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What Causes Slow Heart Rate And Shallow Breathing With Normal Chest CT Scan?
Question: Hi, I am in desperate need of advice, hope you can help. I am a 27 year old female, slim weighing 8 stone 9 pounds.
Height 5"5. Background, have always suffered from palpitations since a teenager which is why i was first referred to a Cardiologist at aged 23. I was told i had ectopics and tachycardia and not to worry about it. As the years went on i suffered more and more frequent palpitations, then noticed my right leg swelling. I also started having trouble breathing
lying flat and felt as though i was stopping breathing as i was falling asleep which would wake me up and make me gasp for breath. Turns out after a recent sleep study i was & i have mild sleep aponea! I had 47 Hypopnea's and 2 Apneoas. Thestrange thing is this all happens at sleep onset within the first hour or two of me falling asleep, after that there wereno more episodes and i find if i wake in the middle of the night to go to the toilet or in the morning i can fall back to sleep just fine. My respiritory doctor is confused as i dont fit the profile for someone who has sleep aponea. The strange
thing is sometimes i know i will be in for a bad night before i even go to bed as my heart rate drops and i suffer reallyshallow breathing, followed by drops in my oxygen levels (I purchased a pulse oximeter). What can cause this?
I used to be very sporty and enjoyed dancing and going aerobics up until a few years ago, i noticed when i exercised myheart started to beat crazy so my cardiologist ordered a two week holter monitor which i wore and did a bit of exercise. I was diagnosed with Parasmoxyal Atrial Fibrillation. He was shocked as i am so young to have this.
Anyway, my problem is my Respiritory doctor is confused and cant tell me why i have sleep aponea or hypopnea's. My Cardiologist is confused and cant understand why i have sleep aponea or Atrial Fibrillation. My cardiologist has asked me to consider an ablation for the Afib, but from my research online if you have sleep aponea theres a high chance the Afib will return, so im not sure
what to do about that. I have had a Chest CT scan which came back fine, I had an Echocardiogram done about a year ago which came back ok. I am very worried and feel on the verge of a nevous breakdown as i know something must be causing me to have these breathing problems, sleep problems and heart problems and neither respiritory doc or cardiologist seem bothered to try and find me an answer!
Do you have any idea's what could be causing this? What can cause such shallow breathing to keep
happening? what tests i should be having? and where i should go from here?
As you can imagine i am only 27 and very concerned, i am also married and would love to try for our 1st baby but feel too scared because of all these health concerns.
I forgot to mention, on an abdominal scan i had, (i ordered my medical records for myself) it said "the ivc and hepatic veins are dialated, does this patient have a congestive heart condition". I mentioned this to my cardiologist on mynext visit and he said not to worry about it, but after researching it online and my other diagnosis i am worried about it. Hope you can give me an answer what could be causing my problems.
I will also add, i notice sometimes on my legs, i have bumps and dents appear?? Not sure if this could also be related andi get like a growing pain sensation in my legs?
I met my husband 7 years ago and the only thing i suffered with was palpitations and shortness of breath, over the years i have got worse and worse, i dont even recognise who i used to be anymore.
All blood tests come back normal except slightly low in Vitamin D.
I look forward to your response. Please help.
Height 5"5. Background, have always suffered from palpitations since a teenager which is why i was first referred to a Cardiologist at aged 23. I was told i had ectopics and tachycardia and not to worry about it. As the years went on i suffered more and more frequent palpitations, then noticed my right leg swelling. I also started having trouble breathing
lying flat and felt as though i was stopping breathing as i was falling asleep which would wake me up and make me gasp for breath. Turns out after a recent sleep study i was & i have mild sleep aponea! I had 47 Hypopnea's and 2 Apneoas. Thestrange thing is this all happens at sleep onset within the first hour or two of me falling asleep, after that there wereno more episodes and i find if i wake in the middle of the night to go to the toilet or in the morning i can fall back to sleep just fine. My respiritory doctor is confused as i dont fit the profile for someone who has sleep aponea. The strange
thing is sometimes i know i will be in for a bad night before i even go to bed as my heart rate drops and i suffer reallyshallow breathing, followed by drops in my oxygen levels (I purchased a pulse oximeter). What can cause this?
I used to be very sporty and enjoyed dancing and going aerobics up until a few years ago, i noticed when i exercised myheart started to beat crazy so my cardiologist ordered a two week holter monitor which i wore and did a bit of exercise. I was diagnosed with Parasmoxyal Atrial Fibrillation. He was shocked as i am so young to have this.
