Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Irregular Heart Rate And Low Appetite In A Person With Normal BP?
Question: My heart is beating very hard -- I can feel it all through my chest and it hurts. My blood pressure is ok. I don't have much of an appetite and have lost 20 pounds recently without trying. My heart has been doing this for a few months now.
Brief Answer:
needs investigations
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned.
Irregular heart rate is normally investigated with ECG, holter (24 hour ECG) and blood tests for complete blood count and thyroid disease.
The complete blood count is done to check for anemia. Anemia and high thyroid hormone levels can cause increase in heart rate.
If you've had these investigations and they are normal then the increase in heart rate is not likely related to any serious condition.
The unintentional weight loss also needs investigation to determine the cause. Normally , this would also require complete blood count, thyroid tests, ESR (checks for inflammation/infection/cancer), liver function tests , calcium, creatinine (Checks the kidney).
Imaging ( colonoscopy or imaging of abdomen by ultrasound or chest x ray) may also be needed.
The type of imaging would depend on where the majority of symptoms are located.
Unintentional weight loss can be due to: (1) cancer
(2)autoimmune disease such as lupus, rheumatoid ar
(3)depression with associated loss of appetite
(4)diabetes
(5)persistent infection
(6)liver failure
(7)chronic kidney disease
(8)hyperthyroidism- increase thyroid hormone
Summary: (1)there are tests that can check up the increased heart rate- ECG, holter, complete blood count, thyroid
(2)complete blood count, thyroid tests, liver function tests, creatinine, imaging
would assess for weight loss
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
needs investigations
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned.
Irregular heart rate is normally investigated with ECG, holter (24 hour ECG) and blood tests for complete blood count and thyroid disease.
The complete blood count is done to check for anemia. Anemia and high thyroid hormone levels can cause increase in heart rate.
If you've had these investigations and they are normal then the increase in heart rate is not likely related to any serious condition.
The unintentional weight loss also needs investigation to determine the cause. Normally , this would also require complete blood count, thyroid tests, ESR (checks for inflammation/infection/cancer), liver function tests , calcium, creatinine (Checks the kidney).
Imaging ( colonoscopy or imaging of abdomen by ultrasound or chest x ray) may also be needed.
The type of imaging would depend on where the majority of symptoms are located.
Unintentional weight loss can be due to: (1) cancer
(2)autoimmune disease such as lupus, rheumatoid ar
(3)depression with associated loss of appetite
(4)diabetes
(5)persistent infection
(6)liver failure
(7)chronic kidney disease
(8)hyperthyroidism- increase thyroid hormone
Summary: (1)there are tests that can check up the increased heart rate- ECG, holter, complete blood count, thyroid
(2)complete blood count, thyroid tests, liver function tests, creatinine, imaging
would assess for weight loss
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
