Alarming nighttime palpitations, faintness and bradycardia

[Zoroaster]

For over 3 months now I have been experiencing faintness, chest pain and alarming palpitations especially at night. I had a 24 hour halter, multiple EKGs and an Echo. I was expecting at least some minor valve problems, but the doctors have found nothing wrong with me. My thyroid, electrolytes, cholesterol and glucose are all normal. Furthermore, no cardiac enzymes were found when I went to the hospital in fear of heart problems.

I am a 26 year old male and am in good shape. I am 6'4 175 lbs. I can run a few miles easily and practice intense exercise almost every day. However, sometimes when I am exercising I notice a pounding heart beat and palpitations and feel as if my body is not tired at all, but my heart can not keep up. This is similar to what I experience at night. I am not sure if it is panic attacks, but my resting heart rate is often in the low 40s with faintness which greatly concerns me.

Although I feel as if I am in great shape, I have done extensive experimentation with drugs and alcohol. (Please do not scorn my stupidity. I have learned my lesson and have been totally scared straight.) The extreme palpitations started about 3 months ago when I took some ecstasy, which felt like it was loaded with speed. My heart was racing out of control and I went to the hospital to make sure my heart was OK. After this experience I stopped drinking completely which I had been doing too much for about a year prior. Also over that year I had been taking quite a bit of various uppers and downers. Thankfully from this experience I have been 100% sober for over 3 months now.

Unfortunately, these palpitations have not gotten any better over the past 3 months. I noticed today that it may have something to do with the cod liver oil I am taking. I also think I had pinworms which I think have just been eliminated over the past two days with the help of pyrantel.

My main concern is that I somehow damaged my heart, but that the doctors were still unable to see any damage with the EKGs, Echo or Halter. A couple of time I completely anesthetized myself unconscious by abusing various tranquilizers and downers fear and loathing style. I am worried that I may have damaged my heart muscle through some stupid mistakes. I am going for a second Echo, and a stress test this week. If the doctors do not see anything abnormal I think I will not worry anymore. There is a good chance I am simply having panic attacks or protracted withdrawal from benzodiazepines.

My main question is that if the doctors did not see anything on the echo, halters or EKG am I pretty much in the clear? I have been worried sick for over 3 months now and desperately need to get past this.

[TatiSD]

ps.  Just noticed that Zoroaster posted this in 2008, so I seem to be almost 2 years late in my response. ha.  Zoroaster, if you are still on this site, how did you make out finally?

[TatiSD]

Fish oil and Cod liver oil increased my incidents of palps.  Different people react differently to these supplements.
It seems like anxiety is playing a big role in your symptoms.  Do you feel the fainting sensations after you take your pulse and notice it as being in the 40"s?  Many people have low RHR esp. with intense exercise.
Take good care of yourself.

[no_fate]

I also put way more pressure on my heart than was healthy for it too many times.
Some times it was sober, other times it was under the influence of drugs like yours or simply alcohol.

I've suffered from tachycardia, bradycardia and PVC's many times the past year.
Sometimes it was to do with hyperventillation (breathing too fast), other times breathing too slow (this stimulates the vagus to slow down heartrate),
other times it was simply fear.

PVC's alone were often caused by eating too much food,
not chewing enough, eating too much sugar,
laying down too quickly after having even tiny meal.

The stomach and heart are both connected to the vagus nerve,
and when the stomach is having a problem then the heart can beat very irregularly.

I'm not sure what causes your bradycardia's.
It could very well be COD oil or something subtle like a "hiatal hernia".



I try my best not to bend down forcefully,
not too eat too much, chew well, find foods that set me off etc.

Doing this I managed to limit my symptoms to a tolerable level.

[Mom2four85]

if you're still having dizziness/blackouts or fainting you may want to do some research on a tilt table test and ask your dr about doing one

"Patients with symptoms of dizziness or lightheadedness, with or without a loss of consciousness (fainting), suspected to be associated with a drop in blood pressure or positional tachycardia are good candidates for this test"  that's why when you sit back down or lie down often the symptoms go away

it may be from nothing or they may find a reason; but its worth a shot - I had lifelong syncope/dizziness and finally a dr suggested I do a TTT

[Ratta68A]

I can totally relate. I too have experienced the same. I'm now 47 and have had a CVA in my 20s. I only recently was diagnosised with a PFO. My doctors say it's very small and is not a problem.  All my labs are normal. My heart rate at nigh are in the high 30s. I've had blackouts since in was a kid. I'd be walking and everything goes black and as soon as I sit down it goes away. I know something is wrong and no one can find out what. I don't drink and have never done drugs.  My faith keeps me from being scard to death, but I still need to know what's going on.

[julesluvsdrew]

Once you go get your echo and ekg,along with your holter and the doctor says he didnt find anything  I would feel pretty safe!~ Now dont get me wrong,although he may not find anything you may still have pvcs (like a lot of us do here)..they are scary and a pain in the neck,but are harmless in a structurally normal heart.So sometimes even when we get the clear its not always that easy!Luckily we have this heart forum:) good luck hope everything turns out ok!