Should I be concerned about my heart rate?
Hi there, I'm a 15-year-old girl, measuring 5'3" and weighing 125 lbs. In February, I encountered some breathing difficulties. Initially, a physician dismissed my symptoms, but I later sought help at an urgent care facility. They suspected I had an enlarged heart, but ultimately diagnosed me with a pericardial effusion in addition to pleural effusions in both lungs. Consequently, I underwent a procedure to insert tubes, leading to a hospital stay of approximately two weeks. During my time in the hospital, my resting heart rate fluctuated between 120 to 160 beats per minute. Since then, I've noticed that if I rise too quickly, my vision begins to darken, and my heart can race up to 180 beats per minute, as recorded by my Apple Watch. This issue occasionally occurs even while I’m sitting down, although my heart rate remains normal when I am asleep. Additionally, while in the ICU, I experienced internal bleeding, initially suspected to be coming from my aorta, but fortunately, it resolved on its own. I also encountered a pericardial friction rub, which I've learned is somewhat common. However, the medical team seemed quite focused on it, which has left me uncertain. A cardiologist suggested that my vision blackouts might be due to inadequate hydration. Despite refilling my water bottle numerous times each day, I'm still unsure about the cause. I’m curious if these ongoing issues are connected to my previous condition from February or if they signify a new concern. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated! P.S. I realized I forgot to mention that I’ve recently started taking Twirla birth control, just within the last three months!
Answers (1)
8/13/2025, 7:11:12 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to have concerns about your heart rate and the other symptoms you're experiencing, especially given your medical history. Here’s a summary of the key points and advice:
Main Points
- Your elevated resting heart rate and episodes of racing heart can be connected to your previous medical condition.
- Symptoms like vision changes when standing and rapid heart rate can suggest orthostatic intolerance or other factors.
- Staying adequately hydrated is important, but these symptoms may require further evaluation.
Explanation
Given your history of pericardial effusion and other complications, fluctuations in heart rate and symptoms like lightheadedness are not uncommon. Your heart may be reacting to changes in posture or fluid status, which could relate to your past medical issues or the medications you're currently taking.
The fact that your heart rate is normal when you are asleep is a good sign, but changes in heart rate upon standing, such as when you rise too quickly, may indicate that your body's cardiovascular system is struggling to adapt to postural changes. This could be due to dehydration, but there may also be other underlying factors, especially considering your recent medical history.
Prioritized Next Steps
-
Hydration: Continue to focus on adequate hydration. Aim for at least 8-10 cups of water a day, especially because you’re active. Consider adding electrolyte-rich drinks (like sports drinks) occasionally, as they may help if you are losing fluids through sweat or other means.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a symptom diary to track when your heart rate increases, what you were doing, and any other associated symptoms (like dizziness or lightheadedness). This can help identify patterns or triggers.
-
Posture Awareness: Be cautious when changing positions. Rise slowly from sitting or lying down to reduce the chance of lightheadedness. This may involve sitting up for a minute before standing fully.
-
Regular Check-Ins: Make a note to follow up with your cardiologist or healthcare provider about your ongoing symptoms. Mention how they affect your daily activities, so they can assess if further testing or adjustment in your management plan (considering your new birth control method) is needed.
-
Educate Yourself: Learn more about how your new birth control method may affect you, as some medications can influence heart rate and blood circulation.
Always listen to your body, and if you experience severe symptoms like chest pain, excessive shortness of breath, or fainting, seek urgent medical attention. It’s important to address these concerns with a professional to ensure your heart health is properly managed.
Related Questions
Is It Safe to Enjoy Alcohol After Taking DayQuil?
This morning, I had a dose of the Walgreens generic version of DayQuil, approximately between 10 and 11 AM. Considering I might want to have a few drinks later this evening, around 10 or 11 PM, I’m curious if that would be a safe choice. Perhaps I’m thinking of having about three drinks. If there are any concerns regarding this, I will reconsider my plans. As a healthy 22-year-old woman who has recently recovered from an illness, I took my final dosage of DayQuil this morning for precautionary reasons. Your input would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Experiencing Excessively Warm Palms?
I've had this issue since childhood. At random times throughout the day, I notice that my palms become very warm. They don’t feel like they’re burning, but they get uncomfortably humid, pink, and almost too hot, as if I’m overheating. Immersing them in cold water provides temporary relief, but the warm sensation tends to return after a day or two. At night, a similar problem affects my legs; even mild warmth prompts excessive sweating while I sleep. I find that forgoing a blanket helps alleviate the discomfort a bit, but, like with my hands, I’m on the lookout for a more effective remedy, especially since this has been increasingly troublesome. Just to give you some context, I’m a 28-year-old male in decent health. Could there be an underlying reason for these symptoms?
Is My Recurring Hand Eczema Linked to My Cockatiels?
Greetings! I have a query that I hope someone could help with. I’m a 25-year-old man, and I’ve been dealing with persistent hand eczema for quite some time. The affected region consistently appears on the back of my hand, particularly around my knuckles and extending toward my thumb. The rash manifests itself as small spots that range from red to a more salmon hue. Interestingly, I own some cockatiels, and during a period when I was away from them, my condition seemed to improve. However, since returning and observing them flapping around, which disturbs the sand in their cage, the eczema has reemerged. Could there be a connection between my birds and this localized skin issue? Or given that the same areas are consistently impacted, might this indicate a different underlying cause?
Discomfort in the Throat: Seeking Insight
Hello, I'm a 21-year-old assigned female at birth. I feel a bit foolish for being concerned about this; I often find myself overanalyzing my feelings and battling my anxiety. For the last several days—though my memory isn't the best, I believe it's been approximately four days to a week—I’ve been experiencing a peculiar sensation in my throat. It’s not painful, and there aren't any noticeable changes when I feel it or check in the mirror; my partner hasn't observed any differences either. The sensation feels somewhat like a mix of numbness and tingling. Interestingly, the discomfort diminishes when I lie down or support my head with a cushion or plush toy, and it also eases when I gently press on my throat. Is this something typical that people experience, or do you think it's worth consulting a doctor? I would feel a bit embarrassed to schedule an appointment for something I perceive as trivial, if that makes sense. • Medications: paroxetine (30mg daily) and alprazolam (between 0.25mg and 1mg daily) • Diagnoses: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), social anxiety Thank you for your understanding. Wishing you a wonderful day!
Is Frequent Ejaculation Harmful?
Age: 20 Height: 6'1" Weight: 180 lbs Fitness Level: Physically active and muscular Medications: None Recently, I had an encounter with a woman in her early 40s, whom I met online. During her work trip, we got together at her hotel from one afternoon until the following morning, and we ended up having intercourse a total of ten times. Each time, we used protection. The next day, after returning to my dorm, I felt fine initially—showered and attended my classes without any issues. However, by evening, I began to experience some discomfort in my testicles. The following morning, this discomfort escalated, radiating to the base of my shaft. Importantly, there are no signs of bruising, swelling, or any visible injuries. I noticed that during the last few orgasms, I ejected very little semen, which is unusual for me. This leads me to wonder: Is it possible that I could have inflicted some type of internal damage on my testicles? Given that we were engaged in doggy style for a majority of our sessions, could the repeated movements have caused any internal harm over that extended period? Today, while the soreness has dulled slightly, there’s still pain when I touch my testicles or when I sit. Should I consider consulting a healthcare professional about this situation?