Tachycardia- High Pulse Rate and Update on Tim.

I posted on Facebook an update on Tim but I also like to update things on here because a lot of people read this and are interested in Tim's updates. I also like to type up things that I've learned along the way not just with Kidney Disease but other things that can be associated with the disease and other co-morbitites and other aspects of life to look out for. It has been three weeks since Tim was admitted to yale for his dialysis port. He has been healing well with the peritoneal port and his hemo dialysis port no longer is in. Taking out the hemo port which was a cathater that was inserted into the main artery in his neck took all about 15 minutes to take out. They cleaned the area, numbed in, and then pulled it out. The Physician's assistant was very nice and informative and did everything she could to make things very comfortable and quick. The Peritoneal port goes in through the cavity and inserted through the belly. As the port heals the skin cells form and grow around the port and it makes the port second skin. Tim has to simply wash around the port and cover it with a gauze every other day and just watch for infection. He has a 18 inch tube that surrounds his body which he just tapes to stay out of his way and other than that it doesn't look or feel too out of place. The biggest problem with Peritoneal Dialysis is peritonitis which is inflammation of the peritoneal cavity and can be treated with antibiotics. The best way to prevent this is to be extra clean and to closely monitor any redness, tenderness and swelling of the area. There is a special solution that is bleach and water that if washed for a minute will kill the bacteria that grows inside of the tube. within seconds bacteria can multiply from 1 to 5 and within an hour will grow to over a million. This is important to know when washing your hands and just keeping a clean area with anything.. not just cleaning your area prior to dialysis. Anyway because he has been filtering his body and removing the toxins his blood pressure has significantly dropped which makes pill taking a lot less.. with the beginning he was taking 14 medications in the morning, 3 with every meal and 6 at night before bed. Now he takes 4 during the morning, 3 per meal, and 2 at night. His blood pressure is at a perfect state. He does however experience Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) which may have come from the blood pressure spike in August.
       I wanted to write a little bit about Tachycardia for those who may experience rapid heart rate. This is without exercise or exertion... Arrythmias have three different types.. Tachycardia (too fast of a heart beat) Bradycardia (too slow of a heartbeat) and  or irregular heartbeat.  Normally your heart can beat normally without the heart working  and harder than what is needed. you have a SA node (a sinus node) that is your own personal pacemaker. Nerves message your heart to beat faster or slower when needed. Problems that can cause Arrhythmias include Atrial Fibrillation (flutter) Heart blocking, sick sinus syndrome, and/or wolff-Parkinson-white syndrome.
   The risks of getting arrhymias varies greatly depending on  blood chemistry imbalances, weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), heart failure, overactive thyroid gland, and past heart attacks. You can also have arrhythmias from subtances  or drugs including amphetamines, caffeine, cocaine, beta blockers, sympathomimetics.

Symptoms seem like every other issue these days, Chest pain, fainting, Fast or slow heart beat, light headedness, paleness, shortness of breath, skipping beats, and sweating.

You can take tests to determine if you have this condition. Tests include ECG echocardiogram, electrophysioligy study, or a coronary angiography.

Complications: Angina, Heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and sudden death

prevention can be a well balanced diet and exercise and NOT SMOKING!!

You can check your pulse by having a second hand watch.. count the beats for 15 seconds and multiple by 4.. that determines how many beats per minute you are averaging. Do this when you have not walked around or exercised. Your heart rate will increase if you are working out or walking around. If it is higher than 120-160 when you are not walking around and doing much of anything check with your doctor to have a test done. This can be treated by either a pace maker, some electro stimulation and can help save your life.

-Jackie

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002091/