Does Increased Heart Rate And Sweating Indicate Heart Attack?

Posted on Tue, 3 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 3 Mar 2015 Answered on

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm a white male turning 50. Was doing fine, treadmill 3 x per week. Feet problems from treadmill stopped me from using it. Haven't been to active for the past few months letting my feet heal. I'm 6'3" 224lbs. Went for a hike and was really short winded,sweating, and not feeling so good for about an hour during the hour hike with lots of breaks and water. I felt like my heart was racing. I take 40mg Benicar. Today still feeling some of it, blood pressure 146/106. I'm a heavy nighttime drinker. So today maybe just a couple glasses of wine with a hot tub tonight and wait to see how tomorrow goes. My thoughts are to lighten up on drinking and start walking daily. Should I be concerned that I had a mild heart attack?
Thanks, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Heart attack is not likely

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

In case of heart attack you would have chest pain. Your symptoms are not specific for heart attack.
The most probable explanation for your symptoms can be, that you didn't have heavy physical activities for some time, so hiking caused fast heart rate and other symptoms. Of course weatber conditions also contributed it.
I would advise you try to have regular moderate physical activity (which doesn't cause very fast pulse), try to avoid alcohol, restrict salt, and meanwhile monitor blood pressure and heart rate for some period.
If you noticed that your blood pressure is still high in a week and you have palpitations and fast pulse, then you should see your doctor. But it is more likely that you will be feeling better in a week.

Hope I could help you

Wishing you good health

In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar