heart problem?

[ann02]

Dear doctor,
I am 31 years female with trace MR, PVCs, bp occasionally 140/90, most time normal. I have a problem of passing out during too much exercise or exercise during hot weather or when I stand too long. My primary care doctor said that I should not pay too much attention to it because my echo and holter monitor are fine. Should I investigate it further?

[stavo82]

I am a 20 year old male with similar problems to some people on here. For whatever reason, I constantly worry something is wrong with my heart, to the point I do not wish to do anything physical. I have had a 48 hr. Holter monitor, EKG (several times), an echo, chest x-ray and every blood test imaginable. Absolutely nothing has come up. I went to my doctor this past Wednesday worrying something was wrong. My heart rate was over 100 bpm when I was standing, and about 90 sitting down. Looking back, I was worrying about it non-stop, and hadnt had much water to drink. I get alot of physical symptoms when I worry, mainly chest tightness and sometimes discomfort in my left arm. But like I said, nothing is physically wrong. I just started taking Effexor, and am hoping it helps with this. I hope this brings some piece of mind to some people, seeing others posts makes me feel less alone in my fear. BTW, I also get a pounding feeling when standing or when its warm out (my heart also beats close to 100 bpm), but I TRY not to worry too much.

[winebev]

I know that I suffer from anxiety disorder, this goes w/out saying; but I think I have a heart problem on top of that.  Any time I am in the heat my heart pounds, and if I stand up my heart pounds (not related to anxiety).  I wonder if this is just dehydration or something?  However, if I am in a physically cool environment or if I am sitting down, my heart rate is very normal to low.  I have seen umpteen doctors and have had just as many heart tests.  They all say my heart is fine.  The worry and confusion are so mentally exhausting and it really drains the joy out of life.

[Veepster]

Just a thought that either or both of you could be suffering from something called Mitral Valve Prolapse, a non-life threatening condition that affects up to 15% of the female population, less common in men.  Reason I mention this is that I thought I had MVP because I exhibited some of the typical symptoms -- skipped beats, mid-systolic murmur, panic attacks, sensitivity to caffeine, etc. My cardiologist did an echo which ruled it out in my case.  I just have an overly sensitive electrical system, especially when it comes to my heart.  Nowhere in the comments on this Forum have I seen reference to Mitral Valve Prolapse, a condition in which there is extra tissue in the leaflets between the left atrium and left ventricle, which prolapse, or "flop back" into the left atrium with each contraction of the left ventricle, creating an audible murmur best heard at the apex when one is on the left side.  

Panic attacks, anxiety, premature ventricular contractions, murmurs, etc. are all hallmarks of Mitral Valve Prolapse.  There is a wealth of information on this in the medical literature, and I believe there is a website called "Mitral Valve Prolapse" which you can visit.  Another attribute of those who have MVP is a thin skeletel frame and long, graceful fingers.  There was an interesting article about this in the New York Times Sunday Magazine about eight or ten years ago entitled "Billows in the Heart."  Hope this is helpful. Just a thought. Bill R.

[krista]

hi,

I was just reading the last post.  I'm a 23 year old female, non smoker, but with a family history of Heart Disease.  My mother passed away when she was 45 due to a heart attack.  About 2 years ago, I started getting chest pains (mild), upper coller bone area, to middle of chest.  Anyways, I went to the er after three days of it, to have my first ekg, and chest xray done.  This went on ALL summer, going to my family doctor to have him give me advil etc, and my occassional trips to the er to be told there is nothing wrong with my heart.  I proceeded to have another opinion, 3 more ekg's, a stress test, and a 24 hour holter monitor, and a pulmonary function... all showing normal results.  I am currently on paxil for my anxiety, but no matter how many doctors I see, or how many times I see them, I don't want to believe that my heart is normal.  It has caused me a great deal of stress in my life as I'm afraid to do anything physical.

[winebev]

I have read the above statements and cannot help but to add my thoughts as well.  I am a 26 year old female who has been admitted into the emergency room for "heart problems" over a dozen times.  My blood pressure is 120/70, I am 5'8" and 135 lbs.  I have visited every emergency room on the East Coast, the doctors know me by name, it's embarrassing.  I've been taken in by ambulances, friends, parents, and my boyfriend.  I have had EKGs, heart x-rays, intense observation and a whole host of other tests.  NOTHING seems to be the matter with my heart.  Evidently it is all anxiety related.  I have been told by over 15 doctors that my heart is healthy but for some reason I don't want to believe their final analysis.  I am convinced there is something wrong with my heart.  I experience tight pains in my chest, my left arm starts to tingle, my heart pounds out of control, I can barely breathe and I always feel like I'm going to pass out.  My heart always races in the morning and if I stand still in one place.  Strange.  I feel everyone's pain with this whole anxiety issue.  There is nothing more frustrating then to have "real" symptoms for years just to be told, "I'm sorry there is nothing wrong with you."

