Sinus Tachycardia

[Mumma02]

Ended up in a&e last night after my resting heart rate went up to 130bpm out of the blue at work and wouldn't come down. Been having chest pains, dizzy/faint spells, breathlessness, some palpitations and occassionally the feeling of a racing heart on and off for the last year. GP suggested low iron and anxiety as original cause!
Pulse was 136 recorded on ecg in hospital. I started shaking and felt freezing cold when I got there and they said I had a temperature. Did bloods to check for clots, full blood count etc, 2 ecgs, urine sample, chest x-ray - all clear. Had an echo the previous week due to some of these symptoms which they said was clear and a 24 hour monitor which I'm waiting on results for but I felt fine that day so will probably show nothing.
Doctor said I had sinus tachycardia yesterday. I asked if it could be SVT and he said no. I asked about POTS and he said doesn't usually present like that. Heart rate was down to 110 when they discharged me with no known cause. Said chest pain was atypical and would go away. Wouldn't prescribe beta blockers as my heart rhythym was normal, just fast.
I am dreading this happening again - it was so scary. Anybody with any ideas or similar experiences about what it could be? I will see a cardiologist but god knows how long that will be.

Iron deficiency and having a temperature can both case a sinus tachycardia.

Well it definitely sounds like dysautonomia to me. There's loads of it around since Covid as it seems to have triggered it in a lot of people. There are very few specialists in the UK who understand and/or treat this, but I'd recommend seeing one. Can you afford to pay for private? Even if it's just for an initial consultation to find out exactly what you have wrong. Otherwise you'll be passed from pillar to post or left to your own devices on the NHS.

I had covid at the beginning of October and was really ill with it. Not in hospital, but was bed bound. Had some of these symptoms before then but nothing like what I experienced yesterday. I do have private health care so I suppose that will be faster than using the NHS. So fed up and worried about this!

I've had this since being very unwell with COVID in September.

Iron deficiency plus other deficiencies (did they check anything else?) can definitely cause tachycardia. I do have SVT, heart rate can be 200bpm at times, but I do have more flare ups when I'm low on iron and folate (I'm always on and off with high dose tablets or infusions).

Agree that it's worth going private to put your mind at ease.

Hello. Dr Gall is who you need if you are anywhere near London. He is a PoTS specialist (there are v few) and refers on for other aspects of dysautonomia. he is a genuinely lovely guy and expert. I speak from experience. Good luck

@Mumma02 How are you? Xx

When abnormalities are picked up cardiology may see you quite quickly. 130 is not generally considered very high, if that's at all reassuring whilst you wait. Some people are more sensitive to their perception of their heartbeat but with POTS, it's not dangerous. Some are offered beta blockers if they find it very distressing, but side effects might mean it'd be better to get different support. Once you've talked through investigations with a cardiologist you may feel better. Sometimes your HR is increasing to counteract low BP so beta blockers aren't advised. First line recommendation is to increase water to 3l daily and salt. They may do an outpatient appointment standing test, and send you away with a 24hr trace and a 24hr BP monitor.