Is it something to worry about?

I have always had chest pain over the course of my life and sometimes shortness of breath. However, it was the first time I ever had such a hard heart beat that caused pain and shortness of breath. I had awaken from sleep for no apparent reason and at first I could feel my heart beat against my chest and then I felt my heart beat faster and faster and it started to thud against my chest painfully. The episode didnt last longer than half a minute at most and I was able to fall back asleep.  After I awoke I felt fatigued but still went through with my gym exercises.  Is this something I should worry about or is this something that happens normally to some? I looked it up and only found information about palpitations and how they were from strenous exercises, emotions, or anxiety attacks. I didnt really fit into any of those categories as during cardio exercise my heart beats rapidly but not painfully and I dont have trouble breathing; I dont have anxiety and I wasnt scared or frightening after I woke up from sleeping.  Any advise would be helpful.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Probably not a problem but it is worth talking to your doctor.  They just need some background history, an EKG and maybe a echocardiogram and stress test depending on the history and physical.  It is sometimes hard to figure out exactly what happened, but sometimes no answer is better than an answer.

I hope this helps.

[SLP777]

A related discussion, concerns from atenalol was started.