Posted 1/22/2017 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. Five years earlier, I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and both tachycardia and bradycardia with occasional irregular heart rhythms, especially PVCs. Twice I've landed in the hospital with tachycardia that would not convert to a normal rhythm. (The first time I was out running and my HR got "stuck" at 140bpm.) Stress tests and echocardiograms repeatedly showed a healthy heart, although there has been increasing levels of valve leakage over the past few years. During an echo last year, my tricuspid valve had moderate leakage in additional to the mitral valve prolapse. My cardiologist had tried me on beta-blockers (don't work as they drive my heart rate too low) and on an anti-arrhythmic (also failed in that it caused more arrhythmia.) My heart rate varied considerably across the day from high 40s while sleeping to up to 185 while exercising.
After reporting abnormal hair loss to my dermatologist last fall, I was tested for autoimmune conditions and found to have high anti-dsdna (44 IU/mL) and low-to-moderate anticardiolipin, IgM (34 MPL u/mL). Beyond some general hair loss, I have no other apparent symptoms of lupus (rash, photosensitivity, mouth ulcers, etc.). Still, because of the high level of anti-dsdna, my rheumatologist prescribed Plaquenil. I've been on this medication for three months now and have noticed decreasing levels of fatigue. More significantly, I've noticed my heart rate has been less variable. Even when vigorously exercising, it no longer rises above 160.
Is it possible that the heart issue was an early (and the only major) symptom of lupus? Has anyone else experienced lupus characterized by heart-related symptoms only?