Heart condition? Not being taken seriously

[Sunflower1650]

10 years ago when I was in my mid-twenties I went to the GP because I’d got a constant high heart rate at around 105-110 resting and got palpitations and dizziness frequently. I was sent for an ECG and was told it was normal other than tachycardia (fast heart rate). They didnt want to investigate further and it was left at that. Whenever I’ve been seen my healthcare professionals over the years for unrelated things I always get comments on my high heart rate and I have to explain that it’s normal for me and I’ve always had it.

7 years later (in 2022) I had my second born. After he was born it was discovered that he has an atrial septal defect, also known as hole in the heart, at about 15mm wide. He also has a leaky valve and may need valve replacement. It was only at this point after speaking to family that my grandma and my great-grandma also had a “hole in the heart”. My sister also did but hers was small and closed by the time she turned 1 so no operation was needed. My DS is having heart surgery next year. Heart issues clearly run on my side of the family.

All of this has made me revisit my GP. My heart rate still remains abnormally high and always has done. I still get palpitations and I still get dizzy. I went through my family history with the GP. I have been sent for yet another ECG which showed “sinus tachycardia” which was described to me as being an abnormally high heart rate but the ECG doesn’t show why. She has said she is reluctant to seek the advice of a cardiologist because I am an “otherwise healthy 34 year old with a normal blood pressure”. The GP offered to put my on medication to slow down my heart rate but I have refused at this point because I don’t actually know why it’s so high all the time or why I get the palpitations/dizziness. It has been left uninvestigated yet again. I’m not usually overly paranoid about my health but I’m quite certain there’s something wrong. What would you do in this situation? I feel like the GP isn’t concerned but I am.

I would ask for a second GP opinion and push for a referral to cardiology. I’d want to know the reason for the fast heart rate given your family history. Not sure how you go about this: ask the practice manager?

ECGs are a blunt tool in many ways - your GP won't refer you for a bubble contrast echocardiogram based on this updated family history? I think I would ask for a second opinion if not.

Go back and ask why they won't do an echocardiogram to investigate the cause of the ECG findings. Get a second opinion if needed. Push for a cardiology referral. Worst case could you get the echo done privately?

Thanks everyone. I did mention to the GP that my son’s heart condition wasn’t picked up on an ECG and was only discovered after the echocardiogram but she just kept repeating that cardiology won’t be interested due to my age and not having any significant chest pains.

I have this issue, just walking on a treadmill sends my heart rate to 200. I had an echo which showed a healthy heart. My thyroid is at the highest end of normal and they said that this super ventricular tachycardia is not dangerous ( but very tiring ) . It’s caused by over reaction of the electrical cells in the heart. At the minute I’m on a low dose of tildiem which has helped massively but if it worsens they’ll look at ablation.

Doesn’t sound like they are taking this seriously enough. I had an issue with a high heart rate following Covid. Through private care I had a contrast echo/ECG/ 7 day monitor and an exercise stress test.

Considering your family history I’d be pushing for more detailed tests and a referral to a cardiologist.

She has said she is reluctant to seek the advice of a cardiologist because I am an “otherwise healthy 34 year old with a normal blood pressure”

That's nice for her.
Request a second opinion and a referal to cardiology and dont not be palmed off.

I had similar bullshit before i got seen by cardiology and my actually quite serious condition was taken seriously. Like you, There is also history in my family.
My surgeries were unexpectedly complicated (multiple Ablations (and types of ablation) and EP studies) and i am now being used as a teaching case study! Also apparently everyone was jazzed to be in the room for my last one because everything kept going wrong. It took 4hrs instead of 30 mins! Eek!

If you'd like some excellent nhs cardiologist recommendations and are anywhere near london feel free to PM me.

When you do get the referral and they want a halter make sure you get a 2 or 3 day one (don't let them palm you off with 24 hr). Also woth the halter really prep your skin and make sure its super clean before you apply the pads.

I'm 46 and currently recovering from heart surgery!
Go to cardiologist!

Is paying privately an option for more testing - even an ultrasound? Then go back to the GP for any further testing and treatment.

i would also write to the practice with my family history and ongoing symptoms questioning why there is no investigation.

you def need an echocardiogram with that history

you could go back to the GP and say as well as feeling dizzy you have now started feeling breathless all the time and have to pause half way up a flight of stairs you are so breathless, then add in feelings of chest pressure if you really must

you shouldnt have to exaggerate, but IMHO your GP is being very irresponsible with your symptoms and family history

I was 37 when an echo showed that I had an LBBB - otherwise perfectly healthy. They are honestly fobbing you off.

