issues leading to the tachycardia. However, further tests and evaluations, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and possibly an echocardiogram, may need to be conducted to determine the exact cause and rule out other potential conditions.
The attending cardiologist prescribed low-dose beta-blockers as a treatment. Beta-blockers are medications that can help regulate the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart. By taking a low-dose, the woman will likely achieve a more normal heart rate and prevent future episodes of tachycardia.
It's important for the woman to follow up with her cardiologist to monitor her condition, make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan, and address any further concerns or symptoms that may arise.