Submitted by Dr T on November 10, 2012 – 9:34am
Question:
Hi. I am a 30 year old fit and active female with a 5 month old baby. A few months ago i awoke in the night with a rapid heartbeat and felt dizzy. I also had the shakes. It lasted for about 20 mins and seemed to worsen when i lay down. For the few days afterwards i had occasional dizzy spells but after that they stopped. About 4 weeks later i had another similar episode. The doctor gave me a blood test and my ferritin levels wyyere 11.4 so have been prescribed fersaday iron tablets. I have taken these for 3 weeks and my levels are now 19.8. The doctor had me take an ecg just to put my mind at rest about my heart. My results are all normal but my qt interval is borderline at 442. The doctor did not seem concerned. Should i be worried? I gave not fainted, but have slight chest pain and pain in between shoulders but not sure if this could be off lifting my baby. I also get a little light headed sometimes esp if the room is hot. Will the qt remain borderline or is it likely to increase? Is it safe to continue exercising?
Hi Sara,It is too early to advice you: you need more testing as your dizzy spells are worrisome. I am concenred you may have had episodes of either supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or Ventricular tachycardia (VT).First, you need more testing, that include more than just an EKG and some blood tests (including electrolytes such as Potassium, Calcium & Magnesium and thyroid levels). You also need a cardiac ECHO for a start. Do you know why you were anemic?Your borderline QT is unlikely to be a concern but this can be further analyzed with a Holter monitor.Hope this helps,Dr T