Please tell me more about Tachycardia and Dysautonomia...

[Autumnx1003]

Hello,

For about a year now, I have been having problems with tachycardia when I wake up in the morning, or when I take a nap, and occassionally after I eat.  The morning tachy is the most bothersome, though.  I have had rates like 149bpm when I wake up and get out of bed. I have posted several SEVERAL times on the anxiety and heart rhythm communities about this, because it is very bothersome.  I have had medical tests which rule out everything, and my doctors just tell me that is anxiety. My normal rate is between 70-90 bpm.  Also, I have rather low blood pressure usually, sometimes as low as 90/52 (once I even got 89/49).  

I have been reading about the dysautonomic disorders, and I am wondering if perhaps what I experience could be related to this.  It is like I am just overly sensitive to adrenaline, and my heart can beat fast with very little exertion.  However, I appear to be a healthy person otherwise.  I am 30 years old, dont drink alcohol or caffeine; don't smoke; in my normal weight range; thyroid and blood sugar seems to be ok.  The only thing I don't do enough is exercise, but surely that can't be the only cuplrit.

I'm hoping that someone on here can relate to my story and give me some guidance with this.  Also, how do people usually overcome dysutonomic disorders?  Based on everything I've read, it just really seems like this is something that makes sense for me.  

Thanks!

[Autumnx1003]

Thanks for your reply.  The symptoms occur while I'm still in bed.  Imagine waking up right in the middle of a nightmare, and your adrenaline is going strong...that's how it feels.  Except...I'm never in the midst of a nightmare.  And then when I move...even move my arm or turn over in bed...the rate just increases.  And it is a very strong beat, not weak at all.  If I stand up, of course, this is even worse.

ONe thing I have noticed that I find really interesting is that this happens way worse on mornings when I sleep in.  LIke on the weekends.  It's like if I rely on my body to wake itself up, it does it too well.  It's like, I get a huge shot of adrenaline to wake myself up naturally.  On the weekdays when I have to get up early by alarm, this doesn't happen nearly as bad or as intense.  

I drink a lot of water, and that is actually all that I drink.  And when I get an episode, the blood pressure is also higher, but it goes back to being low after only a few minutes.  Not always 90's over 50's low, but like 105/60 low.  

I have to go thru military healthcare, so when they did the holter last year and the cardiologist didnt see anything worrisome on it, they wont refer me to see him further.  They say that all necessary tests have been performed, and that my problems are just anxiety.  PLus, they never catch the low blood pressure because when I am at the doctor's office, it always a lot higher (nerves! big time!)  So, I've sort of given up hope on conventional medicine helping me with this :(  

No, I really dont have any other symptoms...just the fast HR.

[Heiferly]

Is your blood pressure cuff electronic with a battery backup and memory?  If not, you need to invest in one of these.  With your low blood pressure readings stored in the memory, you can be armed with that when you go to the doctor, and perhaps then they can get more of an idea of what you are seeing at home.  Record in a notebook for each reading whether you were sitting, lying, or standing when you took it.  (It is generally best to keep your arm level with your heart to get an accurate reading, so when taking a standing reading, don't let your arm hang down to your side, but put it out in front of you.)

Because you cannot get a referral to a cardiologist for a tilt table test, you may be able to do a "poor man's tilt" on your own at home with your blood pressure cuff, or with the help of your general practitioner/family doctor in his office.  (If you do it on your own, make sure you have a "spotter" to catch you if you faint!!)  To read more about this procedure, check out this article:  http://www.oiresource.com/tresults.htm

Do note that in order for a poor man's tilt to be accurate, you need to try to be as still as possible when you stand.  Moving around pushes blood to your heart via skeletal muscle pump, which in layman's terms gives a little "cheat" around the systems that are working defectively if there is indeed dysautonomia to be found by the tilt, and you could end up with a false test result.  (I presume this is one of the reasons the tilt table is used, as passive standing rather than active standing would bypass skeletal muscle pump, but I could be wrong.)  

Please let me know if you have any other questions I can answer!

[halbashes]

I can see how these symptoms would be quite frustrating, especially with such little help from your doctors.  Are you taking any medication that could be causing these symptoms?  I ask because you mentioned feeling worse on mornings you've slept in.  Could your body be responding to late medication?

[halbashes]

Are the tachycardia episodes occurring just as you stand up in the morning, or before you get out of bed?  Your blood pressure is rather low.  I'd recommend discussing your symptoms with a Cardiologist.  Have you ever had a Tilt Table Test?

In the meantime, you may want to try increasing your fluid intake.  This may help ease some of the low blood pressure symptoms.  Sports drinks are usually recommended for the salt, and other electrolytes.

Have you experienced any other symptoms?  I hope you will feel better soon!