Fluttering, sinking feeling, dizzy, heart racing

[dmbe70]

I am a 36 year old female with no known health issues other than this.  I will be standing talking with someone, or watching TV and I will just get this very weird sensation, I literally lose my breath and my heart just flutters.  It feels as though it is literally fluttering.  In the seconds it happens, I get dizzy, very weak and shaky and can't catch my breath.  When it stops, I am very weak and shaky for minutes after also.  It stops within seconds (maybe 30 at most), but has lasted more than 2 minutes on 3 occasions in the past 2 years.  I have had the stress echo, u/s, blood work and worn an event monitor for 30 days and was told it is SVT, as they did catch that on the monitor, (with all the pac, pvc activity that really doesn't bother me.)  But this particular feeling has NEVER happened on her monitors that she gives me.  Does it sound like the same thing (SVT), just maybe worse on some occasions than others?  On the EKG, what can they rule out?  Can they see if there has been some arrhythmia?  I just feel as though this more serious episode is something else.  It happens this badly, infrequently.  Maybe 5 times a year, but when it does it is quite intense and very scary.
Any thoughts, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!
...Danielle

[babygirl19971031]

I have been having heart issues for almost 3 months now. I am a 18 year old female. whenever I stand my heart races, whenever I stand still it races and dizziness is followed by it. I have had 3 episodes in the past 2 weeks. The first one happened when I was taking a shower. My body started shaking then I got dizzy when my heart started racing. I passed out for 15 minutes. The next one was I got dizzy along with a racing heart and I fell down the stairs from the top. The other one was 4 hours away from that and I was in the shower and same thing along with my body shaking and I fell and slammed my head on the tile wall. I am now on a heart monitor for 48 hours. I don't know what it is.

[SparklingShimmer]

Hi, I'm so happy to have found this thread, I went to the hospital many times and even my doctor said its panic attacks which I never had one in my life, I always thought I did but nope, never in my life ever had the heart sinking feelings like this where my heart skips a beat etc I feel so many things at once when it happens! I've been taken many medications for many years now and when I had issues with my gallbladder I thought it was maybe that was what was causing them feelings, it has started recently, anyways as I was laying in bed when I took my medications and I got warm, heart skips a beat etc and I told myself what if its my medications since now I'm so used to taken them, so I went on google and i typed side effects and I take something for sleep its quitiapine and it says in the messages of that being whats causing it, I've been taken this drug for a while now and just maybe thats what I am experiencing im thinking of going off the medications once i see my doctor again cause i dont want anything to happent to me! I'm not sure if anyone is taken medications like i am taken but if u are pls read this it could be a possiblity! Maybe I'm getting used to being on the medication that now my body relies on it and now theres complications! So anyways thank god im not alone in this, thank god for this thread its helped me try to find a solution! I got many health issues at the moment so i want to do what sbest for my body and try to wing off of some of my medications cause my bf always said i take to many so im thinking hes right!  http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4689-8274/quetiapine-fumarate-oral/quetiapine-oral/details#precautions

[Changamanga]

I am 61 and have this sinking heart feeling since, the last several months, sometimes 3-4 times a day. Duration is quite short, may be less than a minute, may be not even half. In my teens, I was diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever and this has caused a leaking heart valve. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Low Blood Pressure, Tilt Test was positive. So I had to increase salt intake. I am going to gym for the last 5-6 years. Only once I fainted on the tread mill, but no sinking heart feeling there. I took the 24-Hour Holter Test, nothing there.
Otherwise I am just fine !!

[tjones8523]

I have the same thing I got on 1.25 mg of adivan daily and they have stopped. If I dont take the adivan they return. My heart the first time went to 165 beats and I went numb all over and I thought I was dead. I think we all have alot of Anxiety.

