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Suggest Treatment For Cough And Cold Along With Rapid Heartbeat
Question: I have a sense of a increase or rapid heartbeat. Simlinar to a feeling after ingesting excess caffeine. I have never had a effect from caffeine. I have a slight cough from a cold. I have never experienced this sensation of a rapid heartbeat plus a general heaviness in the chest area. In the past 3 years I had a treadmill and scan. I also fast walk our 9 story building at work. General health excellent, not overweight.
Brief Answer:
Probably a normal response to stressors; further tests
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.
Well, theoretically, everything is possible at this age, and further investigation would be appropriate. There are a lot of physiological states and situations which are accompanied with the symptom you have described, such as excess physical activity, psychological stress, caffeine-containing beverages etc. All these factors are accompanied with excess adrenaline levels in the circulation, which, among others, raises the heart rate. As I stated above, as you are a 69 year old male patient, you are in the risk "zone" for cardiac events.
This being said, I would recommend you to carry out the following tests, even though some of them have been carried out three years ago:
an EKG - to check the heart resting electrical and conduction situation
an echo cardiogram - to assess the heart and valves by means of structure, movement and function
a cardiac stress test - to check the heart electrical system in exercising state;
Also, if the baseline EKG does not reveal any abnormalities, and you keep having these symptoms, I would recommend you to be put on a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor, to exactly see what happens to the heart rate when you experience your worrisome symptom.
Depending on these test results, further tests and /or treatment may be required.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Probably a normal response to stressors; further tests
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.
Well, theoretically, everything is possible at this age, and further investigation would be appropriate. There are a lot of physiological states and situations which are accompanied with the symptom you have described, such as excess physical activity, psychological stress, caffeine-containing beverages etc. All these factors are accompanied with excess adrenaline levels in the circulation, which, among others, raises the heart rate. As I stated above, as you are a 69 year old male patient, you are in the risk "zone" for cardiac events.
This being said, I would recommend you to carry out the following tests, even though some of them have been carried out three years ago:
an EKG - to check the heart resting electrical and conduction situation
an echo cardiogram - to assess the heart and valves by means of structure, movement and function
a cardiac stress test - to check the heart electrical system in exercising state;
Also, if the baseline EKG does not reveal any abnormalities, and you keep having these symptoms, I would recommend you to be put on a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor, to exactly see what happens to the heart rate when you experience your worrisome symptom.
Depending on these test results, further tests and /or treatment may be required.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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