Weird Cardiac Event - Pots?

[icthus]

I picked up a few 3-foot branches weighing less than 5 pounds total and carried them 80 feet to the curb. Halfway there, I was breathing as if I had just sprinted 100 yards. This sounds like POTS except my pulse never went higher than 100 pbm and the pulse was extremely weak. There was no serious angina (only a baby elephant sitting on the chest). I continued to pant and feel extremely weak for the next 10 minutes. I had to slowly walk around the room to keep from feeling like I was going to pass out. The pulse remained weak as well.

I have an appt with a cardiac specialist tomorrow. I anticipate that he'll dismiss it yet he is an outstanding physician, just with only 1-2 POTs patients. He's very open to input and options. Any thoughts to give him? What is going on? Does this happen to you?

Thanks -

Cathy

[Ernie]

Hi,

I have the same problem and the cardiologist never found anything wrong with my heart. I cannot carry more than 5-8 pounds otherwise I faint.

[MelissaCrystal]

The thing that causes me the most energy loss is going up and down because my blood pressure drops and causes my system a lot of stress. My heart rate doesn't go insanely high but having it in the 90s at all times is tiring.

[EarthMother]

I tend to feel breathless also if I try carrying something or sometimes just even walking around. My lungs feel clear. I can still take a deep breath, no problem. But it just feels like I don't have enough oxygen. If I sit/lay down it goes away in 15 minutes or so.

Good luck with your cardio appt. tomorrow.

[flop]

When we carry things the muscles need extra blood supply and extra oxygen to let them do the work of carrying the object. Although 5 pounds isn't a lot of weight it does make your arm muscles work hard, especially if the objects are large or awkward shaped (your arms are further from your body).

I find carrying anything very hard work. Frustrating as I can do my own grocery shopping but I can't get it the short distance from the car to my flat. I either have to take small loads over several trips over a few hours (with rests ++ between trips) or get someone else to carry it for me.

I have found the best ways of moving heavy things are either using wheels (shopping trolley, wheeled suitcase) or using a rucksack/shoulder bag so the weight is hanging on my body rather than in my arms. Carrying boxes is the worst for me.

Flop

[Megan]

When I got diagnosed at Mayo clinic, I was told to try not to carry too much weight (I dont' remember if they gave me a specific limit) but I do know that if I carry baskets of laundry, etc, I get out of breath very quickly and it takes me a while to recover.

Meg