This is ridiculous, I'm younger than you and get periods of high resting heart rate, in the last 4 months I've had a walking ECG an echocardiogram, tilt table test, chest x ray and various blood tests. I don't get chest pains or breathlessness either, some episodes i don't even notice until I feel tired later on and check my Fitbit. I also don't have your family history and my local hospital is basically failing, but they've still done all of those things (no complaints from me but the CQC isn't happy with them generally). I'm waiting for another cardiologist appointment but they've said it's likely supraventricular tachycardia.
I think you need to make a formal complaint.

Apologies I'm actually NOT younger than you (I wish) but I'm only 40. Your age shouldn't be a barrier to getting a diagnosis

how fast is it? hopefully it's reassuring to hear that generally for women who've managed to get through two pregnancies and deliveries without falling in a massive cardiac heap the chances of having an undiagnosed structural heart problem are pretty small really (obvs no one on here can comment specifically for you, but pregnancy is a time that cardiac problems may well declare themselves in style). The ECG isn't as much of a blunt tool as pp suggests and can often point to structural problems if they're there. If you've not already explored this it may be worth getting iron stores/thyroid function checked (particularly if they've not been checked since your last delivery).

To answer a couple of questions, it’s about 110 after I’ve been resting a while but goes up to about 170 when walking. I also think my heart rate goes up when I go from sitting to standing or when I bend down and get back up again, because I can see from my watch that it’s increased and I go dizzy. I also told the GP this.

They discovered my abnormally high rate in pregnancy. Had load of tests, including ECG, echos, 24 hr and 72hr tapes. They also did a ecg on treadmill. Nothing was found and like you everyone comments on my heart rate. I tried beater blockers but the side effects were not great.
That was 20 years ago. I now have a leaky valve and ongoing chest pain. Local cardio doc wouldn’t see me but lucky for me I’m under a London hospital for a rare disorder and the cardio team there have agreed to see me.
I hope you get some answers, keep pushing and getting a second opinion.

Thank you - in your case are they going to try and repair your valve?

Have you also been tested for POTS? This really needs investigating. That’s an abnormally high heart rate. Complain and push for more tests and a referral to a cardiologist.

I’m on medication called ivabradine to bring my heart rate down. But it wasn’t as high as yours and was caused my Covid. They did do very thorough tests to make sure there was nothing actually wrong with my heart though

Ivabradine has less side effects than beta blockers. I have zero side effects from it. But get all the tests done first.

I would definitely keep pushing . I have the opposite of you extremely low heart rate drops to 30 while I sleep . Always told it was normal for me . As it’s always been that way. I have had no symptoms other than various problems with my legs and feet over the past couple of years. I had x rays which discovered calcification of my arteries .They said it was not a problem . Big family history of heart related deaths at young age.
After 2 years of being fobbed off this x Ray was jumped all over by a junior doctor. My ecg tape discovered missing heartbeats and extra heartbeats .
I have just been diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial disease. They’ve put me on various meds and I am about to have my first cardiology appointment after being told I didn’t need one by my gp. I have been told I’m lucky I didn’t have a heart attack or stroke . I’m in my 40’s , healthy weight , non smoker, I exercise , perfect cholesterol levels . Gp’s are only human they don’t always make the right call you know your body. For your own peace of mind keep asking questions until you’re satisfied.

Just make a private referral. Find your local private hospital and contact them. That's what I did when I needed a second opinion on a heart related issue.

I don’t know yet, awaiting an appointment.
my grandparents died of stroke and heart attack in their 50s, I have had 2 blood clots and on going chest pain.
i have no faith in my local hospital, so glad the London one has picked up the referral.
got an appointment in Jan

Thanks again everyone.

Just thought I would update and say that I phoned my GP this morning and spoke to the receptionist and explained that I’m unhappy with the lack of investigation into what’s going on with my heart and also mentioned potential POTS. She said she would get the practice manager to speak to the GP and phone me back. GP has now contacted cardiology at my nearest hospital to seek advice and ask them if they should refer me to them (so not a referral at this point, just advice). Providing the GP includes all the info we spoke about and family history then I really hope cardiology will agree to see me to investigate. Now just waiting to hear back.

Fingers crossed for you @Sunflower1650.

May I ask what the treatment was for your LBBB? A family member was diagnosed with that a few years ago but hasn't been offered any treatment, or even monitoring. I think it's from years of high blood pressure (though that's controlled) as we don't have heart issues in the family otherwise. Bit worried about it even though the doctors didn't seem concerned.

@Sunflower1650 can I ask how you're doing now? I have something similar