[SweetEscape89]

I have been to the ER numerous times, had at least three EKG's, chest X-rays, blood work, been check by my regular physician and my heart actually "flip flopped" or "fluttered" reAlly bad while he was listening to my heart. The dr told me it was a PVC or " Benine" heart beat. He said they are nothing to worrie about and most people who suffer from this are people who have cardiac awareness. We are so worried there is something wrong we listen for it and think about it constantly. That only makes the so called problem worse. I have never seen a cardiologist before because every time I go to the dr they basically look at me like I'm stupid and they basically say ur stupid get over it. Lol I know it's very scary everyday is a struggle. I fined when I don't think about it my life is perfectly normal. No worries, no flutters, no nervousness, no anything. It amazing to me how I can go from perfectly normal to this crazy person I have become and no one understands till they live through it.

[bri409]

i called the ambulance on myself too, i feel my heart beat everyday,even though im talking and walking,its the fact im scared when it flutters its gonna stop, like its just weirddd!

[bri409]

my hearts flutters all day everyday, no matter what i'm doing,smoking,eating sleeping,eating,walking,talking,omg it suckss! mom says i had a slight murmur? but uhh she told me it would fade away, at least my doc said that when i was little, but i swear its obviously still here! it *****, ive had an ekg and they ofcourse said oh your okay, blah blah blah! Hypochondriach i guess, but hey i try to ignore it and not let it bother me, cause alot of things cause your heart to flutter,and you might get dizzy and weak and shaky cause your nerves from the fluttering scaring you? im not quite sure, i stress out alot about my heart,and i'm constantly freeking out alot too! idk what to do anymore :/

[jk88]

sounds EXACTLY like an anxiety or panic attack. They usually happen when you least expect it and aren't under any stress at all. Sometimes it can just be a disorder or something u suffer from because you had been under some stress or some kind of stress in your life or a few days prior to the attack. I'd check in with your doctor and let them know your symptoms. I have had anxiety issues in the past as well as panic attacks and this sounds exactly like what it is. I'm no doctor just my opinion. Get it checked out.

[kylie75165]

I am 15 years old and lately I have felt sick to my stomach and I get really dizy every time I get up. Then at random times my heart will just race and then it will go so fast that it will skip and when ever it skips it feels like theres nothing there and then my heart rate will go faster. I remember I was at school with a really bad head ache and the vice principle came in and said my pupils where really dialated and that pretty much he thought I was on drugs or somthing so he searched me and of course found nothing. So I went to the hospital and the did a heart scan and also they said that a normal heart rate for my age was suppose to be under 100 and mine was 156 and everything came up negative EVEN the drug test lol but the said it was dehydration but I don't think thats it because it keeps happening! Any ideas anyone it scared the crap out of me when It happens!

[JudyK480]

Doesn't sound like a panic attack to me.  And, even if it turns out to be, your doctor should be finding out what is causing your symptoms . . . not guessing!  Find a different doctor.

[cupcake555]

I HAVE THE SAME SINKING SYMPTOMS THAT ARE EXTREMELY SCARY.  IT COMES USUALLY WHEN I AM AT REST OR LAUGHING, NEVER STRESSED.  THE DOCTOR TOLD ME AFIB IS HARD TO DETECT AS YOU HAVE TO CATCH IT IN ACTION AND A 24 HOUR MONITOR IS A "SHOT IN THE DARK."  I DID AN ECHO AND 24 HR MONITOR.  NEXT WILL BE A TILT TABLE TEST THEN POSSIBLEY A 30DAY EVENT MONITOR.  IT HAS BEEN 3 WEEKS AND TODAY AT WORK WHILE LAUGHING WITH CO-WORKER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, NO MONITOR TO CATCH.  IT IS VERY SCARELY.  GOOD LUCK.

[Trackermom]

Before I was diagnosed with Right ventricular tachycardia I had about this feelings for about 4 months.  they got progressively worse.  I was told they are panic attacks, I am a nervous mother, I'm not getting enough exercise, too much caffeine.
Well it wasn't any of those things.

Please got to a cardiologist even better one who is an electrophysiologist  (expert in the heart current).  

Turns out I also had cardiomyopathy.  

