|
Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
| |
|
Subject: Re: Chest discomfort and irregular heartbeats I am a 31 year old male, 5' 10" tall and weigh 210 lbs. I don't smoke and my alcohol consumption is about 2 - 3 drinks per week. My workout regimen includes jogging and weight lifting 2 - 3 times per week. For the past several years, I have experienced pressure/discomfort below the sternum area when reclining or lying on my back. If I remain in this position long enough (usually longer than 10 minutes), the pressure continues upward until my heart takes a very hard beat, as if it were trying to push my stomach downward. This unusual beat is sometimes quite painful and disorienting, and I feel as if I am about to pass out, but I feel OK after about 2 minutes. At other times it is almost unnoticeable. A change of position alleviates the condition, and as a result I haven't slept on my back in years. During the past several months, I have had these episodes while exercising and at work (approximately 5 times per week), when I am in an upright position. In every instance that I can remember, the pressure/irregular beat goes away when I burp or belch. This sometimes takes a while, however, and in the interim I get the sensation that a heavy weight is on my chest and I am not getting enough oxygen. I have recorded the episodes for several weeks at a time, and I haven't uncovered any diet related triggers. I have always assumed that since I don't experience pain in this area during strenuous exercise (except for the occasional erratic beat), the problem isn't my heart. I have been tested for a hiatal hernia, and this came back negative. I burp and belch frequently, at least 2 or 3 times per hour, even when I haven't eaten for 12 - 14 hours. I have presented this to a couple of doctors, and they seem unconcerned about the unusual heart activity and focus on reflux and colon motility disorders, but neither have been able to help. Could this be due to an underlying heart condition, or should I not worry about it? I am only concerned about these episodes when they are accompanied by the pain and momentary disorientation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Shawn, Of course there is no way for me to make diagnoses over the internet but I would have to agree with the doctors that you have seen in that this could certainly be due to reflux. I would suggest following up on these leads first before pursuing a cardiac cause. Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist
|
|
[The Heart Forum] [The Heart Forum Archives] |