Anyway, my problem is my Respiritory doctor is confused and cant tell me why i have sleep aponea or hypopnea's. My Cardiologist is confused and cant understand why i have sleep aponea or Atrial Fibrillation. My cardiologist has asked me to consider an ablation for the Afib, but from my research online if you have sleep aponea theres a high chance the Afib will return, so im not sure
what to do about that. I have had a Chest CT scan which came back fine, I had an Echocardiogram done about a year ago which came back ok. I am very worried and feel on the verge of a nevous breakdown as i know something must be causing me to have these breathing problems, sleep problems and heart problems and neither respiritory doc or cardiologist seem bothered to try and find me an answer!
Do you have any idea's what could be causing this? What can cause such shallow breathing to keep
happening? what tests i should be having? and where i should go from here?
As you can imagine i am only 27 and very concerned, i am also married and would love to try for our 1st baby but feel too scared because of all these health concerns.
I forgot to mention, on an abdominal scan i had, (i ordered my medical records for myself) it said "the ivc and hepatic veins are dialated, does this patient have a congestive heart condition". I mentioned this to my cardiologist on mynext visit and he said not to worry about it, but after researching it online and my other diagnosis i am worried about it. Hope you can give me an answer what could be causing my problems.
I will also add, i notice sometimes on my legs, i have bumps and dents appear?? Not sure if this could also be related andi get like a growing pain sensation in my legs?
I met my husband 7 years ago and the only thing i suffered with was palpitations and shortness of breath, over the years i have got worse and worse, i dont even recognise who i used to be anymore.
All blood tests come back normal except slightly low in Vitamin D.
I look forward to your response. Please help.
Brief Answer:
Diagnosis can be by exclusion or inclusion
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history and your understanding and study of your problems.
All the problems you have mentioned , the Specialists you have met, and your internet search all are typical.
I would advise you to go for second opinion of another Cardiologist, Pulmonologist and ENT Specialist working in the field of OSA- (Obstructive sleep apnoea).
You must have been under the medical treatment.
I hope our Thyroid profile is done. Thyrotoxicosis can cause similar problems.
A CT scan of the brain is to be done just to rule out any organic problem. As also MRI of the neck for any problem which may be causing problem with your Sympathetic nervous system.
In cases like yours the diagnosis is going to be by exclusion of many reason.
Your Aim should be get a diagnosis by actually finding or by exclusion and please try to understand my point- have a more belief in your Doctor, it helps your Doctor to concentrate on your actual problems.
As also an evaluation by a Psychologist and /or Psychiatrist can help sometimes if your Cardiologist and Pulmonologist are confused and shocked. May be they are afraid/worried to tell you this.
All these evaluations will definitely lead to a better diagnosis , which in turn eill lead to a proper treatment and you will be better or even well under control to go for your ultimate aim to have a baby.
Wish you an early diagnosis and proper treatment to have a cured life and a healthy baby.
I am really sorry if I appeared to be very straightforward. Feel free to ask if you have further relevant query.
Diagnosis can be by exclusion or inclusion
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history and your understanding and study of your problems.
All the problems you have mentioned , the Specialists you have met, and your internet search all are typical.
I would advise you to go for second opinion of another Cardiologist, Pulmonologist and ENT Specialist working in the field of OSA- (Obstructive sleep apnoea).
You must have been under the medical treatment.
I hope our Thyroid profile is done. Thyrotoxicosis can cause similar problems.
A CT scan of the brain is to be done just to rule out any organic problem. As also MRI of the neck for any problem which may be causing problem with your Sympathetic nervous system.
In cases like yours the diagnosis is going to be by exclusion of many reason.
Your Aim should be get a diagnosis by actually finding or by exclusion and please try to understand my point- have a more belief in your Doctor, it helps your Doctor to concentrate on your actual problems.
As also an evaluation by a Psychologist and /or Psychiatrist can help sometimes if your Cardiologist and Pulmonologist are confused and shocked. May be they are afraid/worried to tell you this.
All these evaluations will definitely lead to a better diagnosis , which in turn eill lead to a proper treatment and you will be better or even well under control to go for your ultimate aim to have a baby.
Wish you an early diagnosis and proper treatment to have a cured life and a healthy baby.
I am really sorry if I appeared to be very straightforward. Feel free to ask if you have further relevant query.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thanks for your reply. What do you think could be causing me to have sleep aponea and Shallow breathing? That was my main question which i don't feel has been answered. What causes slow shallow breathing?
