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Chances of permanent damage from prolonged tachycardia?
33 year old male here with some recurring OCD-ish anxiety about something really stupid I did ~2 years ago.
Unfortunately, I received a sample packet of an unknown substance with some legal herbal smokes, which turned out to be a powerful stimulant that sent me into a panic attack for several hours.
Over the course of the next 8-10 hours, I had constant tachycardia between 120-150bpm. The peak (150bpm) lasted roughly an hour, with the rest of that time under 140. After some insomnia, I slept for almost 48 hours after that and felt generally exhausted and sore (like I exercised way too hard) with a headache and general feeling of unwellness, etc., but recovered quickly after that time.
A few years later, I'm doing generally great...eating better, exercising every day without issue, losing some excess weight, etc. But every once in a while, I think about that experience, and can't help worry, "What if I damaged my heart?" I've had physicals, etc., and never had any heart problems so to speak (I monitor my pulse when I exercise, and it's normal). I also learned my lesson and no longer mess with any type of legal high (or illegal for that matter) - it was a frightening experience. But I've never told anybody about this, and I still worry from time to time.
So, to sum up, what are the chances that in an otherwise healthy person a sustained heart rate of 120-150bpm over 8-10 hours will cause any permanent/long-term damage? Since I seem to be fine a few years later, do I have anything to worry about?
I have searched around - I just can't find any stories with heart rates that *stayed* up like this for that long, as most tachycardia is intermittent, and I'd like to put this recurring anxiety about this experience behind me.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for any answers you can provide!
Unfortunately, I received a sample packet of an unknown substance with some legal herbal smokes, which turned out to be a powerful stimulant that sent me into a panic attack for several hours.
Over the course of the next 8-10 hours, I had constant tachycardia between 120-150bpm. The peak (150bpm) lasted roughly an hour, with the rest of that time under 140. After some insomnia, I slept for almost 48 hours after that and felt generally exhausted and sore (like I exercised way too hard) with a headache and general feeling of unwellness, etc., but recovered quickly after that time.
A few years later, I'm doing generally great...eating better, exercising every day without issue, losing some excess weight, etc. But every once in a while, I think about that experience, and can't help worry, "What if I damaged my heart?" I've had physicals, etc., and never had any heart problems so to speak (I monitor my pulse when I exercise, and it's normal). I also learned my lesson and no longer mess with any type of legal high (or illegal for that matter) - it was a frightening experience. But I've never told anybody about this, and I still worry from time to time.
So, to sum up, what are the chances that in an otherwise healthy person a sustained heart rate of 120-150bpm over 8-10 hours will cause any permanent/long-term damage? Since I seem to be fine a few years later, do I have anything to worry about?
I have searched around - I just can't find any stories with heart rates that *stayed* up like this for that long, as most tachycardia is intermittent, and I'd like to put this recurring anxiety about this experience behind me.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for any answers you can provide!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello. Thank you for your question. If a patient described a similar scenario to me I would tell them that a brief period of tachycardia at the heart rate ranges you mentioned should not cause any permanent damage to your heart.
However, symptoms should guide any future evaluation. If you ever develop shortness of breath, chest pain, exercise intolerance, swelling in your lower extremities (this is called edema), or shortness of breath you should be evaluated. Then, you could ask your physician about obtaining an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of your heart that gives information about the pumping and relaxation of your heart, among other things.
Thank you,
Dr. S
However, symptoms should guide any future evaluation. If you ever develop shortness of breath, chest pain, exercise intolerance, swelling in your lower extremities (this is called edema), or shortness of breath you should be evaluated. Then, you could ask your physician about obtaining an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of your heart that gives information about the pumping and relaxation of your heart, among other things.
Thank you,
Dr. S
Thank you, Dr. S! Great information and I'm glad that I shouldn't have any permanent concerns. I'm actually exercising regularly now and making progress to get in better shape, and I experience none of the symptoms you mention, but if I ever do have them, I'll be sure to consult my physician.
One other question if you don't mind. I know the formula for a rough estimate of max heart rate when exercising is 220-age. In my case that's 33, so my max heart rate should be around 187. When doing cardio, I shoot for around 85% of that (158), but sometimes (a steep incline while running for example) it briefly approaches maximum heart rate. I never leave it there and ease up to get it around 158 again, but my question is, is this dangerous to approach max for brief periods? I don't feel discomfort (aside from feeling like I'm working hard!) when this happens.
Thanks again!
One other question if you don't mind. I know the formula for a rough estimate of max heart rate when exercising is 220-age. In my case that's 33, so my max heart rate should be around 187. When doing cardio, I shoot for around 85% of that (158), but sometimes (a steep incline while running for example) it briefly approaches maximum heart rate. I never leave it there and ease up to get it around 158 again, but my question is, is this dangerous to approach max for brief periods? I don't feel discomfort (aside from feeling like I'm working hard!) when this happens.
Thanks again!
Hi atiq505 and so glad to hear you're okay! Are your number blood pressure (BP) or pulse (bpm, or beats per minute)? Just to clarify, I meant the latter if I wasn't clear? At any rate, glad to hear things are good for you!
Hi there! I have 150/100 BP few month back for no reason...then doctor gave me some medicine and now im completely ok. so there is nothing to worry abou. no damage is done to your heart. be safe. regards!
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