Possible Arrhythmia

[cb205]

I'm a 29 year old male, maybe 30 pounds overweight.  My history is remarkable for Ulcerative Proctitis and unexplained Chronic Daily Headache Syndrome.  

One day I was just standing there and (this is hard to describe) but I felt out of nowhere my heart pounded very intensely in a strange way, then it felt like it may have stopped, or fluttered, or something...I'm not too sure, but I could feel things going on in my heart and upper abdomen.   Well, just as soon as that happened I got weak and had near syncope (if I hadn't sat down I'm 99% sure I would have passed all the way out).  I also felt an intense feeling that my life was about to end during the near-syncope.   Then everything leveled out after 30 seconds and I was left with a dry mouth and my hands trembling, and a very mild tightness and fluttering in my chest.     About 30 minutes after this, I had an EKG which was normal.

I can say that although I have not had an episode as I just described, there are many times where I get a moderate near-syncope when I first stand up, but I had already been standing for several minutes when my heart began to 'go crazy'.  

Please tell me what you think happened to me, and what tests are suggested, and does my problem sound benign or dangerous/progressive?

Thank you very much for your time.

[gracia888]

I had my ECG a couple of months ago and was diagnosed with Sinus Arrhythmia. How serious is disease? Can you explain further.
Thanks.

Gracia

[gracia888]

I had my ECG a couple of months ago and was diagnosed with Sinus Arrhythmia. How serious is disease? Can you explain further.
Thanks.

Gracia

[Cleveland Clinic]

It is possible that you had a cardiac arrhythmia causing you to have these particluar symptoms.  The ones that are associated with standing up are probably unrelated.

There are many arrhythmias that can cause it.  In someone who is young and healthy like yourself, the most likely cause is an atrial arrhythmia.  This is very benign and typically never causes any serious problems.

There are of course other arrhythmias that are more rara and more dangerous.  They come from the pumping chamber of the heart.  Again, the likelihood of you having that one is low.  That type of arrhythmia may also be serious at all, but there are some discrete forms that cardiologist always worry about because those may be associated with more severe complications.

You basically need to be seen by a heart doctor who will get and ekg and a echocardiogram to further evaluate this.  A stress test may also be ordered depending on your risk factors for coronary artery disease. Finally, a monitor should be ordered to try to document this arrhythmia.  Again, all of those will be done by your cardiologist.