Suggest Treatment For Rapid Heart Rate And Chest Pain

Posted on Fri, 20 Jan 2017

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

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 Answered on

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I have been not feeling well for about 2 weeks. General malaise. Last Friday my heart rate was very rapid (160 bpm) I was sweating and had chest pain. and I sustained this for 2 hours. I was sent to the hospital by ambulance. I received 2 doses of Adenosine (6mg,and the 12mg) I was also given 2 doses of Ativan IV. My heart slowed to 110. I was sent home with a heart monitor. On Saturday I was exhausted. Not feeling well all day. My heart rate was very unstable. My heart would race to the high 140's as I was sitting on the couch. I was also having episodes of bradycardia 40bpm. My chest hurt with pressure. By 2100 my heart rate hit the 160's once again. My parents drove me to the ER. I was given Ativan and it brought my HR down to the 80's. I was given a script for Ativan 1 mg Po q 6 hours prn for anxiety. I felt really stupid. Since Saturday, I feel terrible, I am exhausted. My heart races from 40 to 160. This morning when I woke. I checked my pulse and it was 124. I hadn't even gotten up yet. Yesterday I made my bed and then had to climb right back in it because I felt terrible. Yesterday, I started to vomit. I had nausea for most of the day. I have scheduled an MD apt for Monday at 1330. Is it ok to wait to go to that apt? I don't want to go to the ER and annoy them again.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to anxiety, as Ativan helps improve your situation.

I would explain that there is no need to go to the ER. The situation can wait until the consult with your doctor.

But Ativan is a sedative drug, which increases sleepiness. That is why you feel exhausted.

I would recommend taking Xanax 0.5mg three times daily instead, because it is the same pharmacological class as Ativan, and can relieve anxiety but does not cause increased sleepiness.

I would also recommend avoiding caffeine during these days.

I would be happy to review your Holter monitoring test results for another professional opinion.

I would also recommend checking thyroid hormone levels as thyroid dysfunction can lead to this symptomatology.

Hope to have been helpful!

Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee