Vibrating and Gurgling in Chest?

[*Robin*]

Hi,

I have a history of Lyme Disease and PVC's. I've been told that my PVC's are benign by my Cardiologist.

Lately I've been having a gurgling and vibrating sensation in my chest, near my heart. It seems to happen with my heartbeat, especially when I'm laying on my left side.

Does anyone get this? What does it sound like?

I had an EKG and Chest X-Ray not long ago. I don't know if that would have shown anything or not, as far as the gurgling and vibrating.

Please let me know your opinions.

Thanks so much!

[bobad]

If the gurgling-vibrating is regular, it very well may be related to the heart. Have someone take a listen with a stethoscope. If it's related to the heart valves, they can tell you immediately. Good luck. I hope it's from drinking Diet Coke and Mentos. :)

[*Robin*]

I was at the doctor the other day, and he listened to my heart, but the gurgling and vibrating wasn't happening then. Do you think he still would have been able to tell if there was a valve problem?

Thanks for your response!

[*Robin*]

I also wanted to mention that I had a normal Echo in Janaury.

[bobad]

That's unusual!

An echo will normally catch sound and vibration long before you can sense them.

It's possible that you have a valve acting up irregularly. It could be blood pressure related, and triggers at a certain BP. Perhaps log your BP when the sound occurs and when it does not occur and you can make a correlation.

The key here is regular. When the sound and vibration occur, are they regular and cyclical? If so (and not caused by your breathing) then they are almost surely heart valve-related. If the sounds are irregular, they may be more related to breathing or to the digestive system. Once in a while, the arteries can also make a slight vibration, but that would also be easy to detect with ultrasound long before you can sense it.

Best of luck, and do keep us posted on your unusual situation!.

[PRADA001]

Hi Robin - don't worry - I too have the gurgling in or around my heart, can't make out which it is. The way I explained it to my Cardiologist is that it sounds as if my hearts hungry!! I've had all of the regular heart tests done and I've been diagnosed with benign PVC's which are no fun at all but they found nothing wrong with my heart in terms of valves, structure, etc. Anway, please be assured that you're not alone with this funny sensation. Just to let you know as well, mine started when I started taking blood pressure medication and I find that they come and go now and what a coincidence, they are back right now as I type you this message!! Hope this helps and best of luck.

[*Robin*]

Thank you so much for your responses!

bobad ~ I'm not sure what you mean by regular or irregular, and how do I check? They just seem to come on out of the blue, especially when I am laying on my left side. I think I even feel it near my ribs sometimes, but I'm not sure it's the same thing. The valve thing scares me, especially after having a normal Echo in January. Can things change that much in 6 months?

PRADA001 ~ That makes me feel better that I'm not the only one experiencing this! My blood pressure is always low to normal...do you have high blood pressure? Or were you taking the blood pressure medicine for the PVC's?

[RNRita]

Well, I never got the gurgling, but I've had vibration standing, sitting, lying, and doing cartwheels.....Okay, well I can't actually do cartwheels anymore, but I thought I'd throw it in.  I think if we took all the weird sensations we get from these things, we would look at the list and laugh.

[PRADA001]

I do have high blood pressure. I definitely noticed both the  PVC's and my "hungry heart" sensation after starting the medication and my doctor said that the gurgling was a possible a side effect and that it was much beter to have the medication and cope with the side effects than stop taking the meds and not have the gurgling but then have all the complications with having untreated blood pressure. I know it's a weird sensation and it too still spooks me but try you're best to embrace that it's part of who you are and the way your body works. You, like myself, have been told that we're structurally OK so we have to beleive in those that know best!! Forgot to mention yesterday but I have another little tip that helps my "hungry heart" and I know it sounds crazy but it really does help. Eat a slice of bread and a glass of milk. Try it - I hope it works for you!!

[bobad]

Regular as in every heartbeat or every-other heartbeat. Irregular as in unpredictable.

[madjlp]

Interesting - I've never heard that its possible to hear your own heart gurgling (without a stethoscope) and would be skeptical without a Dr. or study saying its possible - when I've discussed this type of sensation with the Dr they always say gastric and I think the gurgling I feel is always gastric (it's irregular and manipulable with movement, Maalox etc).  Lying on the left side does trigger PVCs in some people and can certainly enhance your heartbeat awareness (I know it does for me).  Might also be worth considering that when you lie on your left side the fluids in your stomach follow gravity which means they'll be positoned to the left of your midline in the upper abdomen directly under the left side of your heart (roughly), and when those fluids gurgle they'll be doing so against the left side and left top of your stomach.  Those sensations refer quite easily through the upper abdomen and lower chest.  You could try lying on your right side and see if the sensations change somewhat (though it's easier to have acid reflux when lying on your right side...FUN!).    The vibration stuff I have occasionally too but I ignore as best as I can (could be muscular, could be other).  I guess in the end who knows with a lot of this stuff.  Gotta love RNRita - read some of her other posts, might make you laugh a little - I know thats the only thing that helps me sometimes.

The normal echo and ekg are definitely a positive - they'd have picked up heart valve issues on the echo (echos really are very good for that) - I know it's hard to take solace in clean testing when you still have symptoms but it seems you're on the right track.  Lyme and PVCs are a tough hand to be dealt.  Hang in there.

[jess345]

i also have this gurgeling/vibration sensation near or with my heart. it has been causing tons of anxiety. ive had ekg, ultrasound, stress test, halter moniter but of course it never happens during any tests. i dont have any other problems other then it causing me tons of anxiety. (ive had panic attacks/generalized anxiety my whole life.) ive listened to my heart with a stethescope and it sounds like gurgling almost like stomach sounds when its occuring, i dont hear any difference in my actual beat. i do have a very minor murmur but nothing to worry about i was told. im just glad to hear other people have this too. ive been consumed with worry over it. my cardiologist is sending me a moniter to record any strange feelings. i will get it in the mail soon. i guess you press it to your chest when you feel the sensation and it records it. i just want some instant answers because its worrying me!!!! im only 30 and i feel like its silly to worry however these feelings are real. im on zoloft 150mg and prenatel vitamens for nursing everyday.