Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST)
Friday June 5, 2009
Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a condition in which an individual’s resting heart rate is abnormally high (greater than 100 beats per minute), their heart rate increases rapidly with minimal exertion, and their rapid heart rate is accompanied by symptoms of palpitations, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. It is more common in women, and (while one hopes not) this may be why it is all too often written off by doctors as "anxiety." Read about IST, its causes and treatment, here.
Comments
i think that it is utterly wrong for doctors to pass of a condition like this as something as low as anxiety just because we are women. what a sad world this is..
I have IST and I have had it for several years. I am 22 now and I was diagnosed at 17. I firsted experienced symptoms at 16 and I was also told I needed pycho therapy. The doctor basically told me nothing was wrong with me and I was nuts! For a year I suffered with pains and many other symptoms and my doctor continued to tell me I needed counceling. It even got as bad as my license was taken away from me because my doctor sent dmv a letter stating I wasn’t in the right state of mind to drive. This was devastating to me just 16 as I was excited to drive. Finally after a year I found a specialist and was admitted into the hospital for a week of test. I was dignosed and tried a few different meds. I finally found the one for me and now I am able to live with this condition. Some doctors are simply heartless!
I was diagnosed with IST in my 20’s. After 5 sinus nodes ablations, my rhythm stabilized and I was “normal” for a period of two years. While skiing I went into a junctional rhythm. I required placement of a pacemaker. My first pacer was placed in 2000. I have had one revision and am better than ever. I walk/run marathons and continue to ski and do anything I want. I do not require any medication to control my rhythm. My heart continuest to have normal beats from the sinus node, the pacer functions when the sinus node fails. I am pacing 82% of the time.