| You might be at any stage (having new palpitations or having had symptoms for years.......) - here are a few pointers that might help you to get a diagnosis and hopefully some treatment. Personal Note Before being diagnosed with IST many people are often misdiagnosed with an SVT (an abnormal rapid heart rhythm arising in a part of the heart above the lower chambers of the heart). This happens to a number of people who have IST. Some are also told that they are having panic attacks. It can take a few years until a person can see electrophysiologist who is the most appropriate doctor who can help with diagnosis and treatment. ok.....so you think you might have IST? 1st point – VERY IMPORTANT – If you are If you are experiencing any symptoms that concern you, please seek medical attention. If you experience any new symptoms or existing symptoms change significantly whilst under the care of a cardiologist then please inform your cardiologist / doctor / health care professional. Think IST if you can say YES to most or all of the following: (I am in no way attempting to diagnose you with IST. Only a doctor can diagnose IST, the purpose of this is to help you think about the right kind of questions to ask your doctor). 1 Your resting heart rate is always (or more often than not) greater than 100 bpm (beats per minute) 2 A tiny bit of exertion (i.e. climbing a few steps, perhaps 5 – 10) will result in your heart rate jumping up to at least 140 – 150 bpm. 3 You experience frequent palpitations (an unpleasant awareness of your heart beating) 4 Tiny amounts of exertion make you feel very out/short of breath 5 Tiny amounts of exertion make you feel dizzy 6 Tiny amounts of exertion make you feel palpitations (or worse palpitations) 7 You have been told you have low blood pressure 8 You have been told you have a “very fast pulse”, but that your ECG is “normal” during the fast heart rate. 9 You have been told you have a “fast heart beat”, but not to worry about it as your heart is “normal”. (ed note – it is not normal to have a chronically elevated heart rate) 10 You have been told you have a “fast heart beat”, but as “you are young, it is ok”. (ed note – this is far from ok!) 11 You have been told you are having panic attacks when clearly you know you are not 12 Efforts to stop your palpitations / lower your heart rate often do not work or don’t work for very long (e.g. a Valsalva manoeuvre 1, a doctor administers an IV drug to you called Adenosine or a doctor performs Carotid Sinus Massage 2 ) 13 Most heart drugs or other medications given to you for your “fast heartbeat” don’t work very well 14 Other causes of a "sinus tachycardia" have been investigated and ruled out |
| 1 Valsalva manoeuvre - The Valsalva manoeuvre is performed by trying to forcibly exhale (breathe out) whilst keeping the mouth closed and pinching the nose. It is often used to try to stop a person’s attack of an abnormal heart rhythm – usually an SVT. See : Valsalva manoeuvre from Hendrick Health 2 Carotid Sinus Massage - CSM involves rubbing part of the neck, where the carotid artery (a large blood vessel) divides into its two main branches. This area contains certain nerve endings that monitor blood pressure and are capable of slowing the heart rate. By rubbing this area these nerves send messages to the heart and tell the Sinus Node to “slow down”. See : Carotid Sinus Massage from Hendrick Health |
| If you have any links you would like to see here on IST or related conditions; then please send them to me via email. I cannot guarantee all submissions will be posted, some may be editied if necessary. |
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"I think I have IST" |
| The content of this page was last modified at 13:00 GMT+1 Thursday 22nd November 2007 |
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