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What Causes Tachycardia, Pressure In Head And Heavy Breathing?
Posted on
Thu, 24 Sep 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 24 Sep 2015
Answered on
Wed, 14 Oct 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My heart started racing today and I felt pressure in my head and I felt like I was about to pass out. I was breathing heavily and my legs felt a little crampy. This only lasted less than a minute. It has never happened before. I am 22 and very fit. I did have a moderate amount of caffeine and a pretty empty stomach.
Brief Answer:
Need examination & investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Caffeine, as you say, might be responsible, but the episode lasts longer… There are several other possibilities too – Anaemia / Anxiety / Alcohol / Tobacco (smoking) / Fever / Infection / Pain / Stress / Thyroid / Medicines like Phenylephrine used for ‘cold’; Salbutamol used for asthma and so on – the list is long…
At times, abnormal nerve paths in the heart (bypass tracts) or disease of the conduction system may be responsible! This was probably what happened - Supra Ventricular Tachycardia is a typical example. The first step is to see a Cardiologist / the heartbeats need to be DOCUMENTED by ElectroCardioGram (EKG). Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly or is precipitated by a specific activity like exercise - one needs Holter or event monitor. Holter records for days; Event Monitor for weeks… Holter records continuously; Event Monitor only at certain times
Prognosis is generally excellent in such situations
Appropriate treatment demands accurate diagnosis / And that demands examination; probably investigation too;
GET EXAMINED
Good luck
God bless you
Need examination & investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Caffeine, as you say, might be responsible, but the episode lasts longer… There are several other possibilities too – Anaemia / Anxiety / Alcohol / Tobacco (smoking) / Fever / Infection / Pain / Stress / Thyroid / Medicines like Phenylephrine used for ‘cold’; Salbutamol used for asthma and so on – the list is long…
At times, abnormal nerve paths in the heart (bypass tracts) or disease of the conduction system may be responsible! This was probably what happened - Supra Ventricular Tachycardia is a typical example. The first step is to see a Cardiologist / the heartbeats need to be DOCUMENTED by ElectroCardioGram (EKG). Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly or is precipitated by a specific activity like exercise - one needs Holter or event monitor. Holter records for days; Event Monitor for weeks… Holter records continuously; Event Monitor only at certain times
Prognosis is generally excellent in such situations
Appropriate treatment demands accurate diagnosis / And that demands examination; probably investigation too;
GET EXAMINED
Good luck
God bless you
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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