Increasing palpitations

[jenbug1978]

I have had occasional palpitations over many, many years. However, this last year they have gotten more frequent. I do have anxiety and asthma. So, I know that it could just be those things causing this. I am in good physical shape. I jog/cardio about 4-5 days a week. My mother died at age 54 (last summer) of cardiopulmonary arrest, and heart disease is rampant on both sides of the family.
Lately, I seem to get more of these weird heart feelings when I am jogging or in bed at night with my partner. Even though I notice more during activity, I also get them at random while just relaxing or doing mundane things such as dishes, cooking, etc. Anyone have this happen?

[Maya551]

Have you gotten the results from your holter monitor?

[madamebrianne]

Hello,

Please look into Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). It is a very unheard of nervous system disorder that prevents the body from being able to properly adjust to the pull of gravity. Therefore, symptoms arise, such as: rapid heart rate upon standing, low or high blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, sweating, anxiety-like symptoms, headaches, shortness of breath, inability to exercise, digestion problems, etc. The symptoms are endless and vary person to person day to day. Very few doctors are familiar with this illness and often misdiagnose patients.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Best wishes,
Brandi

[jenbug1978]

I am going in to get my Holter done today!

[Mom2four85]

my dad had cp arrest also but due to agressive lymphoma 2 years ago;  it does sound like possibly a stroke in the carotid (sp?) artery; so she may have had some plaque buildup since you said heart disease

with your family history I would at least get a checkup with a cardiologist and get a calcium score (your dr will know what it's called) which is what they told my husband to do with his family history similar to yours - I know some say it's not necesary but then other dr's highly recommend it

the almost blacking out is probably could be as simple as being caused by the ANS (autonomic nervous system) with a mixed signal from the brain to the ANS or you could have an imbalance in your system; have you had any blood work done to check for electrolytes; potassium, magnesium etc?

If you want to know more and understand about the the ANS; read the Patient Handbook from the National dysautonomia Research Foundation .  It's an easy to understand booklet that explains how the ANS relates to many things like our BP; heart rate, breathing, digestion etc

you can google national dysautonomia research foundation or go to ndrf.org click on learn more then click the pdf format of the Patient Handbook

so sorry for typo's or if I left anything out - these days it's difficult to find what I'm trying to explain and put in words

[MichelleP_3811]

Feeling close to blacking out upon standing is actually a sign of low blood pressure.  This is generally a good thing unless the bp is so low that it causes actual blacking out.  I have had this issue my whole life.  A lot of small women have this.  Ideally it is best to try and be a bit slower when rising and add a bit of salt to the diet if your doctor deems it OK.  But in general it isn't anything to be too concerned about.  But again do go and ask for a work up of your heart considering your family history.  

[jenbug1978]

Thank you all for your replies! My boyfriend is concerned and wanting me to get it checked out, as well. My mom, in fact, before she died wanted me to get my heart checked, as I was a 7-week preemie and had lungs collapse twice (totally unrelated) but the doc told her I could have issues down the road with any organs. She died with a swollen right neck and what they called cardiopulmonary arrest primary cause anoxia (total lack of oxygen to brain) so I am assuming a stroke in the neck? We didn't get an autopsy, because it was against her wishes BIGTIME. However, she had cousins with good lifestyles who had heart attacks in their late 30s ( I am 34). Everyone on Dad's side had stroke or heart attacks and died (everyone) whether theyh had good lifestyles or not.
Yes, I will get in and let you all know. Thank you!
Also, it seems like when I bend down and stand up I get almost blacking out feelings...and just at times going up the stairs out of breath I get lightheaded

[Mom2four85]

opps sorry there's a typo - which can sometimes happen or something else entirely (not the word unseen)

what I wouldn't give for an edit button =)

[Mom2four85]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother passing at such a young age; mine passed away at 52 of breast cancer.

You need to find exacty what yor mom had so you know what you're dealing with. I would have a complete cardiac workup just to rule out anything genetic but probably your arrhythmia's are not associated with CHD at your age

Don't get confused about heart diesease (CAD/CHD) and arrhythmia's. My EP explained it like this - one is a plumbing problem & one is an eletrical problem

CAD s is typically caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries to your heart and can be prevented most of the time with lifestye; however genetics can playa part in some cases.

The shortness of breath and elevated HR should be checked out by a cardiologist just to be safe.  It could be the increasing number of arrhythmia's causing it; which can sometimes happen or something else unseen.  Having an exercise stress test may yield some answers as well as a holter monitor to catch any episodes you're having.

let us know how it goes and what your doctor says

[MichelleP_3811]

If this is what you are indeed experiencing, ectopic beats, pacs or pvcs, in an otherwise healthy heart are not a concern unless they cause troubling symptoms like shortness of breath or passing out.  The fact that you work out regularly is a good sign that you heart is likely healthy but considering your family history of heart disease I might go and get checked out by a doctor if you haven't in the recent past.  It is best to get a base line and know that you have a healthy heart rather than let something go and regret it later.  Odds are your anxiety and/or asthma may be contributing to your issue but best to just go and get checked out to be sure.  Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.

[jenbug1978]

I also forgot to mention that even though I exercise regularly and am in good shape, some days it is exhausting to even climb up/down the stairs. On days like that, like today, i will check my pulse for 10 seconds and take that time 6 and have sometimes been coming up with a pulse of 120s