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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Perry, UT
July 27
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A MyLupusTeam Member

Had a halter monitor last week. Takes about three weeks to have it read. Thanks. Hope you have a good day.

July 29
A MyLupusTeam Member

Thanks, Niranjana, for responding. My oxygen level is normal while resting. Because I already had a heart attack this year, the ER keeps giving me ECG while I am resting. I explained, it is while I’m active. When I walk as little as six steps, I feel faint, have to grab onto something stable and my heart rate goes up to at least 130. I’m worried it might damage my heart, since I was told one chamber of the heart is too slow.
I’m on a beta blocker. My life has become laying resting, I’ve lost 15lbs. My GP is very pro active so she talked to my Internist (we don’t have a Cardiologist in our town) and she is connecting with my Rheumatologist to bring her up to date. I’ve never heard of Autonomic Dysfunction but I’m sure my Rheumatologist has heard of it. I’ll do some internet research on it. I have three doctors, all young women and very sharp. I am 76 yrs old. My husband (he’s ten years younger and looks after me) and I love travel on ocean and river cruises. We have another trip booked for Jan, 1/ 2027 but I have to be able to get around. Thanks again for your message. Hope you are doing ok.

July 28
A MyLupusTeam Member

Joanne, is your oxygen level normal at rest and with exertion? Do you know? Lupus can cause autonomic dysfunction ( a disorder of the "automatic" nervous system that controls our heart rate, bowel motion, etc.), so this is a possibility. Blood clots in the lungs, recurrent coronary artery blockages, and pulmonary hypertension are other possible explanations, and the evaluation planned should detect the last three issues. Autonomic dysfunction would then be a diagnosis based on excluding the other possible causes.

If you're not taking a beta-blocker, you may want to discuss that with your internist while you await the other studies, as it will help control the heart rate. The very rapid heart rate could be causing or at least contributing to your shortness of breath, so you may feel much better on it.

Please keep us posted, and I hope you get answers and relief soon!😘

July 28
MyLupusTeam

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a condition that affects blood flow and can cause a rapid heart rate when standing up. It is recognized as a comorbidity of lupus, meaning some people with lupus do experience it alongside their diagnosis.

Symptoms of POTS that overlap with lupus can include:

- Dizziness or Show Full Answer

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a condition that affects blood flow and can cause a rapid heart rate when standing up. It is recognized as a comorbidity of lupus, meaning some people with lupus do experience it alongside their diagnosis.

Symptoms of POTS that overlap with lupus can include:

- Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Heart palpitations
- Fainting or near-fainting

Many MyLupusTeam members have reported experiencing POTS alongside their lupus. It can sometimes be tricky to manage because some symptoms overlap, making it harder to know which condition is causing what on any given day.

If POTS is suspected, it's worth bringing up with a rheumatologist or cardiologist, as getting the right diagnosis can make a real difference in managing symptoms effectively. Treatment options can include lifestyle changes like increased salt and fluid intake, compression garments, and in some cases, medication.

July 27
A MyLupusTeam Member

@A MyLupusTeam Member maybe something here will help.
https://share.google/aimode/7WNSfnlSVkKDpwI60

Google Search
July 31

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