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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Are Rapid Heartbeats Palpitations? (Followup)
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 Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Are Rapid Heartbeats Palpitations? (Followup)
by Beverly-in-PCA, Dec 23, 1998 12:00AM
Posted By Beverly in PPCA on December 17, 1998 at 21:22:17:
In Reply to: Re: Are Rapid Heartbeats Palpitations? posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on December 17, 1998 at 13:15:54:
Dear Dr. APS,
While I was waiting for your response I looked for other information about rapid heartbeat, and found references to stress causing rapid heartbeat. But the references didn't seem to be talking about a prolonged period (in fact, one said if it was more than 1 hour to call medical provider), nor did they mention the night episodes. Is it possible that what I'm experiencing is merely caused by stress? I can't relate previous episodes to anything specific, but early last week my husband had prostate surgery (so he could pee better, not for cancer). I'm sorry I didn't include this information before but I didn't think of it until after I had submitted the question. Also, thank you for your time to answer my ????
Beverly
In Reply to: Re: Are Rapid Heartbeats Palpitations? posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on December 17, 1998 at 13:15:54:
Dear Dr. APS,
While I was waiting for your response I looked for other information about rapid heartbeat, and found references to stress causing rapid heartbeat. But the references didn't seem to be talking about a prolonged period (in fact, one said if it was more than 1 hour to call medical provider), nor did they mention the night episodes. Is it possible that what I'm experiencing is merely caused by stress? I can't relate previous episodes to anything specific, but early last week my husband had prostate surgery (so he could pee better, not for cancer). I'm sorry I didn't include this information before but I didn't think of it until after I had submitted the question. Also, thank you for your time to answer my ????
Beverly
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD DLB, Dec 23, 1998 12:00AM
Dear Beverly,
PACs are simply intermittent extra heart beats that can give the sense of a palpitation but they do not raise the heart rate.
The runs of palpitations your are experiencing are something different and require further evaluation (event recorder or 24-48 holter monitor)
to rule out an arrhythmia that needs treatment different than what you are getting. Good Luck and speak with your physician in the near future regarding
these new symptoms.
I hope that this information has been helpful, please write back with any further questions.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only, actual diagnosis and treatment
can only be made by your physician(s).
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Dear Beverly
Palpitations can be caused by fast heart rates, irregular heart rates, or skipped beats. Your symptoms sound concerning and I agree with the other CCF doctor that you need to be evaluated for an arrhythmia with a Holter monitor or an event recorder (portable EKG machines). Stress can certainly contribute to palpitations, but this is not the first thing I would think of as a cause - your doctor needs to make sure that you do not have anything more serious than PACs.
Furthermore, hypoglycemia can cause a rapid heartbeat. Medicines like Inderal can blunt the body’s normal response to hypoglycemia. Finally, I am wary of the diagnosis of reactive hypoglycemia. If you are really having hypoglycemic episodes (an unusual situation) you need to see an endocrinologist to make sure you do not have a serious disorder.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
