Low bit rate

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD- sk on September 04, 1997 at 09:46:25:

In Reply to: Low bit rate posted by Angelo on September 03, 1997 at 09:55:23:

: Hi,
  in the past three months I have had a strange feeling heart related.
  At rest, I feel my heart clearly pulsing on the chest irregularly and
  slowly. No pain.
  After a blood test my doctor found that I was dehidrated.
  Other than that my pulse was 55-60 per minute.
  After a couple of weeks I went to a cardiologist that found my heart
  in great shape. My pulse is still 60 per minute.
  I smoke 4-8 sigarette per day, I have 2 coffes per day (for 15 years),
  I am 30 and in good shape.
  Do you have any idea what the problem could be, if any?
  Thanks a lot.
   -- Angelo

[CCF CARDIO MD SK]

_
   Dear Angelo,
The symptom of perception of heart beat is called palpitation. The irregular heart beat could be due to extra heart beat from the upper or lower chamber of heart. Both kinds of extra beats can be completely benign or fairly dangerous. It is important to find out what is the cause of your symptom. Continuous recording of the heart rhythm for a few days can help to identify the problem if your symptoms are frequent. If not, there are other telecommunication ways to record your heart rhythm when you have palpitations.
Heart rate of 60, at rest, at age 30 is fairly normal. Coffee and smoking can both increase excitability of heart leading to palpitations. Would it not be wonderful if you can quit smoking and see how you feel? I am not totally sure about the short term benefit but on the long run it would be an outstanding investment towards better health.
I hope this has helped clarify some of your questions, if you have any further questions or would like to be seen by our Cardiologists specializing in rhythm problems here at The Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your family physician(s).