RLR
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Okay, welcome to the forum and I've read your posting and concerns.
It sounds as though you were treated at some point for Costochondritis, which is an inflammation of the cartilage which joins together the rib structure. The benign palpitations are likely becoming a greater issue to you because of the particular significance you have placed upon them, as well as your perceptions of what the events actually constitute. The sort of apprehension and generalized fearfulness which the events produce can generate certain physiological responses that can sustain and even increase their presence and/or intensity.
When you experience runs of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, also known as SVT or supraventricular tachycardia, what is the extent of your heart rate at that point? No mention is made. The decrease in heart rate and pressure is mostly due to a normal parasympathetic nervous response and does not necessarily indicate pathology unless associated with other symptoms and clinical signs. By example, if you are experiencing thyroid problems, both heart rate and blood pressure can be affected significantly and other changes to body weight, either increase or decrease, over time are common as well. The presence of costochondritis is also common among patients with thyroid or other autoimmune problems.
Unless testing has already been performed, I'd simply suggest that a thyroid profile be among the tests you are undergoing to determine whether an underlying cause is responsible for the variability in heart rate and blood pressure as described.
You'll be fine. Simply work with your primary care physician or specialist to rule out any organic cause for the events. If none is found, then functional causes may be considered.
Best regards,
Rutheford Rane, MD (ret.)
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