Aa
Happens mostly when I bike.. confusing
I am a 29 year old male, who does have some anxiety problems. I realize the high likelihood of a link between my symptoms and anxiety, but I am trying to pinpoint exactly what it is I am experiencing. ie what type of palpitations.. There are so many types!
I have had frequent episodes of palpitations for well over a year now, off and on. First they were just minor irritating beats when I would be sitting at my computer. I like to play online games and usually those episodes would occur when I played for a few hours every day (probably the adrenaline) - something I have stopped doing for a few months now (1 day a week, if that). Eventually however those almost went away completely, but there was some overlap between those palpitations and what I have been experiencing more frequently now, which began in October of last year.
I first noticed it one day when riding my bike to get out of the apartment and get some fresh air. I did a loop around the neighborhood and when I was almost back, I rode over some washboard (bumpy) road, and suddenly my heart began to thump, not even necessarily that fast as it was a light pace ride, but I really felt the thump/flutter in my chest and it made me want to stop and straighten my posture and breathe deeply and hope it would go away. I guess you could say I felt tense so I wanted to relax. It did go away within about 1-2 minutes. I did not experience it again until this spring, when I took the bike out again, and I was biking back from buying groceries. I rode up a hill, and over a bridge, and when I was riding down the slope, suddenly it came out of nowhere, only this time it lasted roughly 3 minutes. I was starting to consider calling the doctor, but I had gone to the hospital in November because of a panic attack where I woke up with a very fast heartbeat and high blood pressure. They took blood tests and ECG and told me that nothing was wrong with my heart, that I had anxiety. I thought I'd better make sure that this is really something before I try again to get some answers. It has happened about 3-4 more times...
Until yesterday... when it REALLY became persistent. I had drank a cafe latte that morning, and might have had some minor stressful thoughts during the day. I took the bike out to get stuff for dinner, and it came out of the blue within about 5 minutes, much sooner than it normally takes. I got off my bike and breathed for 2 minutes and waited for it to go away and continued. It happened once more before I got to the store. I was getting concerned, but I shopped, and went back out to my bike. This time I didn't even need to start pedaling before it came again. By this point I was thinking WTF. When I stood for a few minutes it would clear up, and I could walk without getting it, so I left my bike and walked home. I called the hospital immediately, and when I got there they proceeded to take blood tests and ECG again. Results? Exactly the same as last year. Nothing. I asked whether it would be helpful to get a holter monitor and whether beta blockers were right for me. The doctor this time around decided to get me both, but didn't know when the monitor would be available. I might have to wait a few weeks or even months. I didn't get the prescription right away either. I don't really know what the deal is there. So I'm left with almost as few answers as when I began, and it is truly frustrating. Today I went to pick up my bike, and could still feel the funny sensation when I got a little stressed. As well as when I tried to get on the bike. It immediately started, even after a night's rest. I got off and walked the bike all the way back (25 minute walk & of course, nothing then. strange? I think so.)
One other thing worth mentioning - I often get kind of gas/acid reflux as well. I felt this a lot yesterday, but mostly at the hospital. I asked the doc if this could somehow irritate my heart/chest and cause that pounding sensation when I get in a certain posture and she said no, it shouldn't have anything to do with posture or stomach issues. Much of what I have read online seems to disagree with this, so once again, I am left feeling no closer to an answer than before.. Sorry for the length. I hope someone has some ideas for me.
I have had frequent episodes of palpitations for well over a year now, off and on. First they were just minor irritating beats when I would be sitting at my computer. I like to play online games and usually those episodes would occur when I played for a few hours every day (probably the adrenaline) - something I have stopped doing for a few months now (1 day a week, if that). Eventually however those almost went away completely, but there was some overlap between those palpitations and what I have been experiencing more frequently now, which began in October of last year.
I first noticed it one day when riding my bike to get out of the apartment and get some fresh air. I did a loop around the neighborhood and when I was almost back, I rode over some washboard (bumpy) road, and suddenly my heart began to thump, not even necessarily that fast as it was a light pace ride, but I really felt the thump/flutter in my chest and it made me want to stop and straighten my posture and breathe deeply and hope it would go away. I guess you could say I felt tense so I wanted to relax. It did go away within about 1-2 minutes. I did not experience it again until this spring, when I took the bike out again, and I was biking back from buying groceries. I rode up a hill, and over a bridge, and when I was riding down the slope, suddenly it came out of nowhere, only this time it lasted roughly 3 minutes. I was starting to consider calling the doctor, but I had gone to the hospital in November because of a panic attack where I woke up with a very fast heartbeat and high blood pressure. They took blood tests and ECG and told me that nothing was wrong with my heart, that I had anxiety. I thought I'd better make sure that this is really something before I try again to get some answers. It has happened about 3-4 more times...
