Afib, Pvc, Pac?? Help!

[Hizzoze]

I am a 38 year old Female. I have been getting weird heart beats since my early twenties. I took my pulse with them a few times. It starts off feeling like a quiver/flutter, thuds, beats really fast (normal rhythm, I think) for a few beats then goes to completely normal. It always catches me off guard so I usually dont even get to my pulse on time (that is how short they are). Sometimes it causes me to gasp for air, eventhough I can breath. I am kind of used to them now but it still sends me into the start of anxiety attack. I only get them here and there. Probably not even more than one or two a month. Sometimes it is longer between episodes, like several months.  I have no other symptoms. Never passed out or felt like I was going to. No shortness of breath. No dizziness. No pain, sweats, chills or nausea. Everytime I google it, it takes me to Afib or Ventricular Tachy. I have no health insurance until Jan 1. And have an appt on Jan 14 w/ a cardiologist. I am just so freaked out!! I hope I dont have a stroke or anything :( Anyone else with the quivering/fluttering heart?

[achillea]

Da*n Autocorrect!  That's 'simply' and not 'simplicity.!

[achillea]

"I actually called and asked exactly what was the abnormality. He said the ekg showed minor st depression...and it is non specific. Of course I googled that **** and now Im kind of freaking out!"

Don't DO that.  Listen, the reason you see a cardiologist is that he/she had actually gone to med school and then--after that--spent years learning even more about a specialty.

It is terribly hard to judge how much your patient understands, and how to translate difficult medical terms into English, but the bottom line is that your specialist actually knows a TON about your ticker--and you simplicity do not.

Really.

The bottom line is that he/she wants to help you, and has zero interest in NOT helping you.

If you have questions, instead of hitting the internet, go back to your doc and ask for a full explanation.

[LJ409]

If this is any degree of comfort, I have been sufffering with skipped beats
for 44 years. Been to Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Gastroenterologist,
Internist,Thoracic Surgeons and to Urologist to see if there was any
connection from that standpoint and I have seen many GP's, but I still have
the skipped beats. My point is, if after seeing all of these doctors and
enduring all of the test and each test was negative then surly nothing is
wrong. But like all of you I"m still very concerned and I am not suggesting
that you not see a doctor, by all means do so. If they come up with a
fix for you please post it. Thanks!

[itdood]

i wouldn't get upset if it didn't warrant more testing.  

[Hizzoze]

I actually called and asked exactly what was the abnormality. He said the ekg showed minor st depression...and it is non specific. Of course I googled that **** and now Im kind of freaking out!

[Hizzoze]

I dont even know if he used the word abnormalities. I asked him if my EKG was normal. He was looking at it and said, well there are a few little things here and there, but nothing to cause troubles. He also told me a lot of ppl dont have a completely normal ekg. Plus I was super nervous!!! Dont know if that had anything to do with it. When I described to him my symptoms he wouldnt even tell me what he thgt it could be. I asked abt AFib & he said, im not going to answer that until i 'see' what you are talking about. He sd it could be several pvc or pac in a row. ANd a few other things, I forget. I so want to call back and ask exactly what my ekg showed. But I dont know if it is worth it. I guess if he isnt concerned, I shouldnt be either. Thanks for all your input!! Ps. Where in PA are you from? Im in York.

[itdood]

Good BP for being at a doc's office!

"minor abnormalities but nothing concerning" is like an oxymoron.  why even say it.

[Hizzoze]

That is exactly what they did. He also ordered blood work...just thyroid and basic panel (no lipid panel...weird). I just got that done. Getting a 24 hr holter monitor put on, on monday. He also said an echo and stress test. But I asked if we could hold off on them until we see what the monitor shows. My bp was 126/65. But my weight was straight up chunk butt. He did say my ekg showed minor abnormalities but nothing to be concerning. That kind of freaked me out!

[itdood]

The techs will get an EKG and vitals on you.  The cardiologist will then examine you, and you describe your complaint.  The cardiologist will then come up with a treatment and/or testing plan.  It's really easy.  Not a big deal, not invasive.

[Hizzoze]

Going to Cardiologist tommorrow at 10am. I'm so nervouse. Anyone know what to expect at the very first appt?

[redsleek]

This response from me to you should be taken as encouraging than scaring. Even though we are 2 weeks away from Jan 1, I wouldn't risk health over saving money. If you haven't been to a cardiologist or primary physician, I would get the next appt. Find a good cardiologist or ask your primary care and perhaps you can ask the cardiologist for a non-insured patient's rate.
GET YOURSELF CHECKED OUT!!!

[itdood]

That's what my diagnosed PVCs feel like (quivers),