How can one effectively manage cardiac arrhythmia?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was working in the garden, planting, when suddenly my heartbeat became very strong and fast, and I felt a sharp pain in my chest. It lasted for about three minutes. I went and had a stress test, during which I did not feel any pain—only a brief discomfort at the end that did not last long and was more bothersome than painful. The day I planted was the first time I experienced this pain after exerting myself. Is there any cause for concern?

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Was there any recurrence of this event? If so, how frequently? This could be a cardiac arrhythmia, such as PSVT (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) or atrial fibrillation, in which the heart rate suddenly increases and then decreases. Blood pressure typically falls during these episodes, and symptoms may include chest pain, dizziness, fainting, blackouts, and sometimes syncope. Usually, an ECG is normal since it is often performed between episodes; however, an ECG taken during an episode will show abnormalities. You will need prolonged ECG monitoring. To abort such episodes, you can try coughing forcefully. You should also have beta-blockers like Metoprolol available for this purpose. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss your symptoms with them, and start taking the medication with their consent.

I hope this helps you, and please reach out if you have any doubts.