Medical question (heart palpitations)

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Anyone out there who has any medical experience: When do I need to worry about heart palpitations? I have a mild anxiety disorder and a slight heart murmur and have always had these flutters as a teen, less so as a young adult, and now they seem to be picking back up. I realize that stress is probably the cause (new career, etc) but was wondering if any health prefessional has any general advice about frequency or severity that calls for a check up or not. Please note that I understand that on-line prescriptions and diagnoses are taboo and am not asking for such. Just some good advice. Don't have much money and my thru-job insurance is wimpy, so I want to waste no money either through ingnoring a bad situation, or needlessly squandering money on unneccessary checkups. Ps, it seems to happen a lot at the computer, could the EM radiation be setting it off?

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000

Answers

Soni, The homesteading lifestyle does NOT include risking your health or life, see a doctor on this one, even if its just a walk in clinic. We're just a bunch with common interests who discuss topics and interject our opinions, but health problems need an opinion backed by a diploma that you can see in person. GL

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), August 28, 2000.

Absolutely!!! Anyone is one heartbeat away from being dead.

-- Ken S. in TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 28, 2000.

i know that health care is expensive, but dying is not an inexpensive alternative. see a health care profesional, my dad didn't and had a heart attack. it could be absolutely nothing but the stress you have worrying about it is not making you any healthier. once the dr. says your o.k. you can go on along a happier person. God bless.

-- Amber (ambrosia75_@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000.

I have heart palpitations. I hate to tell you but I would only suggest going to a cardiologist for this, otherwise you'll probably only get referred anyway. There may be a couple ways they can detect it thru different tests, one of which is called the king of hearts. You wear a monitor 24 hrs. a day and punch a button when you feel your heart acting up and it will monitor even 20 seconds before the spell. Otherwise you can maybe keep a home diary and see if they would accept that. They'll tell you to stay away from caffeine and yes, stress can bring it on. The problem with this is these palps. can bring on more severe heart rythum if not under control. I see my cardiologist only once a year now but have a family doctor that when I see him he always sends me home with all these free samples of what I take. Real nice of him and saves me $. Palpitations is a form of heart disease and if you already have a murmor, you have enough going on. Sounds like it's genetic. I know ours is. GOOD LUCK but use some common sense on this one.

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), August 28, 2000.

Please see a doctor!Yes,it could be stress related.Then again... My Grandma died at 53(almost 54)from heart failure.She never saw a doctor except to give birth.They said that if she had been seeing a doctor she could've lived alot longer.Please don't worry about the money;find a good doctor and get checked out.If I had any money to give you,I would...Sorry to cause more stress... May God bless you and keep you,May he cause His face to shine upon you,may he fill you with His peace that passes all understanding, ~~~Tracy~~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), August 28, 2000.


I forgot to mention that I was told that alot of people have palpitations but don't feel them. Do they happen even after heavy lifting and exercize or does it only seem to be stress related?

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), August 28, 2000.

Soni! Pat is correct! A G.P. might miss your problem. Mine did! Your life is worth much more than the cost. I just went through the stress test again last Dec and the insurance company decided not to pay it. Well, I'm still alive and payin the tab. All told close to $4,000 but well worth it. My advice?---SEE A CARDIOLOGIST IMMEDIATELY! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 28, 2000.

I would agree with the others although for a different reason. If this is happening when you are still rather than when you are exerting yourself it is probably benign. I have them and I went the whole cardiologist route and he pronounced me healthy. For years my mother has had this and the told here she had mitro valve prolapse. they put her on medication for years, and it turns out she doesn't have the deformity after all. That sure didn't make them take her off the medication though. Oh no, they keep her on that medication for something that she doesn't even have. Be careful. Get all the info. Get a second opinion. As for me the cardiologist says that some women have palpatations related to their cycles. My advice is that when it starts to bother you take a very warm bath in some calgon and relax. Caffiene and nutrasweet are definite no nos. Also get plenty of exercise. I have a lot more when I spend a lot of time inactive. Still get a medical opinion, because if it related to anxiety it will help you reassure yourself that a doctor said you were fine. And remember were here until God says otherwise. If you have a real problem this way it will get caught, and if you don't you'll still feel a lot better.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), August 28, 2000.


Soni: When I was young I had that anxiety thing and the heart Palpitations. Plus migraines to top it off. Anyway it was just stress, so my doc convinced me to go to relaxation classes. For the last 25 yrs I take an hour everyday and just deep breath and relax. Its a learned thing like everything else. Today I'm very very good at it!!! I would venture to say most people know how to work hard but most never learn how to relax. If everything checks out physically maybe look in this area......Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), August 28, 2000.

Soni, I used to get weird fluttery sensations in my "chest" which of course freaked me out. I went to my doc finally, and found out that my pyloric valve (stomach) acts up once in a while. I was glad I found out b/c I then relaxed more (took some meds for a while, tho.) Go to a doc, at least; a cardiologist if you can; and find out. You'll feel better, one way or the other just by knowing. Guessing is just anxiety producing.

Let us know how things are going, since you are so well appreciated on this forum and we care about you!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), August 28, 2000.



I have these--not as much as what I used to, thank the Lord--but I found out that I cannot take anything with echeniea or euphedrine (it's commercial equivalent). It is in a lot of cold-allergy medications, an makes my heart pound. I thought I was just weird, but I have met others that it does that to. Are you taking any of these meds?

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000.

There's a difference in gas bubbles coming up along side the heart and causing it to flip flop and the palpitations that are caused by an "electrical" flaw of the heart. One is treated with stomach meds to take care of all the acid & gas and the other is to treat the malfunctions of the heart. I hate to sound like a nut but I've had both and know from experience the difference between the two. Start watching closely to see if you have air bubbles building up and causing this or see if you can differ between the two. Only you can figure out which is going on. Regardless of the outcome, something needs to be taken care of.

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), August 28, 2000.

Soni, I have had heart palpatations as well. I don't have any insurance, so what I did was really be aware of everything I eat and when the palpitations occur. I just read an article on excittoxins in processed food and MSG related food additives. "Natural flavorings" is one of the things that can cause an MSG allergy reaction. Also, flourescent lighting affects me in a similar way. If you want the article, please email me and I will send it to you.

If you have insurance I would say that using it to help you narrow this down would be a good idea. The one thing modern medicine is super good at is diagnostics!

-- Doreen (liberty546@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000.


Pretty sure it's palpitations, as I got rather dizzy the other day during a disconcertingly long one (probably all of 2 seconds, but scary). I do get them mostly when laying down and always feel a little chest uneasyness at the computer, which propmted my other ?.

Thanks ever so much for your concerned advice. I think I'll take y'alls advice and high tail it to a cardio. Don't s'pose it could hurt to have a baseline check-up to compare later irregularities to in any case. I'll figure out a way to pay for it somehow. At least it beats paying with my life. Love you all, and Sheepish, you made my day by saying I was appreciated on the forum. I finally feel like I have a family away from home here and am glad to see that I'm not imagining it!

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000.


Soni! I didn't know there was any doubt about you bein part of this bunch of weird people!!!! Of course we're weird -accordin to high kaflootin peoples,-but we're happy and that's all that matters! Now that that's settled--go see that card. man. We'll all pick up pop cans to help ya pay'm. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 28, 2000.


Hi Soni,

This has been going on to me for some time now, like everyone else see a doctor, but come off caffeine. Check any medication, lots of things that you take over the counter has caffeine in it. Tea, drinks, you name it. If I drink real cokes or coffee, then by the time I lay down at night, I can bet the flutters will start. If you do drink or use caffeine, keep a record, and see if you have flutters that night. If you don't have any caffeine see what happens, and write that down. Caffeine is very habit forming, and after about a week, your body will start to remove it from your system. This would be great to be able to show a doctor before you see him, puts you ahead one visit. First thing he will do is say come off caffeine and lets see what happens.

The doctor's visit rules out any bad things, and getting off caffeine will only help you.

Beth (NC)

-- Beth (NC) (craig@icu2.net), August 28, 2000.


It's me again. I've been thinking about this and I am wondering if it caused by your stomach. You said it usually happens when you lay down. That is a perfect time the acid and air would move to that part of your body, putting pressure in that area and causing your heart to flutter. Have you tried propping yourself up at night to see if it still happens or taking ant-acid tablets before you go to bed? Just trying to make sure we don't skip a beat here. If you set up right after the flutter, do you burp? I know this all sounds really goofy but I had to pin point this kind of stuff myself and it ended up being 2 seperate problems, not just one. Pay close attention!! Setting in front of the computer would also make sense cause you're not moving and bending and moving along all that bottled up gas. ok, I'll shut up now. (maybe)

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), August 28, 2000.

Soni, Like the others said , this is "Countryside , www , nicest homestead city around. No mayor, no council, just a town meeting. Now git to the cardio. Hope its nothin.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), August 29, 2000.

I had "fluttering" in my heart off and on for years, but they could never figure out what was wrong because it would never happen when I went to the Docs! Everything would always check out fine and they'd say I was fit as a fiddle. Finally, it happened that the fluttering continued and wouldn't stop...I went to the ER and they hooked me up to all kinds of contraptions and discovered I had PAC = premature atrial contraction, which in reality is an extra beat. A totally benign problem which doesn't need treating...but just to know what the heck was going on has helped reduce my stress and worry....

go get it checked out for your own peace of mind...

it'll help. Get it resolved and move on with your life.

Truthfully, it'll help the condition because the very fact you are concerned is an added stressor that feeds the problem.

Pretty much a concensus of opinion here: get it checked out by a cardio guy.

-- JimR (jroberts1@cas.org), August 29, 2000.


Upon reconsideration, I'd have to say that it happens more when sitting (driving and comp, usually) than when laying down. Burp? No. Cough, involuntarily, and that usually stops it, although not that last time. Of course, couldn't sleep last night thinking about it!!! Sheesh, the mind of an anxiety sufferer causes more grief than the stuff its worried about. Kept "coming to" as I would doze off, my body conviced I was going to have a heart attack. It was just indigestion last night, no flutters, but sitting here now, I can feel a subtle, oh I don't know what exactly - pressure, maybe, or just my imagination maybe. Of course today was the first REAL workday on the new job, all training up to this point. Got little sleep (wheeee), had to get up way too early to drop hubby off at work 1/2 hour in the OTHER direction, before hightailing it up the interstate during prime morning traffic in a 15 year old Volvo, got lost immediately after dropping him off (he's painting McMansions in a new McVillage, so the roads are cryptic at best) and had to flag down a local to guide me out to the main hwy. Stress? What stress? With a morning commute like this, there's no way in *$&(#)$* I'm giving up my morning cuppa (just one little mug of tea, honest!). I'd kill someone out of withdrawal, if not snoozing while merging. (ps: got to work off some road terror by tearing apart some shelving with a prybar at work. Felt much better. I swear it takes me 10 minutes after I get off of the Interstate to pull my seat cushion out of my posterior where sheer terror has sucked it up. Beats the Buns of Steel videos all to (&$*$%#%^).

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 29, 2000.

you said you felt dizzy. have your blood suger tested for diabetes. they have one test they can do right there and then one they send away that can show your blood sugar levels from the past 3 months. you usually have to ask for the second test.

-- Amber (ambrosia75_@hotmail.com), August 29, 2000.

WHOOSH!!!! Soni your last post was enough to get my heart a racing. Wheres my cat I need to chill out! Ha......Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), August 29, 2000.

Soni, This happens to me too. I have had it checked out. It's been happening for years. Usually last for a second and if you cough it will usually stop? Can happen anytime at all. If you are doing really hard physical labor,sometimes it is worse or maybe more frequent? Sometimes it will wake you up at night? Basically you never know when it will happen. Sort of feels like little flutters or jitters in your heart. Once mine started doing that and lasted for a long time. Like off and on for the whole day. SCARED ME BAD! Made me feel really tired too.I was used to them stopping. So went to DR. and he gave me these little pills ( I can't remember what they were called, but on the bottle it said for nervousness) I took one and it stopped. It has never happened again where it didn't stop. I threw the pills away finally because they got old. I have had this problem for years but I should say I have had no pain with it. You should have it checked out just to be safe.

-- Bonnie (josabo1@juno.com), August 30, 2000.

Wow Soni!You've stressed me out reading your last response! Please do not waste time.See a good dr. soon-for your own peace of mind.Of course,it could all be stress,but you need to know that.

Before I accepted Jesus as saviour,I was prone to terrible panic attacks!Sweating,crying,heart-pounding,sure you are going to die panic attacks.Yes,I was a pretty messed up individual.But it's dangerous to assume that you are merely stressed out...

