Mended Hearts Open Forum

 View Only
  • 1.  Looking for help and answers

    Posted 06-11-2020 13:43
    I had a massive heart attack in March of 2017.  Two stents were placed and I felt a little better for a while.  In the past year or more I have been short of breath, feel like my heart is racing whenever I get up from bed or my chair, and my legs feel rubbery and shake all the time.  I can't stand or walk for very long, but keep reading that exercise will help.  It's impossible to do that the way I'm feeling.  I feel like I'm standing on a vibrating machine and have a hard time even getting through taking a shower.  I dread do anything but need to keep up with everyday tasks.  Does anyone else feel like this?  My cardiologist can't explain it and I've had tests done that only show I have "sinus tachycardia" which shouldn't' be a problem, according to what I've read.  I don't know what to do and don't want to live like this.  Any information or commiseration would be appreciated.

    ------------------------------
    Nancy Lyford
    Retired social worker
    O'Brien OR
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Looking for help and answers

    Posted 06-11-2020 16:10
    I think you would definitely benefit from rehab.  It can be started slow, with very low resistance to cater to your tolerance, with an increase as you're able.  Some adaptive equipment for your shower would also be a good idea.  If leaving the home presents a "significant and taxing effort" for you, you would be eligible for home health care.  If you can get out and about pretty easily, you can go to out-patient rehab.

    Good luck!
    Anne

    ------------------------------
    Anne Birdsong
    Occupational Therapist
    Rural
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Looking for help and answers

    Posted 06-11-2020 17:02

    Symptoms
    What are the symptoms of inappropriate sinus tachycardia?
    • Sensation of a rapid heartbeat (palpitations), which may be uncomfortable.
    • Shortness of breath.
    • Dizziness.
    • Fainting.
    • Chest pain.
    • Anxiety.
    • Headaches.
    • Decreased ability to exercise.
    Cedars-Sinai › diseases-and-conditions

    Got this off google.  It sounds like you have some of these symptoms.

    There are treatments for this.

    Is it time to try another cardiologist?

    Marv Norman
    Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note8, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone






  • 4.  RE: Looking for help and answers

    Posted 06-11-2020 19:07
    Thank you Marv for finding this.  I've looked on the internet but never found a list this long and with so many of the same problems I'm having, at least half of those on the list. I never added in the "inappropriate" to sinus tachycardia so maybe that's why I didn't find so much detail. I was having chest pain all last night and almost called the ambulance but it's mostly gone now.  Of course that's not always a good thing as my symptoms coming and going were the reason I waited six days to go to the hospital when I was having a heart attack.  I will see a different cardiologist next month, which was postponed from April due to COVID-19.  She's the doctor who placed my stents so I'm looking forward to seeing her again.  She will hopefully pay more attention to my symptoms than my last doctor did.  We'll see what happens but am hoping for someone to find out what is going on.

    ------------------------------
    Nancy Lyford
    Retired social worker
    O'Brien OR
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Looking for help and answers

    Posted 06-11-2020 19:43
    I have had issues with Afib.  Last August I work up one morning with a heart rate of 180-called Supra Ventricular Tachycardia (SVT).  I went to the Emergency Room.  I was taken right in.

    I had a catheter ablation and have been OK.

    There are also inexpensive medicines that slow the heart rate.

    From Mayo Clinic--not trying to scare you

    Can sinus tachycardia cause heart problems?
    But if left untreated, tachycardia can disrupt normal heart function and lead to serious complications, including: Heart failure. Stroke. Sudden cardiac arrest or death.Apr 15, 2020

    Best wishes,

    Marv



    Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note8, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone






  • 6.  RE: Looking for help and answers

    Posted 06-11-2020 18:56
    Thank you Anne.  I did have six months of rehab in my home after I was discharged from the hospital.  I have such a hard time standing for any length of time that I can no longer do the exercises the therapists taught me.  I do have a shower seat but don't really have the space for it in my bathroom and leaving it in the shower isn't possible as my husband has Parkinson's and sometimes can't turn the direction he intends to when he's in the shower.  I don't want him to trip and fall over the thing.  Leaving my home is very taxing so I could ask my doctor for a referral for home health care and see how far I can get.  I'm really trying to find out if the shaking and shortness of breath are a common thing for anyone else.  My cardiologist had me use a Holter monitor last year for 48 hours and all they found was sinus tachycardia which doesn't explain all my problems.  I see a different cardiologist next month as mine moved away.  She happens to be the one who placed my stents so I'm looking forward to seeing her again since she saved my life.  Hopefully she'll have some new ideas.

    ------------------------------
    Nancy Lyford
    Retired social worker
    O'Brien OR
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Looking for help and answers

    Posted 06-12-2020 07:28
    Get your doc to check your thyroid

    high thyroid levels can cause shakiness, weakness, high heart rate

    ------------------------------
    Debbie Clark
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Looking for help and answers

    Posted 06-13-2020 13:58


    ------------------------------
    [Carrie] [Kashani]
    Parapro
    ISD
    [White Bear Lake [MN]
    Carrie
    ------------------------------