tachycardia
Hi all, I posted a few weeks ago that I was worried about what seemed like an unusually rapid heart rate right after surgery. I called my doctor and they said to wait, and not to worry...it was probably my body's reaction to pain/healing, and to make sure I was getting in my fluids.
But it's gotten worse, and today at my follow up appointments everyone got really concerned. So they made me an emergency appointment with a cardiologist tomorrow.
I'm only 41 but I have a family history of hearts giving out early and without warning, so I'm scared. I never had even an inkling of a heart problem before surgery, though.
Did anyone else develop tachycardia after surgery? Any questions you think I should ask the cardiologist? Thanks.
my surgery was three years ago. I woke up from anesthesia in the recovery room with people over top of me and all around me. I thought I was dying (all I could think off was my husband was right the surgery was going to kill me) No - but I was in atrial fibrillation - aka rapid heart beat - my heart was beating between 140 to 200 beats a minute. I don't remember much from being drugged up but I ended staying in the hospital for a few extra days and being hooked up on the heart monitor and having many doctors. I have a wonderful cardiologist who had seen prior to my surgery and I follow with him today - there was no pre notion that I had a-fib. I still have it and have tried three cardioversions to get me back into normal rhythm. I don't feel the heart beating rapid and I take 2 pills a day to keep the rate at 60-80 beats. Life is normal but it has taken me all these years to come to terms with a-fib.
I would recommend you have someone go with you so they can hear everything the Dr. is going to say.
My thoughts are with you and I hope you tell us how you did at the doctor's.
My dad just got through an episode of a-fib. Even with the meds to lower it, his heat rate was anywhere from the 70's to the 90's. He had a cardioversion on Thursday where the cardiologist shocked him back into a regular rhythm. He's off of one med and lowered the dosage on another and now he's back to the 50's. I hope you're able to get yours back in line!
Jen
