Tachycardia or what?

So, I finally got my Holter results back and everything supposedly looks fine, though it does mention that
- my average heart rate was 80 bpm, dipping down to 41 bpm and hitting a peak of 130 bpm
- the longest episode of tachycardia was detected with an onset AT 15:18:43, lasting about 8 minutes and 50 seconds with an average rate of 123 bpm. The fastest episode of Tachycardia was detected with an onset AT 15:18:43, which lasted 6 minutes with an average rate of 125 bpm. No episodes of bradycardia were noted.

The rest of it seems pretty standard, I guess...

But here's the thing—I wasn't even doing anything physical when those spikes happened. Like, zero activity at all during those tachycardia bouts.
What am I supposed to make of that?

That doesn't really mean much if those extrasystoles aren't supraventricular... my own results showed significantly higher values than yours (average pulse at 95, peaking at 170...)
but since all the extrasystoles were ventricular, I suppose everything is fine...
the most critical factor is whether your heart rate remains steady while you sleep; if your rhythm isn't normal during sleep, then you might actually have cause for concern. otherwise, you don't even realize how many variables can influence your heart rhythm throughout the day. for instance, one probably doesn't give much thought to things like barometric pressure, humidity, or various biometrological forecasts, yet all of those factors can impact the heart

Maria Chase55 said:That doesn't really mean much if those extra beats aren't supraventricular... my results actually showed way higher numbers than yours (average pulse at 95, peaked at 170...)
But since all the extras are ventricular, everything is fine...
The main thing is whether your rhythm stays steady while you sleep. If your heart isn't maintaining a normal rhythm during sleep, then you should be worried. Besides, you don't even realize how many things can mess with your heart rate during the day. For instance, I'm sure you aren't thinking about barometric pressure, humidity, or even the weather forecast... but all of that impacts your heart.

I’ve been having some issues and would be so grateful if someone could help me out. During the day—and most often when I'm lying in bed getting ready for sleep—my heart starts racing irregularly. It’ll be beating normally, then it just stops for a second, starts pounding hard, and then settles back down, only to happen again. I am a smoker, and people have told me this might be due to cigarettes and stress. Should I be looking into more tests, or is there really nothing to worry about?
Thanks...🙂

wearycobra48 said:so, I got my Holter results back and everything looks fine, but among other things, it says
- average heart rate 80 bpm with the minimum od 41 bpm and the maximum rate od 130 bpm
- the longest episode of tachycardia was detected with an onset ot 15:43:03, a duration of 0:08:50 and an average heart rate of 123 bpm. The fastest episode of Tachycardia was detected with an onset AT 15:18:43, a duration of 0:06:00 and an average heart rate of 125 bpm. There was no epysode of Bradycadria.

everything else seems okay...

but, I wasn't doing any kind of physical activity when it happened. (when the tachycardia hit).
what does that actually mean?

Is this sinus tachycardia, maybe supraventricular?
Most likely just your heart being overly sensitive to caffeine, or you're drinking way too much of it. Maybe try cutting back on the coffee or tea...
Do you deal with anxiety? That could be another reason for the palpitations. You only had two short bursts of tachycardia in a 24-hour window, so it’s nothing to lose sleep over. Check in with your doctor about the meds, vitamins, or supplements you're taking. Also, watch the caffeine levels—coffee, tea, energy drinks, or even caffeine pills.
If you weren't dealing with shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pains at the same time, there's probably no need for more tests.
Just talk it over with your primary care physician or a cardiologist.

blueorca55 said:I’ve got a bit of a situation and could really use some help if anyone can weigh in. It happens randomly during the day, but mostly when I’m lying in bed trying to sleep—my heart just starts acting up. Like, it'll be beating normally, then suddenly skip a beat or stall, followed by this massive pounding, before settling back down... then it repeats. I am a smoker, and people have suggested it might just be the cigarettes and stress, but I can't tell if I actually need to go get more tests done or if I should just stop worrying about it.
Thanks...🙂

You really ought to sit down with your doctor and go over your medical history and a physical exam. They're the only ones who can decide if you actually need more testing or not...

Now this is exactly the kind of topic I love diving into! :-)) I haven't actually worn a Holter monitor myself, and I don't really deal with dizziness or any physical symptoms, but every single time I sit down in my internist's office, my heart starts racing like crazy and my blood pressure spikes to 170. It settles down quickly, but those "episodes" definitely happen.

Honestly, I’m convinced it’s all psychological (I’ve always had a bit of a phobia of doctors), especially since I feel totally fine—no dizzy spells, no headaches, nothing. Plus, whenever I check my pressure at home, it’s usually perfectly normal!

I need to undergo a minor outpatient procedure, but they keep turning me away because of these spikes. Does anyone have any advice? I’ve tried taking Norvasc (10 mg) and some tranquilizers (three times a day), but they haven't done a thing. Should I give Praxiten a shot instead? 🙂

blueorca55 said:I’m dealing with something quite frustrating and I was wondering if anyone might be able to offer some insight—I would truly appreciate any help. I find that my heart rhythm becomes irregular at various points during the day, though it seems most frequent when I'm lying in bed trying to sleep. It feels as though the regular beat just pauses for a moment, followed by a sudden, intense pounding, before eventually settling back into a normal rhythm, only for the cycle to repeat itself. I am a smoker, and I've been told this might be linked to nicotine use or perhaps just general stress. I suppose I am torn on whether I should pursue more diagnostic testing or if this is something I shouldn't worry too much about.
Thanks...🙂

