Anyone heard of this?

Hx: 27-year-old female in good cardiovascular shape, normal weight, with hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease).  EKG shows: "1) sinus bradycardia; 2) premature atrial contractions; 3) anterior ST segment and T wave changes, raising the possibility of myocardial ischemia."

I realize the bradycardia is likely due to being on atenolol to treat symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and that PACs are pretty common in everyone...but the last one has me a bit concerned.  Cardiologist booked me for a stress echo next week.  But for a 27-year-old woman, isn't this a little...odd?

Hey Sarita, I dont really have that much to add or be of alot of help anyway...but I have Bradycardia and Sick Sinus Syndrom, and Ventrictrical Septal Defect which I was diagnosed with when I was 32 (last year).  I wasnt taking any medications that would of caused the bradycardia and with my heart rate being in the 20's for well over two weeks my cardiologist decided to implant a pacemaker to regulate my HR.

I dont have PVC's or anything like that but I do have arrithrima's and periods of Tach.  On down the line I will have to upgrade my pacer for a ICD (defrib), not looking forward to that at all.  Anyway, I was a bit shocked about all the heart problems with my young age also.  But once I took a look at my family history of heart disease and how most everyone has some sort of heart condition then it really wasnt such a surprise to me after that I guess.

If you dont have a family connection to heart problems then perhaps your cardiologist may have some insight into why your having these problems.  Sometimes there are other disorders within the body that can bring about heart conditions.  Not trying to scare you here at all...

Hi Katelynn, The more we talk the more we could be like sisters   weird huh?

I got my pacer and found out about all my heart problems in Sept of 2005.  I just got up one day to get ready for work and felt really weird and next thing I know I am in the ER.  I had passed out in my living room and was unconsious for over 30 minutes when my mom found me like that and called EMS.  Thank God she was coming by that AM to take my cat to the vet.  My heart rate was in the low 20's and my blood pressure was like 50's/30's. 

My cardiologist is really good well, I trust him at least.  He did implant it in my chest on the right side as I sometimes have to use a cane (on the left) for when my Multiple Sclerosis flares up (dx 2001).  I havent heard of the tapping thing...what is that?

I did have a bit of trouble though.  Since they couldnt get my low blood pressure under control despite medications I kept having these passing out spells.  Well, two weeks after I got the pacemaker I ended up pulling the leads out of my heart due to a fall.  I didnt know they were displaced and I didnt have a check up with the cardiologist for several more weeks.  One of the leads was sitting up against my chest wall so when I stood up it would pace it and my chest would jump.  That was really weird.

Anyway, I was sent to a St. Louis hospital to be seen by a neurologist for the blood pressure problem and that was when they found that my leads were out of my heart.  During the lead revision I was given Versid and Fental (I think?) but they never were able to put me out.  I was totally awake and aware of what they were doing the whole time.  It had been 6 weeks since I had the initial surgery so there was already scar tissue formed and feeling them pulling on the wires and cutting me was the most traumatic experiance I have gone through by far.  The nurse that was sitting by me to administer the medication I kept telling her that I was feeling what they were doing and she was telling the doctors and they were saying give her more but nothing worked.  My wrists were in restraints and all I could do was grip the table.

Once it was over and they got me back up to my room I still had to wait for over 2 hours before the doctors ordered any pain medicaiton.  It wasnt until I complained strongly to the nurse and had my mom who is also a nurse (but not at that hospital) get on to them before they got me an order for vicodin.

I tell you what sometimes I wonder about these doctors.  Now I am totally afraid to have anything done with it in the future.

Dear Sarita:  I'm no longer considered "young" (in my mind I'll always be young, but in human yrs I'm 52).  I was diagnosed about 10 yrs ago w/cardiac ischemic activity.  Except for arrythmia nuisances, I was great ... weight 120, 5'4", exercised routinely, etc.  Hopefully, my story will help you prevent what I now have.  ALWAYS know your cholesterol, family ht hx, and especially DAILY blood pressure.  Mine has always jumped around, but stabilizes also on its own.  For several yrs & several changes in meds, my BP would go from 95/75 to 200/115 & bounce right back.  To make a long story short, the combination of uncontrolled BP (no cause of anyone's but my body's) and heart arrythmias/ischemic activity, I now have what is called White Matter Disease (periventricular leukomalacia).  I have symptoms like MS that never go away, walk w/cane majority of times, heat affects me in the cognitive thinking & balance (along w/others), etc.  All the tests have been run & everything but what the specific name for the white matter disease cause has been ruled out.  I started having TIAs in December a week after heart angioplasty/stent (not due to heart).  I never know from day-to-day what my balance, etc is going to be.  I worked in a hospital & always had yrly cks ... normal cholesterol until a few months before cath (now diagnosed w/CAD, not due to plaque, but constricting vessels) ... coronary arteries clear 2 yrs prior & I eat 98% healthy all of the time).  Everything has been done that can be done, but the disease is progressing.  My advice to you is to keep up w/BP on a daily basis as the ischemic activity from heart & bouncing BP has seemed to have caused the white matter disease.  If you see changes in BP when you are resting and you experience angina, INSIST on being seen more on a regular basis by your MD.  I do not want to scare you, just make you aware to keep up w/BP, etc and not let it slide like I did.  I was always too busy w/school/work/family & family activities... take time for yourself.  My heart is in great shape now, but the toll the BP & ischemic activity "knocked me for a loop".  I'm not saying that anyone will develop what I have... according to MDs, my condition is rare.  But if anyone does have uncontrolled BP & heart ischemic activity COMBINATION for long periods (yrs), this is what can happen.   Good luck and listen to your body while you're young! 

P.S.  I still look good for my age  (127 lbs & exercise to a degree I can tolerate) and everyone asks "why are you using a cane?  Did you hurt your leg?"  On the bright side, canes are great for reaching things on the top shelves & I refer to my cane lovingly as "Bessie" (always wanted an antique pickup and would have named it Bessie).  I can deal with anything as long as it has a name.