[Matt9]

I am 21 years old, and for the past year i have been having chest pains near or in my heart. i quit smoking pot 3 days ago. Before then i smoked multiple times a day. For the past 6 months or so every time i smoked i would have a panic attack. I have not had a panic attack since i quit, but i still have really bad chest pain right when i wake up,  (its almost like i am having panic attacks while asleep). the pain slowly goes away after awaking. Throughout the day i feel tightness and sort-of a vibration in my heart. every now and then my heart just drops and i have to take a deep breathe to get my heart beating normally again. i'm not in bad shape or anything, but i don't eat very healthy and don't exercise like i should. i smoke cigarettes (about 10  a day). the past couple nights it seems impossible to relax, i don't know if not smoking pot is the cause or just stress from my job. im just sick or worrying. does anyone have any comments that they think would help me out? thanks

[KBedmedpa]

hi danielle i am a medical student and future pa from what you have described it sounds a lot like Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) which is episodic, with an abrupt onset and termination. Manifestations of SVT are quite variable; patients may be asymptomatic or they may present with minor palpitations or more severe symptoms, it sounds like you get the severe and scary symptoms which are that which may feel like a heart attack but are not and the best thing for you to do is get in touch with your family doctor and get a recomendation to see a cardiologist and an electrophysiologist who can give you an at home halter moniter to wear which will show all of your hearts activies for 24 hours or longer depending on what they want, its a great idea to have a cardiologist for SVT, Studies also show that SVT can be cause by caffeine or phenelealynine which is common in diet sodas and PKU can be a cause for SVT but again its not majorly backed so dont quote me on that one, but your best bet is if you do actually pass out become diaphorretic or really sweaty or get pain that radiates either from your chest to either your arm your back your neck your jaw along with shortness of breath it would be wise to go to the er SVT can be a scary thing so get in contact with your family physician and get a cardiologist

[michaelcgregory]

Where do you all live? If it is not a panic attack (and it doesn't sound like it in most cases), it might be dehydration. Drink more water.

[scmom3]

I have been there for years, to the point of passing out.  Everyone will always assume it is a panick attack and maybe it is.  Hospitals, ER are not much help, they assume you know what is happening to you and this is just another hospital visit.  You need to go to a dr and get a full exam, EKG and echo.  I have mitrovalve prolapse 3 of my valve dont always work.  It took me years to find out, because I was young when it all started, stress can always make it worse.  To make matters worse, years later after my twins were born, I find out that I have thyroid disorder.  I had trouble getting pregnant, so my thyroid had been checked numberous times over the years nothing came of it.  When the twins were almost 2 years old I find out I have Thyroid, which can cause a heart errythmia (spelled wrong sorry), along with some other serious conditions.

Please get your ekg and echo, get your thyroid checked, it is not always hereditary.  Rule everything out first.  And anxiety also has to be minimized it does make everything worse.  Good luck.

[1fastroush]

Does anyone smoke cigarettes that has these panic attacks? I used to smoke at 32 and had all of the same issues as everyone else on this board. I went to the ER several times and got to where I felt like I couldn't breathe at night when I layed down. I changed my diet, controled what I drank, ( no sodas) because they also told me it was gas. The one thing I finally did was quit smoking and I haven't had a problem since. Still eat what I want, still drink sodas, still have gas. Just don't have those attacks no more and I am now turning 37. Just wanted to put this out there if someone smokes. Hope everyone gets better that is a terrible feeling...

[WantToManage]

Just to throw my 2 cents in, I agree with bobbiel, what you're describing sounds very much like panic attacks to me because I've been in through them too.

They can be tricky because they can (in fact they often do) occur when you're not conscious of feeling stressed at all.  The first time I had one I was sitting in a restaurant with an old friend having a very nice time.  They're always scary, but once you know what they are you can train yourself to get through them by reminding yourself that you know what's happening and that you'll be OK in a few minutes.  

I went to the doctor after my panic attack and was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).  I now take the SSRI Lexapro and it has helped me a lot.  But medication isn't the only way to deal with anxiety; there are exercises and therapy helps many people too.