Until yesterday... when it REALLY became persistent. I had drank a cafe latte that morning, and might have had some minor stressful thoughts during the day. I took the bike out to get stuff for dinner, and it came out of the blue within about 5 minutes, much sooner than it normally takes. I got off my bike and breathed for 2 minutes and waited for it to go away and continued. It happened once more before I got to the store. I was getting concerned, but I shopped, and went back out to my bike. This time I didn't even need to start pedaling before it came again. By this point I was thinking WTF. When I stood for a few minutes it would clear up, and I could walk without getting it, so I left my bike and walked home. I called the hospital immediately, and when I got there they proceeded to take blood tests and ECG again. Results? Exactly the same as last year. Nothing. I asked whether it would be helpful to get a holter monitor and whether beta blockers were right for me. The doctor this time around decided to get me both, but didn't know when the monitor would be available. I might have to wait a few weeks or even months. I didn't get the prescription right away either. I don't really know what the deal is there. So I'm left with almost as few answers as when I began, and it is truly frustrating. Today I went to pick up my bike, and could still feel the funny sensation when I got a little stressed. As well as when I tried to get on the bike. It immediately started, even after a night's rest. I got off and walked the bike all the way back (25 minute walk & of course, nothing then. strange? I think so.)
One other thing worth mentioning - I often get kind of gas/acid reflux as well. I felt this a lot yesterday, but mostly at the hospital. I asked the doc if this could somehow irritate my heart/chest and cause that pounding sensation when I get in a certain posture and she said no, it shouldn't have anything to do with posture or stomach issues. Much of what I have read online seems to disagree with this, so once again, I am left feeling no closer to an answer than before.. Sorry for the length. I hope someone has some ideas for me.
Hi,
If you feel that your esophagus is experiencing spasms, take your pulse at the wrist the next time you feel your symptoms. If you feel it in your pulse, it's likely your heart.
I have quite a few more PVCs when my arms are in use than when I am just walking, even under a good amount of stress, like up steps. See if you notice a correlation to arm movements, such as would be expected when riding the bike, since your arms are placed differently than when you walk.
An amusing anecdote of a neurotic (myself) once noticed if I press my hands slightly into my abdomen just below the xiphoid process (that little triangular piece at the bottom of your beast bone), I would get an ectopic beat almost every time. Oh my, I must have an aneurism I thought. (I don't even know if an aneurism would cause PVCs). In short time I noticed that if I pulled my arms towards my abdomen even without pressing into it, I get an ectopic beat, almost every time. Imagine that. It was the sudden arm movements and not the actual pressure into the abdomen that were causing the ectopic beats.
The Holter Monitor may not be able to capture your problem if it is not a daily thing. A 30 Day Event Monitor may be more appropriate. When you feel symptoms, you record the event then transmit the unit’s data by phone, sounds like a fax with a rhythm (when the heart beats are normal), and like a cacophony of sounds during a PVC. After receiving the data, the technician can tell you if it is anything serious, and all the data will be sent to your doctor regardless of whether it was serious or not. I believe that if it were serious, they would provide instructions and notify your Doctor.
I was having PSVT, (suddenly racing heart with a sudden return to normal), and the call taker couldn’t have sounded more bored “It’s just some PSVT” they would say. As they continued to be so casual about this form of symptom, I grew more and more tolerant of the episodes. Nothing serious was recorded in the 3 weeks that I had mine on. You still wear electrodes (white pads with the metal snap for the leads) but you can remove monitor and the leads when you want to take a shower, and they give you some instructions on replacing the electrodes and connecting them properly.
DO NOT do heroic levels of exercise to prove to yourself that you are OK. See your Family Doctor or see a Cardiologist to rule out anything more serious before you exert yourself too much. My wife worked at a Family Doctor at one time and they had a patient that was experiencing chest pain. He was scheduled for a stress test. The night before, he apparently pressed himself physically on his own treadmill. He did not live long enough to take the stress scheduled for the next day. When you are given a stress test in a professional setting, they carefully watch for changes on the EKG and stop the test if something adverse is noted. In the unlikely event that something would happen during the stress test, you have instant access to medical care.
Best of health and rhythm for your life and heart.
If you feel that your esophagus is experiencing spasms, take your pulse at the wrist the next time you feel your symptoms. If you feel it in your pulse, it's likely your heart.
I have quite a few more PVCs when my arms are in use than when I am just walking, even under a good amount of stress, like up steps. See if you notice a correlation to arm movements, such as would be expected when riding the bike, since your arms are placed differently than when you walk.
An amusing anecdote of a neurotic (myself) once noticed if I press my hands slightly into my abdomen just below the xiphoid process (that little triangular piece at the bottom of your beast bone), I would get an ectopic beat almost every time. Oh my, I must have an aneurism I thought. (I don't even know if an aneurism would cause PVCs). In short time I noticed that if I pulled my arms towards my abdomen even without pressing into it, I get an ectopic beat, almost every time. Imagine that. It was the sudden arm movements and not the actual pressure into the abdomen that were causing the ectopic beats.
The Holter Monitor may not be able to capture your problem if it is not a daily thing. A 30 Day Event Monitor may be more appropriate. When you feel symptoms, you record the event then transmit the unit’s data by phone, sounds like a fax with a rhythm (when the heart beats are normal), and like a cacophony of sounds during a PVC. After receiving the data, the technician can tell you if it is anything serious, and all the data will be sent to your doctor regardless of whether it was serious or not. I believe that if it were serious, they would provide instructions and notify your Doctor.
