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Heart Rhythm (Expert Forum)
Scared and seeking professional advice
Answered by
Michael J. McWilliams, M.D. - atrial fibrillation, Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Arrhythmias (SVT, VT), PVC/PAC, Ablation
Wilmington Health Associates
Wilmington - NC
Questions in the Heart Rhythm forum cover topics that include heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
Scared and seeking professional advice
by umstluvdogs, Jan 29, 2009 04:38PM
Thanks in advance. Here goes:
() For a month, my heart's been beating very strongly. I felt that when I got up from sitting or resting it would beat harder and then return to how it felt when sitting or laying down fairly quickly. I was a bit dizzy on a few occassions. I have had no other symptoms.
() I went to my regular doctor about a week ago. Vitals were 134 over 80. He ran an ekg and it was normal. He listened to my heart and said it sounded normal. Referred me to a cardiologist & ran a blood test.
() I saw the cardiologist yesterday. Did an EKG and it was normal. Took my vitals and were normal. Listened to my heart and said I had a murmur which I had no idea that I had. Said let's do an echo stress test this coming Monday so i am scheduled to do that. After some questioning, said I may have sleep apnia (apnea) and will eb getting me into a sleep test/study in the next few weeks.
() Got blood test results from my doctor after I saw the cardiologist. Said my thyroid was .2 over the upper limit and that I might have parathyroid issues. Took another blood sample for thyroid testing. Those results will be back next week. Said he thinks iteh cardiologist will prescribed a beta - blocker to manage the heart beating problem.
Questions:
() Are there any other tests thatr I should eb considering taking to reach a diagnosis most completely?
() Does the fact that multiple ekgs taken within a week of each other are normal and that my vitals were normal affect what type of problem they may diagnose as far as my symptoms?
() I have been on Lotril, a water pill and Zoloft for quite some time now. Could these medications be impacting these symptoms and if so, how?
() What is a beta blocker and does it seem like something that would address the issues?
() What is the significance/role of the thyroid/thyroid test results in this situation in connection with my symptoms?
I am 43, weigh 210 lbs, am 6ft 1 inch tall and am in good health otherwise.
() For a month, my heart's been beating very strongly. I felt that when I got up from sitting or resting it would beat harder and then return to how it felt when sitting or laying down fairly quickly. I was a bit dizzy on a few occassions. I have had no other symptoms.
() I went to my regular doctor about a week ago. Vitals were 134 over 80. He ran an ekg and it was normal. He listened to my heart and said it sounded normal. Referred me to a cardiologist & ran a blood test.
() I saw the cardiologist yesterday. Did an EKG and it was normal. Took my vitals and were normal. Listened to my heart and said I had a murmur which I had no idea that I had. Said let's do an echo stress test this coming Monday so i am scheduled to do that. After some questioning, said I may have sleep apnia (apnea) and will eb getting me into a sleep test/study in the next few weeks.
() Got blood test results from my doctor after I saw the cardiologist. Said my thyroid was .2 over the upper limit and that I might have parathyroid issues. Took another blood sample for thyroid testing. Those results will be back next week. Said he thinks iteh cardiologist will prescribed a beta - blocker to manage the heart beating problem.
Questions:
() Are there any other tests thatr I should eb considering taking to reach a diagnosis most completely?
() Does the fact that multiple ekgs taken within a week of each other are normal and that my vitals were normal affect what type of problem they may diagnose as far as my symptoms?
() I have been on Lotril, a water pill and Zoloft for quite some time now. Could these medications be impacting these symptoms and if so, how?
() What is a beta blocker and does it seem like something that would address the issues?
() What is the significance/role of the thyroid/thyroid test results in this situation in connection with my symptoms?
I am 43, weigh 210 lbs, am 6ft 1 inch tall and am in good health otherwise.
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J. McWilliams, M.D., Jan 29, 2009 08:17PM
, Jan 29, 2009 08:17PM
1. Palpitations (sensation of the heart beating) after standing is common. People tend to feel their heart beat more often when they are stressed, sleep deprived, caffeinated, etc. It does not necessarily point to a problem. Sleep apnea can increase adrenergic tone (adrenaline) and make the heart beat harder and faster and high thryoid hormone levels also can affect how hard the heart beats or feels like it is beating. The only additional test I would consider is a heart monitor to see what your heart rhythm is when you are having symptoms. I suspect it is a normal rhythm just beating harder than normal.
2. Lots of people have murmurs. Most murmurs are not of clinical significance. Most of the time when someone really has a heart problem, there is a strong suspicion of that after the first meeting with a cardiologist. If nothing was mentioned about a specific diagnosis, it is less like that something significant will show up with testing.
3. If you have been on these medications and they are not new, it is unlikely they are causing it. A water pill can sometimes cause dehydration and cause the heart to beat harder when you stand up. Ask you doctor if they think this could be playing a role in it.
4. Beta blockers block the adrenaline receptor on the heart and decrease the strength of contraction. This can help people be less aware of their heart rhythm.
5. If your thyroid stimulating hormone is high, than your actually thyroid hormone levels are probably slightly low. this usually does not cause palpitations. If your hormone levels are high, that can cause palpitations. Your doctors will know this after your repeat labs come back.
I hope this helps.
2. Lots of people have murmurs. Most murmurs are not of clinical significance. Most of the time when someone really has a heart problem, there is a strong suspicion of that after the first meeting with a cardiologist. If nothing was mentioned about a specific diagnosis, it is less like that something significant will show up with testing.
3. If you have been on these medications and they are not new, it is unlikely they are causing it. A water pill can sometimes cause dehydration and cause the heart to beat harder when you stand up. Ask you doctor if they think this could be playing a role in it.
4. Beta blockers block the adrenaline receptor on the heart and decrease the strength of contraction. This can help people be less aware of their heart rhythm.
5. If your thyroid stimulating hormone is high, than your actually thyroid hormone levels are probably slightly low. this usually does not cause palpitations. If your hormone levels are high, that can cause palpitations. Your doctors will know this after your repeat labs come back.
I hope this helps.
Member Comments (2)
by jem516, Mar 24, 2009 08:19PM
To: Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.
hi, im 33yrs old from the philippines, i have been diagnosed with WPW last oct. of 2006, had my 1st ablation with eps last apr of 2007 and it wasnt a success, had the same procedure last feb of this year and according to my doctor it was a success, my problem is that im still having a lot of skit beats everyday. is it normal or what, cause its really bothering me. and im still feeling dizzy all the time, dizziness feels like im going to fall, like im out of balance everytime. the dizziness occurred even before my diagnosis. please advise me on this, really need some help understanding what im going through, thanks for your time and hope to hear from you. God bless.
by sammykat, Apr 02, 2009 10:24PM
A related discussion, sleep apnia (apnea) was started.
by daffodil9898, Apr 22, 2009 11:52AM
A related discussion, Experiencing irregular heart beats was started.
by KimikoYamaguchi, May 10, 2009 03:15AM
A related discussion, Debilatating heart problem was started.
by Kyle2009, Jul 28, 2009 03:51AM
A related discussion, Was I misdiagnosed? was started.
by NeilC1201, Aug 28, 2009 07:08PM
A related discussion, Chest pains was started.
by k8t441, Oct 18, 2009 05:33AM
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