Also, is it safe to have a baby now? how would sleep aponea and afib effect me and the baby if i were to go ahead and get pregnant?
And lastly, I am 100% sure i had heart problems before sleep aponea.. what heart conditions can cause a person to develop sleep aponea?
Thanks
Also, is it safe to have a baby now? how would sleep aponea and afib effect me and the baby if i were to go ahead and get pregnant?
And lastly, I am 100% sure i had heart problems before sleep aponea.. what heart conditions can cause a person to develop sleep aponea?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
good studies as advised -MRI
Detailed Answer:
causing me to have sleep apnoea and Shallow breathing?
Hi.
This is a virtual meeting and I am not in a position to examine you.
The most probable reason to have a atypical sleep apnoea in a patient of your age and weight and slim stature are probably enlarged tonsils or lateral pharyngeal folds or swollen base of tongue. Since your study has indicated affection in the first hour only - this baffles me too.
Only MRI and / or sleep induced apnoea study can tell the exact reason.
Shallow breathing- for me the reason may be the anxiety and nothing else.
This anxiety adds to all the other problems you have.
It is not safe for you and the baby to have a baby now. Wait till the Doctor advise to go ahead with this plan.
As the pregnancy advances you will have a overload on the heart and the respiration. You may not be in a position to withstand it. Baby will be less developed as the oxygenation and blood supply to the uterus and the baby is going to be directly affected.
You may be true in saying that the heart problem was the first to start.
There are no heart conditions which can cause / develop sleep apnoea.
I would still like to know about your thyroid reports.
good studies as advised -MRI
Detailed Answer:
causing me to have sleep apnoea and Shallow breathing?
Hi.
This is a virtual meeting and I am not in a position to examine you.
The most probable reason to have a atypical sleep apnoea in a patient of your age and weight and slim stature are probably enlarged tonsils or lateral pharyngeal folds or swollen base of tongue. Since your study has indicated affection in the first hour only - this baffles me too.
Only MRI and / or sleep induced apnoea study can tell the exact reason.
Shallow breathing- for me the reason may be the anxiety and nothing else.
This anxiety adds to all the other problems you have.
It is not safe for you and the baby to have a baby now. Wait till the Doctor advise to go ahead with this plan.
As the pregnancy advances you will have a overload on the heart and the respiration. You may not be in a position to withstand it. Baby will be less developed as the oxygenation and blood supply to the uterus and the baby is going to be directly affected.
You may be true in saying that the heart problem was the first to start.
There are no heart conditions which can cause / develop sleep apnoea.
I would still like to know about your thyroid reports.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hi, I thought that heart failure can cause central sleep aponea amongst other conditions?
Is there methods that can be used to make pregnancy safe for me? Ive just kind of been told what ive got and left and there not looking into an underlying cause. Or telling me what to do next?
Do you think a problem with my nervous system could cause my conditions or pulmonary hypertension?
I find it hard to just accept you have sleep aponea and heart problems and we dont know why! How am i supposed to know if pregnancy is safe for me or not and if i could withstand it?
My thyroid bloodtests always come back clear. I am constantly worried i wont live long because of these conditions just being overlooked.
I for sure know that when i have the slow shallow breathing, my heart rate drops lower and thats when i have the sleep onset hypopneas that awake me... what could cause this?
Sometimes, sitting in a slouching position brings on the slow shallow breathing too ive noticed.
Lastly, if i considered an ablation, would this cure the palpitations i suffer with or just the A-Fib?
Thanks
Is there methods that can be used to make pregnancy safe for me? Ive just kind of been told what ive got and left and there not looking into an underlying cause. Or telling me what to do next?
Do you think a problem with my nervous system could cause my conditions or pulmonary hypertension?
I find it hard to just accept you have sleep aponea and heart problems and we dont know why! How am i supposed to know if pregnancy is safe for me or not and if i could withstand it?
My thyroid bloodtests always come back clear. I am constantly worried i wont live long because of these conditions just being overlooked.
I for sure know that when i have the slow shallow breathing, my heart rate drops lower and thats when i have the sleep onset hypopneas that awake me... what could cause this?
Sometimes, sitting in a slouching position brings on the slow shallow breathing too ive noticed.
Lastly, if i considered an ablation, would this cure the palpitations i suffer with or just the A-Fib?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Good to know Thyroid is normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Have a great day.
