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What Does Holter Monitor Showing Bradycardia Indicate?
Question: Hello doctor thank you for taking my question. I had a cardiac work up done which included several ekgs, 2 Echocardiogram, 2 stress tests and 2 48 hour holter and 2 loop monitors for 2 days. My Echocardiogram showed a structurally normal heart with some travel regurgitation. My stress test was passed achieving 90 percent of my maximum heart rate. The holter monitors showed I get some pacs. The most recent holter showed 400 single pacs over 48 hours and 15 pvcs. Always in sinus rhythm. Average heart rate of 71. I had periods of bradycardia approximately 26 percent of the time and 12 % tachycardia. Lowest heart rate was 41 during sleep. I noticed my resting heart rate while watching TV or just sitting at my desk sometimes goes to 55.
I've noticed lately that my heart beat is very irrelegular even when not feeling etopic beats. My beats are not evenly spaced out
For instance I will have some slower beats then it will speed up and then go slow again. My heart beats are not evenly spaced out. Also little movements such as getting off the couch have been causing tachycardia. My cardiologist insists that my heart is very healthy. I do have anxiety but not all day long. What can this be?
I've noticed lately that my heart beat is very irrelegular even when not feeling etopic beats. My beats are not evenly spaced out
For instance I will have some slower beats then it will speed up and then go slow again. My heart beats are not evenly spaced out. Also little movements such as getting off the couch have been causing tachycardia. My cardiologist insists that my heart is very healthy. I do have anxiety but not all day long. What can this be?
Brief Answer:
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia and adrenaline excesive release is causing...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
Once again I'm so sorry for the situation you are in.
It's normal to have heart beats not evenly space out even in the absence of arrhythmias and ectopic beats. Heart rhythm is depended from autonomous nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system) and respiration (respiratory sinus arrhythmia).
It's a well known fact that heart beats faster during inspiration and slower during expiration. As long as there were only PACs and PVCs on your holter and you don't feel any ectopic beats, than you shouldn't worry it's just respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
Pleas keep in mind that even if you don't feel anxious all day long, your adrenaline levels secreted from surrenal gland remain very high for hours after anxiety episodes (and doesn't directly turn back to normal). This high adrenaline secretion from surrenal gland is to be blame also for your symptoms.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia and adrenaline excesive release is causing...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
Once again I'm so sorry for the situation you are in.
It's normal to have heart beats not evenly space out even in the absence of arrhythmias and ectopic beats. Heart rhythm is depended from autonomous nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system) and respiration (respiratory sinus arrhythmia).
It's a well known fact that heart beats faster during inspiration and slower during expiration. As long as there were only PACs and PVCs on your holter and you don't feel any ectopic beats, than you shouldn't worry it's just respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
Pleas keep in mind that even if you don't feel anxious all day long, your adrenaline levels secreted from surrenal gland remain very high for hours after anxiety episodes (and doesn't directly turn back to normal). This high adrenaline secretion from surrenal gland is to be blame also for your symptoms.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor thank you for your reply. I'm worried because lately I've seen young people dying unexpectedly of heart related issues. Some are unexpected. Could it be they had underlying issues that were unknown or undetected? This worried me
Brief Answer:
Following advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX!
You shouldn't worry about unexpected death (sudden death).These persons has an underling heart disease that till than was silent (without symptoms) and death is the first manifestation of their disease.
In your case you have done all the needed examinations which were normal. Holter monitoring, cardiac echo and especially stress test are sufficient to exclude any serious life threatening situation.
Hope this was of help!
Wish your health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX!
You shouldn't worry about unexpected death (sudden death).These persons has an underling heart disease that till than was silent (without symptoms) and death is the first manifestation of their disease.
In your case you have done all the needed examinations which were normal. Holter monitoring, cardiac echo and especially stress test are sufficient to exclude any serious life threatening situation.
Hope this was of help!
Wish your health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor thank you for getting back to me. I know last time you explained to me that sinus tachycardia can be caused by the acid reflux and anxiety along with climbing the stairs. It doesn't happen to me every time but when it does it is scary. When my heart goes so fast is that dangerous? If it is in sinus rhythm. Can the heart rate of 165 bpm be also because of poor fitness level lately accompanied by anxiety and acid?
Is this type of symptom with high heart rate common? Does it cause damage over time?
Is this type of symptom with high heart rate common? Does it cause damage over time?
Brief Answer:
Following advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
As long as cardiac examinations were ok you shouldn't worry about palpitations and tachycardia. They want cause any damage to you. A heart rate of 165 bpm isn't dangerous.
You are having tachycardia from a combination of three factors acid reflux, anxiety and poor fitness level. I suggest increasing physical activities it will help to improve fitness level and to relief your anxiety.
You shouldn't worry it wouldn't cause any damage in the short and long time.
Hope this was of help!
Wish your health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
As long as cardiac examinations were ok you shouldn't worry about palpitations and tachycardia. They want cause any damage to you. A heart rate of 165 bpm isn't dangerous.
You are having tachycardia from a combination of three factors acid reflux, anxiety and poor fitness level. I suggest increasing physical activities it will help to improve fitness level and to relief your anxiety.
You shouldn't worry it wouldn't cause any damage in the short and long time.
Hope this was of help!
Wish your health!
Dr. Shehu
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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