Experiencing Heart Pounding and Exhaustion?
Over the past month, I've been encountering episodes where I suddenly feel extremely fatigued. These moments often come hand in hand with a headache or distorted vision, and I also notice my heart racing significantly. Typically, these spells last anywhere from one to four hours. During these times, I’ve monitored my pulse, which peaks at around 110 beats per minute; however, what alarms me more is the intensity of the pounding sensation. Should I be worried about this? Is it indicative of any specific health issue that I should investigate? **Personal Details:** - Female, 30 years old - Height: 5'3"; Weight: approximately 178 pounds - Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome - Chronic Migraine sufferer - Suspicion of an autoimmune disorder - Current medications include Cromolyn (for mast cell stabilization), Tylenol, and Xyzal. I appreciate any insights you can provide!
Answers (1)
2/16/2026, 9:50:30 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about episodes of heart pounding and exhaustion, especially given your medical history. Let's break down your symptoms and explore a logical approach to understanding what might be happening.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms may relate to your existing conditions, particularly with your Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
- Monitoring your symptoms and identifying triggers is essential.
- Immediate self-care strategies can help manage episodes.
Explanation:
The combination of fatigue, headaches, distorted vision, and a racing heart could indicate various issues, such as changes in blood pressure, effects of your conditions, or possible triggers like stress or allergens. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome can contribute to issues with blood vessels and heart rate, while Mast Cell Activation Syndrome may lead to fluctuations in your body's response to stimuli, causing fatigue and other symptoms. It's also possible that these symptoms could be exacerbated by anxiety, which can increase heart rate and contribute to feelings of exhaustion.
Next Steps:
- Keep a Symptom Diary: Track when these episodes occur, their duration, associated activities, and any dietary factors. Note your emotional state as well. This information is invaluable for understanding patterns or triggers.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Regularly: Low blood sugar or dehydration can exacerbate fatigue and heart rate issues. Aim for balanced meals and adequate fluid intake throughout the day.
- Gentle Movement and Relaxation Techniques: Regular light exercise, such as walking or stretching, can help manage fatigue. Incorporating relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation may also assist in reducing overall stress.
- Scheduled Monitoring of Heart Rate: Continue to monitor your heart rate during these episodes. If it frequently exceeds 110 beats per minute, or if you have significant chest discomfort or other severe symptoms, consider this a point of concern.
- Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider: Given your existing health conditions and the nature of your current episodes, it’s advisable to discuss these symptoms with your healthcare provider. They might want to evaluate your heart function and ensure everything is stable.
These strategies provide a proactive approach to manage your symptoms while monitoring your health effectively. Remember, you are not alone in navigating these challenges, and it's always good to seek support from healthcare professionals who understand your unique medical history.
Related Questions
Significant Decrease in Resting Heart Rate After Dietary Changes
Recently, I received a diagnosis of grade 2 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which came as a shock at the age of 31. Surprisingly, I have always been able to keep a healthy and slender figure despite indulging in unhealthy eating habits, making it challenging for me to either gain or lose weight. Before this news, my eating habits were extremely poor. I consumed a lot of fast food, sugary snacks, sodas, and coffee, frequently indulging in pizzas. My diet was predominantly characterized by excessive saturated fats and sugar, and I was also a heavy smoker. It was revealed that I had elevated triglyceride levels and high cholesterol, which led to me being prescribed a statin. After the diagnosis, I made significant changes to my diet and lifestyle almost immediately. I became meticulous about reading food labels, steering clear of sugar and saturated fats entirely. I've nearly quit smoking as well. Now, I primarily drink water, and I only enjoy coffee if it's prepared with skim milk that is nearly fat-free. My resting heart rate was previously quite elevated (between 90 and 110 beats per minute), a number I didn’t really acknowledge. However, it has now dropped to a range of 60 to 80 beats per minute, which I find astonishing. Is it possible for dietary improvements to lead to such a considerable change in resting heart rate? Or could my cholesterol medication be a contributing factor in this drop? Moreover, I’ve noticed that much of the medical guidance available online regarding fatty liver disease tends to assume individuals are overweight and emphasizes weight loss as a metric for monitoring health improvements. I don't have the opportunity to track my progress in that manner. Should I take this significant decrease in heart rate as a positive indication? Thank you for your insights.
Health Concerns and Blood Test Results - Insights Needed
*A 35-year-old woman from the UK, standing at 5ft 7in (174cm) and weighing 10st 4lb (66kg).* *Background Information:* - Underwent an emergency cesarean section in 2020. - Generally good health, no known medical issues. Values healthy food and regular exercise. - Identified as having a high risk for breast cancer, necessitating annual mammograms. - Family history includes a mother who faced endometriosis after three cesarean deliveries and sadly passed away from peritoneal carcinoma that metastasized to her ovaries in 2020. *Daily Vitamin Intake for One Year:* - Vitamin D, Calcium, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium (maintaining 100% of the Nutritional Reference Value as indicated on labels). *Symptoms Prompting a Visit to the General Practitioner for Blood Work:* - Experiencing increasing irregularities in menstrual cycles over the past nine months, with durations between 24 to 32 days. - Periods vary in intensity, sometimes light and other times heavy, accompanied by significant pain. - Typical symptoms like bloating and increased hunger have also been noted, along with new experiences: - Nausea, depressive moods, and severe headaches resembling migraines around the second and third days of menstruation. - Occasional hot flashes. - Severe fatigue and cognitive issues, such as difficulty recalling words and poor short-term memory. - Initially attributed the symptoms to aging, but the intense migraine and feelings of depression during days two and three of her cycle have significantly disrupted daily life. She has found the need to take time off work and had dark thoughts last month, which subsided after day five of her period, causing distress due to a sense of losing control. - The pattern of frequent absence from work has become concerning. *Summary of Medical Concerns:* Thank you for reading. As mentioned previously, I have adhered strictly to a vitamin regimen to enhance my health after a dip in iron levels earlier in 2023. My GP conducted various tests including CA-125 and full blood count, focusing on hormonal evaluations that are still pending in my results. She was looking into the possibility of perimenopause or thyroid dysfunction, although she indicated that diagnosing perimenopause is challenging. - My Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels were reported “within normal limits.” - Calcium levels came back elevated and will require retesting. - Folate results showed >24.0ug, which appears high but I'm uncertain of its implications. - Vitamin D levels were notably low despite my consistent intake, raising questions about the effectiveness of the supplements. - CA-125 levels registered at 29, within the reference range of 0-30. Naturally, I felt anxious regarding this due to the family history of monitoring CA-135 during my mother’s chemotherapy. Although 29 seems to be a low result, it does raise concern when compared to her previous values. I naively searched the internet, and parathyroidosis was mentioned, aligning with some of my symptoms and test results, though it hasn’t been discussed by my healthcare provider. *Questions I Have:* 1. Would an abnormal TSH level indicate parathyroid issues? 2. Is there cause for alarm concerning my CA-125 results? 3. What steps should I take to address these concerns? Despite my vitamin usage, I feel something is amiss (the doctor recommended a supplement based on the notes without prior discussions). Thank you for your insights!
Feeling Trapped: A Cry for Help
Throughout my life, a profound sense of isolation has haunted me. My older brother and mother often ridiculed me, labeling me as foolish, while my father subjected me to constant abuse, shattering any joy during family celebrations. When our relatives eventually learned of these circumstances, their silence spoke volumes; they claimed to support me, yet they were absent when I truly needed them. The loss of my beloved dogs deepened my despair, exacerbated by a cruel remark from an aunt who, despite knowing my grief, incessantly questioned my sadness instead of offering compassion. Attempting to pursue higher education only intensified my feelings of loneliness. At university, I faced ridicule and was barred from showcasing my artistic creations, even though my only desire was to enhance my skills. A so-called friend dismissed me harshly after I needed some time away to recover from illness; I was merely trying to protect them from getting sick. In my life, I feel as though I lack control or agency. My mother’s constant accusations of my being "just like my dad" only reinforce my struggles. I find it incredibly difficult to navigate my emotions, having been subjected to belittlement for so long, and even now, at 19, I often find myself in tears. When I make the effort to speak softly during conflicts, I still bear the brunt of blame, being told I'm no different from my father. Throughout high school, I lacked support while enduring my father's relentless hostility, who would insult me by calling me names like "freak" or "mistake." Attempts to share my feelings with my family have led to laughter from my mother or indifference from my brother, who seemingly encourages me to continue my struggles. I feel trapped among people I wish to distance myself from, yet I lack the financial resources or options to escape this situation. I am not interested in hearing platitudes about things improving; the harsh reality is that my family does not love me, and I find it challenging to love myself. The thought of ending my life feels like a solution, sparing both my family and myself from the burdens we impose on each other. In that sense, it seems like everyone might achieve their own peace.