Heart failure is a very serious condition and if your central sleep apnea is due to this , you will not be in a position to interact like this - I mean it is a very serious condition ( take this on a lighter vain). A true heart failure is an emergency problem.
Please go for the pregnancy only if you are fit, because this is not a reversible thing. Pregnancy causes all the greatest of changes in the body. You should be really fit to cope up with. You may want to talk to a gynecologist before planning pregnancy.
They must definitely be looking into the root-cause too. This is the reason I advise for second opinion of very experienced Doctors with many years of practice behind them. You may have to search for a reputed ones.
Actually there can be a cascade of many problems -in which one problems leads to another to another to come up with the present one; one suffers from. You are absolutely right your Doctors should get to the root cause and see if this is treatable or not. Many times in such difficult situations the diagnosis is by exclusion, that is why I talked about Neuro problems to be ruled out... (ref: Do you think a problem with my nervous system could cause my conditions or pulmonary hypertension?)
**I find it hard to just accept you have sleep aponea and heart problems and we dont know why! How am i supposed to know if pregnancy is safe for me or not and if i could withstand it?
> This is a stage in every patient of accepting the reality. One has to - in your case we have to dig more for the possible causes and see if this is treatable and to which extent...
I hope you have consulted Gynecologist with all the reports... He / She will be in a better position to tell you, guide you, counsel you the best for pregnancy with present problems and the risks involved.
This is a good news that thyroid profile is normal , I am really relived to know this. Good that this problem is ''ruled out''.
****I for sure know that when i have the slow shallow breathing, my heart rate drops lower and thats when i have the sleep onset hypopneas that awake me... what could cause this?
Sometimes, sitting in a slouching position brings on the slow shallow breathing too ive noticed. >>> this is where I though of neurological problem > In a normal circumstance shallow breathing usually increases heart rate. Have you been on some medication for anxiety or not ??
***Lastly, if i considered an ablation, would this cure the palpitations i suffer with or just the A-Fib? >>> Should cover both . Except for the palpitations if they are due to anxiety..
I have tried to reason out the things. Again to stress on the virtual nature and inability to directly examine you give a bit of limitations. I would be happy to answer more of your queries. And be help if I get more information about your conditions.
Good to know Thyroid is normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Have a great day.
Heart failure is a very serious condition and if your central sleep apnea is due to this , you will not be in a position to interact like this - I mean it is a very serious condition ( take this on a lighter vain). A true heart failure is an emergency problem.
Please go for the pregnancy only if you are fit, because this is not a reversible thing. Pregnancy causes all the greatest of changes in the body. You should be really fit to cope up with. You may want to talk to a gynecologist before planning pregnancy.
They must definitely be looking into the root-cause too. This is the reason I advise for second opinion of very experienced Doctors with many years of practice behind them. You may have to search for a reputed ones.
Actually there can be a cascade of many problems -in which one problems leads to another to another to come up with the present one; one suffers from. You are absolutely right your Doctors should get to the root cause and see if this is treatable or not. Many times in such difficult situations the diagnosis is by exclusion, that is why I talked about Neuro problems to be ruled out... (ref: Do you think a problem with my nervous system could cause my conditions or pulmonary hypertension?)
**I find it hard to just accept you have sleep aponea and heart problems and we dont know why! How am i supposed to know if pregnancy is safe for me or not and if i could withstand it?
> This is a stage in every patient of accepting the reality. One has to - in your case we have to dig more for the possible causes and see if this is treatable and to which extent...
I hope you have consulted Gynecologist with all the reports... He / She will be in a better position to tell you, guide you, counsel you the best for pregnancy with present problems and the risks involved.
This is a good news that thyroid profile is normal , I am really relived to know this. Good that this problem is ''ruled out''.
****I for sure know that when i have the slow shallow breathing, my heart rate drops lower and thats when i have the sleep onset hypopneas that awake me... what could cause this?
Sometimes, sitting in a slouching position brings on the slow shallow breathing too ive noticed. >>> this is where I though of neurological problem > In a normal circumstance shallow breathing usually increases heart rate. Have you been on some medication for anxiety or not ??
***Lastly, if i considered an ablation, would this cure the palpitations i suffer with or just the A-Fib? >>> Should cover both . Except for the palpitations if they are due to anxiety..
I have tried to reason out the things. Again to stress on the virtual nature and inability to directly examine you give a bit of limitations. I would be happy to answer more of your queries. And be help if I get more information about your conditions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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