Tachycardia in a healthy adult?

[TigersRoll]

Over the past couple of days I’ve noticed my heart rate is often over 100bpm. Just now I’m sat lounging around and it’s 120bpm! I can actually feel my heart beating which is why I checked it.

I’m otherwise healthy (apart from anaemia). If I feel otherwise well, would you still see a doctor ASAP?

I would say it is down to the anaemia. Are you mtaking anything for that?

No not taking anything, am supposed to be on iron but I don’t take them due to chronic constipation. I need to get my bloods done again because I feel that the anaemia has worsened

It'll probably be the anaemia. Have you tried iron bisglycinate? That's better tolerated.

Go to a doctor and get a full battery of tests: ECG, echocardiogram, halter monitor, etc. It could be all manner of things - tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, a virus, anaemia related or something else.

Yes it will be POTS caused by the anaemia.

It's also worth knowing what your B12 levels are as iron anaemia can sometimes be a symptom of pernicious anaemia & POTs is a symptom of that too.

Ask them to test your B12 or get results if it's been tested.
Once tested then look at other iron supplements.

Have you tried Feroglobin, that tends to be much easier on the stomach

I had this problem and it turned out to be Graves' disease (overactive thyroid), go to your doctor and ask for a full blood work up

Ok I’ve just nearly passed out in Argos. Felt fine up until we went in there then suddenly felt like it was hard to breathe, my chest felt heavy and when I looked up I wasn’t seeing clearly, I’d gone dizzy. I sat down for 5 mins and then felt ok again. HR is now 96bpm and BP is 110/80

If it changes according to whether you're sitting or lying down could be pots https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posturalorthostatictachycardia_syndrome

But go to gp and ask for referral and halter monitor. They'll probably do an ECG in gp surgery.

Internet diagnosis is always worrying. The criteria for PoTS is a sustained increase of 30 bpm within 10 mins of standing. It needs testing, not only to confirm but also to rule out other conditions, especially serious ones.

You don’t sound very well TigersRoll. Can you see your GP tomorrow? It’s hot, so make sure you’re drinking plenty, rest as much as you can and take care. I was anaemia and could not tolerate any iron supplements, even the over the counter ones which are meant to be gentle. I ended up having an iron infusion which has helped. Have a chat with your GP as it’s not fair to leave you anaemic if you can not tolerate the supplements and some people just can’t.

I’m going to call gp first thing and ask for emergency appointment. Luckily I have a heart rate monitor handy so can keep monitoring. It’s weird, I put it on and it’s 100, then drops in seconds to 90 and then jumps back up to 100+ and drops again so it’s irregular too?

Going up and down as seen on a monitor is normal.

Ok thanks tichy, that’s reassuring at least

I would recommend getting it checked out just to be sure.

I have tachycardia. It's not uncommon for my heart rate to be at 100-120 just generally, and when palpitations start is easily reachers 180 and known to reach 220 at times. If I ever get ill my heart rate is always increased and takes ages to go down.

I've been checked a few times and have had various tests and scans. Mines just been deemed to be fine and no abnormality found, each time. It's now written in my notes, as have had issues not being allowed to be released from hospital due to high heart rate - when in for a totally unrelated issue.

A friend has similar and has been diagnosed with tachycardia (not pots), so it is worth seeing the doctor just to make sure there is nothing else causing it.