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Avatar universal

Palpitation problems

Hi and happy holidays.

I am 33, female, about 30lbs overweight and don't drink or smoke.  No meds.  I had a baby early this year.  I have a goiter which is Euthyroid, and recent blood, EKG and bp all ok.  I am scheduled to have an echo and a 7 day holter very soon.

I have suffered chest pains every day since the birth of my daughter, but my doctor thinks this is a combination of musculo-skeletal and anxiety.  I also have PVC's, though not every day, and I have had bouts of tachycardia, with one particular episode in September lasting several hours.

My questions are:

I have palpitations 24/7 and by this I don't mean PVC's, but I hear my heartbeat all the time and my chest moves also.  When I lay down especially, my heart is pounding so hard that my whole body seems to move and this stops me from sleeping.  Is this dangerous, and can I do anything to calm it down?  My doctor prescribed beta blockers but I was too scared to take them when I read that they can cause heart attacks if you stop taking them.  I am very sensitive to medication.

Also, will the echo and 7-day monitor be enough to rule out any problems?  In other words, if they come back ok, together with the EKG and blood, is it safe for me to relax?  What if the monitor doesn't catch any tachy - how will I know if I have a problem?

I also get short of breath, not drastically, just like a big sigh and don't know whether this is from carrying baby around all the time or from being unfit or something more sinister.

Lastly, can anxiety REALLY cause all these distressing symptoms?

Sorry for all the questions, but this has occupied me constantly and caused me no end of worry.

Zoe
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Avatar universal
The BP meds I'm taking is a patch called "Catapres" which I've to change every 7 days.  I also have to take half (5mg) of Minoxidil, because the Minoxidil can cause fluid retention the Cardiologist put me on Lasix and a Potassium pill.  I've NO side effects from any of these meds.  But it took a good 3-4 months before I saw any effect.  I get severe white coat syndrome when going to the doctor and hospital that is why I have to take the patch and the minoxidil which is a strong BP med, but I take a very low dosage of it.  The Cardiologist thought that its not just white coat syndrome anymore that my BP also must've been pretty high at home.  Before the BP meds I used to get severe skipping very frequently, and occasional fast heartbeat, since the BP meds I get very little of it.

Anxiety and stress screws up all my tests. I had an EKG during a panic episode which showed I had a "previous heart attack" which I never had, all the following EKG's later on were normal. I had an echocardiogram which showed I had a "severe" mitral valve leakage, a follow up test called the TEE test showed a "mild" leakage.  Again the Cardiologist told me that high anxiety and the way a person breathes can give a false result on an echo.  Did you know that stress can also raise your cholesterol?


What helped me also a lot is reading on sites and on this site how many other people suffer from PVC's and palpitations. Before finding out from these sites I thought I was in the very minority.  

And last but not least I read in a medical article one time that palpitations and the skipping beats come from the same motor system in the brain where the hot flashes come from.  It said some women get hot flashes and some women get the palpitations instead, some get both.  Even though we are in our 60's does NOT mean that we can't still get menopausal symptoms.  A friend of mine who is 61 still gets hot flashes and is still on hormone pills, if she stops the hot flashes come back bigger than before.  I never had hot flashes, but the skipping beats instead which were from hell at times.  I spare you the details.

If you have anymore questions about anxiety, stress, palpitations, cholesterol, high BP don't hesitate to ask I've been there for many years.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for responding.  I have been under stress from building a house that is not getting done and are having problems with the builder that we had to hire an attorney-- even though I hate to admit it but this could be the cause.  Also, since you mentioned it, there might be some anxiety there too.  I retired a year ago and my life is so different after working for 23 years after my children were in school all day.  I just retired from a high pressure job and was fine-- now this.  My blood pressure is in check with the medication.  I have been on the medication for approximately 3 months now but the palps are still there.  I also started taking magnesium about 2 months ago because of information that I have gotten on this site but they say it may take up to 4 months to get it to work.  

I try not to worry about the palps but sometimes they are so strong that they scare me.  They make me anxious.  If I am moving around and very busy, I don't feel them but sometimes I just want to sit and watch a show and thats when I feel them and get anxious about them.

If I may ask, what BP prescription are you taking.  I want to see if my cardiologist will change mine (Toprol XL) because it makes me so tired.  I don't like that feeling.

Thank you so much for your response.  I don't know anyone personally that suffers from this so it helps me when I get a response from someone with the same problem, especially when it is someone close to my age.  Because of your response, I'm going try harder to not worry about the palps (because I do) and hopefully they will subside

Thanks, again!

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Avatar universal
I'm a 61 yr old female, and have been suffering from PVC's (skipped beats) since the age of 15.  Also from palpitations.  Do you suffer from anxiety or are you under stress? That can bring out the palpitations, change of life and yes, even at our age can still bring on these heart related symptoms.  Do your BP pills keep your BP in check? Before I took BP pills I had the skipping beats almost all the time.  Once on BP meds it gotten a lot better.  I've been taking magnesium and calcium for years, but it had little effect.  Magnesium  is suppose to be good for palpitations and skipped beats.  I still take it.

Its good that you saw a Cardiologist, that your heart is o.k..  I also found out that the more you worry about the palpitations the stronger and longer they will last.  I used to wake up at nights a lot with my heart beating out of my chest (not from a nightmare).  Always around 3 a.m. like setting an alarm clock, that was before the BP meds.  

How long have you been on the BP meds?  My Cardiologist told me it can take up to 4 months before some meds go totally into effect.
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Avatar universal
I also have been trying to post a question here but can't seem to get in.  I am too having trouble with serious palpitations.  

I am a married woman who is 64 years old and am overweight by 50 lbs.  I've started brisk walking 2 miles every morning and am on Weight Watchers. In the past years I've had several episodes of palpitations but they went away after a few weeks or so.  I have been suffering with palpitations for several months now and they are not going away. They go on all day long and sometimes wake me up.  They sometimes feel like my heart is doing somersaults-- sometimes my chest is quivering-- sometimes it feels like extra beats.  They scare me.  I also burp-- from down up from my toes-- never had this before.

I went to a cardiologist and was given Toprol XL for high blood pressure (which started in the past year) and he said they would get rid of the palpitations-- they did not go away.  I take 12.5 mg-- twice a day.  I was taking 25 mg but didn't like the way it made me feel so my doctor cut it back.  I also take 400 mg of magnesium-- twice a day.  I take Lipitor for cholesterol which has been controlled-- and a baby aspirin every day.

I just received the results of the 24-hour Holter monitor-- "normal sinus rhythm with minimum heart rate of 59 beats per minute, maximum heart rate of 125 beats per minute and average heart rate of 78 per minute.  There were occasional premature ventricular contractions, no ventricular tachycardia.  There were frequent atrial premature contractions.  There were no sustained supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.  SUMMARY CONTENTS:  There was no advance heart block".

When I took this test I walked 2 miles briskly in the morning, went out to Christmas dinner and had 2 drinks-- otherwise I don't drink on a regular basis.

I've not had any health problems until now and I want to be sure that my cardiologist diagnosed me correctly.  These palpitations are scaring me that they are damaging my heart and that I could have a heart attack or a stroke.  

I have a vibrating pillow to ease stress that I put on my back or my chest so I don't have to feel what's going on in my chest sometimes.  It's very difficult not to worry about it when it makes me very anxious.

Thank you for "listening" to me.

If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

janibo
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21064 tn?1309308733
Hi Jodie!

WELCOME!!  Yep, count me in among those who believe hormones play a role (at least for us peri-m women...lol).  As long as all of your tests come back "normal" you can rest easy and just try and learn to live with the palps.  I know - easier said than done, but sometimes once you get the doctor's reassurance it is helpful in alleviating the anxiety.  Good Luck!  Happy New Year!

connie
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Avatar universal
Hello all, I'm 47, woman and generally in good health!  Quit smoking no caffeine, no drinking! I am so glad I found this sight!  I wore a heart monitor for 24 hours but it has been 2 wks. and it is not back yet! My palps started a month and a half ago and my blood work is okay the EKG is okay and I had an ultrasound a couple of years ago, also the heart doctor is out of town until February!!  So my regular Dr. put me on Metoprolol 1/2 tab 2 times a day.  It worked for 6 days and now there back again!!  I wish they would go away but they are driving me nuts!!  I am pre-menopausal does anyone have the palps because of Hormones.  Also I'm on Celexa which i thought was for anxiety for the last 2 yrs. and one of the side effects I just found out is anxiety, but they help me sleep through the night!!  Wow!  I'm a mess.  Thanks for any imputs a head of time.
Jodie
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Avatar universal
Hi Connie, guess what, I often read the posts and you sound so much like me, right down to the Mom to 3!

I too find stress is a huge factor with the palps.  I did see my doc, about 100 times about the palps and it is the same old "It won't kill you" and he doesn't think I should take a beta blocker because I normally have a decent heartbeat, can be anywhere from 65 to 84 beats per minute and have low blood pressure which is usually around 90/60 to 110/70.

I do smoke, I know, shame on me, but I find it really hard to quit.  Otherwise, I don't do anything else, no drinking, caffeine, etc.

I was taking a new drug Moltilium or the generic name Domperidone.  The doc had me on 2 twice a day and it seemed that the palps were really bad while I was taking them.  I also had a similar reaction, but much worse, to an antibiotic with Clavulanic acid in it. I stopped taking the Domperidone and the second day after being off it things seemed to have gotten better.  I looked the med up on the internet and one of the rare side effects is "Palpitations"!!!  So, I won't be taking that anymore.  I also took, years back, Prepulsid, and my heart was doing very odd things.  I stopped taking it and the doc told me I was just worried about taking a new drug and then a year later it was taken off the market for giving people heart attacks.  I must be really sensitive to drugs. Anyway......

Thanks you for replying back.  It's nice to know there are people with a first hand knowledge of palps who can truly understand and be so caring.

Take care and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Connie
Helpful - 0
21064 tn?1309308733
Connie,

I WAS a big time palp sufferer so I can totally relate to what you are feeling.  I do not have a bicuspid aortic valve, but do have MVP and MR 2+ - 3+, so we also have a leaky valve in common.  Has your doctor mentioned treating you symptomatically?  I took a beta blocker (Inderal mostly) for many years and it helped quite a bit.  Really took the edge off of the pvcs and definitely helped reduce the frequency. Like you, I could be doing absolutely nothing and they would kick into high gear.  Other than possibly caffeine, I didn't have any definite triggers. OH wait....STRESS was a major trigger for me.  The holidays were awful.  You might want to talk to your doctor about getting some relief from the symptoms of your "benign" palps.  

Good news on your echo...WOOHOO!  Yes, it is entirely possible that all you are feeling is regular old benign palps.  However, I think you should be able to discuss your physical symptoms and stress over the palps with your physician.  If he/she won't listen, you may want to look for a 2nd opinion.  He's right, the palps shouldn't kill you, but that's not the point.  Most things we are treated for won't kill us.  I can SO relate to your frustration!  It wasn't until 2 ablations in 2003 that I became nearly pvc-free after over 20 years.

Hang in there!  There are some wonderful doctors out there who will listen and help you.

Connie (another one...hahaha)
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Avatar universal
Sorry for the question...just having trouble sleeping..really feeling my heart race tonite..its not too fast..actually within the normal range..just feel it thump thump ..skip..then fel like i am gonna lose it..eyes get red..and feel my heart beat in my neck,stomach..head..i just want some advice..i did take my atenolol a few minutes ago, and seem to be calming it down..i just too want to enjoy the holidays and not worry about this stuff..i am 28 r old.. hope all has a grat holiday and happy new year..GODS BLESSING TO ALL..
Dave
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Avatar universal

hope my post get through , having internet problems. First you have a biscupid aortic with stage one regurgitation, something that bears keeping an eye on , although apparently it hasn't changed in years, some never surgery while others eventually do. Good sign. Quite a few person with biscupid aortic valves complain of palps(PVCs and PACs), so do persons that have nothing wrong with their hearts so there is no clear connection, even with  a biscupid valve and mild regurgitation,it is my understanding that PVCs does not portend an adverse prognosis once there is no change in the valve.

It is my perosnal opinion that you are experiencing probably just a very few hard extrasystolic beats that PVCs sometime produce due to increase filling of the heart from the PVCs and pause.

If you are alarmed or experiencing different symptoms with a documented biscupid aortic then check with your doctors, in the maintime it is probably your every run of mil day PVCs and palps.

Despite your discomfort have a Happy Holiday Season and Great New Year.

P.S. If in doubt , check with your doctor, they can best reassure you.
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Avatar universal

As you can see I spelled bicuspid aortic valve wrong, tells you how much I know about heart issues :-). Take care.
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Avatar universal
I hope no one minds my asking a question here.  I just can never seem to get a question posted.

I am a big time palp sufferer.  I have bicuspid aortic valve with stage 1 regurgitation, get PAC's and PVC's.  I had a holter that showed stuff, not sure what, the doc just said, "You're fine".  I had a stress test 2 years ago that showed PAC's as my heartrate increased and was told "Other than being out of shape, you're fine"

Some days I don't feel any palps (very rare) and other days it's as if I must be dying.  The last couple of days have been driving me crazy.  This morning I had heartburn (I have GERD and take Nexium) a long flutter and small palps (thuds) through the day and tonight!!!!! I had a pause then thud kind of palp, but when it was happening, it was very intense, felt like a pressure kind of squeeze, maybe even a punch like feeling.  It's really hard to explain how it felt.  I have had this feeling before, but not as instense as tonight.  I had two within a few seconds of each other.  I am so scared I could just scream.  I even said to my husband, "If it doesn't kill me, I might!"  I don't mean it, but I am so desparate, I don't know what to do.  I feel like I am going to loose my mind.  It's Christmas time and I am supposed to be happy, but I am so depressed by all of this, I can't stop crying.

I had an echo this year and that showed no change.  Is it possible tht all I am feeling is regular old benign palps, or should I keep bugging my doctor.  He keeps telling me the palps are benign and won't kill me.  They don't feel like nothing and they come out of no where, even when I am watching funny movies and relaxing.

Some advice or similar experience stories would be very much appreciated.

Connie
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Avatar universal
Hi,
  This happened to me so often about 1 1/2 years ago so bad that I lost 30 pounds in 3 months!  after eating, my heart rate would be in the 90's or around 100 bpm.  since im very aware of my heartbeat, I got scared to eat sometimes.  I still havent gained the weight back.
Pan
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Avatar universal
Man I know how you feel. About an hour or so after I eat or drink I get skipped beats(pvc's). My doctor says it's just anxiety. I've had all these test and they say ah your fine when you have skiped beats,chest pain,stomach pain,nervousness how can that be fine. But I guess $10,000.00 worth of test can't be wrong. I'm about 60lbs over weight so I'm going to try loosing weight and see if that helps.
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Avatar universal
Hey, Hank buddy...
    Yeah, I know there's nothing wrong with it...but it drives me nuts and keeps me awake. You are right about not eating so much...but unfortunately sometimes I realize it a little too late! It's just annoying. Happy Holidays to you too!
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Avatar universal

Hey,
  
    Remember a heartrate of 80bpm is a normal rate, probably just an awareness of a strong pounding heart, makes its feels actually faster than it is actually beating. I feel this after big meals especially when the stomach is real empty, the key I find for this is to eat little and often. About the anxieties of tmorrow, well we all have a different approach to that, I used be that way too, but I learned just recently to let tomorrow take care of itself, remember tomorrow never comes til you awake and find yourself at begining of another day, so til then , let tomorrow take care of itself.

Happy holidays.
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Avatar universal
Hiya, Hank...how ya doin'? This question is for anyone...Sometimes after a particularly big meal, especially carb loaded my heart starts pounding very hard and sometimes pretty fast...80 bpm or so. Makes it very hard to sleep...Worst is when I am nervous about something coming up the next day. I'm sure anxiety plays a part. Anyone else have this problem? More importantly, is there anything that can be done to bring relief? Thanks much!
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Avatar universal

My advice or opinion, get the test done. Keep the Isordil on hand, don't ignore an abnormal ECG and positive stress test, especially with symptoms present. I feel compelled to advise you to get further testing.

family history is one of greatest predictors of heart disease, with you symptoms and family history don't ignore this, my opinion and advice only, make sure no stone is left unturned!!

