Q:
I have had several episodes of what I am assuming is PSVT (I am a critical care RN by trade), 5 in the last 2 months. It doesn’t seem to corrolate with anything except it usually happens within the first 1-2 miles of my run..usually my HR jumps to 220-230, longest episode lasted about ten minutes and finally broke it with a good cough and strain. It usually doesn’t disrupt my runs but I did a 12k over the weekend and stayed at 245-250 for about 5 minutes …. this was actually the first episode that was “symptomatic”, dizzy, nauseated, ect…I couldn’t recover – ruined my race!! BTW I am 30, low but normal BMI, no PMH, not sure what to do at this point, HELP!
A:
ICU nurses are some of my favorite people in the world! Since you work in a intensive care unit you must know a few cardiologists, so have you talked to one of your doctors? Did you run a rhythm strip on yourself while this was going on or does it happen only while running? I am more concerned than just about your ruined race!
Whatever, this new tachycardia and other arrhythmias is way too fast and needs to be investigated, especially since you are symptomatic when it happens (meaning insufficient perfusion). At the very least you need a Holter monitor test, and I would also recommend a (stress) ECHO.
I have lots of information about this on my website, but it is largely focused on lay people, not somebody like you, but take a look, you may find something useful anyway.
Hope this helps,
Dr T
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/