Chaotic heart rhythm again after being symptom free for a long time

[snarky348]

Hi, 33 yr old male, 110 lbs overweight

3 years ago, with no history of such, I started having skipped heartbeats and somtimes fluttering episodes that would last maybe 5 seconds. EKG/echo normal but symptoms persisted vigorously over the next 18 months or so.

Well, after about 18 months, my symptoms of irregular beats and chest tension mysteriously just disappeared one day.  I went an additional 18 months or so (until last week) basically 98% symptom free,  until:

Until, the other morning very chaotic and disorganized rhythm... it felt like constant skipped beats, most very hard, then some soft beats, speed up slow down...flipping and flopping like a fish out of water.

Sure, I have in the past had this for 5 seconds at the most, but this time it lasted FAR longer than it ever had before, plus I was symptom free for so long (18 months) I thought that I was done with it.   This time, though, the chaotic beating must have lasted the better part of 3 minutes and I even called the paramedics out, but it had stopped by the time they arrived and the 4 lead EKG they did was normal.

Also, after the new 3 minute episode, I felt all day that day that my heart on on the edge of "losing traction" every time I'd move a certain way, such as leaning to the side would hit off a few palpitations (imagine the analogy of thinking your going to sneeze but then you don't...)

One final note, a few weeks ago (before this happened) I was at my doctor complaining of bladder discomfort I've been having for a while. Although my UA was normal, he checked my TSH and it went from 3.4 to 6.5, up from just 6 months ago.  So now here I sit with Synthroid but I haven't taken any yet due to being afraid of speeding things up with my heart already acting strange (I know this is my own logic and could be flawed).

So I'd appreciate any clarity to all points, the odd stomach symptoms, position change factors, my thyroid...etc..  thanks very much

[snarky348]

Hi again,   I know that you can't diagnose me over the internet , but I was wondering if you could expand on the specific point to where it sounds like I'm in any danger of sudden cardiac death?    Based on what I've said, what kind of rhythm does it sound like I experienced during those 3 minutes?   (continuous chaotic beats, flipping and flopping and fluttering in my chest for 3 strait minutes)

Does a normal echo from 3 years ago and a normal EKG effectively rule out anything serious potentially?

[CCF HeartMD-2]

A normal echocardiogram puts you at a much lower risk of any dangerous heart rhythm.  The symptoms of flipping and flopping for 3 straight minutes without passing out makes it sound like a more benign rhythm, but of course, without seeing the EKG or monitor one cannot be 100% sure.  Hope this helps!

[CCF HeartMD-2]

To understand if the palpitations are from a cardiovascular rhythm problem, your doctor may consider ordering a Holter monitor or an event recorder, which can capture your heart rhythm at the time you are having symptoms.  High or low thyroid levels can cause palpitations, and would suggest to follow your doctor's recommendation to maintain normal thyroid levels.  Finally, the nausea you are experiencing may be from a number of causes, but in the context of arrhythmias, nausea can certainly be one of the symptoms

[snarky348]

PS - I referred to stomach symptoms in the last paragraph there...what I meant was, after the 3 minute episode, I felt an odd nausea feeling all day long, like my stomach was irritated and I needed to eat to relief the feeling.  Hard to explain