My scare on 9/11

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

Went to work that morning and everything seemed to be going well: had 3 patients who were stable, was cought up on charting and etc. We had a magnet fair we had to go to sometime during the day (Our hospital is in the process of becoming magnet) so my friend and I go down to the auditorium. About half way through I feel palpitations, clammy, my heart was racing and felt it pounding in my chest. Told my friend something wasn't right. Went outside for a few minutes sat down thinking it'd go away, it didn't. Walked upstairs and told my manager but didn't think it was a biggy. Took my blood pressure and it was around 139/87, which is high for me, sat 100% but HR was 170!! Blood sugar was 113! Charge nurse sent me to the ER, they're checking my vitals and my HR goes up to 213!! Doctor said it was supraventriuclar tachycardia obviously. WOW...I was scared at this time because people were on me like flies: starting my IV, drawing labs, hooking me up to the monitor, EKG etc. Doctor ordered to give me 12 of adenisine and the nurses told me i was going to feel like an elephant was sitting on my chest and to breathe through it...my arms felt tingly and I felt as if I was almost numb feeling. Initially brought my heart rate down to 80's but creeped back up to 140's or so. Moved me to another floor and monitored me for an hour or so and was discharged. At that time my heart rate was in the low 90's. Went to a cardiologist the next day and said everything appeared ok but going to get an echo done just to be sure. Did an EKG in the cardiologist office, one spot showed I had a PAC (never heard of), but doctor never mentioned it when he examined me.

I'm afraid this is going to come back at any time. I was standing still when it began! They told me ways to prevent my heart rate from going up even more if I feel it coming on: drink cold water, valsava maneuver, carotoid massage etc.. So i've been taking it easy this week-end but still afraid of it coming back...:confused:

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

I'm really surprised you were discharged after a couple of hours, especially with no cardiac history. I would think you would have been admitted for a 24 hour observation and had a stress test and bedside echo before discharge. Glad you're okay now though.

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Wow. So that's it? you're discharged? no meds, stress test, nothing? What the heck was it?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

Please avoid all caffeine. Excess is known to bring on SVT. Also, have you had your thryoid checked?

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

They drew a bunch of labs on me and said everything came back ok. He informed me my potassium was a little low but nothing that one banana couldn't fix. I dont drink much caffiene any way. When I drink a soda I only drink one a day and other times I drink water. Only drink coffee a couple times a week, but none of that for me for awhile. I eat healthy foods for the most part, not too greasy or fatty. Someone did mention something about thyroid but wondering if they checked that when they drew the labs?? I'm suppose to get my echo done sometime next week, my PCP is working on the referral on monday for the cardiologist. The heart MD said at this point and time probably no meds will be needed because of my age, i'm 21, but i'm sure if it'd happen again i'd be started on something.

I'm suppose to go back to work monday, 12 hrs of course. And monday's is our crazy busy surgery day.

Yup, I was discharged after about 1.5 of being watched. I'm scared to do anything now! Any suggestions? Should I follow up with my PCP and get my thyroid levels checked??? At this point I'm nervous...hoping everything will come back ok with the echo next week, if I can get into the md's office that quick. But being the circumstances maybe it won't be an issue.

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I'd be sitting on my PCP's doorstep.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.
They drew a bunch of labs on me and said everything came back ok. He informed me my potassium was a little low but nothing that one banana couldn't fix. I dont drink much caffiene any way. When I drink a soda I only drink one a day and other times I drink water. Only drink coffee a couple times a week, but none of that for me for awhile. I eat healthy foods for the most part, not too greasy or fatty. Someone did mention something about thyroid but wondering if they checked that when they drew the labs?? I'm suppose to get my echo done sometime next week, my PCP is working on the referral on monday for the cardiologist. The heart MD said at this point and time probably no meds will be needed because of my age, i'm 21, but i'm sure if it'd happen again i'd be started on something.

I'm suppose to go back to work monday, 12 hrs of course. And monday's is our crazy busy surgery day.

Yup, I was discharged after about 1.5 of being watched. I'm scared to do anything now! Any suggestions? Should I follow up with my PCP and get my thyroid levels checked??? At this point I'm nervous...hoping everything will come back ok with the echo next week, if I can get into the md's office that quick. But being the circumstances maybe it won't be an issue.

A thyroid panel isn't part of the standard labs. You should get a copy of the lab results and look at things yourself. Try googling for information and educate yourself in order to follow with & assume control of your care. I think you need to take a proactive approach right now.

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Just because you are 21 doesn't mean you don't need to be evaluated for a heart condition. Sheesh. As Suesquatch said, I'd be camped out on my PCP's doorstep.

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Specializes in ICU, Mother/Baby.

I can relate to how you feel. Im in nursing school. One day after class I was driving home and could feel my heart pounding so I decided to stop at the fire station to have my bp taken before I needed to get into carpool line to get my children from school. I had been having shoulder aching( left side) and pain in the back , the area that I call my wing. Anyways to make a long story short..they did a EKG on me due to my BP being elevated and it showed tachycardia and possible infarct. They went crazy and called ambulance and gave me nitro and off I went. They made me stay 24 hrs to draw labs every 4 hrs. Next morning I had a stress test. Was released..no meds..no come in to my office for further eval...nothing. I woke up the other night in the middle of the night with my heart racing again but my BP was low. I am wondering if its anxeity induced.

But I know where your comming from you kinda feel like hello?? whats wrong with me. I hope they figure it out for you. Stay on top of the Dr's!! I guess I need to do they same too!

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

More than likely I'll be following up with my PCP next week. Glad i'm only working 2 days next week because it seems like i'll be busy with doctors appointments. I'm so glad that my episode happened while I was at work, because If I was at home I probably would have played it off and say it'll go away soon. For now, I'll be staying away from caffiene, resting and watching my activity until I find out more information. Thanks for all your input everyone!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

See your PCP, but get a cardiology referral and follow up.

Hope you can avoid another episode.

Blee

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Oh I know how scary this can be! I've had it happen too! Same thing from PAC's. They can time themselves just right and you get the whole R on T phenomenon and heart rate doubles. Its scary but glad you got looked at.

I agree I"m surprised with adenosine you were sent home only after a few hours... I had to stay like 2 days.

I hope it was a fluke and doesn't reoccur. I would keep persuing it though. Ask for a stress test and cardiac cath as well if you feel something still isn't right... may need to have conduction system mapped out and have some ablation done if there is extra impulses coming into heart telling it to beat when its not supposed to.

Glad your ok!!

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