It's worth looking into the symptoms of anxiety and seeing whether they ring a bell with you.  Good luck!

[bobbiel]

Danielle,
Those feeling sound like panic attacks to me. They can be far in between or frequent. I had them and I believe they were cause by the stress in my life but even after the stress left I still had them and I believe that I caused them by thinking about them which was hard not to do due to the fact that they were so god fearing scary. I always thought I was going to die and each and everyone of them was different so I thought this is it.I'm doomed.  My husband at the time always told me that I was causing them but I didn't believe him because I lothed him. The doctors kept me on tranquilizers and I thought they were trying to kill me.  Those attacks are so bad that they make you think the worse. You may not believe me and that's ok but, think about it and try your very best to fight back and get your mind to believe that you are not going to die and that's it's a condition you can control.  They never hurt me and I fought  them with the belief that I'm to blame and stop doing that!!!!  Of course get your doctors check.  when they start peeking their head get on the phone and call your mom or dad or sister someone who loves you and understands you and tell them what your experiencing no matter what time it is. Or if you're strong enough to fight it on your own believe you can do it and believe it's not going to harm you and you'll be able to weather it through. Too bad we can talk to each other I know having someone who understands will help.  
Stay strong,  bobbiel

[bobbiel]

I had  the same feelings as you and everytime they came the feeling was something else and I'd say this is different and I was doomed to die. SCARY is not the word. I now believe that all those horrific episodes were panic attacks and today i could get them but i don't let them in with a strong mind and knowing i'm not going to die. Best thing i did was to get on the phone and talk to someone or do something to get my mind off of the feeling. I'd get so bad that my heart would race to the point of passing out. The fear was so intense that i was uncontrolable. I caused a lot of the episodes with a bad life that dragged me down to the pits of hell and after that I still kept getting the attacks until I believed that I was causing them.  Maybe this is not your situation but your mind can play a big part of the problem. Now, I don't know what your situation is but you can beat this problem. I know because i did. I now suffer from palpatation and I'm going to schedule another dr. visit.   limiting your intake of aggrevators is good but you can beat this problem. You need really to have a complete check-up from a cardiac specialist....just in case you haven't to help your mind heal itself. Don't let those feeling get out of control because it will get you in a bad state. move quickly and get on the phone and call a friend or someone who understands.,,, your mom, dad sister. I don't know if this helps but even just talking about it  helps.  
bobbiel  

[bannanas]

I have the exact same thing occuring with me, and I have had it for years... I have no idea what the condition is, except its scary as heck!! I sometimes feel numb, I sometimes feel shaky, at this very moment actually. My doctor tries to tell me that its passing gas in my rib cage, but I think that is non sense! I know what gas feels like and this is not a pain but a discomfort completely! Its scary and makes me feel warm and worried.. When my heart feels like it stops I freak out, then it races instantly and I have to keep feeling it to make sure I am okay, and I have rushed myself to the ER so many times over this and for some reason they always send me away! I feel for you because this freaks me out to no end, and I worry that it is something severe. I try to ignore it but it actually at times makes me sink into panic attacks.. Which is NOT the same thing at all as this condition, but the attacks do not help it either! I attempt to fix it on my own by watching out for Caffine or foods or sometimes even lack of sleep, but this does not fully help me. This is just too strong of a feeling to be ignored mostly!! I wish I could help, or that you could help me ..

-Whitney

[ravinesh]

i no iam the same. I used to have these very bad heart racing beats at times 5 years ago. at times my heart would just start beating very fast and i would get reali hot and feel like cant breath at all. The doctors reckon it was panice attack but i just didnt know wat it was. it was very scary. lasted for 2 years but then went away for 4 years and now its come back again . and even worse. now i feel dizzy all the time and very  
weak and feel like cant breath . i dont know wat 2 do. i have missed work so mch cuz of this. my throat feels very dry. can n e one help?  

[dmbe70]

I should add, also, that when the fluttering happens, my heart rate is almost nonexistent.  Then it shoots up and races.  very odd, I know, though I am sure someone understands what I am saying!