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It's 15 minutes to 10am here in Berlin, almost the whole night I've been having my pulse crash to a low 30 then QUICKLY(!) rise to 100+. I

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Berlin Köpenick, DE

Despise each and every episode! It feels awful, breathing gets labored, I get shaky, altered, very weak, that's how unliving must feel like. Does anybody have acute episodes like I had last night and in the past a couple of times? What's going on, it's a flare for sure, but can anybody explain the pathology behind the incident? Thanks 👋🏼😃

February 8
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A MyLupusTeam Member
February 8
A MyLupusTeam Member

Natasha, I have seen this in a few patients without lupus, although lupus can cause it, too. It's called tachy-brady syndrome, and it's caused by a diseased conduction system in the heart. The conduction system is the electrical "wiring" that keeps our heart rate regulated, and scarring or other issues can cause this.

Cardiologists generally treat this with a combination of a pacemaker to take over when the rate gets too low, along with medication to prevent the rate from getting too high (such as beta-blockers or certain calcium channel blockers).

Have you seen your cardiologist about this yet? Rest assured, this is treatable.😘

February 8
A MyLupusTeam Member

@A MyLupusTeam Member

February 8
A MyLupusTeam Member

Love, hugs, and prayers for you Natasha.💜❤️💙

February 8
MyLupusTeam

Are these rapid pulse changes related to lupus flares?

What you're experiencing sounds incredibly distressing. Yes, other MyLupusTeam members have reported similar episodes with heart palpitations, shakiness, weakness, and breathing difficulties, especially during flares.

The symptoms you describe - pulse dropping to 30 then Show Full Answer

Are these rapid pulse changes related to lupus flares?

What you're experiencing sounds incredibly distressing. Yes, other MyLupusTeam members have reported similar episodes with heart palpitations, shakiness, weakness, and breathing difficulties, especially during flares.

The symptoms you describe - pulse dropping to 30 then rapidly jumping to 100+, shakiness, weakness, and labored breathing - could be related to lupus affecting your cardiovascular system. Heart palpitations are commonly reported during lupus flares and can feel like racing, fluttering, or skipped beats.

Some members experience these episodes when their lupus symptoms worsen:
- "I do get them during my flares, and they're alarming! Deep breathing and changing my position helps"
- "I experience fluttering, and it feels like skipped beats. When this happens, I feel weak and more fatigued"

The shakiness and tremors you mention can also occur during lupus flares or with neuropsychiatric lupus, which affects the brain and nerves. This requires immediate medical attention

However, the extreme pulse changes you're describing - dropping to 30 and rapidly rising to 100+ - combined with labored breathing, weakness, and feeling altered are serious symptoms that need urgent evaluation.

You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience:
- Sudden difficulty catching your breath
- Pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest, jaw, neck, or shoulders
- Passing out after palpitations

As one member wisely shared about going to the ER: "It's way better to go to the ER and be told, 'Your heart is fine, it's just a symptom of XYZ' and know that for the future than not go and worry or actually have a serious problem."

Please contact your doctor or rheumatologist today to discuss these episodes. They can determine if this is lupus-related or if there's another cardiac issue that needs treatment.

February 8

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