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Heart palpitations constantly, single father, scared :(
Hello everyone, since june I have been getting Heart palpitations, sometimes it is only one or two at a time and other times it's loads about 15 at a time, I went to the doctor in july and was given all clear and he said it was just due to stress. Anyway in october on one particular night my heart was just not beating properly at all, it was making one big beat then it wouldn't beat for about 6 seconds and I thought I was dying, I had to run up and down the stairs to try to get my heart to actually start, it was the scariest thing ever. I went to doctors following morning and yet again he said he was due to stress.
The Heart palpitations seems to be happening a lot more the last 10 days and I just feel like my heart is gonna give out at any moment, I'm very scared, going back to doctors is a complete waste of time because they say the same thing to me everytime (stress), they gave me ECG before and clearly nothing worried them on it, but I'm very worried.
Regards to the stress thing my girlfriend died in a helicopter crash in 2011 and it hurts so much and we have a daughter who is 4 years old and I'm a single father to her and I can't die because there is no one for her :( she needs me and I love her so much and everytime the Palps start I think it's gonna be over. Please help, what can I do? Thank you, regards Joe.
The Heart palpitations seems to be happening a lot more the last 10 days and I just feel like my heart is gonna give out at any moment, I'm very scared, going back to doctors is a complete waste of time because they say the same thing to me everytime (stress), they gave me ECG before and clearly nothing worried them on it, but I'm very worried.
Regards to the stress thing my girlfriend died in a helicopter crash in 2011 and it hurts so much and we have a daughter who is 4 years old and I'm a single father to her and I can't die because there is no one for her :( she needs me and I love her so much and everytime the Palps start I think it's gonna be over. Please help, what can I do? Thank you, regards Joe.
Best Answer
Hi Joe, First let me say anyone who is going and has gone through what you have would not be human if they weren't stressed out! Second, literally EVERYONE on here has felt what you do over these stinking heart issues, that's why we're here. Yes go to a cardiologist, when he/she gives you the all clear it will give you piece of mind which will help with the palps. I thought I was going to die every time I had a PVC, PAC or episode of PSVT. After two decades of that I finally had to tell myself to get over it. Mine started in my late 20s, I'm 56 now and here writing this so that should tell you something. Hang in and keep coming here and reading the posts, seeing what other people have to say Will help you too, it did me.
Hi, I had a nite that was scary with them, I used to have them a few here and there, now when they come they want to stay for hours and hours and really close together, like every 8 th beat, for hours, went to er they were not worried about than and how many I was having which was a lot, how can they not be harmful, they not normal to me, oh well I have to take each time I have them like that and pray they go away fast and not last 10 hours again, so I know how you feel it's scary and stops your normal life till they decided to go away, hang in there as today I will be a little stressed wondering if today they will be back
As many have suggested, it would be just fine to see a cardiologist. At least you would get a baseline assessment of your heart's function, which can be referred to as time passes. I always think that's a good idea.
Since you have had several docs tell you that your ticker is OK, it probably is. One big problem is that you don't understand what is causing the scary sensations you are feeling. I really got a kick out of your description of running up and down stairs to get your heart started. I know you didn't intend it to be funny, but it sort of is, because you could *not* have run ANYWHERE at all if it had not been beating pretty darn regularly the whole time.
With 'premature ventricular contractions' (PVCs), little teeny beats occur too early in the heart's cycle, with the result that the pulse is little and teeny, too. It really cannot be felt. As the heart corrects its beating pattern, which it almost always does, it compensates for these wee beats with a big contraction. That's almost certainly the big one you felt--which was preceded by a while bunch of little early ones, but not by a stopped heart.
If you type this into your google search box:
forums/backup/topic-24286.html
the first thing on your screen is likely to be the sentence "Do PVCs lead to V-tach?" Read that topic for a good explanation by a cardiac nurse for the sensations you get with odd heartbeat rhythms. This guy, John Kenyon, gives about the best and most reassuring explanations I have seen for what is going on.
He notes that stress and adrenalin release just cause more of these doggoned things, so the advice you have received about this is very much to the point. If you have insurance that will allow you to see a counselor, that would be the fastest solution. If you don't, there is a small and inexpensive book or download called "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by
Dr. Claire Weekes, which provides excellent explanations of various symptoms of tenseness as well as little exercises to help you deal with them. You can simply google the title to read more.
Since you have had several docs tell you that your ticker is OK, it probably is. One big problem is that you don't understand what is causing the scary sensations you are feeling. I really got a kick out of your description of running up and down stairs to get your heart started. I know you didn't intend it to be funny, but it sort of is, because you could *not* have run ANYWHERE at all if it had not been beating pretty darn regularly the whole time.
