Heart palpitations and lightneadedness

[BIGNeal]

Hello,

I am a 31 year old male, 6ft 7inches tall.  I had been keeping myself fairly healthy until mid 2009, playing sports, running etc.  I even completed the London Marathon in 2007.  I do drink and I did smoke (although neither in excess) - but have now given up smoking for the last month - so at least something positive has come out of all this.

Back in my early 20's I suffered from the odd heart palpitation, my heart would beat regular, but very fast.  It would last about 15mins and then stop as quickly as it started - and then I would be fine.  I spoke to the doctor and he said to stay clear of all the normal things they say to regarding these.

Then in 2003ish I experienced them for over 24hrs.  When I got to the doctors, the wired me up to a ECG machine and it stopped there and then - typical.  Reading showed everything fine.

Since then I had experienced only the odd flutter, nothing more than anyone else.  Until December 2009.

I experienced them again for a whole day, and this time the local hospital got them on the ECG.  That day I was put on 1.25mg Beta Blockers by my doctor.  But I cant honestly say I felt the palpitations go away like I normally do.

I stayed on the Beta Blockers for 3 months - and everything seemed ok, my heart rate was 70bpm.  Although I was experiencing some discomfort around my chest.

I was then sent to a cardiologist - who carried out another ECG, x-ray on my chest and my blood pressure - all ok.  I had also recently had a blood test which all came back fine.

He told me to come off the Beta Blockers, and that everything seemed as normal - saying my palpitations being so far between, might just be something I have to live with.

I came off the Beta Blockers, and gave up smoking, which is now about a month and a half ago.  The aching around my chest seemed to go - and I put this down to coming off the Beta Blockers.

Since then, Ive had nurmerous spells where I was finding myself quite lightheaded (lasting for days, rather than hours) - I went to the doctor and he said everything still seemed as normal - and that he would inform the cardiologist.

I then read up on giving up smoking - and saw that this could lead to lightheadedness as more oxegen is now getting to your brain.  And to be honest I was starting to feel a lot better, with minimal lightheadedness and only the odd palpitation which I wasnt worried about.

I then had a 24hr ECG done, recommended by the Cardiologist.  I dont think I had any symptoms whilst wearing it - and I am waiting for results at the moment.  Typically, pretty much the day or so after, my palpitations seem to have returned - only quick flutters and large pumps, but my lightheadedness is back and is making me feel quite rough pretty much all day.  If my job entailed manual labour I dont think I could have carried on.

This has now been going on for some 3-4months - and is starting to get to me a bit.  The last few months seem to have been a complete waste of time for me - and looking forward I dont want to plan anything in case Im feeling rough and lightheaded.  My g/f is due our first baby in July and I just want to be able to look forward to this, rather than dreading the thought that Im going to feel too rough to do anything.

Has anyone experienced anything like this?  Im fully aware that it could be anxiety about the whole thing, but I just dont feel as though its right.  Could the cardiologist do a proper test when I had been on Beta Blockers for 3mths - my heart rate is now around 80-90bpm.  My pulse seems pretty regular still.

Any comments/thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Neal

[grady2008]

Hello BIGNeal, I am new to this fourm and I have been having some heart palpitations myself and I was wondering how you were doing with yours. I just read a post from April 30, 2010 about heart palps and lightheadness and I would say we have some things in common. I to quit smoking and had chest pains, I am 7 months smoke free, yay for me, but I still battle the occasional chest pain, I am currently undergoing some test for my stomache, I have been perscribed pentropozle(spelling) and donparidone(spelling). I have been on these meds for 5-6 months now and no cues in sight. I have started taking magnesium 2 weeks ago and still no cure for my heart palpitations! I was hopiing for some answers. I should say that I also suffer anxiety!

[itdood]

Hi Neal, yes I've experienced something very similar, starting around age 29.  It's evolved over the years, I'm now 42.  The light headed spells have changed quite a bit and they don't really bother me.

I've chalked mine up to what a doctor would call generalized anxiety disorder.  It's a very general term, the bottom line I think is that people who have GAD have an overactive autonomic nervous system.

Having your first child is very stressful, whether you feel it or not.

Over the years I've learned to definitely address these problems with a doctor.  If everything checks out I move on and accept it.   I also take charge of my own medical care.

I've also learned that where you are looking is where you go.  This works for skiing, driving motorcycles..... :-).   That's how I taught my niece how to ski, where she looks is where she'll end up.  In other words, if she focuses on the danger she'll head in that direction.  So my advise is to get yourself the proper tests and workups, but if everything checks out, then try to stop focusing on the issues.  If you stay obsessed with them, they will for sure never get better.