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Am I deconditioned or do I have a heart problem?
I'm 24, female, 5'4'', and currently weigh around 137 pounds. Three months ago, I weighed 125 pounds, which had been my weight give or take a couple pounds for a couple of years. I have no idea how I've gained 12 pounds so quickly since I'm actually eating healthier lately, although I don't eat that much because I get full very quickly and haven't really had much of an appetite.
Three months back I started experiencing episodes of palpitations where I could feel my heart pounding very hard in my chest and shortness of breath. I saw a cardiologist who diagnosed me with mitral valve prolapse, however he claimed it shouldn't be causing any symptoms given it's just a trace. I wore a halter monitor which didn't pick up anything other than sometimes my heart would beat faster than normal. I saw a pulmonologist, who ruled out a lung problem but walked up three flights of stairs with me while I wore a pulse oximeter. My heartrate went up from 84 to about 150 and my oxygen saturation went from 99% to below 90%. I also became very dizzy to the point where he had to grab me because he thought I was going to faint.
That was over a month ago. Since then, my symptoms have gotten worse. Doing normal chores around the house makes my heartrate go up to at least 120 and if I walk for a few blocks while carrying something heavy, or walk up a slight incline or a couple flights of stairs, I feel crushing chest pain and severe shortness of breath. Yesterday I had to walk up five flight of stairs and by the end of it my chest was really hurting, my legs were cramping, and I felt so dizzy I had to sit down for almost fifteen minutes before I could stand up and walk again. I also have chest pain and shortness of breath just sitting down at my computer at work. I've noticed my abdomen has increased in girth but I have no idea how this has happened given my appetite has severely decreased. I thought I had symptoms of ovarian cancer because of ongoing pelvic pain, feeling full quickly, and the abdominal bloating, but I had a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound two months ago and nothing was picked up other than calcification nodules in my right ovary.
My parents are both doctors and think I'm just deconditioned. This makes no sense to me because my lifestyle hasn't changed. It's not like I was extremely active and all of a sudden I'm not. I'm getting a second opinion from a cardiologist tomorrow but I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for what might be wrong.
Three months back I started experiencing episodes of palpitations where I could feel my heart pounding very hard in my chest and shortness of breath. I saw a cardiologist who diagnosed me with mitral valve prolapse, however he claimed it shouldn't be causing any symptoms given it's just a trace. I wore a halter monitor which didn't pick up anything other than sometimes my heart would beat faster than normal. I saw a pulmonologist, who ruled out a lung problem but walked up three flights of stairs with me while I wore a pulse oximeter. My heartrate went up from 84 to about 150 and my oxygen saturation went from 99% to below 90%. I also became very dizzy to the point where he had to grab me because he thought I was going to faint.
That was over a month ago. Since then, my symptoms have gotten worse. Doing normal chores around the house makes my heartrate go up to at least 120 and if I walk for a few blocks while carrying something heavy, or walk up a slight incline or a couple flights of stairs, I feel crushing chest pain and severe shortness of breath. Yesterday I had to walk up five flight of stairs and by the end of it my chest was really hurting, my legs were cramping, and I felt so dizzy I had to sit down for almost fifteen minutes before I could stand up and walk again. I also have chest pain and shortness of breath just sitting down at my computer at work. I've noticed my abdomen has increased in girth but I have no idea how this has happened given my appetite has severely decreased. I thought I had symptoms of ovarian cancer because of ongoing pelvic pain, feeling full quickly, and the abdominal bloating, but I had a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound two months ago and nothing was picked up other than calcification nodules in my right ovary.
My parents are both doctors and think I'm just deconditioned. This makes no sense to me because my lifestyle hasn't changed. It's not like I was extremely active and all of a sudden I'm not. I'm getting a second opinion from a cardiologist tomorrow but I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for what might be wrong.
My daughter has the same symptoms you do. She is 15 and this all started out of the blue. She has had asthma ruled out, has had EKG's, an EMG, tilt table, halter monitor and a lot of blood work done but nothing has been found. They are now sending her to counseling and a psychiatrist. Our doctor is trying to say that it is psycho physical. She can't walk across our living room without loosing her breath or even climb the stairs to her bedroom because of her heart racing and not being able to breath. She is going to see a cardiologist soon and we are going to get a second opinion from another doctor on Monday. If you happen to find out any more let us know. Thanks!
3 Comments
Take her to Mayo Clinic. It can happen in young people. It's called neurocardiogenic syncope or she has Pots postural ortho static tachycardia syndrome.
I spent 5 years with similar issues before I was referred to a neurology specialist who was able to diagnose POTS. Her explanation for why an extremely fit mid-30 year old soldier would suddenly experience this... a reaction to immunizations received prior to deployment. About 6 weeks prior to the symptoms beginning I received several shots for flu, anthrax, smallpox, etc. She said it could have been any of them and that such reactions were rare, but common enough that it's a known issue.