Please keep us posted.I'm sure many are praying for you.I pray, even now, that you will find out soon whether it is heart related.I pray that you would be kept in His tender care.That you would know His peace-for He is our peace.Cast your cares upon Him for He CARES for you Soni!Trust HIM-He alone is worthy.God bless you,~~~Tracy~~~

One additional thought:Do you notice any change in your breathing preceding these flutters?Perhaps you are hyperventilating-you'd be surprised what symptoms hyperventilation causes!My sister,age 24, lives a WILD life.She recently had to get tested for heart problems and even MS because of her symptoms-the dx.:stress![She also is prone to hyperventilation when stressed.]Regardless,Please get it checked out,and keep us posted!

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), August 30, 2000.


Hi, Soni. I too have an anxiety disorder. When I stress-out I can feel a tightening in my chest and often into my arms and legs. For awhile before I got on meds my fingers were almost constantly tingling like they weren't getting enough blood. I never really discussed it with the doc since it went away when I went on meds (Paxil). But I think it was a reaction to adrenaline. Folks like you and me don't have "normal" reactions to stress. I also noticed it's worse when I'm on the computer - probably because that means I'm either working on something stressful (finances, etc) or I'm not getting stuff done that I ought to be doing (guilt). I agree to getting a checkup but while you're at it, see about getting meds for anxiety or changing the dose if you're already on them. They're real expensive but my life isn't even the same - I can do things I never thought possible.

Good luck.

-- Deborah (ActuaryMom@hotmail.com), August 30, 2000.


"heart palpitations"...The heart works via an electrical impulse which is supposed to start at the top and go thru the middle to the bottom.There are a group of cardiac cells called the SA node in the top of the heart which originate this impulse. Sometimes, another group of cells located elsewhere in the heart muscle will "speak up" and cause the impulse to either skip a beat of add an additional beat. If this occurs too often, one will feel a flutter, or a missed beat.If the beat is fast, your heart will race.Sometimes an impulse center will refuse to respond to its' neighbor, so the heart will slow down.This is called "heart block".A heart murmur is just a noise. Instead of "lub dub", there may be a whoosh sound inbetween or during or after the heartbeat.Murmurs without symptoms of fainting or lightheadedness USUALLY mean nothing.Some folks have an irregular heartbeat without any heart disease,per se.ANYBODY who has a feeling of fluttering in the heart should be seen by a qualified medical person and should be tested for heart disease. Coughing will get rid of BOTH serious and benign irregular heart beats.Most folks who suffer anxiety attacks will have a fast heart rate with them, tingling of the extrenities due to hyperventilation,etc.Too much caffine and nicotine, in sensitive individuals (along with MSG), can also cause cardiac problems.A person needs to know exactly which catagory of irregular heartbeat they have. The deadly ones mimic the ho hum ones, and vice versa..I would strongly advise seeking an appointment with a cardiologist as soon as possible.Now, if he or she tests you and all is well, then believe it to be so.God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@gateway.net), August 30, 2000.

i know what it is like to have to pay for medical expenses but let me tell you a little story about me. in feb. 1999 i was getting ready to go to work and started having chest pains again, i had had some mild pain before but not like this. i have been certified to teach cpr for almost 15 years by the aha. this night i could have used my class notes as far as the symtoms were concerned. you know chest pain, pain in left arm, shortness of breath etc. so i called 911 and went to my driveway to wait but on the way i collapsed and waited laying on the ground. i was transported to a hospital and spent some time in icu and had a lot of tests and an eight hundred dollar ambulance bill. in the ambulance i was running some irregular heart beats on the ekg. to make a long storey a little shorter i do have some cardiac problems but at present it is not life threatening. however as i did not know besides the aprox. $1000 in tests ran at the hospital i also had an er bill, ambulance bill and time in icu. which all came to almost $4000 total. i am paying this off at $60 per month. my advice is get it checked out because the extra stress you are going to will get you in for the tests the same way i did.

you will not save any money by putting it off it will cost you more money. and more importantly could cost you your life. GET IT CHECKED OUT AND SOON!!!! gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), September 01, 2000.


Hi Soni,Just wondering how you are doing...I hope you'll let us know. God Bless you,~~~Tracy~~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), September 02, 2000.

