Palpitations, Gas, Stress, and a murmur (at birth)

[T.O.]

I am a 24 year old female with good blood pressure and have pretty much been exceptionally health all my life.  At birth the doctor discovered a murmur, in which he advised my mom that it would close on its own.  I was very active as a kid but am now overweight (5" ft six1/2 inches and 210 pounds).  I experience heart papitation and chest pains (which don't last more than a minute at a time) in which all or most are alleviated by a belch.  I usually belch almost all day and I'm not sure if this is related to a dairy intolerance I have (I still eat dairy products).  Could gas and indigestion cause palpitations and chest pains? During 2 final examinations in undergrad I went to the hospital for chest pains, I had several EKG's done and was told that I have irregular arithmia but that this is normal.  I also experience palpitations more regularly when I am under stess which is most often because I am in my 2nd year of law school(part time nights), work 40 hours a week and have a two year old son.  Since law school started, my symptoms now include slight dizziness,lightheadedness,faintish, the back of my neck feels hot, my mouth is very dry, my palms are sweaty, my arms grow weak, and I get so anxious (this has occurred several times while I'm driving.  I also feel so afraid at times partly because of these symptons or maybe stress causes these symptoms to occur. Can stress cause palpitations?  Do these symptoms sound like anxiety attacks?

[T.O.]

Thank you all for your recommendations and comments.  To answer your questions,I have never worn a holter monitor before.  I have had about three EKG's done, all of which I was told was fine.  I was told once that I had irregular arithmia but that this type was normal. That's the extent of what I know but I will look into your suggestions.
Thank you for your support.
T.O.

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear T.O.,
Sorry to hear about your palpitations. It is difficult to say whether or not your symptoms are due to stress or anxiety. I would recommend seeing a cardiologist for a holter monitor and an echocardiogram. The holter monitor device is worn for up to 48 hours and records the electrical activity of the heart. This will help determine if a rhythm disturbance is present. The echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart which will evaluate the murmur you have described. I think this is a reasonable start given that you have described a prior murmur. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your question,

CCF-MD-KE

[Ianna]

Yes, these symptoms sound like anxiety attacks to me.
You have a VERY stressfull life for a 24 year old...
-
Bye - *Ianna*

[karie]

What cardiac tests have you had ?
What were your heart murmurs rated in sound and location ?
Did you wear a holter monitor ? Or a echocardiogram ?
take care,