Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Chest Pain?
Question: my resting heart rate is always between 80-100 BPM. but as soon as I stand my heart races as high as 130bmp. it might come down a little, but doesn't usually go back to normal until I sit back down. I don't have shortness of breath or chest pain. I've had an EKG, echo, holter and stress test and they all came back normal. is this normal? how can I correct this?
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms seem to be related to postural tachycardia syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Your symptoms seem to be related to postural tachycardia syndrome.
It is usually associated with other symptoms of orthostatic intolerance like: palpitations, light-headedness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness and blurred vision, etc. which develop in an standing up position and are relieved by sitting down again.
Have you measured your blood pressure during standing up position? A decrease more than 20mm Hg in your systolic blood pressure during standing up position, compared with sitting position would be indicative for orthostatic hypotension (which is a different entity from postural tachycardia syndrome).
I recommend consulting with your attending physician and perform a head up tilt test to rule in/out the above mentioned disorders.
Further lab tests are needed to establish the diagnosis, such as:
- complete blood count (for chronic anemia)
- thyroid hormone levels (for possible thyroid dysfunction)
- blood electrolytes
- immunological specific tests (Nicotinic ganglionic acetylcholine receptor antibody titer), etc.
Meanwhile I recommend some tips which could help in this situation:
-take plenty of fluids (at least8-10 cups of water daily)
-increase salt intake
-avoid eating large meals (eat more frequently during the day, small meals)
-aerobic exercise and walking for 20 minutes a day, three times a week
I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the above issues, to establish the proper diagnosis and the best treatment options (there are different drugs effective for this disorder).
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Your symptoms seem to be related to postural tachycardia syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Your symptoms seem to be related to postural tachycardia syndrome.
It is usually associated with other symptoms of orthostatic intolerance like: palpitations, light-headedness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness and blurred vision, etc. which develop in an standing up position and are relieved by sitting down again.
Have you measured your blood pressure during standing up position? A decrease more than 20mm Hg in your systolic blood pressure during standing up position, compared with sitting position would be indicative for orthostatic hypotension (which is a different entity from postural tachycardia syndrome).
I recommend consulting with your attending physician and perform a head up tilt test to rule in/out the above mentioned disorders.
Further lab tests are needed to establish the diagnosis, such as:
- complete blood count (for chronic anemia)
- thyroid hormone levels (for possible thyroid dysfunction)
- blood electrolytes
- immunological specific tests (Nicotinic ganglionic acetylcholine receptor antibody titer), etc.
Meanwhile I recommend some tips which could help in this situation:
-take plenty of fluids (at least8-10 cups of water daily)
-increase salt intake
-avoid eating large meals (eat more frequently during the day, small meals)
-aerobic exercise and walking for 20 minutes a day, three times a week
I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the above issues, to establish the proper diagnosis and the best treatment options (there are different drugs effective for this disorder).
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