Is It Malnutrition or Something Else?
Hello, I’m a 19-year-old female, standing at 5’4” and weighing around 104 pounds. I have maintained this weight for roughly a year, previously tipping the scales at 130 pounds. Recently, I’ve been dealing with some unusual health concerns. Following a routine blood test, my sodium levels came back alarmingly low. My physician advised me to boost my salt consumption, but I haven’t followed through since I’m not particularly fond of salty foods. Over the last month, I’ve started to notice: - Persistent, severe headaches - Abdominal pain after meals - Prolonged yet extremely light menstrual cycles (currently extending to 16 days) - Swelling in my fingers, toes, and face - Continuous fatigue - A loss of appetite UPDATE: I’ve also noticed that my fingernails and toenails are flaking off—currently, my pinky toe has only half a nail left. My calcium levels came back low during my last blood examination, though not critically so. I’m unsure how this is happening. I’ve been hesitant to check my weight lately, fearing that I've lost even more, which is not something I want to face. Also, I assure you that I’m not pregnant; I’ve checked thoroughly and I’m on Nexplanon for birth control. I am genuinely seeking insight into the potential causes of my symptoms and any recommended courses of action. Thanks for your help! ❤️ P.S. I had undergone several rounds of antibiotics for acne, but they were ineffective and I had adverse reactions. Additionally, I had an untreated sinus infection that resulted in my eardrum bursting about a month ago.
Seeking Guidance on Antidepressants for Severe Depression with Hyperadrenergic POTS
Hello, everyone. I am currently living with a chronic illness that includes Hyperadrenergic POTS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), and persistent pain, which has led to my disability status. Over the past two years, I have experienced severe depression and anxiety, stemming from a sudden life change and the trauma that accompanied it. Due to my condition, I am mostly confined to bed, and this lifestyle shift from being a previously active individual to someone who cannot walk much has deepened my feelings of sadness. Unfortunately, the therapists I have consulted seem unable to grasp the complexities of my medical issues and are hesitant to prescribe any medications. I am currently on a waitlist for nine months just to see a specialist experienced with POTS in my country. Next week, I plan to discuss this with my primary care physician, but I’d like to hear your thoughts beforehand. Many medications have an energizing effect on me, leaving me feeling overly stimulated and disrupting my sleep patterns. I experience symptoms typical of POTS, including significant heart rate increases when I stand, which is accompanied by overwhelming fatigue and an adrenaline-like sensation, including symptoms like palpitations and restlessness. During flare-ups, my insomnia and melancholic feelings intensify, contributing to my overall exhaustion. I alternate between feeling fatigued yet wired, enduring insomnia, and grappling with the sorrow of being unable to engage in activities due to the extreme fatigue and post-exertional malaise. My current medication regimen includes: - Ivabradine: 10 mg daily - Pyridostigmine: 120 mg daily - Pregabalin: 150 mg daily (tapering off due to inefficacy for pain) - Dayvigo: 5 mg at night - Rosuvastatin: 20 mg at night As needed, I take: - Tylenol #3 very rarely (about once every three days max) for pain episodes - Ubrelvy for migraine - Celecoxib as needed - Allegra and Pepcid as needed I am curious about which antidepressants might be suitable for someone in my situation, particularly considering my insomnia and anxiety, along with the underlying dysautonomia/POTS. I also have concerns about medications that may lessen the efficacy of codeine, as I occasionally rely on it for pain management. If duloxetine is a potentially viable option for enhancing my mood and addressing my racing thoughts, would it be feasible to continue using codeine on an as-needed basis, or would a different pain management approach be advisable instead? To provide some context, I am a 35-year-old male residing in Iran. Previously, I have tried various antidepressants; for instance, amitriptyline worsened my POTS symptoms due to its anticholinergic side effects, while escitalopram changed my personality significantly, leaving me feeling emotionally numb. At this time, I am not taking any antidepressants. I also do not have any known allergies.