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Heart beating extremely hard, tingely hands and feet, cough
I've always had weird little heart palpatations that lasted for a few seconds and made me out of breath, but other people have said they've had them so I didn't worry. But yesterday, I layed down on the couch and my heart started beating very, very hard. I sat up and told my mom. I checked my pulse and my heart was beating really fast. There was barely any time between beats and it felt as though my heart would beat out of my chest. I had my mom feel it. Then I told her to feel my chest. You could actually feel my heart beating. I stood up and my feet and hands felt light and tingley. Then it felt as though my heart stopped because it was beating so lightly. My usual resting heart rate is in the 80's or 90's, but I have checked it and now it is 68. Does anyone know what could be the cause of this?
Well, at least the doctor is being thorough and conducting all the necessary tests! You're already a step ahead of where I was when I was in your situation! Hopefully the EKG and the echocardiogram will be able to give you a diagnosis. But if not, make sure the doctor keeps plugging away at the problem...sometimes people need to undergo stress tests and other procedure to detect arrhythmias. Good luck!
Well, I visited the doctor today. He said that all of my symptoms and my family history pointed to high blood pressure. He told me I should exercise and eat healthily. He is also most likely going to give me medicine. I had an EKG done and I will get the results tomorrow. I also have to have some test done tomorrow and I can't eat after midnight. I also have to see a cardiologist and get an ultrasound of my heart. The doctor still isn't 100% sure of what's wrong with me.
Thanks a lot for your support! I do tell my parents all of the symptoms I'm feeling and they want to schedule an appointment with a doctor soon. The only association with coughing and my heart rhythm that I've noticed was the episode I had. The reason I coughed then was because it felt as though my heart was beating against my lung, which I doubt could happen, but that's what it felt like. The reason I'm coughing now is because of fluid of some sort in my lungs, probably phlegm, that I think is due to mild allergies but I'm not positive. I'm trying to remain calm about this because it doesn't seem as though I'm in danger right now, but I'm afraid that this might evolve into a bigger issue if not dealt with soon. I told my mom just a little while ago that I really want to see a doctor soon and she said o.k. so probably within the next few days I'll see a doctor. I'll be sure to keep ya'll posted. Thanks again!
Well, until you go to see the doctor, keep a journal of your symptoms, as detailed as possible, when and where they manifest, etc. That can help a lot. And as anxious as you are for answers, keep in mind that he/she might not be able to figure out what's going on right away. Sometimes all that's needed is an EKG to show abnormalities in your heart rhythm, or sometimes they have to give you a monitor to record episodes. Sometimes even more tests are needed.
Does the coughing help? Like, do you cough when you feel your heart going weird, or as a reaction to help reestablish normal heart rhythm? When I'm having palpitations I always find that forcefully coughing helps to stop the palpitations.
I know how it is to have episodes at the most inconvenient times. When I was first diagnosed I had to wear a monitor to school, and then I had an episode one day in class and so I pressed the button to record it and it started beeping really loud in the middle of class! Luckily my teacher was an awesome guy and made some light-hearted joke about it:)
My parents were also concerned that I was imagining or exaggerated things, but it was just because they loved me and were scared. I'm sure that's why your parents are acting the way they are. Make sure you're talking about this to them, so that way you can comfort and trust each other. Or if you feel that you can;t talk to your parents, try to talk about it with a friend or mentor. Just doing that helps to dispel a lot of the fear and anxiety.
Finally, if you have another episode when your heart starts beating really really fast and really really hard, and you know that something isn't right or you start to feel like you're light-headed or are going to pass out, don't hesitate to go to the hospital or urgent care. They can do the tests necessary to figure out what's going on faster than the doctor can. I know that sounds scary and you shouldn't be worried, but if you do start to pass out, you really need to get help as soon as you can. At least you know you have options for this, and that if something is wrong, there are lots of ways to get help and treatment!
Good luck!
Does the coughing help? Like, do you cough when you feel your heart going weird, or as a reaction to help reestablish normal heart rhythm? When I'm having palpitations I always find that forcefully coughing helps to stop the palpitations.
I know how it is to have episodes at the most inconvenient times. When I was first diagnosed I had to wear a monitor to school, and then I had an episode one day in class and so I pressed the button to record it and it started beeping really loud in the middle of class! Luckily my teacher was an awesome guy and made some light-hearted joke about it:)
My parents were also concerned that I was imagining or exaggerated things, but it was just because they loved me and were scared. I'm sure that's why your parents are acting the way they are. Make sure you're talking about this to them, so that way you can comfort and trust each other. Or if you feel that you can;t talk to your parents, try to talk about it with a friend or mentor. Just doing that helps to dispel a lot of the fear and anxiety.
Finally, if you have another episode when your heart starts beating really really fast and really really hard, and you know that something isn't right or you start to feel like you're light-headed or are going to pass out, don't hesitate to go to the hospital or urgent care. They can do the tests necessary to figure out what's going on faster than the doctor can. I know that sounds scary and you shouldn't be worried, but if you do start to pass out, you really need to get help as soon as you can. At least you know you have options for this, and that if something is wrong, there are lots of ways to get help and treatment!
Good luck!
Yeah, I have been really paranoid lately. And today in class my heart started pounding for no reason and I could feel my heart beating when I put my hand on my chest, and I can't even feel it when I run. I also seem to be getting out of breath easier. I really want to go and see a doctor very soon because I just keep getting these weird symptoms that I've never had before. And I find it odd that my resting heart rate is slower than usual. I thought this would all go away in a few days, but it hasn't. I think my parents are beginning to think I'm just imagining this, but I'm really not. I'm coughing alot and I don't know if it's from allergies or something more serious. I should be visiting the doctor in the near future, so maybe then I can get some relief.
Yeah, I have been really paranoid lately. And today in class my heart started pounding for no reason and I could feel my heart beating when I put my hand on my chest, and I can't even feel it when I run. I also seem to be getting out of breath easier. I really want to go and see a doctor very soon because I just keep getting these weird symptoms that I've never had before. And I find it odd that my resting heart rate is slower than usual. I thought this would all go away in a few days, but it hasn't. I think my parents are beginning to think I'm just imagining this, but I'm really not. I'm coughing alot and I don't know if it's from allergies or something more serious. I should be visiting the doctor in the near future, so maybe then I can get some relief.
Well, I'm glad that you think you're getting an idea of what's going on, but I would still leave it to the doctor to decide. Lots of conditions can cause tachycardia. Otherwise, trying to self-diagnose only increases the anxiety and the paranoia. I was 16 when my symptoms started, and doctors are sometimes reluctant to diagnose kids our age with heart problems. My doctor swore up and down that my problems were from acid reflux until I begged him to do a EKG and voila! I had WPW. Be firm with your doctor and convey your symptoms as honestly as possible, but don't try to self-diagnose. I tend to do that and it leads to a lot of needless worrying. I know you're scared and that you want answers, so try to see a cardiologist as soon as possible.
Good luck and feel better!
Good luck and feel better!
Thanks for the comments! I did look up tachycardia, Leslie613, and it sounds as though I have orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension. I am more than likely going to the doctor soon because my parents are pretty worried. I'm only 17 so I find it odd that I'm having heart palpatations. But the help is greatly appreciated. I will keep you all informed!
I would definitely recommend getting an appointment with a cardiologist as soon as possible. It sounds like you could have had a tachycardia (which is when your heart beats really fast and uncontrollably) but I'm not a doctor obviously so I don't know for sure. Best to check it out with a cardiologist.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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