Anyone else still getting a racing heart months after Covid?

[Christoncrutches]

Started just after moderately serious covid infection in March/April 2020 - first time got ambulance out n’ everything but as my heart rate was even, albeit high, I was referred to GP who eventually, after repeated bouts of tachycardia, prescribed beta blockers to be taken as needed.

Seems episodic, normally comes on for a fortnight or so, then fades away for a while. At first it came back every few weeks and now, almost 10 months later, there have been gaps of months. Back this morning with a vengeance though - as usual coming on after a shower. Night times and morning are worst and it often wakes me up from sleeping.

I’ve been referred to the cardiac clinic at the hospital for further testing but the appointment took ages to come through then was cancelled because of covid, so I still don’t know for sure if I have any actual damage to my heart, or if it’s just a post viral reaction which will take time to go away. That lack of clarity always adds to the stress when I get an episode as I worry it could be more serious. Hard to calm down when your heart is going bananas!

I also have chronic pain since covid, in my ribs, back and shoulder, but the doctor hasn’t connected it to the infection - I personally think its all long covid and is caused my inflammation-related. Hard to prove or disprove that without a referral though. Generally feeling fucked off and mightily frustrated that there’s no follow up care. Anyone else having similar experience?

My heart beat used to be in 60's, since having covid it is now in 80's and I get breathless just doing smalL tasks

@Athinginitself

Really similar for me, ongoing chest pain, breathlessness and weird episodes of feeling like my heart is racing and feeling odd but my heart isnt racing so presume ectopic beat. Will be a lot better for a while and then have really bad weeks.

This is exactly what I have. Have recently had ecg which showed abnormality so now being referred for an echo

Ahh that's interesting but sorry you feel the same too. I only had my ecg today and she didnt say anything at the appointment..im guessing they just send the report to my gp but didnt ask.

OP ask if you can have a tilt table test to rule out postural Orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) I have the condition from a genetic condition I have but you can get it post viral too. There have been several documented cases if you google. Also check out POTS uk

Quick update...I had my ECG and bloods yesterday - the nurse said that the ECG results would be sent straight to a doctor and they would ring if there was anything showing. Ive got to arrange a follow up for the blood results.

@amyj606

Quick update...I had my ECG and bloods yesterday - the nurse said that the ECG results would be sent straight to a doctor and they would ring if there was anything showing. Ive got to arrange a follow up for the blood results.

I had my ecg last week and they told me there and then it was abnormal but GP since said nothing to worry about.

Did the nurse ring the ecg via telephone when you were attached? That's what they done to me, I'm just wondering if the nurse interpreted mine wrong

The nurse sent the information straight to my medical file. I've not heard anything so it must be OK. I just want to get to the bottom of the weird flutter and my heart rate being all over the place

@amyj606 that sounds promising then but still you want to know. I'm the same

[quote Soon2BeMrs]@amyj606 that sounds promising then but still you want to know. I'm the same
[/quote]
Yeah I still need to ring to book book review...something just isn't quote right. Its just that and joint pain which I can mention again when I book for my results

Oh my word so many typos! Damn predictive text!

Sorry, had a frenzied few days so just catching up on responses - there's definitely a pattern in everyone's experiences by the sounds of it! I've spoken to my GP on Friday and she reassured me about the blood test. I told her I'm still having flares of tachycardia and she's advised I continue taking the beta-blockers as needed and to treat this (pain and heart symptoms) as if I have fibromyalgia - ie keep physical activity to a level you can manage on a bad day, even when you feel capable of more, then build sloooowly on that. For the first time we had a conversation where we both openly agreed it's all covid-related. Until now, she'd separated the symptoms, so it was good to hear her acknowledge that finally! I'm still waiting for a rescheduled cardiology appointment where I'll get a heart scan and then a holter monitor to try to capture the racing heart. I told her I was worried about the long wait to be seen in case I have heart damage, but she reassured me that the doctor I'm seeing has reviewed my notes and scans, and he's happy for me to continue treating the symptoms with beta-blockers until I'm able to be seen. I felt a bit better for talking to her, but I won't be able to relax until I get further tests done. Even if it's bad news, I'd rather know, so I can at least be treated properly. I get the feeling they think it'll just fade away over time, as that's what seems to be happening with lots of long covid sufferers. I worry about reinfection though obviously!

