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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Can A Heart Just Stop Beating?
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Can A Heart Just Stop Beating?
by JBT, Dec 16, 1999 12:00AM
I know this sounds crazy...but sometimes my heart skips a beat or starts pounding at a slow rate. I had an EKG done in the ER last week when I started experiencing the symptoms. I am 28 yrs old.
Questions:
1) Can an otherwise healthy heart just stop beating? Due to electrical short in system, etc.? Or for that matter, can it speed up so fast that it causes damager /death?
2) Is it possible that I have an arrythmia that was not picked up on the EKG, since I was not experiencing symptoms when they took it?
3) What tests would you recommend?
Questions:
1) Can an otherwise healthy heart just stop beating? Due to electrical short in system, etc.? Or for that matter, can it speed up so fast that it causes damager /death?
2) Is it possible that I have an arrythmia that was not picked up on the EKG, since I was not experiencing symptoms when they took it?
3) What tests would you recommend?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Dec 16, 1999 12:00AM
1. Yes. Sudden cardiac death is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world. However, it typically strikes older people at risk for coronary artery disease.
2. Yes. The enormal ECG is good, but does not rule out an arrhythmia.
3. A Holter monitor, sort of a portable ECG, worn for a day or two. It should allow your doctor to diagnose what is causing your skipped beats.
2. Yes. The enormal ECG is good, but does not rule out an arrhythmia.
3. A Holter monitor, sort of a portable ECG, worn for a day or two. It should allow your doctor to diagnose what is causing your skipped beats.
Or can I wait and do this at my leisure after holidays. This is a very important point for me as I will be travelling internationally during holidays...Thanks for all your help! I have made a donation to your service!!
What does rule out coronary artery disease in a 28 yr old male (only slightly overweight), smoke socially...no other problems or history. Thanks..
I believe heart attacks have no age as neither does death I am also young and had two heart attacks with in two months of each other i smoke but mine was due to stress I did go to ER and I was sent home my ecg and ekg ect were withing normanl but I did get worse and went back and luckly for me I had my first heart attack in the hospital and not at home. good luck and please dont take your problem lightly or put on the back burnner take care of it ................