I believe she has POTS as I have same issues and diagnosed with POTS. I happened when I was in the last trimester of pregnancy and never went away. I gained over the past 5 years about 75lbs. It now is causing depression cause I can’t get the weight off no matter what I do. No one has answers for the weight gain. I also have low BP with High HR. Some people have high BP with high HR. I have major stomach issues with they say is common in POTS, our digestion is slowed. So need to eat little bits at a time. It seems new symptoms come every year. Now I have having horrible skin issues which I have always had beautiful skin. It is horrible looking and makes me not want to go out as it is mostly on my face. I also started to have horrible burning pain in one foot or both when waking but it is hit or miss not everyday, but it is the worst pain I ever felt. It feels like someone poured gas in my vains and lit them on fire. My hair is also thinning. I feel like I’m falling apart and we used so much money trying to figure this out and maintain treatment we have NO money for other testing and regular visits. It’s very scary. I believe we may have to file bankruptcy. I feel for all of you. Hang in there and just take it one day at a time. Much love to you all.
I am also suffering a elevated HR when climbing stairs and I have it sometimes doing housework. When I am sitting it can be 76 to 95???? I think I have POTS and this is know in women 18 to 50. I am 50 and this just developed or so I think, but personally I think I have had it for sometime without symptoms. Now I am moving into my 5th decade I of life and (I am 30lbs heavier) starting to show symptoms like SOB, chest pains, dizziness etc.,
I have the same problem walking up steps, I do think it maybe because I need to lose a few pounds though. But still, its very real. I have PVCs which act up when I exercise and I have also noticed that my heart rate will jump from 80 - 130 in no time at all. Cardio says to lay off caffeine, get my stress under control and get in better shape. So hard not having answers.
The cardiologist I saw on Friday did an EKG and ECG, after which he deduced everything was normal and he's not even sure I have mitral valve prolapse. He wants me to go in for a stress test next week because he thinks I could have inappropriate sinus tachycardia.
This morning, I walked up two flights of stairs carrying a laptop in a bag (which I've usually never had a problem doing), and my heartrate went up to 160. I felt short of breath and like I was going to pass out. After about twenty minutes, my heartrate went down to around 130 but it stayed between 120 and 130 for the next ten minutes. I had chest pain the entire time. My heartrate hasn't gone down below 95 since this morning. This makes no sense to me.
This morning, I walked up two flights of stairs carrying a laptop in a bag (which I've usually never had a problem doing), and my heartrate went up to 160. I felt short of breath and like I was going to pass out. After about twenty minutes, my heartrate went down to around 130 but it stayed between 120 and 130 for the next ten minutes. I had chest pain the entire time. My heartrate hasn't gone down below 95 since this morning. This makes no sense to me.
The cardiologist I saw on Friday did an EKG and ECG, after which he deduced everything was normal and he's not even sure I have mitral valve prolapse. He wants me to go in for a stress test next week because he thinks I could have inappropriate sinus tachycardia.
This morning, I walked up two flights of stairs today carrying a laptop in a back (which I've usually never had problem doing), and my heartrate went up to 160. I felt short of breath and like I was going to pass out. After about twenty minutes, my heartrate went down to around 130 but it stayed between 120 and 130 for the next ten minutes. I had chest pain the entire time. My heartrate gone down below 95 since this morning. This makes no sense to me.
This morning, I walked up two flights of stairs today carrying a laptop in a back (which I've usually never had problem doing), and my heartrate went up to 160. I felt short of breath and like I was going to pass out. After about twenty minutes, my heartrate went down to around 130 but it stayed between 120 and 130 for the next ten minutes. I had chest pain the entire time. My heartrate gone down below 95 since this morning. This makes no sense to me.
what kind of dr. s r your parents;
I find it hard to believe u have those symptoms and weight gain and they say u r now somewhat out of condition
that does not mean there is something wrong with your heart as that is highly unlikely but some pulmonary like asthma, bronchial infection, edema maybe the reason for the weight gain (so r your clothes tighter in ankles etc like shoes)
were u always a bit of a wimp; because a young girl not overweight like u should easily be able to walk several miles through out the day without any problems.
. go back and to that same stair walk with dr or GP and see (use a bronchial dilator a couple inhales first)
good luck
I find it hard to believe u have those symptoms and weight gain and they say u r now somewhat out of condition
that does not mean there is something wrong with your heart as that is highly unlikely but some pulmonary like asthma, bronchial infection, edema maybe the reason for the weight gain (so r your clothes tighter in ankles etc like shoes)
were u always a bit of a wimp; because a young girl not overweight like u should easily be able to walk several miles through out the day without any problems.
. go back and to that same stair walk with dr or GP and see (use a bronchial dilator a couple inhales first)
good luck
Did the Cardiologist do an echo to check your heart valve function? Another test that would be valueable, I would think, would be a stress test.
Weight gain like you are experiencing suggests you are retaining water. The causes of that situation are many. You might ask if you could take a diuretic to see if that is the cause.
I've had that kind of weight gain when I started Coreg, a Beta Blocker, and also after different surgeries. Have you taken a new prescription or OTC drug?
Keep us informed.
Weight gain like you are experiencing suggests you are retaining water. The causes of that situation are many. You might ask if you could take a diuretic to see if that is the cause.
I've had that kind of weight gain when I started Coreg, a Beta Blocker, and also after different surgeries. Have you taken a new prescription or OTC drug?
Keep us informed.
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