I don't think I can provide any definitive medical details, though I experienced something very similar myself, which is precisely why I decided to see a cardiologist. Generally speaking, the recommendation I received was to strictly avoid caffeine and energy drinks, such as Red Bull. My doctor suggested that these "skipped beats" aren't necessarily dangerous in themselves, provided they originate in the atria; they are mostly just uncomfortable. However, if the issue is actually coming from the ventricles, then further treatment is required. I guess you won't really know for sure until you have a Holter monitor test performed.

bluedriver2 said:Is this sinus tachycardia, maybe supraventricular?
I mean, the most likely culprit is just having a heart that's super sensitive to caffeine, or maybe you're just hitting the stuff a bit too hard. You might want to try cutting back on the coffee or tea, I guess.
Do you struggle with anxiety at all? That could definitely be another reason for the palpitations. Since you only had two short episodes of tachycardia in a 24-hour window, it doesn't sound particularly alarming. It’s probably worth sitting down with your doctor to go over everything—your meds, vitamins, supplements, all that. And check your caffeine intake too, whether it's from coffee, tea, energy drinks, or even caffeine pills.
If you weren't dealing with shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain at the same time, you probably don't need more testing.
Just talk it over with your primary care physician or a cardiologist.

It doesn't explicitly say what kind of tachycardia we're talking about, though later on it mentions things like:
"during the continuous 24-hour ECG monitoring, the underlying rhythm was sinus, with an average rate of 80 bpm, a minimum of 41 bpm, and a maximum of 130 bpm.
Noted: 1 PVC.
No other arrhythmias, asystolic pauses, or significant ST segment changes were observed. Heart rate variability measurements were within normal limits."

I didn't have any issues with breathing or anything like that.
I drink coffee in moderation (and not really even in the afternoon). I don't touch energy drinks or anything else like that.
Otherwise, I'm on Euthyrox 75 for Hashimoto's, and I guess I have had a few anxiety attacks over the last year or so.

Hashimoto's? Well, then that explains why you're feeling this way...

Anonymous said:Now we’re talking! This is exactly my kind of topic. :-)) I haven't actually worn a Holter monitor because I don't feel dizzy or experience any actual symptoms, but every single time I step into an internist's office, my heart starts racing like crazy and my blood pressure spikes to 170. It settles down quickly, but those "episodes" happen constantly.

Honestly, I think it’s all psychological (I’ve never been a fan of doctors), especially since I don't have any issues—no dizziness, no headaches, nothing. Plus, whenever I check my pressure at home, it's usually perfectly normal!

I need to undergo a minor surgical procedure, but this issue keeps tripping me up, and they won't clear me for it. Does anyone have any ideas? I've tried Norvasc (10 mg) and three tablets of Peren daily, but they didn't do a thing. Should I give Praxiten a shot? 🙂

That sounds like classic "White Coat Syndrome": your blood pressure skyrockets when a doctor is measuring it, but everything is fine once you're back home. I've been there myself. The first time it happened to me, the doctor clocked me at 180/105, then just fifteen minutes later, I checked myself and I was at 130/80. I went in for a stress test and the results were perfect. It's pretty obvious that you just need to work on managing that anxiety.

By the way, Peren is basically child's play, and Praxiten can lead to dependency pretty fast. My best advice would be to get some intense physical activity in—running, working out... and of course, you really have to work on positive thinking, because all those dark thoughts tend to stem from our daily stress.

What is your daily Euthyrox dosage? It might be a good idea to monitor your pulse; just sit quietly for about ten minutes and then take a full minute's reading... if it consistently stays above 80, or if you notice other symptoms like increased fatigue, sweating, weight loss, or digestive issues... please consult your endocrinologist to adjust your dose so you don't inadvertently trigger thyrotoxicosis.

wearycobra48 said:basically I'm on Euthyrox 75 for Hashimoto's, and I've been dealing with a few anxiety attacks over the last year...

Like Dumbledore mentioned, tachycardia is usually just a byproduct of breathing issues or anxiety. You really gotta stay on top of both. Especially if those palpitations start hitting more often, you might need to tweak your Euthyrox dose or look into starting an SSRI or something else for the anxiety...

placidridge56 said:That sounds like classic "white coat syndrome"—where your blood pressure spikes the second a doctor walks in, but everything is totally normal once you're back home. I've been there myself. The first time it happened, my doctor clocked me at 180/105, but fifteen minutes after leaving, I checked it myself and it was down to 130/80. Even my stress test came back perfect. It’s pretty clear that managing anxiety and staying chill is the real key here.

By the way, those basic anti-anxiety meds are basically child's play, and the stronger stuff can get you hooked fast. If you ask me, the best remedy is just getting active—hit the gym, go for a run, whatever gets your heart pumping. And honestly? You've got to work on staying positive. All those dark thoughts usually just stem from the daily grind and constant stress we deal with.

Yeah, they've already given me that diagnosis. I definitely get jittery the moment I see medical staff 🙂 They prescribed those pills for that reason, but if I'm being honest, I don't think I even need them. It feels like everyone is trying to label me as "sick," but I'm not buying into it 🙂 I've tried looking for actual anxiety symptoms in myself, but I just don't see them. I sleep well, I eat well, I stay active, I handle all my responsibilities, and I actually socialize quite a bit. Sure, I might be a little high-strung and certain idiots really get under my skin, but I think that's just part of my personality 😁