What Causes Increased Heartbeat, Shortness Of Breath And Heart Palpitations?

Posted on Sat, 24 Dec 2016

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

Sat, 24 Dec 2016 Answered on

Sat, 21 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : around 1 month ago I did not feel well and went to my primary about my blood pressure and heartbeat. I have my own blood pressure cuff and machine and it was just going into error on my pressure reads as well as a 140 plus beat read. they said my pressure was normal and made no comment on increased heart beat. today I checked with a store machine, my blood pressure cuff and a oxygen blood sensor heart beat monitor and found they all said my blood pulse was 140 or better at rest

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would like to know if you are experiencing palpitations, shortness of breath of lightheadedness?

This heart rate is a little high. Can you feel your pulse? Are the heartbeats regular or irregular?

Coming to this point, considering this high heart rate and your past medical history, I would recommend consulting with your physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- a resting ECG to examine your heart rate and a cardiac ultrasound to examine your heart function
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction.

An ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter) would help examine your heart rhythm trends for a prolonged time and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

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

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)

prior to this happening my normal resting heart beat rate was around 70 to80 beats per minute and when awakening in the morning it was about 58 to 62 beats per minute. it has never been over about 120 even when I have been doing hard work or exercise. I have some copd affects and the doctor recently gave me breo ellipta to take could this possibly create the effects of what is happening to me?and yes I am having shortness of breath but it reaches a certain point and I stillcan keep working I still do physical work AS I STILL DO LAWN SPRINKLER REPAIR WHICH EMPLOYS A LOT OF WALKING AND KNEELING DOWN TO THE GROUND.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information!

Yes, breo ellipta can be the cause of tachycardia. It can cause even increased anxiety.

So, your symptoms are probably related to this drug.

Regarding Lawn sprinkler repair, there are no contraindication to this activity.

The increased heart rate is not a matter of concern.

Nevertheless, I would recommend performing the above mentioned tests to exclude other possible causes of tachycardia.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Wishing all the best and a happy Christmas time,

Dr. Iliri

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

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)

thank you and have a merry and SAFE CHRISTMAS AS WELL RONSHILTON

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful to you!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri

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