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Fast Heart Rate ++190

HI, i'm a 20 year old female in college. I have recently (in the past year) been treated for SVT by having a cardiac ablation. However, my heart rhythm issues have continued. I have hypertension and general anxiety. I think the anxiety is more so linked to not knowing whats wrong with my heart. My heart rate is out of control. Resting it can go from 70-120. When I simply walk to class it will be about 140. My doctor has put me on 240 mg of diltiazem, which has solved neither my heart rate issue or blood pressure (still high). My EP told me that I have inappropriate sinus tacky cardia, and that I may just have it for the remainder of my life. My current worry is that when i'm at the gym my heart rate is generally around 175, but will rise to about 200. I get short of breath, so I stop. My doctor assures me that this is okay, but if I'm on medication to control the heart rate and its still that high, I don't understand how thats normal. I also sometimes feel palpations, but I had a heart monitor test and it didn't show any major abnormalities (I couldn't wear it when at the gym). I don't know what to do at this point. I'm at such a loss and feeling so out of control with my body. If anyone has any diagnosis suggestions I would sincerely appreciate it, or just to share your story. Thanks.
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1807132 tn?1318743597
How long ago was your ablation?  Oddly enough my heart rate was elevated for a good 3 months past my ablation before it finally settled down.  You are young so your heart is capable of beating a lot faster than older folks so if your heart is responding properly to exercise, raising when you exert and slowing when you stop then it is likely fine but it's unfortunate that you could not wear the monitor at the gym as that seems to be when you have the most concerning symptoms.  I know I wore my holter while I exercised.  Unfortunately if it isn't starting and stopping in one beat like svt does then it may be the more difficult to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia.  You might want to also check into dysautonomia but that may present with low bp not high.  If your bp is high then you may need a higher dose.  It isn't good to have unresolved high bp.  It isn't an immediate threat but in the long haul it could compromise the health of your heart.  So how high is it?  I suggest trying to drink lots of water and avoid salty foods.  Avoid caffeine and sugars and carbohydrates. Acid reflux from things like spicy foods can irritate the vagus nerve causing the heart to act up.  In any event do your best to try and manage the anxiety this is bringing up in you.  Any extra anxiety you are adding to the mix will produce adrenaline in your body which will raise your heart rate so try to slow your breathing and calm your emotions by just trying to center your thoughts and reminding yourself that you are safe.  I am a bit older and was having a lot of symptoms before my ablation so that may have contributed but it really took a good 2 years for my heart to fully calm down after my ablation so just try and drink lots of water and get your bp under control and see if that helps.  I do hope you feel better soon.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.  
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Avatar universal
I have episodes of SVT and Afib.  I was taken off beta blockers and put on dilitiazem.  On the 3rd day of this I ended up in the ER with tachycardia.  It did not do a good job keeping my heart rate down.  I switched back to my beta blocker.  Maybe you could ask about switching medications and find one that does a better job.
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