Crazy feeling in my chest

I am a 38 year old female and a little over weight.  I have had episodes in the past, usually at night or at rest, where it would feel like my heart skipped a beat or started racing.  It happens about every other night sometimes longer in between.  Today I was stopped in my tracks with fear because it felt as though my heart was either not beating hard enough or was beating so fast that it just didn't feel right.  Anyway it was very frightening.  I know that I have acid reflux and I really am under quite a bit of stress at this point in my life.  My doctor seems to feel that as long as I am not having problems other than at rest things are fine but I was very afraid today.  I have also not been drinking water like I usually do.  Can dehydration cause any of the things I am feeling?  Could it just be the anxiety or acid reflux?  Should I go ahead and do the 24 hr monitoring?  I am very afraid and insurance well I don't have any.  I just don't know what to do.  Thank you in advance for any advice.

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

Yes, dehydration coupled with stress and/or anxiety can cause the symptoms you are experiencing. Do you have these symptoms everyday? I only ask you that because you mentioned a 24 hour holter monitor. If you aren't feeling these everyday, I would hate to see you end up paying for an expensive test that will not give you or the Dr's any valuable information. Patients who experience isolated events or have days of normal cardiac activity followed by symptomatic activity would better benifit by a 21-30 day event monitor.

I hope that you find the answers you are looking for. We're here for you if you need more info or you just need to talk:)

[racemom586]

No I don't have these symptoms everyday.  My Dr and I had decided to wait on the monitoring mainly due to this.  I may go for quite a few days or even a week or more and not having any issues.  I was very scared when this happened so I was looking for answers when I found this forum.  I really appreciate your help.  I have been watching my fluid intake more closely and drinking more water.  I thought this problem could be from my acid reflux as well and after the last 24 hours I am convinced that coupled with the anxiety and not having enough water intake all these things coming together made me feel what I was feeling.  It is very frightening.  My Dr has recommended that I double up on my reflux meds and things have been much better today.  He doesn't want me to have to pay for the holter monitor if it isn't needed and due to my EKG and other tests he thinks we should continue as I am for now unless things change.  Thanks alot for commenting on my post.  It really helps to have someone to talk to and the people here seem to know alot about the things I have been going through.  

[Brooke_38]

I'm glad that you spoke to your Dr and won't be paying for uneccessary testing. Glad to hear that your symptoms are manageable with the increase of your reflux meds. Hope it continues to be this way for you:)