How to manage palpitations with high blood pressure?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 18 years old and have started experiencing palpitations. When I was around 12, I began having high blood pressure, and it has not stopped since. I have had many tests done for my heart, all of which have come back to normal, but I am still concerned. I do have a poor diet and am not very active. Could this be causing my heart problems, or could it be something more serious?

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concerns.

First of all, elevated blood pressure at a very young age, 12 years old in your case, should be investigated. It is likely secondary to another condition. One possible cause is pheochromocytoma, a condition that causes both high blood pressure and an elevated heart rate, along with symptoms such as sweating and fever. These symptoms tend to occur suddenly and episodically. Pheochromocytoma is essentially a tumor of the adrenal glands.

Another cause of a high heart rate may be hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland is overactive. Other symptoms include warm and sweaty hands, heat intolerance, weight loss despite a good appetite, fine tremors, diarrhea, reduced sleep, and possible enlargement of the thyroid gland. Some changes in the eyes may also be seen.

As you mentioned your diet is not good, this may have contributed to anemia, which can lead to an increased heart rate. Another factor could be your sedentary lifestyle. As you mentioned that you are not very active, this can cause your heart rate to rise with minimal activity. These are some non-cardiac causes of a fast heart rate.

Cardiac causes could include conditions like atrial fibrillation, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, or atrial tachycardia, among others. Detection and differentiation of these conditions require an ECG (electrocardiogram). If one of these is diagnosed, the next step would be to identify the underlying cause, and treatment would target that cause.

There are many possible causes for your condition, both cardiac and non-cardiac. A proper diagnosis requires focused investigations. Please provide your previous test results (such as electrocardiogram, Holter monitor, etc.) so I can develop a plan for further diagnosis, which may include additional tests. Also, send a record of your daily blood pressure and pulse rate for at least one week.

Remember, if pheochromocytoma is the cause, high blood pressure and a fast heart rate may only be present during episodes and normal between episodes. Beta-blockers can be effective in controlling the heart rate. Please follow up with your medical records and the blood pressure and pulse rate logs.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.