Heart beats fasts, dizziness when I stand up

smit · Silver Member Joined: 08 Aug 2000 Posts: 265

Hello,
I am 16yr male, none smoker
Anyways to the point, for about a year now my heart has occassionally started beating very fast for about a minute, sometimes even less. This usually happens when I am about to sit down or bend over, but sometimes even happens on its own or when I am nervous. I have since then learnt how to stop it, I stop it by taking a deep breath and holding it in, this usually gets rid of the fast beating.

My second problem, which I think may be connected with the first one, is that whenever I lay down, or sit down, for at least 10mins, (This happens in the morning when I wake up everyday) and then get up I feel extremely dizzy, and I see a lot of white dots everywhere, I cant walk straight. This goes away after about 20secs and I have become used to it happening.

Of Course being a male teen Im not too excited about going to the doctor, that is why I havent went to a doctor about this yet, but I have an appointment for next friday. Anyways, back onto topic, my questions are,

1)Are these symptoms related to anything harmful?
2)is there a specific name for this?
3)is there anywhere I could get more info on this?
4)is there medication, or other method to fix this?

Id just like to get some info before I see the doctor, just to get a rough idea where this is gonna go.

Thanks

smit · Silver Member Joined: 08 Aug 2000 Posts: 265

Well,
I went to my family doctor on Friday and told her about my symptoms. She suspected something about an extra tube, or something in my heart that allows the heart to let blood pass through there. Then she said that I could get that cut or something like that. (I dont know what she was talking about too much) She sent me to get a whole bunch of tests, which I did right after I left her office, since they were nearby. Anyways the tests were:
1)Blood Test
2)Urine Test
3)ECG (btw are ECG and EKG the same?)
4)X-ray of my chest
Im still awaiting the results of these tests so I cant tell anyone anything exactly.
On a side note I read your post Casandra and I went and read about anemia and anxiety, After reading about anemia and its symptoms I became EXTREMELY scared because I basicly have ALL OF THEM except one!
Major symptoms of anemia include:
1.Extreme fatigue
2.Weakness
3.Shortness of breath
4.Confusion or loss of concentration
5.Dizziness or fainting
6.Pale skin, including decreased pinkness of the lips, gums, lining of the eyelids, nail beds and palms
7.Rapid heart beat (tachycardia)
8.Feeling cold
9.Sadness or depression

I have all of those except the pale skin. Now im really scared that I have anemia. Is it life threatening? is there a cure, does anyone have it/had it? Will any of the tests I had done point towards anemia?
Thanks!

isacraig · Newbie Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

Don't worry! I've had the symptoms you describe on and off for over twenty years and I lead an active, healthy lifestyle and have no reason to believe that will change any time soon.

What you are describing in terms of symptoms with the exception of the rapid heart rate, dizziness, and optical symptoms (fatigue, anxiety, depression, etc.) can be associated with numerous syndromes with various medical sources. Following those symptoms will only raise more questions than answers.

I'd focus on the rapid heart rate and your technique for subduing it. What you are describing sounds like text book Atrial Tachycardia (not Fibrillation as another poster suggested). The way in which it occurs for you suggests something called POTS (I'll spare you the long definitions by letting you review this information: http://www.potsplace.com/ ). Atrial Tachycardia triggered by standing up from a reclining position is very frequently associated with POTS. That's a call your doctor needs to make but I'd bet you this is a strong clue.

Of course, the strongest indicator was that you mentioned it happens more frequently when you're stressed, or that calming yourself slows it down. This is key. As I mentioned before, I have had symptoms similar to yours for decades. The instances of my "attacks" of rapid heart rate almost ALWAYS occur at times in my life when I am stressed out, not sleeping well, not eating well, etc. Also, certain kinds of medication can trigger attacks such as the common ingested antihistamine (sudafed and any other ephedrine-related products). The point is these things are triggers that you can control so that you don't have the attacks or so you diminish the fequency of their occurence.

As for the doctor suggesting another valve, they might also have been referring to a valve disorder in which the valve doesn't close completely (highly unlikely that you have more than the normal number of valves). This is called Mitral Valve Prolapse and it also has several symptoms similar to the ones you describe and it is also aggravated by the same sorts of things that aggravate Atrial Tachycardia and its underlying conditions.

