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20 years
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I have recently been suffering from tachycardia after having lunch or even a small snack. My pulse is 85. I suffer from a concomitant fatigue.
Sep 30, 2014
2nd opinion

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
Elevated heart rate, or tachycardia, associated with fatigue, raises the suspicion for possible underlying anemia. When you are anemic, you have lower than normal counts of red blood cells (the cells that carry oxygen to tissues and take away carbon dioxide from them to throw it out via respiration). A lower than normal RBC count forces the heart muscle to pump harder and faster to meet the demands of the body organs; this phenomenon becomes more accentuated after meals as the digestion process by itself requires effort and thus some calories. To rule out anemia, a complete blood count plus iron studies (serum iron, ferritin, and total iron binding capacity) should be done. If a source of bleeding (besides menses) is suspected, like from the gut due to an ulcer for example, this should be addressed.
Another possibility is that of an over-active thyroid gland, which indices an elevation in the pulse, heat intolerance, unintended weight loss, and skin dryness. Thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) will confirm or refute this possibility.
Other issues to be taken into account include:
- adequate hydration (drinking enough fluids per day),
- caffeine intake (if you consume too much caffeine, including coffee, coke/pepsi, chocolate, tea, you should limit your intake)
- stress
If you have family history of:
- Diabetes at an early age, and have associated dizziness, sweating, excessive thirst, and you're urinating a lot, you should test your blood glucose
- Disease in heart rhythm at an early age (Arrhythmias): an electrocardiogram may be advised
If all the above prove negative, then it is dysautonomia, whereby your autonomic nervous system, the branch of the nervous system responsible for regulating the functions of the heart, gut and lungs, is acting up. It's benign and not worrisome.
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