health question.....

[BUD]

My wife told me earlier today that her heart was beating very fast. She said it was as if it was going to " jump out of her chest". Her mother said this has happened before. Could this be a sign of a panic attack or something else?????? My parents and her mom think I need to take her to the doctors.

[Aslkahuna]

It's called Tachycardia and it could be an anxiety issue, palpitations, or a form of a heart attack (or too much Caffeine). In any case it's wise to have it checked out by a Doctor especially if it's a recurring issue. I had that along with Hypertension and now have both under control with meds.

Steve

[Regit]

I would also recommend a doctor's visit. Check her pulse. If the tachycardia is extreme (say 130 for a person whose normal rate is 60-75), go to the ER. If she begins to have arm pain or numbness, call an ambulance and give her an aspirin.

Also, has she had a medications lately? Sudafed is particularly bad for causing tachy.

[BUD]

She says she is ok now. She did say this happened last night when she went to sleep but didn't last that long. Her mom says hypertention??????

[JenBayles]

Definitely something of which her doc should be made aware. It could be minor; could be an indicator of something major. Either way, her doc should know.

[JonathanBelles]

All of the above is true. I would defininatly have a doctor look in to it. Keep an eye on her until you visit the doctor.

[abajan]

One of my sisters had that very condition a couple months ago and was immediately referred by to a heart specialist by her GP because he was very worried about the possible implications.

Thankfully, the analysis of the EKG by the specialist was negative for anything serious. To cut a long story short, my sister is an habitual worrier about practically everything (especially her responsibilities at work) and this was what was causing her heart to beat in this fashion.

After some prescribed time away from the office, her heart rate returned to normal.

[Aslkahuna]

When I had my Tachy episode (actually more than one) I was referred to a Cardiologist and see him on a regular basis. I was hypertensive and had anxiety issues and actually was admitted to the Hospital for tests. The EKG and ulttrasound scan showed no heart damage so I'm on meds for the BP. However, now's the time to see the Doctor before it does become a serious issue. If it's an anxiety issue then there's meds for that too. There are also neurological disorders than can cause the same problem. Since this is not the first time then a Doctor's visit is definitely in order. It's important to realize that women do not always show the same symptoms of a Heart Attack (intense chest pain radiating into the arm and jaw, heavy pressure in the chest, anxiety, difficulty breathing, etc.) as men do and in fact a female heart attack may be silent or consist of only Tachycardia or palpitations so it's very wise to have it checked out fast. A Stress test may be in order in addition to a standard EKG.

Steve

[alicia-w]

anxiety will do it. if she goes to the doctor, be prepared for them to tell her that even if it is a heart problem.. Heart problems in women are notoriously misdiagnosed by doctors since the symptoms can be so different from men... been there, done that.

[gtalum]

Definitely see the doctor. This can be symptomatic of many different problems. See the doctor before it gets any worse.

[feederband]

Like everyone else said get it checked out...I had the same condition come and go for about a month...One day it just started happening every 10 seconds...It felt like a real hard beat...It would even wake me up at night... I went to the hospital that day and they said I should of died...3 hours later I woke up with a Difibulator in my chest and a whole new set of meds..

Sense then I should have died 3 more times but the Difibulator did its job...Although it is not a fun experience..