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...
