Heart Massage

Posted by William on August 08, 1999 at 00:23:45
     I am curious if any one has ever heard of Self Heart Massage. I am not sure if a medical term even exists for this practice. So I gave it my own title: Self Heart Stimulation.
     I have been stimulating my heart for nearly twenty-four years. What this practice is simply applying continuous pressure on the left side of the sternum. Also sometimes moving around in the same general area while continuing to apply mild pressure. Unlike CPR which is a rythmic method. The result has been a very fast heart rate of at least 180-230 beats per minute, and sometimes what may be a disturbance in rythum.  This fast heart rate feels very good to me.
     Please do not missunderstand me. I am not trying to kill myself, and I do not recommend anyone else to do this.  I have been doing this ever since I was a young boy at the age of seven. Stimulating my heart feels very good and my heart must like it as well.  I have visited my physician and have always been given a clean bill of health. I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse when I was eighteen. I was given permission to run track in high school and even enter in to the military.
     I am just curious if anyone has ever heard of this.
    

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on August 09, 1999 at 08:18:19
Thanks for your comments.  I can't say I've ever heard of this practice and am at somewhat of a loss to explain why this would have any effect.  I wouldn't encourage it for anyone else.  Is there anyone else who has heard of this?
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