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
Addressing Childhood Weight: Is It Not A Concern or Just Taboo?
As a mother of 29 years, I recently took my 12-month-old to the doctor for a routine check-up in preparation for sports, a new venture for us. To my surprise, my child measures 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds, which left me startled. I'm fully aware of the sensitivity surrounding discussions about weight in children, given the potential long-term impacts on their self-esteem and mental health. Therefore, I opted to remain silent on the subject. The physician also chose not to mention it, declaring my child to be in excellent health—which, after all, is what really matters. Am I perhaps reading too much into the situation? I emphasize the importance of making nutritious choices, guiding my family to opt for healthier options rather than less beneficial ones. Yet, it seems that those lessons are often forgotten when I'm not present to supervise.
Experiences of Dizziness and Sensitivity While Reading
I’m a 28-year-old female with a medical history that includes a 3.7-year remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, celiac disease, and frequent migraines. After undergoing chemotherapy four years ago, I can no longer read comfortably without experiencing a range of distressing symptoms. Despite consulting both an ophthalmologist and a neuro-ophthalmologist at VCU, they insist that my eyes are in good health. Unfortunately, many doctors I’ve approached respond with the suggestion to "just get glasses," which doesn’t address the underlying issues I face. Since the age of 15, I have struggled with motion sickness and severe migraines, but the eye-related complications have intensified post-chemotherapy. Here’s a summary of my post-chemotherapy symptoms, particularly related to visual sensitivity: - **Intense Vertigo**: After just 10 minutes of reading, I experience disorientation and discomfort that was never an issue for me before treatment. My ability to comprehend text has deteriorated as well. - **Oscillopsia**: I notice streaks in my vision when engaging in activities like jogging or running; this has slightly improved over the years, yet remains present. - **Discomfort with Certain Screens**: Viewing newer smartphones with OLED or PWM displays causes distress. - **Driving Challenges**: Navigating busy city streets, particularly with congested, fast-moving traffic, steep inclines, or even the shadows cast by trees can induce feelings of unease. - **Sensitivity to Flickering Lights**: Environments with flashing or blinking lights, whether at Halloween attractions, nightclubs, or grocery store makeup aisles with bright fluorescents, can be overwhelming. - **Positioning Issues**: Looking up at the ceiling or sky, especially with moving clouds, causes discomfort, particularly if I'm lying flat with busy patterns above me. - **Vision Distortions**: Items that distort my sight, like certain glasses or aquariums, exacerbate my symptoms. - **Physical Movement**: Activities such as cleaning, where I'm frequently changing my head position, can trigger episodes. - **Exercise Concerns**: Using equipment like treadmills or stationary bikes also results in sensations of lingering vertigo. - **Car Windshields**: Certain newer vehicles' windshields seem to trigger my eye discomfort, though I am unable to pinpoint why. - **Distracting Movements**: A moving screensaver on a TV or a fan spinning behind someone can create an unsettling backdrop. - **Reactions to Heights**: High places or standing close to ledges tend to provoke vertigo as well. - **Shopping Obstacles**: Simply glancing around in malls or grocery stores can feel disorienting. - **Walking on Soft Surfaces**: Wearing cushioned shoes or walking on surfaces like beds or trampolines often results in a sensation of disorientation, making it difficult to stay balanced. I am seeking advice on potential next steps or recommendations for specialists who may better understand and address these issues. Any insights would be highly appreciated.
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?