Doing okay, thanks. Have to wait for my insurance card to come in before I can get checked out. Beginning to suspect stress, as I have been having panic attacks at night lately. I will get it checked out anyway though, just in case. I'm going to see if that Aluna herbal sleep aid will help with the panic attacks. Spent last night in a terror because a mosquito bit me on the lip (oh joy) and when it swelled up, somehow my anxiety (it's really like a seperate, stupid entity, isn't it) became convinced I was in the throws of a massive allergic reaction to something. What, I asked it? I ate nothing untoward all day and I'm not allergic to mosquitos or any other insects. Don't know, it wailed pitifully, but we're all gonna die!!!! Such fun. Needless to say, I survived, albeit with a swollen and itchy lip. We've got those gnat sized biters that aren't troubled by screens, just walk on in. You can't sleep for all the biting. AAARGHH!

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), September 03, 2000.

Good God it's 2:38 and I can't sleep because everytime I lay down my heart flutters beat..beat..beat..beat..beat.beat.beat..beat..beat.

I can't handle it. I've been to the doctor one time, he sent me to the hospital and I had the ultrasound and the take home shave your chest hook up.... they found nothing. The day that I wore the device I didn't personally notice anything.

There are somedays where nothing happens. Then other nights I can't do anything but sit up and worry about my heart stopping dead in my chest.... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I'm only 27.

What does everyone do for these, what are all the solutions. I'm thinking about packing it up and running to the emmergency room.

Well thanks for any replies or answers to this post.

Take care all of you.

Dan

-- Dan Dehner (Dan@labwerks.com), July 11, 2001.


I have had Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) most of my adult life. When this happens my heartbeat can be as high as 300+ beats per minute. When it first starts I get a dizzy feeling and feel like I might pass out although I have never actually done that. I also feel a lot of pressure in my upper chest/throat area. It used to scare me nearly to death everytime it would happen. Sometimes it would last a few seconds but 10 to 15 minutes it not unusual. One day, it lasted 12 hours. I had no idea what to do and ended up in the emergency room on a heart monitor. After three shots of valium it finally stopped. Fortunately the ER nurse suggested next time this happens to try a precedure of holding my breath and "bearing down" as if I were trying to have a BM. (There is a name from this precedure but I can't remember what it is.) This works every time!! Now, when I have an "attack" I use this precedure and the rapid heart beat stops and returns to normal. As soon as it stops I immediately feel better. No more dizzy feeling or pressure.

The doctor had me wear a heart monitor for three days. Of course, I didn't get a single flutter during that time. He also prescribed the equivaliant of foxglove but that neither prevents it or stops it, so I opted to not take it. Don't like taking any medication on a daily basis, especially one that neither prevents or stops a condition. I've had this condition for 30 years and have had no lasting damage to my heart. According to the doctor, the heart which is a muscle like any other muscle can get overworked when it's moving extra fast. Like if you were to move your arm muscle rapidly up and down for hours on end, it would eventually cause damage. So the trick is to stop the rapid beating asap.

I would definitely see a doctor about this, but also ask about using this precedure. It works for me, so I just live with this and no longer worry about it.

Thanks for reading.

-- Trevilians (Trevilians@mediaone.net), July 13, 2001.


Has anyone seen the doctor and the doctor has positively identified the cause and cured the problem? From all these posts, I am not sure if the Dr has done anything to explain why this is happening... Sort of "try this and it should help"... "Oh, it didn't, let's try another one..." Personally, my Dr. has never been able to diagnose anything... My heart never jumps this when I am hooked up with an EKG.... Sigh

-- sarah (jj66@yahoo.com), August 13, 2001.

About 2 years ago I was employed as courier which required me to transport valuable items on flights from city to city, it was very stressful because of the responsibility, constant flying, customs etc. At night I had very unrestful sleep, I would wake up terrified with a pounding heart in the middle of the night, these nights were often preceded by mild flutters during the day. Some nights I would be fine though, it seemed to come in cycles. On more than one occassion I had my wife drive me to the emergency room and was invariably told "you had a panic attack, here's a Xanax" I nevertheless saw a cardiologist convinced I had heart disease. He told me I was healthy as a horse. Then I quit my job. The "heart disease" stopped. I think many times the body protests to our lifestyle in a self preservation mode. I was flying too much, the body didnt think that was safe. Tony Soprano is the head of a Mafia family, nuff said.

-- Maurice Castellanos (maury618@aol.com), February 02, 2002.

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