Strrong Heart Beat

[judycop]

I was looking on the web for information regarding "strong heart beat".  This website came up.  So here I am asking a question.  It appears that lately I have been very much aware of how strong my heart is beating.  Especially when I am in bed or lying down.  I have had heart monitors, stress tests, ekg's along with the echo - every thing seems to be normal.  It varies with the ekg sometimes it is normal sinus rythym sometimes abnormal.  Thyroid appears okay according to "the tests".  Who determines the "normals" anyway??  My  bp is under control - 95/72 to 135/83 depending on the day.  I was reading about magnesiam and potassium.  Any clues as to the amounts needed?  I was not happy to read that so many of us suffer with this syndrome, yet their really are no answers.  We must all be our own medical advocate. Oh, I am also a menapausal woman that will not take HRT - I tried Bio-Identicals for two years, they have not worked.  I wonder if metabolic syndrome can be an underlying cause.  I know it is a lot to read - but any comments?


This discussion is related to Aware of  Heart Beat.

[JamesOmron]

It's been almost 2 years since the last comment. Well, I'd like to share my experience.

My first very strong heart beat started some mid last year. Sometimes the strong heart beat is accompanied by high pulse rate and sometime not. The strong heart beat occurs usually at anytime, even at rest.

I went to see several cardiologists to diagnose my problem. The last cardiologist  I went to said I had done all the tests available for the heart. I even went to see an electrophysiologist and he performed a procedure called catherter ablation. However it was unsuccessful as no damaged pathway was found.

The last cardiologist I went to gave me a very important advice. He said since you have done all the tests available (some tests I had done more than once), maybe you should accept that your heart is defintely OK and see a psychiatrist.

So I went to see one and he diagnosed me with a mild depression and panic disorder. I was given Xanax (anti-anxiety medicine) and it helped me termendously. Since then I have not experience the strong heart beat and fast pulse.

Having said all the above, however, It is very important to eliminate all other possibilities (other than mental health) before seeing a psychiatrists.

Cheers! :)

[ireneo]

Thanks for the link. Interesting information. For me feeling my heart beat is normal. I remember after my first ablation, my heart was so quiet, I couldn't fall asleep. I wondered how people managed going through life and not feeling their heart working. LOL

As for fluids, I drink plenty, primarily water.

I tried the magnesium route. Seemed to help at first. My heart was pretty calm and quiet. Then I started having what felt like bradycardia. My heart would be beating along at a normal rate of about 65-70 and then dropped to what felt like every other beat. Within a few beats I felt like I was going to pass out. Fortunately within 8 beats or so it would kick back to normal. Never quite hit the floor. I stopped the mag and now I'm back to my happy little dancing heart. At least the arrhythmias keep me on my toes. :-) Then again, maybe the mag had nothing to do with it.

[Runner46]

I did a similar search and found this thread helpful : http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Disease/Aware-of--Heart-Beat/show/252101

I'm 46 and I run 8 miles a day and work out all the time in a gym.  This awareness of my heart beat has happened before and I just waited it out last time.  I realize this time, salt and caffeine may have triggered it.  I slowed down on the exercise to look into it.  Then I realized I was also thirsty a lot so I went on a simple regiment of drinking a lot of water - like the 8 to 10 glasses a day one is suppose to drink thinking I may be dehydrated.  And bingo ... that seems to have been it.  Maybe you're dehydrated.  I also think the Magnesium / Potassium deficiency is a valid point.  I also had the twitching for a time.  So, I figure no harm taking the time to re-balance that with the supplements.

[judycop]

Thaks for your response.  How long have you been living with this?  I will be aware of "triggers".  I do not drink alcohol, however, I do drink decaf coffee.  I try to stay away from salt , but realize there is a good amount of salt in any food.

I speak good health to you and thanks again for your response!  I started a new protein shake, and Mona Vie.  I can eliminate one and see if any of those are triggering this.

[ireneo]

I'm happy to hear your cardio tests showed a healthy heart. As for "strong heart beats", they can be caused by fatigue, stress or medications. My heart has always been loud. Right now it's pounding hard because I just had to use my asthma inhaler. If I've had too much sodium during the day and am retaining some fluid (bloat), my heart will be annoyingly loud at bedtime so that I can't fall asleep till some of the fluid piddles out. Coffee, alcohol will also trigger them for me.

Are you seeing any triggers for you? That may be a starting place. And I'm with you - no HRT for me. I'll manage my symptoms with proper diet and exercise.