What could cause elevated heart rate?
Patient: In the last two days, my body temp increases, my face flushes, I feel lightheaded and my heart rate speeds up. I return to normal in about 5 minutes. I am 38, 5'5'', 145 lbs and exercise 4-5 times per week. I am in good health. In August, I had ear surgury, but am recovering nicely and am on no perscription meds. A few times a week I will take otc antihistamine for allergies. Doctor: Hello!Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!I understand your concern and would explain that your symptoms seem to be related to a metabolic disorder (thyroid gland dysfunction, adrenal gland dysfunction, etc). A carcinoid syndrome (related to a tumor which secretes serotonine) could be related to this clinical symptomatology too. Have you measured your blood pressure during these episodes?I recommend consulting with your GP for a careful physical examination, a resting ECG, a chest x ray study, an abdominal ultrasound and some blood lab tests: - complete blood count- serotonine plasma levels- thyroid hormone levels- cortisol plasma levels- kidney and liver function tests- blood electrolytes-fasting glucose , etc. The urinary levels of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid [5-HIAA] and metanephrines are necessary to exclude possible carcinoid syndrome or a pheochromocytoma. Further tests may be needed to establish the diagnosis. I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the above mentioned possibilities. Hope to have been helpful!Best wishes, Dr. Iliri