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What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Irregular Heart Beats After A Dental Procedure?

Posted on Sat, 10 May 2014

Question: I went to the dentist a few weeks ago for a removal of mercury fillings. He accidentally injected the freezing into a blood vessel and I started feeling pounding in my chest and irreg heart rate and I didnt feel normal for two days. Very jittery. Now for a week i am very short of breath. Happened suddenly one night while laying down. I went to a clinic where the dr ordered an ekg and chest xray and said nothing significant to report but if i get worse to goto the hospital. Could this be related to the dental injection and if it is would it go away? Ive been waiting it out but it doesnt get better or worse. What should i do? Its like i cant catch my breath sometimes .

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: Symptoms related to dental injection.... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns. Your symptoms were related to dental injection (lidocaine is most commonly used). The symptoms usually subside within 4 hours. If the ECG, cardiac ECHO, Holter monitoring are normal, then, there is nothing to be worried about. In a couple of weeks, the symptoms will be subsided. If they will get worse, should go to ER. When you are having breathless attack, I advise to take a deep breath in, keep the breathe in for a while, then, breath out. Chamomile/Valeriana tea can also help. Hope it helped! Let me know if you have further queries! Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (6 minutes later)

I had the echo and holter before this happened. The only test ive had since is an ekg because the doctor was concerned about clots but i have no pain when breathing im just out of breath at rest and it came on suddenly while i was in bed and never went away. The dentist told me there was also epinephrine in the needle. Was horrible. A week later the shortness of breath started. I dont feel sick or anything. Not sick at all.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Epinephrine shorter lifespan than lidocaine... Detailed Answer: Hi there, Thank you for following up. Please bare in mind that epinephrine lifespan is shorter than lidocaine. So, its effect has been off earlier than of lidocaine. I still think that you should run further cardiac tests to rule out cardiac issues although you do not feel sick. If everything is ok with your heart, then, should consult with neurologist. All the best! Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (5 minutes later)

These are the test results i had before these symptoms started and before the dentist. Do you think the lidocain affected my heart?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (23 hours later)

Brief Answer: Menopause-related symptoms... Detailed Answer: Hi back, Thank you for following up. I have gone through the reports you uploaded, and everything seems to be within normal parameters to my opinion. If the symptoms you experienced before going to the dentist, I can suppose that they are age-related (peri/menopause life-stage). Your symptoms have been aggravating due to panic you got after the bad experience with dental injection. Please stay calm and try to control stress/anxiety and you will not notice those symptoms again. All the best! Dr.Benard

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar