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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
forceful heartbeat
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forceful heartbeat
by TSC, Oct 05, 2002 12:00AM
For the past three months I have been experiencing what seems to be a very forceful heartbeat. This is a constant forceful beating. I can see my chest moving and my clothes moving at all times. When I put my hand over my chest I can feel strong vibrations. I can also feel my heartbeat down into my arms and legs. I am also very short of breath. An echocardiogram showed minimal mitral regurgitation and minimal triscupid regurgitation. A 24 hour holter showed my heart rate fluctuating from 53 to 168 beats every hour. I was told I could go on a beta blocker to control the fast beats. While sleeping it showed my heart rate fluctuating from 53 to 83 then to 112 within about 10 seconds. This happened each hour while I was sleeping. When I got up in the morning it got up to 168. My first question is 1. What is minimal mitral regurgitation and minimal triscupid regurgitation mean? Could this be causing my symptoms? (the strong heartbeat, and vibrations?)
2. What are some other things that could cause a constant forceful heartbeat that can be felt throughout my body?
3. Is is safe to take a beta blocker with my heart rate going down so low as it is?
4. What is a ventricular triplet?
5. Is it normal for a heart rate to flucuate so much, even during sleeping?
Thanks for your time.
2. What are some other things that could cause a constant forceful heartbeat that can be felt throughout my body?
3. Is is safe to take a beta blocker with my heart rate going down so low as it is?
4. What is a ventricular triplet?
5. Is it normal for a heart rate to flucuate so much, even during sleeping?
Thanks for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Oct 05, 2002 12:00AM
TSC,
(1) "Minimal mitral and tricuspid regurgitation" means that the mitral and tricuspid valves are leaking minimally. This is present in at least 15-20% of the general population. These leaks, when minimal, do not cause symptoms.
(2) Their are very few organic conditions that will cause a constant pounding heartbeat. Aortic regurgitation (leaking aortic valve) is one. Others would include ventricular bigeminy, a hyperthyroidism, chronic cocaine use, and a pheochromocytoma. Anxiety disorder is the condition most associated with this type of symptom. Many conditions can cause an intermittent or sporadic pounding heartbeat, the most common being a heart rhythm disturbance.
(3) The heart rates you detailed would not sway me from prescribing a beta-blocker.
(4) A 3 beat run of ventricular beats. Very common and unconcerning in someone with a structurally normal heart.
(5) Heart rates vary considerably; the pattern you described could be normal or abnormal. An inspection of the holter strips is the only way to sort it out.
You might consider an event monitor; this device allows you to press a button to record your heart's rhythm when you are experiencing symptoms.
Hope that helps.
(1) "Minimal mitral and tricuspid regurgitation" means that the mitral and tricuspid valves are leaking minimally. This is present in at least 15-20% of the general population. These leaks, when minimal, do not cause symptoms.
(2) Their are very few organic conditions that will cause a constant pounding heartbeat. Aortic regurgitation (leaking aortic valve) is one. Others would include ventricular bigeminy, a hyperthyroidism, chronic cocaine use, and a pheochromocytoma. Anxiety disorder is the condition most associated with this type of symptom. Many conditions can cause an intermittent or sporadic pounding heartbeat, the most common being a heart rhythm disturbance.
(3) The heart rates you detailed would not sway me from prescribing a beta-blocker.
(4) A 3 beat run of ventricular beats. Very common and unconcerning in someone with a structurally normal heart.
(5) Heart rates vary considerably; the pattern you described could be normal or abnormal. An inspection of the holter strips is the only way to sort it out.
You might consider an event monitor; this device allows you to press a button to record your heart's rhythm when you are experiencing symptoms.
Hope that helps.
I think that what you feel IS anxiety.
And around the stomach and the heart....well these are the places were one feels the anxiety the most.
I experience the same at times.... with flutters and BUMPS etc etc.
It IS a funny feeling, cause one's heart can beat quite peaceful at that time.
If the Dr. said your heart's ok after all the tests, then believe him.
Next is to accept the feelings you feel. Now that's hard! But...
it will not disappear if you put anxiety upon anxiety.
It WILL lessen if you accept it for now and RELAX.
Go look for somebody who can teach you to relax and breath the right way; many people do not breath right. Try to find out why your anxious and work on that. Then there are the SSRI's..the anti-anxiety-drugs, but first try doing without, the drugs are addictive and hard to get off. Believe me, I know!!
I feel for you, cause I know what sensitive nerves can procreate.
But that's probably just what it is: sensitive nerves!
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Try and find the books of Dr. Claire Weekes, she is a wonderful writer about anxiety-problems. One title is: SELF-HELP FOR YOUR NERVES, the other is : PEACE FROM NERVOUS SUFFERING.
I really recommend those books to anybody having these problems!
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Goodbey Kyky, hope you are well!
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***Ianna***