Hi doctor, I have a severe doctor phobia. I am unable to go in for care, but I need to understand something happening better and if it is normal for my health. I had an episode of something a couple of months ago. I got extremely sick, started vomiting and sweating horribly, has chills and massively severe pain in both breasts. That was so bad and could not even let my arms brush against them. It lasted a couple of hours and then I fell asleep. I was concerned at that time that it may have been a heart attack, but I am afraid to go for a check up. I am a 45 year old female. I am overweight 270 lbs and have not been active for a while. I have started having my heart rate spike to 120 or 140 when I stand up and move. If I move much or fast, it goes to 150 or 160. I know my overall health is not good and I am trying to change that. I am trying to fix this with improving my lifestyle. Is it something serious to be worried about? My resting heart rate has been in the 80s if sitting calmly but can get into the low 70s, if I am resting or sleeping. Even moving in bed, increases my heart rate to 100s or 110s. I began using an oximeter to monitor the pulse rate and try to get data to understand and try to fix it. But, I realized that it keeps saying my oxygen is dropping. I have a picture of the readings from the oximeter information. I am drinking vegetable juices and taking supplements to thin the blood and help the heart to try to help. But, it has been several weeks, and it is not improving. I have been taking Hawthorn, Omega 3, turmeric, cayenne, magnesium or potassium aspartate and Aspirin for the last week.
Hi. First of all, there is no need to worry and relieve your anxiety. In all probabilities, you are having obstructive sleep apnea as all your data fits into it. Do you have any symptoms like snoring, interrupted sleep, unrefreshing sleep, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, etc.? If yes, then it further supports the diagnosis. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterised by obstruction of upper airway especially during sleep due to lax airway and narrowing of airway due to obesity. Obstruction of upper airway leads to temporary stoppage of respiration, increased sympathetic drive and increased pulse rate. Also, another reason for pulse rate rise is deconditioning as you are not accustomed to activities. The investigation I suggest includes ENT examination if you have any symptoms of nasal stuffiness, recurrent tonsillitis to rule nasal causes of obstruction, thyroid function test, lipid profile, sugar, HbA1c and vitamin D. I also suggest polysomnography, which is sleep study to confirm the diagnosis and extent of disease and pressure of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) needed. Revert with the reports to a cardiologist online -->