For those having additional tests -

please update on your echo @MrsTeachers - I'm due to have one too but it was cancelled before xmas and not had new appointment through yet...

@amyj606 - SNAP. You might need to push for further investigation as IMO GPs are reluctant to refer - maybe a rheumatology referral too? I've been referred to cardiology and rheumatology and been waiting for months to see someone but at least my GP is trying - NHS is on it's knees, clearly.

@yogz1976 - That's all really interesting! I've been taking probiotics (fancy pill ones, not just the yoghurt drinks) because I've read about gut health having an impact on immune responses etc. Hard to say if it's made a difference quite yet though. Also trying anti-histamines as there seems to be mounting anecdotal evidence around allergic response perhaps being linked to inflammation.

@Soon2BeMrs - defo worth calling back and asking what the abnormality was!! I know my results were technically showing tachycardia but the GP said she wasn't too concerned as the rhythm was good... you should absolutely get some clarity or you'll only worry, which might make it worse.

@Christoncrutches

Sorry, had a frenzied few days so just catching up on responses - there's definitely a pattern in everyone's experiences by the sounds of it! I've spoken to my GP on Friday and she reassured me about the blood test. I told her I'm still having flares of tachycardia and she's advised I continue taking the beta-blockers as needed and to treat this (pain and heart symptoms) as if I have fibromyalgia - ie keep physical activity to a level you can manage on a bad day, even when you feel capable of more, then build sloooowly on that. For the first time we had a conversation where we both openly agreed it's all covid-related. Until now, she'd separated the symptoms, so it was good to hear her acknowledge that finally! I'm still waiting for a rescheduled cardiology appointment where I'll get a heart scan and then a holter monitor to try to capture the racing heart. I told her I was worried about the long wait to be seen in case I have heart damage, but she reassured me that the doctor I'm seeing has reviewed my notes and scans, and he's happy for me to continue treating the symptoms with beta-blockers until I'm able to be seen. I felt a bit better for talking to her, but I won't be able to relax until I get further tests done. Even if it's bad news, I'd rather know, so I can at least be treated properly. I get the feeling they think it'll just fade away over time, as that's what seems to be happening with lots of long covid sufferers. I worry about reinfection though obviously!

For those having additional tests -

please update on your echo @MrsTeachers - I'm due to have one too but it was cancelled before xmas and not had new appointment through yet...

@amyj606 - SNAP. You might need to push for further investigation as IMO GPs are reluctant to refer - maybe a rheumatology referral too? I've been referred to cardiology and rheumatology and been waiting for months to see someone but at least my GP is trying - NHS is on it's knees, clearly.

@yogz1976 - That's all really interesting! I've been taking probiotics (fancy pill ones, not just the yoghurt drinks) because I've read about gut health having an impact on immune responses etc. Hard to say if it's made a difference quite yet though. Also trying anti-histamines as there seems to be mounting anecdotal evidence around allergic response perhaps being linked to inflammation.

I rung the doctors this morning and the earliest appointment they have a couple of weeks off. I spent 45 minutes waiting to get through. I'm having a bit of a wobble today really jut feel fed up with it all. I'm trying to job hunt as the agency (education) I work for have taken the decision to furlough some but not all staff so its all a bit meh!

@amyj606 - it's just the worst time to try to get answers, isn't it. Absolute uphill struggle! Are you having the heart racing symptoms at the moment? I know our practise nurse will do a telephone triage to assess if the GP needs to see you sooner. Chest tightness and palpitations may get you an appointment sooner? Have you been offered beta blockers while you wait for further assessment?