It is important to note that both of these conditions are more often than not completely benign. You should not assume that you will die any time soon because of them. And you must allow yourself to relax and be rational about your symptoms. It's the first step to dealing with the problem and probably one of the most effective steps overall.

Finally, you are doing the right thing by going to the doctor. They will be able to address all your concerns and needs.

Good luck and God bless!

socalmama951 · Posted: 07/25/06 - 23:26 Post subject: anemia

anemia is not life threatning it just means you dont reproduce your white blood cells as quick as your supposed to.

dior · Newbie Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

Hello
I am 18 years old Female. For about 3years my heart has occassionally started beating faster than it is suppose to. Sometimes I start to black out
and I am unable to see anything. (even with my eyes open) Almost fainting to the ground. Lots of times I have shortness of breath that can last over an hour. I told my doctor about these problems he said it could be stress. I always feel dizzy a lot 2.

1. What do you think it is?
2. How can I stop it?
3. What's causing the problem?

pghfoxfan · Newbie Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 25

Syncope or dizzy spells or passing out spells can be worked up by doing a test called a Tilt Table Study. It's a fairly easy test, where you lay on a table and they raise you to almost a standing positon for about 40 mins or so(depending on the hospital). Your heart rate and blood pressure will be watched close to see if your heart has a tendency to go fast or slow or if your blood pressure drops. Some hospitals will put in an IV and start a drug called Isuprel to speed up your heart rate to watch if your heart can tolerate the increased rate. Other hospitals may use a spray of Nitroglycerin under your tongue to dilate your leg vessels and try to drop your blood pressure a little bit to see if your heart will beat stronger and faster to keep your blood pressure normal.

Most times, moving your legs a bit before standing will help with dizziness with standing. Also keep hydrated and you may need to add a little bit of salt to your diet. Talk to your doctor about it.

Guest · Guest

hi there my name is joe my heart used to beat normal
till i got sick with anxiety i get chest pain fast heart beat
i had many ekg's done stress test done and my doctor
say everthing look's good but i sitill feel like crap
so may be you are suffering from anxiety ?
ask your doctor i hope this helps

Guest · Guest

hi im 15 almost 16 and recently have been feeling very wierd. it started a week ago when i flew from london to california...towards the end of the plane ride i felt numb, my mouth felt very wierd, nasuea and light headed. i got water and walked around a little. since then and up to this day im very sensitive to light, im always tired and dont wake up refreshed after a long nights sleep, aches, headaches, no appetite and my penis is very red and i have had no erections...i am very confused and dont know what it could be please give me your advice
-thank you

Ronal · Newbie Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

hello smith you and I are almost the same problem, since more than 5 years im facing this problem, i have a lot air gas in my stomach, always increasing my heartbeat.

Smith any news from you?

Pls... I need your reply...

thanks
ronald

ronald_delacuz2005@hotmail.com

Joe K. · Newbie Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 2

I'm a 49 yr old white male, 6 ft., 200 lbs. and I am suddenly experiencing
the same situation after lying down, then getting up. I have been sick
recently with stomach virus-like symptoms and weakness that started
around December 21, 2006 and are dragging on to today, 01/22/07.

I don't smoke and I like to work out on the treadmill at the gym, but
I think I'm sick with some kind of virus-like symptoms. Not sure.

When I sit up, relaxed, my blood pressure is 118/76. Pulse is 75 bpm.
When I lay down my pulse is 80 bpm, blood pressure 140/80.
When I get up my pulse just shot up to 126 bpm, blood pressure 130/89.
After a while it settles down.

I had a stress test and an echocardiogram and passed 101%.
BUT, this was BEFORE I got the virus-like symptoms.

Something ain't right ... I wonder if I need more potassium in
my body... but my blood work all checks perfect. However, if
I take a bit of valium, it appears to cut these symptoms down
quite a bit. Bananas are supposed to have a lot of potassium
which regulates the heart in a BIG way.

God Bless.

Le Mesa, California

Heart beats fasts, dizziness when I stand up

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