30yr old male. 5'9", 190lbs. “Hard” palpitations for the past 6 years (normal heart pace/rhythm). They are most significant following meals. Intensity and length are directly related to size of meal, sugar/carb content, and other undetermined ingredients.
Generally, if I eat a sugar rich meal, within minutes my mouth will get dry and sticky. Approximately 30 minutes later the palpitations will begin. Intensity will increase for 30-60 minutes. They can last anywhere from 1hr to 12+hours (depending on size/type of meal). The palpitations are usually so strong that I can feel my heartbeat in my extremities, hear it in my head, see certain arteries pumping, and it even moves body parts such as my stomach/chest, can close my jaw if teeth are left millimeters apart, and twitch my leg if crossed over the other when sitting.
The known potential contributing factors are: overweight (220 at highest), poor diet (a lot of meat, not many fruits/vegetables), not handling stress well, and binge drinking (since high school, once/week, 6-15 drinks). Through the last 6 years I have made intermittent and varied improvements in all areas without symptom improvement. More importantly, I have eliminated all with drastic/permanent changes in lifestyle.
I have seen heart, pulmonary, endocrinologist, natural, and psychiatry specialists. I have taken numerous tests, all negative. I’ve tried multiple meds, an at home glucose test, and acid reflux meds. I am currently taking Nadolol which does seem to help a little bit. Since the palpitations began, my blood pressure was borderline hypertensive (13x/8x), but it has recently been low (11x/7x).
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone may have? Are there any other specialists, tests, medications, diets I could try? Does anyone have any insight specically what my be causing my heart to beat harder (ie chemicals/processes/reactions)? What do other patients do when they have symptoms without diagnoses?
THANK YOU! Chris