[Veepster]

Dear ALL:

For more info regarding my experience and knowledge of heart murmurs and PVC's/PAC's, please refer to my comments under "PVC's and Murmur".  Thanks.  Veepster

[LaurenB]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, though I've read though your comments often in the past.

My dad has panic attacks and heart problems and he was prescribed Xanex, then Paxil then something else for the panic attacks.  It can get confusing and physically difficult when doctors prescribe one pill for the heart and then one for the panic but the one for the panic (someone mentioned Xanax)sometimes causes more panic than the original problem so the person starts feeling like they're chasing their tail.

Me, I have atrial fibrulation as a result of letting a hyperthyroid condition go too long.  The only thing that I have found that significantly helps me is magnesium (sans the calcium) and potassium.  I have also started using natural progesterone - not wild yam cream but something out of Florida - which also has a calming effect. naturesbotanicals.com

Apparently, pre-menopause can start to happen as early as 17 years old and the progesterone helps with those symptoms.

If anyone is interested in reading more about magnesium or other natural ways to handle the source of the panic attacks, etc., try this site.  http://www.alternativementalhealth.com.  There's a whole lot of research there on different problems and solutions.

I hope that's helpful.

Best,
LaurenB

[spachic1]

Hi lauren,
Read your post about A-fib and letting a hyperthyroid problem go to long. What is A-fib?  I was just diagnosed with my T-3 was slightly high at 209. I have developed pvc and thats what made the dr's check my thyroid to begin with. I am 38 female and exercise daily hard. I have bouts of pvc that last for weeks then through zoloft disapeared about 2 weeks ago. hmm. I wonder about this thyroid thing. can you email me please to talk?
I had a ultrasound of my thyroid yesterday. No results yet. Just lots of pvc in runs. (heart skipping beats)
thanks  Debbie  ***@****

[spachic1]

I too suffer from lots of panic and anxiety. I was just thinkin, have you had your thyroid checked? It's a long shot but there could be lots of things that are causing these episodes. I am not a negative person, I try to deal with panic and anxiety through possitive self talk. I work out every day and teach areobics and I get this type of attack when I put to much thought in wheather i can breath or not. That sends me on a tizzy of negatives. Also hyperventilation syndrome can cause these as well. I was diagnosed with this when i was 21 and now im 37 female and in good shape. I hate panic and anxiety but I die trying to find answers and ways to help make the attack pass quickly. Most of mine happen in the night or on the freeway. I hope you find peace quick. I feel for you..

[nikl]

Dizziness and heart racing are my two intial symptoms before a full blown anxiety attack along with the feeling of upset stomach.  When first started getting anxiety attacks had dizziness and heart racing then upset stomach and then they gradually turned into full attcks where you feel like your going to pass out or your having a heart attack.  Hopefully you won't progress to this.  Take care

[cageyboy]

I'm looking for some kind of explanation. I'm 31 years old. About three weeks ago I experienced some chest tightness and pain in my left arm. It was after a tough partying weekend and playing earlier golf that day. The next day at work I started to experience the same feelings. I got up, went to the bathroom, went I got back to my seat I almost passed out. I thought I was having a heart attack. I was rushed to the ER, admitted. All the test cmae back normal, blood, EKG, Stress w/ heart xray. The Doctor told me that it could be artey spasms or Acid reflux.

Anyway, I went about the week cautisously but active. Lifting weights, running, etc. The following week I had another espisode. I went to the ER- EKG and chest xray came back normal. I went home and took tylenol which seemed to relieve the pain. Becasue of this I thought I pulled a muscle in my chest and shoulder.

I went another week of activity and then it hit me again. But this time a little more severe. I didn't want to go to the ER again but they don't having any explanation. I've been on Xanax for the past week 1/2 which has dulled the anxiety attacks I get when this comes on. I just went a few days of being okay but got really dizzy today walking to my car w/some chest pain. I've been on Norvasc for three weeks and I don't know if this is contributing to my dizzyness. Just need some answers.

[cyn123]

Hi  just to add my imput i was tested for myocardiogenic syncope
  through a tilt table test.  You should request that because they said if i passed out during standing for long periods  it could mean that you have that.  They say  that they blood pools in your legs and makes you pass out.  Good luck and look into it because i dont think passing out is normal in any activity.

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Ann02,

Thanks for the post.

Yes, I think your symptoms deserve more investigation.  The most likely explanation for your symptoms is orthostatic hypotension, perhaps from dehydration, but other possibilities exist.

One way to determine exactly what is happening is to be exercised under supervision.  A stress echo or exercise treadmill test would be a way to accomplish this goal.  If you passed out during the test, then a diagnosis should be readily apparent, and you would be in a safe environment.

Good luck.