Your Heart is Talking to You

A recent conversation with a family member began with this, "Hi, I have an appointment with a cardiologist because my pulse has been between 120-160."

My mouth moved before I could stop it. I heard myself saying somewhat loudly, "What do you mean your heart rate is up to 160 ?"

The tone and tenor of the question probably did not help her heart rate. Luckily, the physician side of me kicked in. I calmly asked a series of rapid fire questions.

Are you having chest pain? How long does has been this been going on? Is it a regular rhythm? Do you feel your heart skipping a beat? Does is feel like a fluttering sensation in your chest? Did you think that this was normal? Are you short of breath? Why didn't you call me?

The answers were no to all of the above except for one question. She noticed her fast heart rate (tachycardia)  for about a month and even felt the pounding in her neck. The cardiology referral came only  after  a routine physical examination.

For some background information, my cousin and I talk on the phone regularly. Why didn't she talk to me sooner?  I  could not understand why she did not visit her physician sooner for a heart rate of 160.  She knew her heart rate was faster than normal. She even described the change as a "pounding sensation".

After some reading however, I realized that she is not alone.  A fast heart rate without chest pain is frequently ignored. A fast heart rate with chest pain, near fainting, fainting or shortness of breath results in immediate medical attention.

Your heart's rhythm and rate are critically important to heart and brain health.  Regular versus irregular. Fast versus slow. It all matters and depends on your age, medications and activity level. Athletes for instance tend to have slower heart rates. 

Arrhythmia is the medical term for abnormal heart rhythms. Normally the heart has a natural rhythm, a pace, which varies depending on exercise, hydration and body temperature. Bradycardia is a slower than normal heart rate. Tachycardia is a faster than normal heart rate. Atrial fibrillation is  the most  common arrhythmia which can feel like your heart is quivering or skipping beats.

 Here are more facts about arrhythmias:

1. Arrhythmias causes the heart to quiver which pools blood in the heart. That pooled  blood  forms clots which increases the risk of stroke with each heart beat. Heart failure, kidney damage and cardiac arrest (heart stops beating) are  complications of arrhythmias.

2. Atrial fibrillation  is the number one cause of arrhythmias, affects over 5.1  million patients per year and  increases the risk of stroke 4-6 fold.

 3. Risk factors for arrythmias -age, hypertension, stress,  genetic predisposisiton,  thyroid disorders, diabetes, recent heart attack, heart inflammation, congenital heart defects and even lung disease( asthma, COPD, emphysema) 

4. 12% of 80 year olds develop atrial fibrillation .

5. Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, energy drinks), alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, cold and cough medications and appetite suppressants can all stimulate the heart into abnormal rhythms.

6. Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain and a pounding heart beat are some of the symptoms of arrhythmias.

7. Diagnosis by a health professional begins with taking your pulse. Other diagnostic studies include an EKG, labarotory studies to check thyroid function, magnesium , potassium and calcium levels ,continuous EKG monitoring for 24-48 hours.

8. Treating arrhythmias can require medications such as blood thinners. Please consult your doctor.

9. Abnormal heart rhythms can affect all age groups.

After an exhaustive workup and daily updates to me, her primary care physician and cardiologist diagnosed my cousin with sinus tachycardia. It's a fast heart rate which is medically managed for now. 

Over the years, her family physician has consistently encouraged her to make some changes in her lifestyle. She ignored them. The abnormal heart rate helped her hear and listen to her physician.  Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. Exercise daily. Take your medications as directed.

It took a heart rate of 160 beats per minute to help her listen and now follow her physician's recommendations religiously. What will it take for you to listen and follow your physician's recommendations?

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Heart failure comes many forms including congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies.

The thyroid, fever,