My pain is worse today and on shitty days it's hard to imagine ever feeling truly 'well' again... feel like a wee old woman a lot of the time :(

@amyj606 also - sorry about the job issue too... that's a crap hand you've been given. Fingers crossed things start improving soon xx

[quote Christoncrutches]@amyj606 - it's just the worst time to try to get answers, isn't it. Absolute uphill struggle! Are you having the heart racing symptoms at the moment? I know our practise nurse will do a telephone triage to assess if the GP needs to see you sooner. Chest tightness and palpitations may get you an appointment sooner? Have you been offered beta blockers while you wait for further assessment?

My pain is worse today and on shitty days it's hard to imagine ever feeling truly 'well' again... feel like a wee old woman a lot of the time :([/quote]
Yes totally the GP's, nurses etc must be snowed under with normal day to day stuff and then the vaccine roll out. Its a flutter and sometimes feels like its racing if that makes sense?! I've not been offered anything in the way of medication apart from the changes to my asthma plan. Sorry your having a bad day there the worst aren't they

I had COVID last March, also had heart racing afterwards, it went on until about Sept/October and has now stopped.....

@Christoncrutches
I had very similar
Acute symptoms for about 6 weeks from 2nd week of March. I had so many symptoms that would come and go every day but I remember one of my last “new” symptoms was sudden heart palpitations and feeling of it racing even when just lying in bed.
As I was slowly getting better from end of April I would still have episodes of the heart flutters/palps that would come roughly every 2-3 weeks! It would wake me up in the night and with it I would get breathlessness, fatigue and stomach issues. This kept on going all throughout the summer so I went to see a cardiologist end of august. We did every test under the sun - heart looked healthy but I was diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia- basically where the heart races for no reason. That was caught when I wore a monitor for 3 days. My heart would go up into the 140’s when I was just sitting doing nothing.
I do feel it was often exercise induced, so I actually stopped exercising in September for a while and it seemed to have calmed down.
I have not really had any episodes since then, or if I have they have been very mild.
My cardiologist offered BETA blockers but I said no thank you as am not keen on taking medication if I can avoid it.
I had a follow up conversation 2 weeks ago and he did inform me that this is something he has seen in at least 50 young patients post covid. Some, like me, have it with no other signs of any damage to the heart while he said that some of signs of inflammation. But all very treatable if needed.
I did start some exercise again recently and I seem to be ok! So am hoping it was just a long post viral thing that has finally disappeared!

Well I ended up in A&E on Thursday with chest pains/palpitations. I worked myself up after GP telling me ecg was wrong and had to wait 4 weeks for echo. Anyway had another ecg which was abnormal, but apparently The rhythm was good. I had my echo scan in a&e and that was normal so now I'm waiting for an mri scan as an outpatient. Bloods and oxygen were all
Normal. I think with me it is anxiety as well
Waiting for all these tests and the ecg being abnormal.

[quote findingschools4myboys]@Christoncrutches
I had very similar
Acute symptoms for about 6 weeks from 2nd week of March. I had so many symptoms that would come and go every day but I remember one of my last “new” symptoms was sudden heart palpitations and feeling of it racing even when just lying in bed.
As I was slowly getting better from end of April I would still have episodes of the heart flutters/palps that would come roughly every 2-3 weeks! It would wake me up in the night and with it I would get breathlessness, fatigue and stomach issues. This kept on going all throughout the summer so I went to see a cardiologist end of august. We did every test under the sun - heart looked healthy but I was diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia- basically where the heart races for no reason. That was caught when I wore a monitor for 3 days. My heart would go up into the 140’s when I was just sitting doing nothing.
I do feel it was often exercise induced, so I actually stopped exercising in September for a while and it seemed to have calmed down.
I have not really had any episodes since then, or if I have they have been very mild.
My cardiologist offered BETA blockers but I said no thank you as am not keen on taking medication if I can avoid it.
I had a follow up conversation 2 weeks ago and he did inform me that this is something he has seen in at least 50 young patients post covid. Some, like me, have it with no other signs of any damage to the heart while he said that some of signs of inflammation. But all very treatable if needed.
I did start some exercise again recently and I seem to be ok! So am hoping it was just a long post viral thing that has finally disappeared![/quote]
It does sound very similar the heart racing when your just lying down. Its almost daily but it was October when I had covid so in terms of long covid its still early days. I tried exercising a few weeks ago but it just set my joints off.

