HH please. DM having tests for unexplained, regular tachycardia (rapid heart rate)

[BallofAnxiety]

Hi,

So I'll probably post this in General Health too, but it can be very quiet there and I believe this is actually quite a common condition, so thought I'd post first here for traffic.

Just as the title says really, DM has been having lots of intense episodes of tachycardia. Seemingly coming on from nowhere, although she and my DF have been very stressed recently. BPM going up to 200 on occasion, with temporary sky rocketed blood pressure and palpitations. She's suffered with occasional very high blood pressure for about 18 months. Because it's intermittent and comes down to a normal rate without intervention, doctors so far haven't been overly concerned, but she's now decided to go private, as she's having several episodes a week and they just wipe her out.

She's having a heart scan today as well as having a 7 day ECG fitted and I'm so worried they'll find something awful.

I know nobody can tell me everything will be fine, but it would be good to hear from anyone who has experience of this, either personally or a through friend or family member.

Really trying to stay calm for her sake and also my DF, but it's so difficult. We're very close and my DC adore her. She's only mid - late 60's. It's so hard not to let your mind jump to worst case scenario.

Thanks for reading.

My mum suffered from tachycardia for years, but they gradually got worse over time. It got to a point where they decided to carry out open heart surgery to repair a leaking heart valve around 8 years ago (would have been mid 60s then). She was amazed at how much better she felt afterwards (not immediately, it was a major op and a fairly big recovery) but has made her feel very much fitter. Around 2 years ago she started suffering v fast heart beats again, like your mum, without any obvious cause (whereas it has previously been very exercise related). She ended up being diagnosed with atrial fibrilation at that stage and, around 18 months ago, they did that thing where they stop your heart and re-start it. Can't remember what it's called. Apparently they can do it a few times and if it doesn't re-set things properly after that then a pacemaker is an option. But hers worked first time and she's been fine ever since and is very active and regularly looks after our kids (covid aside).

Heart stuff feels quite 'big' but there are some amazing techniques and surgeons out there. British Heart Foundation has some very digestible information.

Hope that helps and that the tests go smoothly.

@mousehouse123, thank you so much. I'm so glad to read that your DM is doing so well. Must have been a very worrying time though.

I shall have a look at the British Heat Foundation website.

Thanks again.

My Mum is having the same thing atm, my Dad has booked her in for a private appt with a cardiologist. My Dad is a retired GP, very pro NHS, they NEVER go private, even for the kind of things many people do like cataract surgery and new hips. To me this proves he thinks it's serious which has put the wind up me.
One my friends lost her Mum while waiting for a heart procedure so that's been on my mind.
Im 52 but still not ready for life without my Mum, keep feeling quite tearful, so I know how you feel OP.
I tried to avoid googling but in the end went on the BHF website which made me feel a bit better informed and calmer. Got things in proportion too, lots of people with young families dealing with life long heart conditions, makes you think... My Mum is nearly 80 (although we are generally a long lived bunch).

My mum had similar but without the high blood pressure.
She had a pacemaker a couple of years ago.
She takes daily warfarin and has a really active life now.
She was around 72 when she got her pacemaker

@Wbeezer, wishing your DM all the best. Hoping whatever it is, is easily treatable.

@Mydogisagentleman, glad to hear your DM is fit and well. Long may it continue.

My grandma actually had a pacemaker and took a whole host of meds for various conditions, including heart problems. Perhaps it's hereditary.

My DM has always had palpitations which at certain stages of her life, have made her feel very unwell, sometimes needing to ne admitted, but it was never considered an actual heart condition and was never treated, so even though it never seemed to be anything serious, heart issues were always lurking in the background, for as long as I can remember.