I was having PSVT, (suddenly racing heart with a sudden return to normal), and the call taker couldn’t have sounded more bored “It’s just some PSVT” they would say. As they continued to be so casual about this form of symptom, I grew more and more tolerant of the episodes. Nothing serious was recorded in the 3 weeks that I had mine on. You still wear electrodes (white pads with the metal snap for the leads) but you can remove monitor and the leads when you want to take a shower, and they give you some instructions on replacing the electrodes and connecting them properly.
DO NOT do heroic levels of exercise to prove to yourself that you are OK. See your Family Doctor or see a Cardiologist to rule out anything more serious before you exert yourself too much. My wife worked at a Family Doctor at one time and they had a patient that was experiencing chest pain. He was scheduled for a stress test. The night before, he apparently pressed himself physically on his own treadmill. He did not live long enough to take the stress scheduled for the next day. When you are given a stress test in a professional setting, they carefully watch for changes on the EKG and stop the test if something adverse is noted. In the unlikely event that something would happen during the stress test, you have instant access to medical care.
Best of health and rhythm for your life and heart.
Thanks Lawman,
To be honest I rarely drink caffeine at all, because of that very fact that I am so sensitive to it. Even half a cup is enough to get my leg hopping.
I was thinking of getting a stress test done, as that seems like the only possible way to replicate my symptoms. One thing occurred to me however today as I did some more research. I read something about esophageal spasms mimicing palpitations, and they seem to be posture related as well, which would seem to tie into the circumstances in which I experience this phenomenon.. I'm not ruling out palpitations, as I know I get those, but the ones I normally experience seem much different from these other ones I get from month to month..
I probably do need to get the BP in check though, mine sounds a lot like yours did. Sometimes when I go on an all veggie diet and cut out most salt, I will get it down to between 115-120 over 70-75, just like you. I am going to try staying off the bike for a bit and do walking more, as that seems to be the recommended heart healthy activity anyways.
PS, it's UT all the way. ;)
To be honest I rarely drink caffeine at all, because of that very fact that I am so sensitive to it. Even half a cup is enough to get my leg hopping.
I was thinking of getting a stress test done, as that seems like the only possible way to replicate my symptoms. One thing occurred to me however today as I did some more research. I read something about esophageal spasms mimicing palpitations, and they seem to be posture related as well, which would seem to tie into the circumstances in which I experience this phenomenon.. I'm not ruling out palpitations, as I know I get those, but the ones I normally experience seem much different from these other ones I get from month to month..
I probably do need to get the BP in check though, mine sounds a lot like yours did. Sometimes when I go on an all veggie diet and cut out most salt, I will get it down to between 115-120 over 70-75, just like you. I am going to try staying off the bike for a bit and do walking more, as that seems to be the recommended heart healthy activity anyways.
PS, it's UT all the way. ;)
I'm not a doctor, I'm just speaking from experience. If you've got insurance do a follow up with a cardiologist and get "the works" stress test (for me it was the thalium stress test). I had it done two times from almost exactly the same circumstances, but I was 35 and 37 years old. I've kind of determined from elimination I'm sensitive to caffeine (had to switch to decaf lattes and only one regular during the day). I also online game (lots of adrenaline dumps and no exercise to work them out).
Hank, I was told I'm healthy and too type 'A' /anxious. I was given Xanax which I took regularly for a while (3-4 times/week) and have now weaned down to about 2-3x month. Also, you're at the exact same age, my metablolism started to slow and I wound up on the starter dose of Lopressor as my pressure was okay, but it would spike fairly often from 130/80 - 160/100 quick. Now its pretty stable at 115/70 -125/75 most times.
My layman suggestion is try to relax, get some good follow up to rule out any transient underlying issues for peace of mind. If everything is okay get a referral to a nutritionist and try to institute some minor lifestyle changes. Also if you're playing FEAR, QUAKE, or HALO don't sit there drinking caffeinated beverages (upping your heart rate and bp), stick to caffeine free or powerade.
Finally, you're not alone in being nervous bud, hang in there.
I play with my kids to destress and listen to classical music now... go figure.
Take care, and I hope this helps a bit.
Hank, I was told I'm healthy and too type 'A' /anxious. I was given Xanax which I took regularly for a while (3-4 times/week) and have now weaned down to about 2-3x month. Also, you're at the exact same age, my metablolism started to slow and I wound up on the starter dose of Lopressor as my pressure was okay, but it would spike fairly often from 130/80 - 160/100 quick. Now its pretty stable at 115/70 -125/75 most times.
My layman suggestion is try to relax, get some good follow up to rule out any transient underlying issues for peace of mind. If everything is okay get a referral to a nutritionist and try to institute some minor lifestyle changes. Also if you're playing FEAR, QUAKE, or HALO don't sit there drinking caffeinated beverages (upping your heart rate and bp), stick to caffeine free or powerade.
Finally, you're not alone in being nervous bud, hang in there.
I play with my kids to destress and listen to classical music now... go figure.
Take care, and I hope this helps a bit.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