Im just glad to be able to talk to people really for advice / experiences along the way.

@findingschools4myboys - very similar indeed! I too got the heart racing at regular intervals. Every month or so for about a week then another gap - thankfully the gaps have widened and this last episode was first time I've had it in aaaages - poss 3 months or so. It is reassuring that you've had such similar symptoms and your heart scans etc have been normal. That offers some real comfort to me, anyway!

@amyj606 - definitely wouldn't hurt to ask about beta-blockers as they really ease my heart symptoms and I was told I could take them as and when, so only when I'm having an episode.

@Soon2BeMrs - gah! If it's any comfort, I think I would have felt the same and become worked up about it! It's such a horrible thing to plant in your brain and then expect you to remain calm, is a big ask IMO. Esp if you're prone to anxiety (which I am too). At least you've had some really reassuring tests and hopefully the problem doesn't go beyond the abnormal ECG - definitely sounds like it's feasible the virus has caused what @findingschools4myboys describes without any actual heart damage. Very hard to be chilled about heart symptoms though innit :(

[quote findingschools4myboys]@Christoncrutches
I had very similar
Acute symptoms for about 6 weeks from 2nd week of March. I had so many symptoms that would come and go every day but I remember one of my last “new” symptoms was sudden heart palpitations and feeling of it racing even when just lying in bed.
As I was slowly getting better from end of April I would still have episodes of the heart flutters/palps that would come roughly every 2-3 weeks! It would wake me up in the night and with it I would get breathlessness, fatigue and stomach issues. This kept on going all throughout the summer so I went to see a cardiologist end of august. We did every test under the sun - heart looked healthy but I was diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia- basically where the heart races for no reason. That was caught when I wore a monitor for 3 days. My heart would go up into the 140’s when I was just sitting doing nothing.
I do feel it was often exercise induced, so I actually stopped exercising in September for a while and it seemed to have calmed down.
I have not really had any episodes since then, or if I have they have been very mild.
My cardiologist offered BETA blockers but I said no thank you as am not keen on taking medication if I can avoid it.
I had a follow up conversation 2 weeks ago and he did inform me that this is something he has seen in at least 50 young patients post covid. Some, like me, have it with no other signs of any damage to the heart while he said that some of signs of inflammation. But all very treatable if needed.
I did start some exercise again recently and I seem to be ok! So am hoping it was just a long post viral thing that has finally disappeared![/quote]
very reassuring @findingschools4myboys !!

I think this is the tip of the iceberg and cardiologists are going to be increasingly bust over the next year... 50 patients like us just for one cardiologist is quite something! So glad you're tolerating exercise - that's a major improvement, so long may that continue! :)

@FatPatty - oops forgot to reply to you - I did check out POTS but ruled it out (maybe wrongly!) because I often get the heart racing symptoms lying down at night. I have heard of it being mentioned with long covid though!

Another quick update I've rung the doctors about my results as its a while until my appointment. Something has shown up but is nothing to worry about. Hopefully its something thats can be treated and might help with the ongoing symptoms

I think my ecg was fine, but then symptoms come and go so it probably would be. Have been referred to post covid clinic though as fatigue and chest pain is awful and am struggling to function at all normally (even for me and I wasnt doing great pre covid!)