questions about irregular heartbeat

[annako]

My son who just turned 18 has asymptomatic irregular heartbeats occasionally.  MOst noticeable when he is at rest.  He does not feel them nor does he have any disturbing accompanying symptoms. The only way they were found out was I do check my childrens pulse once in awhile to make sure that everything this is fine.  ONLY reason I check their pulse sporadically is because I am a 25 year PVC sufferer who has finally learned to live with them and I must say I am doing very well with this!  I took my son to our family GP and she gave his  heart a long listen with the stethoscope and also asked him some questions.  Later she called me at home and told me that he was fine.  His heart sounded good with no abnormal sounds and she told she would not order any more tests because he seemed a little alarmed when she was checking his heart and she doesnt want him to get obsessed with his heart.  I agree with this, I dont want to get him worried, but since he is totally asymptomatic is this okay?  Should I insist on more testing? I guess the main question I would like to ask you is if he had something "wrong" with his heart, would he have some other symptoms that he would be aware of? Also doctor, if you were to see an asypmtomatic 18 year old in your office with same history as above, would you also not order further tests?  I guess I just need some good reassurance so I can just move forward and stop worrying.  Thanks for your time.

[CollegeGirl143]

well said :)

[CollegeGirl143]

If you want to check on your sons heart rhythym, take him to a physician who is qualified to do so. Its generally just a bad idea to do it yourself when you aren't qualified to make a diagnosis and can be working yourself and your son up for nothing, and if your doctor is really telling an unqualified person to try and diagnose a heart rhythym disturbance from home, ide suggest another doctor. The reason your son does not need an echo is because he has no symptoms of anything at all.. In most cases a structurally abnormal heart is accompanied by some kind of symptom. This is how physicians know to do echo's and diagnose such problems. Im sure your concern for your son is genuine and driven by love, But i think you need to take a step back and look at what you're doing from a different perspective. People in this forum who suffer and relate to you can say you're probably taking it to far,if you want to hurt yourself with the anxiety, thats your perrogative, but when you seem to be starting to involve your child of course there is going to be some concern. A trained, extensivly educated, qualified and certified doctor is telling you He's fine. Another is telling you you're taking it too far, Something is going on here within yourself that is beyond normal concern and you should address. Im sure you will find alot of the support you need right here.

[annako]

Thank you for your answers.  Just for the record, I do not constantly check my childrens pulse. Like I said before its very sporadic, like maybe once a month.  This I was told was okay by my family GP as she stated there no harm in making sure that things are really okay with the heart rhythym.  I reallly have overcome my issues with my own PVC's and I am not putting them on my children.  Personally, I think I would feel better if I could check their pulses everyday, but I know that is selfish of me and I just dont do it for fear of transferring any unwarranted anxiety on to them.  However I must stress that the magic words "he has a structurally  normal heart" has never been said to me because he has not had any further testing besides a good listen with a stethoscope.  I hope now you all can see why I am a little more concerned than is normal.  If wewere to put him through the tests then he has the potential of becoming very worried over somthing that is really nothing, but if we dont, then is his heart really fine?  Such a fine line and so hard for me to come to terms with what is the right answer.  I hope that this has maybe shed some light to you posters on this site who seem to think that this is just an anxiety issue for me that I need to get over.  Thank you.

[fearfactor]

Hi - my daughter was sent to a pediatric cardiologist and after listening to her heart for a long time, he said "yes, she does have VERY pronounced sinus arrhythmia and that is why her heart seems like it's skipping."  He said that it was normal and nothing to worry about.  I also have very pronounced sinus arrhythmia and feel my heart skipping when I'm upset or anxious.  I've worn numerous monitors and lots of times when I feel these symptoms it's just sinus arrhythmia though I do have PACs and PVCs, too.  My daughter's happens a lot when she's sleeping which I guess is due to increased vagal tone.  It was VERY upsetting to me the first time I felt her pulse and felt these skips but I accept what the cardiologist says and try not to worry about her!

[Momto3]

Those of us who are parents definitely understand your love and concern for your children.  Never stop loving and listenting to them : )

You mentioned that you've had pvcs for 25 years and other than some anxiety, you are healthly, right?  Nearly everyone has skipped beats now and again, and I'd venture to say most don't feel them.  I've had them for 30 years, and prior to my ablations, I had them in the tens of thousands per day.  Yet, I'm considered to be at low risk for CAD and in good health.  My cardio has them, my grandmother had them and lived to be 85, and I still get them. Don't let these things stress you out...Think of them as heart hiccups, annoying, but in the VAST majority of people, nothing more.  

You did a great thing for your son by taking him to the pediatrician when you were concerned1! If the doctor had even the slightest concern (they can tell a LOT by listening), he/she would have pursued any necessary tests. Try to set aside your fears and encourage him to take good care of himself by eating right (at least most of the time...lol), getting rest (again, most nights) and by exercising. He is at such a spirited age and there's so much ahead of him...Ah, to be 18 again : )

connie

[woodruff]

For the sake of your children, you must stop checking their pulses.  Kids notice these things and can't help wondering about them.  I know I did when a doc checked mine when I was only four or five years old.  Even then, I remember thinking, "OK, what's this about anyway?"  The memory remains vivid to this day.

Having any parent check for physical symptoms, even only occasionally, is going to cause worry.

If for no other reason than to keep your children happy about their youth and health, I urge you to make an appointment with a psychiatrist to talk about your fears.