Re: TO: CCF CARDIO MD ! PLEASE HELP! FRUSTRATED

Posted By CCF Cardio MD-SGM on May 27, 1998 at 09:26:31:

In Reply to: TO: CCF CARDIO MD ! PLEASE HELP! FRUSTRATED posted by Manuela on May 25, 1998 at 19:28:57:






Dear CCF MD,
Ever since my daughter was born in 9/97 I have experienced extreme Heartpalpitations and when they happen I feel sometimes even faint. I get scared to death because I don't want to die yet especially having my little princess now. I am only 33 yrs. old. For a while I got help from a friend in germany whom is a Homeopathist (sp?) and it did help but in January 98 I move to the USA and it even got worse. I first thought it might be from all the stress etc.... my husband is in the military and now gone with it and I am alone with the baby. For a while it had been better. I started to exercise again and for almost 2 (!) weeks I felt NOTHING ! And last week I had a holter monitor done and was so nervous about it and they kept happening again! On Friday I got a call from the Dr.'s office telling me that they did find some "abnormal" beating in the "systolic" range I believe she said and they want me to referr to a caridologist and they would call me for an appointment. I am home now and so scared. Yesterday my husband came home for the memorial day weekend and we went out for lunch, and "wham" there it happened again I felt like I would faint and started to sweat and my heart beat so fast< I got parannoid, I am so scared, can someone please explain to me whats going on? This time...waiting for that appointment with the cardiologist is killing me. Why does it happen just out of the blue? Sometimes it gets also a lot worse when I get very upset and drink a lot of coffein. My german doctor told me I ahd nothing to worry about it was due of stress but why does the american doctor order me to go to a cardiologist now. What does systolic mean? Is this something serious? Please anyone write me, I am all alone here in the US and all my family is in german and I dont know who else to turn to to talk about this.
Thank you and hope to recieve an email or message in here.



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Dear Manuela,
Palpitations of the heart are generally harmless in healthy young persons like yourself.   You might want to stop drinking caffeinated beverages or smoking cigarettes, as these stimulants can increase the rate of premature beats.  Do not be worried about the referral to the cardiologist.  In this country, doctors are quick to make referrals to specialists simply to obtain an expert opinion.  This does not in any way indicate that your condition is serious.  
I can not hope to understand your overall condition from your brief message, however I am concerned that you are suffering from a great deal of anxiety.   Meeting with the cardiologist and receiving the reassurance that I think he will offer you may help to alleviate some of your concerns.
Best of luck.  Information in the Heart Forum is for general purposes.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.