On the other hand  everything might be just fine, always best to be on the cautious side that way you will have put your worries aside.

Happy Holidays.
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Avatar universal
Hi.  I was reluctant to take beta blocker too, but found them to be very effective for taking care of some similar symptoms. In fact, they really provided some relief.

If your doctor has prescribed, I think I would jump on it. If nothing else, they may provide some relief from some of these symptoms (which might cause some distress), and leave you in a better position to cope or to work more effectively while resolving the underlying issue.

Good luck.
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Avatar universal

I agree WPW guy completely, while beta blockers are not for everyone, they can make drastic changes in some persons life style that suffer with these symptoms. I have had just about all the symptoms that you have spoken about and beta blockers have provided much needed relief, even with no underlying disease present, they can provide relief from the anxiety that such symptoms bring on.

Fatigue is probably one of the biggest side effects, they key is to ignore the fatigue and keep active, that way it will usually disappear after awhile, luckily some like me never suffer the unwanted side effects of beta blockers , only nightmares which I can live with.

Of course it is always best to get to the root cause. Be  assured the beta blockers are safe and are usually tolerated well in most persons.  I am on atenolol 100mg daily in divided dose of 25mg every 6 hours, I find it much more effective for palpitation  when taken more than just once daily especially if you have a high metabolic rate.

Happy Holidays

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Avatar universal
I'v had the same problem of Palps for years never gave me concern until they started causing tightness in my chest. Went to the doc and they did EKG it was abnormal they did an Echocardiogram it showed Mitral value prolapsed so he did a stress test and it came back positive he did another EKG it was abnormal again. So they put me on Isodil and sent me to a specialist. I am only 40 years old and am not over weight. I have had chest tightness for about a week now off and on. I notice myself out of breath and energy when I over exert myself. Now the specialist wants to do a cardiolite Nuc stress test on me. I am so confused on what to do. I hate going to the doc I have not been in 10 years. But my dad and grandmother have heart decease so he said he just wants to make sure. This test cost 2500 dollars and I don't think we can afford it now. OK my question is... Do yall think it would be OK just to skip this test for now. He didn't seam to concerned about it he even said I could get off the isodil. Thanks Alisa
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Avatar universal
I would keep pushing until you get a factual, specific, physical diagnosis. After all the years of torture I have had with an anxiety diagnosis (utter nonsense!), don't let any doctor shuffle you out the door with a weak or mis-diagnosis. My miseries run 24/7 and life is basically hell.

I have had most, if not all of the symptoms you describe, as well as others you did not mention. EKG's, an Echo, mega blood tests, chest x-rays and beta blockers and I'm still a wreck and feel lousy. Please don't fall in to that trap.

If your present doctor is unwilling to pursue the issue, then get another doctor who will. I'm on doctor number 12, so it may take quite some time.

Good Luck. Feel better soon.
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Avatar universal
Zoesgirl,

I very rarely write in response to others posts here but felt compelled to post to yours.  Congratulations on the birth of your baby.  Agree with the doctor that anxiety can cause the symptoms you describe. However, for years I was told that my symptoms were "anxiety, depression, etc" and in reality I had a genetic condition and cardiac valvular disease.  Once the tests are done and physical causes are ruled out then it would be appropriate to address anxiety.  The post by "collector" demonstates that what occasionally appears to be simply anxiety may indeed be from a physical cause.
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Avatar universal
Hi Zoe,

I am a 42 year old male with the same symptoms you discribe. My family doctor put me on steroids, ran test for gahl bladder, stress test, called my chest pains panic attacks. He said I was fine and he would not run any other test. I asked my family doctor if his wife or daughter still had constant chest pains would he run more test. He then sent me to have an echo. It was then I learned I have cardiomyapothy caused by one of the meds I was taking. You know your body better than anyone else dont give up.
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