Can you help

I had by pass surgery in 2001 and have been fine since, Occassionally during the past few years I could hear my heart beat fairly loudly and sometimes there seemd to be an extra beat. It has recently got worse. I did see a cardiologist in June and he put me on a 24 hour heart moniter but didnt show anything unusual, Then a couple of weeks ago during the night after a particularly stressful day in my new job it seemed worse.I was so worried that I got up early and went to local hospital emergency, They gave me an ecg and put me on a heart monitor..(They did ask me if Id had any stress recently........I moved form the otherside of the world, my mum died five months after I got here, Ive had a stroppy teenage daughter to contend with a husband whom iregrets leaving his Uk job, stress of finding a house, the menopause and a new rather stressful job!!)  They said I had an extra hearbeat one in about every 20 beats and not to worry it can be normal after bypass surgery, but to follow up by seeing my cardiologist. I cannot now see my cardiologist till April! Ive been to my GP, he said the same as emergency and the fact that im menopausal can contribute, that anxiety is linked to menopause. Its likely as I was anxious at work, it made things worse. However, im still getting the loud beats and it seems worse! Dont know what to do, just want to be told its all ok by a specialsit!!

[JonF]

Your case is not unlike thousands of others. Heart surgeries can result in PVCs and PACs, which is most likely what you're feeling. They're not generally a sign of anything dangerous 99% of the time. In fact, most of the world's population have them at some point in their lives. Most are not aware of them however. You had bypass surgery, so you're mentally hyper-aware of what your heart is doing.

I would start seeking out another cardiologist. That seems like an excessive waiting period. There are also medications, like Tambocor, that can help reduce the frequency and severity of the palpitations.

You shouldn't be worried unless you start to feel dizzy, faint, short of breath, or have chest pain in conjunction with the palpitations. You also shouldn't worry unless your heart begins to beat extremely fast or extremely slow for no reason. Atrial Fibrillation is also easy to spot. It will feel like a gang of squirrels fighting a gang of butterflies inside your chest.

The best thing you can do is to relax and try to get your mind off of it. :)

[jak393]

Thanks jon for your comments!! Seems like a vicious circle the more i think about it the more I worry then imagine im feeling dizzy!! I am trying to  see another cardioligist!!! i live rural australia and apparently they are few and far between!!

[kevin619]

i have allways had those symptoms. i was diagnosed as atrial flutter/ fribulation. it gets anoying and instantly decressis my ability to do normal things as walk n  talk. in 2001 i had a pacer implanted and it healped so much. whaen the flutter came the pacer reset my rythems to normal after 3 minute most. it allso prevented the fluttering accurance from 4 to 5 times daily to 2 or three times monthly. tiredness & depressin flew right out the window.

[jak393]

Thanks for that Kevin.yes do feel tired and depressed!!