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Question:
Is it my heart, my blood sugar level, or both that I have to worry about?
Shortly after eating dinner followed by a very rich dessert (cheesecake & whipped cream), I experienced severe, pounding heartbeat and extremely irregular heartbeat. This went on for an hour, after which we called an ambulance to take me to the ER. After doing blood work, they said my glucose level was low (61) and diagnosed me as having non-diabetic hypoglycemia. My glucose level later went up to 91. I don't understand what is going on here; is this just a one-time thing? Is it my heart or my blood sugar level or both that I have to worry about? Does this mean I have an arrhythmia problem with my heart? What should I do?
submitted by Carole from Houston, Texas, on 10/25/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Reynolds M. Delgado III, MD
This could be an endocrine or glandular problem and the fast heart rate may be due to stress from it or it may be a rhythm problem. I would suggest seeing an endocrinologist. Perhaps a heart monitor would be a good idea to identify a possible rhythm problem, so seeing a cardiologist would be good as well.
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Updated October 2009
