palpitations etc

[mr_wu]

About 6 months ago I started having a heavy feeling in my chest alot, I also started having intense episodes of nausea,  feeling lightheaded alot,  and losing my exercise tolerance.    I also started having palpitations.   Exercise seems to aggrivate them.  I listened after exercising one day with a stethescope at the center of my chest and slightly to the left --- I could head the usual  Dun-dun DUN-dun DUN-dun (pause) DUN-dun DUN-dun (pause) DUN-dun
Each time there was literally a missing heartbeat sound and thats when I could feel the flutter  or maybe described as a buildup of pressure,  sometimes I feel these flutters at the far left/bottom of my ribs.    With the palps alone maybe i wouldn't be so worried,   but they started along with the other symptoms and everything is kind of getting worse,     I had a normal resting echo,   and a relatively normal stress test (though I couldn't go past 8 minutes because my pulse was eratic).      I am 33 yrs old, male,  50 lbs overweight, ex smoker....  Do you think about all this?   What do you suppose the palps are most likely benign PVC?  but what about the other symptoms?

[Cleveland Clinic]

The first thing you need is an EKG, to see if you have any presence of chamber enlargment or pre-exitation. Then I would order an echocardiogram and a 24-48 hour Holter monitor to document any arrhythmias you may have. Treatment would depend on the findings of these tests, but most likely would include weight loss and exercise as there is likely to be some deconditioning at play here, and beta blockers which are effective in decreasing the rate and symptoms associated with many SVTs.
It is not possible to distinguish based on symptoms PACs from PVCs, but in my experience PACs often cause more significant symptoms than PVCs.

[momtofourboys]

I would personally wait in asking for all of those test. how long ago was your last holter. if it was a long time ago I would call and make an appt. to see my doctor and discuss thses issues first and maybe he/she had a better udea. i would first start with an EKG. if it is possible to walk some or do exercise right before oyu getinto the exam room the doctor might hear what your are talking about. he could order just a simple ECG/EKG this might help you out. a few juming jacks would probablly do the trick.
I am wondering if part of it could be a little anxitety. this can affect us in many ways
good lick
michelle

[mr_wu]

Oh, and 1 more thing--- My SED rate has been consitently 0, and my red cell count slightly on the high side  (consistently not just once).     I read another members post in another forum with concerns of steroidal over production in the body and thought I would mention this, since i too have this "brain fog/ light headed" thing

[mr_wu]

i will be wearing a Holter monitor one day soon, I think I'm going for another opinion as my doctor is being dismissive due to my age I think,    I think I will ask for a stress echo, Holter, and cardiac CTA...would that be reasonable, is that all I need?
In the meantime, what do the palps sound like to you? PVC?

[mr_wu]

to clarify, i said sometimes i feel the palps in the lower left of my ribs..but usually i feel the in the dead center of my chest.. I have also felt randomly breathless alot here lately as well.

[mr_wu]

I was listening to my heart that time just after exercise because thats when palps usually happen,   so my heartbeat was still maybe 110-120 bpm  and strong so I am certain of what I heard,  literally missing beats