flutters in chest

[chase6407]

I get these weird flutters or vibrations in my chest behind the sternum they normaly only last a few seconds and they feel like my heart skips beats or something and while i get them i get a weird feeling in my arms but my pulse seems to be normal and my BP is normal right after and I've had a bunch of different heart work ups ekg's, ecg's, stress test, holter monitor, and blood work so it just doesn't make any sense and really screws with my anxiety so i guess my question is could this still be heart related? and is there any other tests i should ask my doctor about? I'm only 23 and have lived with chest pains for two years and now this any help will be highly appreciated thanks

[erijon]

That's true, they would have shown up on a holter. The fact that they did not means it is NOT a heart rhythm issue. It could very well be a digestive issue, but yes esophageal spasms are very painful an mimic a heart attack.

I don't see anything here that would make me think your issues are heart related. If they were, you would have many other symptoms. I know that from time to time I feel a "bubbling" sensation under my sternum, but when I check my pulse it is normal so I know it's not my heart. I have asked the cardiologists where I volunteer about it and they have all told me it is most likely gas, not very glamorous I'm afraid.

[chase6407]

i had these flutters while i was wearing the holter monitor and my doc said there was absolutely nothing abnormal in my test results so im hoping they're right and its not my heart they think i migh thave g.e.r.d. and said they may be esophigus spasms but from everything i gather esophigus sp[asms are suppose to hurt?thanks for your imput it really helps

[erijon]

These sound like completely normal and benign PVC's, PAC's or atrial flutter. About half the people out there have them. Some can feel them more than others. Based on your age and test results there is very little chance this is a heart condition especially with the absence of any other symptoms.  Any additional test will not really tell you anything new in addition the next level of tests get more invasive.

One last thought, most doctors will not do unnecessary tests for a very good reason. The more tests taken, the greater the chance for a false positive which will lead to other invasive and unnecessary tests. From what you posted, this does not sound heart related in any way. I spend most of my time in the heart disease community so feel free to let me know if I can help answer any questions.

Jon

[cookiezangou]

i get those flutters, too, except i don't exercise.  heart doc said to stop drinking caffeine, so i drink decaf.  still get flutters, so when i feel the flutter or the weird lub dub of my heartbeat, i bear down, with my breath, like i'm taking a dump and that seems to nip them in the bud.  go see a heart doc to rule out any other concerns.