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Experiencing Shortness In Breath, Rapid Heart Rate, Muscle Spasms And Dizziness. Suggestions?
Hi, I am 16 years old, am very involved in sports, and have very good conditioning compared to many other athletes my age. I have been experiencing random spells where I suddenly become short of breath, my heart rate becomes very rapid, I have muscle spasms throughout my body, and become dizzy/ lighthead for several moments, feeling very poorly afterwards. They are random, sudden, and almost always occur when I am non-active (sitting, lying down, etc.) I have never experienced them while being active. I have no other medical problems and have no idea why these 'spells' are occurring. Please help and thank you.
Fri, 28 Jun 2013
Hi,
These episodes may possibly be due to an unexpected fast heartbeat or paroxysmal tachycardia. This can cause dizziness and an unpleasant sensation in your chest with palpitations. One of the commonest causes is caffeine and reducing intake of caffeine can often help. However, if you do not drink caffeinated drinks, I would suggest you see your doctor who may wish to do an EKG and monitor your heart rate for a 24 hour period to try to record one of these episodes.
If it is found that this is the problem then treatment is sometimes with medications or a procedure whereby the cause of the abnormal heartbeat within the heart muscle is directly treated with an electric current.
Best regards.
Dr K A Pottinger
MBChB FRCA
These episodes may possibly be due to an unexpected fast heartbeat or paroxysmal tachycardia. This can cause dizziness and an unpleasant sensation in your chest with palpitations. One of the commonest causes is caffeine and reducing intake of caffeine can often help. However, if you do not drink caffeinated drinks, I would suggest you see your doctor who may wish to do an EKG and monitor your heart rate for a 24 hour period to try to record one of these episodes.
If it is found that this is the problem then treatment is sometimes with medications or a procedure whereby the cause of the abnormal heartbeat within the heart muscle is directly treated with an electric current.
Best regards.
Dr K A Pottinger
MBChB FRCA
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