Teenage DD has fluctuating heart rate for no obvious reason

[Goldistheanswer]

My DD(16) felt really shaky last week and we ended up taking her blood pressure and blood sugar. Both were normal except for her heart rate which was fluctuating between 80 and 110 bpm. Then tonight she had something similar but the heart rate was 135 bpm which I think is very high for a teenager. She takes some medications for unrelated medical conditions and none of which cause these type of side effects. I’ve suggested that we call the GP tomorrow for advice but I don’t want to alarm her. Any thoughts on what it could be?

I would encourage you to get in touch with your GP. It could be anything and nothing.

For example, DH has an irregular heartbeat, but with no symptoms, it was only spotted when he had to have an ECG for another purpose.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arrhythmia/

That’s what I’m thinking too. I certainly feel that she should speak to the GP via a telephone appointment. I’m trying not to worry but it is concerning. I hope your DH is keeping well Finally

I would second gp. It may be something simple like anaemia but it could be nothing but I think worth discussing with gp x

Can anaemia cause a fluctuating, rapid heart rate?

Book a GP referral who will then pass on to paediatrics. My DD (8) has arrhythmia and it can make her feel shaky, heart pounding and unsteady on her feet. I suspect she's had it a while but couldn't communicate it to me when she was younger (she would say her heart was loud). We saw a paediatrician two years ago and they fitted her with a 24 hour ECG and that clarified what was going on. She then had an echo to check the heart itself, which was all fine. She is on no medication for it, and mostly leads a normal life, it just sometimes makes her feel a bit funny.

@Goldistheanswer yes anaemia can, it cause palpitations - fast heart rate and/or feeling of pounding in the chest.. Is she on an iron supplement - like 200-400mg per day? If not this is the likely treatment, they can confirm with a blood test.

Spatone or similar can’t hurt and may help while you wait to see the GP.

Stealth No, she’s not on any iron supplement but I hope the GP will arrange some blood tests. It would obviously be good to know why it’s happening.
Innit My DD gets shaky and unsteady too, but she’s only recently told me about it. Will your daughter need any treatment as she gets older?

If you don't get anywhere with your GP then you can book a screening with CRY www.c-r-y.org.uk/screening/

Thank you Unescorted

Hope she is OK.

Hi OP.

There are loads of reasons for heart rate fluctuations.

My DD has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and something called PoTS - google PoTS as symptoms including regularly racing heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, fainting etc.

Could be an overactive thyroid. Other symptoms would be sweating, feeling hot, anxiety, eating more, insomnia, losing weight, shaking hands, going to the toilet a lot

I agree with Unescorted - After many years I was finally diagnosed with a dangerous heart rhythm. I had to have a pacemaker in my early 30's. I got my teenage daughters reviewed by Cry - thankfully they are fine. I hope your daughter keeps safe and gets any treatment that she needs.
Midwife

She’s gone to bed as she’s really tired but her heart rate had dropped to 95 bpm so that’s at least reduced from 135. I’ll certainly be calling the GP in the morning but thanks to you all for caring and sensible advice.

Midwife What were your symptoms? I’m glad that your daughters are ok. That must have been worrying.

mine does that with food intolerance eg crap bread will send mine up for a few hours.

Hi OP at the moment they're doing no interventions, I just keep a diary of her wobbly moments or "loud heart". She will go for regular echos and her 24 hour ECG will be repeated annually. It may be in the future she will require a pacemaker, but as she's only 8 we haven't really drilled down into that as yet. Interestingly though, she does have chronic anaemia. She takes 10ml of Sutton every day, and where that fails to work she goes for an infusion. I've never really linked the two, but perhaps I should!

10ml of Sytron*

Innit Does your daughter’s heartbeat increase when she has these episodes?

Yes, it races and then she feels light-headed.