should i check w rheum or prim. dr.?

[sueg814]

I have a sleep disorder and SLE and now I have been getting palpitations at night and when waking in AM. Even when I doze off in the chair the palps start up. What could this be?

[sueg814]

Thanks for your reply, I just never had any heart issues before and have been sick(and fatigued) so much lately, I want to get some answers even if it is nothing to worry about.

[ireneo]

That's a good start. Now they'll be able to see exactly what's going on electrically in the heart and then pinpoint the cause. Just remember that because your heart beats funny at times, it doesn't necessarily mean there's something dangerous going on. I have electrical issues with my heart, have had them all my life. They're annoying but they haven't actually caused any damage and I'm now 60 years old. I hope you get some helpful news at the next visit.

[sueg814]

thanks alot, I wore the holter monitor for 48 hrs. and now the electrophysiologist/cardiologist will see me at the end of the month, I had 3 different runs of extra beats on the recording, which could be nothing so we will see

[ireneo]

Perhaps the GP can order a heart monitor for you to wear and have the recordings ready for the cardio. If you're bothered by the palpitations daily, then a Holter monitor would work for you. 24 hours of continuous monitoring and it would be caught. If it only happens occasionally, like once a week, then an event monitor would be better. You can ask, see what they think.

[sueg814]

thanks alot, I will be seeing my primary doc this coming week about the sleep issue and a cardiologist in a few wks.

[ireneo]

My DIL has lupus and I've read a little bit on the subject but I'm not an expert by any means. I did read that lupus can also cause some heart issues. If I had to choose, I would probably ask the rheumy about this. S/he can do the basic tests like have you wear a monitor to see what's going on. Then decide what to do next.