With 'premature ventricular contractions' (PVCs), little teeny beats occur too early in the heart's cycle, with the result that the pulse is little and teeny, too. It really cannot be felt. As the heart corrects its beating pattern, which it almost always does, it compensates for these wee beats with a big contraction. That's almost certainly the big one you felt--which was preceded by a while bunch of little early ones, but not by a stopped heart.
If you type this into your google search box:
forums/backup/topic-24286.html
the first thing on your screen is likely to be the sentence "Do PVCs lead to V-tach?" Read that topic for a good explanation by a cardiac nurse for the sensations you get with odd heartbeat rhythms. This guy, John Kenyon, gives about the best and most reassuring explanations I have seen for what is going on.
He notes that stress and adrenalin release just cause more of these doggoned things, so the advice you have received about this is very much to the point. If you have insurance that will allow you to see a counselor, that would be the fastest solution. If you don't, there is a small and inexpensive book or download called "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by
Dr. Claire Weekes, which provides excellent explanations of various symptoms of tenseness as well as little exercises to help you deal with them. You can simply google the title to read more.
I know how you feel. It's an awful feeling I start to panic when my heart starts Beating funny how you described which makes my blood pressure spike even more. But I've had pvcs for ten years and still told the same thing they are harmless.
The docs you've seen have told you not to worry about what you're experiencing and you should take their advice. Seeing a cardiologist as others suggested sounds like a good idea, but you can probably achieve a lot of relief by tackling these heart issues mentally.
The doc you've seen is not concerned with your symptoms. Also, you've not passed out from these issues and you're obviously still here so all that combined is fairly convincing evidence you're likely dealing with something benign. Try to accept the palpitations and keep in mind that you've been through them before, they didn't kill you and they won't kill you if they happen again.
It's certainly advisable to listen to your body and see a cardioligist if you're concerned, but accepting these issues, which are almost certainly benign, is also important to getting on with life. Trying to wish these heart palpiations away, rather than accepting them, will not work and will only make them worse.
The doc you've seen is not concerned with your symptoms. Also, you've not passed out from these issues and you're obviously still here so all that combined is fairly convincing evidence you're likely dealing with something benign. Try to accept the palpitations and keep in mind that you've been through them before, they didn't kill you and they won't kill you if they happen again.
It's certainly advisable to listen to your body and see a cardioligist if you're concerned, but accepting these issues, which are almost certainly benign, is also important to getting on with life. Trying to wish these heart palpiations away, rather than accepting them, will not work and will only make them worse.
Joe I know what you are going through. I had the same issue. My doctor misdiagnosed me for years. I was in the Army and was having these issues occur after our morning PT. Anyways long story short I was eventually diagnosed with wolff parkinson white syndrome. It is very easy to look over...infact I was told for years that my EKG's were normal. Stress and the Army's sometimes extreme exercise regiment brought it to the surface. But honestly the syndrome is rare and you could hoestly just be experiencing stress induced heart problems. So do yourself a favor and go buy a automatic blood pressure cuff. They are about $50 at any drug store. When you start to feel weird take your blood pressure. Always pay attention to what your blood pressure is but mostly look at your heart rate. If you reside in the normal range then you are fine. Keep record for yourself and your doctor just incase you see major changes. Once a cardiologist has your paper trail he may change his/her course of testing. If it is always normal then it may help you let go of a lot of stress and get on with your life. Stress is really hard on the body. Maybe it's time for a small relaxing vacation. Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you for your kind words :)
I will take your advice and do some biking, I actually like riding bikes but just don't get a lot of time because of work and single father. You're so right it's very easy to get so worried about the Heart palpitations, when I have one or two at a time I just try to ignore but when I get around 15 in a row I start to panic and think this is it I'm having heart attack or something. There is no history of heart problems in my family, and no one in my family that I know of has had Heart palpitations. I don't smoke and I think I'm quite fit 5'11'' and 162 Ibs and quite lean, I do drink alcohol but not all the time, sometimes I will go weeks without drinking alcohol. I guess the doctor is right and it is because of stress but the thing is sometimes I feel very relaxed and watching a nice film and it even happens then.
Thank you for saying I'm a good dad, I do try my best for her, this is the thing that scares me because if something happened to me then her life is ruined too because we have no family living near us, they are in different countries now and my parents in South France. Thanks for your words, I appreciate it a lot
I will take your advice and do some biking, I actually like riding bikes but just don't get a lot of time because of work and single father. You're so right it's very easy to get so worried about the Heart palpitations, when I have one or two at a time I just try to ignore but when I get around 15 in a row I start to panic and think this is it I'm having heart attack or something. There is no history of heart problems in my family, and no one in my family that I know of has had Heart palpitations. I don't smoke and I think I'm quite fit 5'11'' and 162 Ibs and quite lean, I do drink alcohol but not all the time, sometimes I will go weeks without drinking alcohol. I guess the doctor is right and it is because of stress but the thing is sometimes I feel very relaxed and watching a nice film and it even happens then.
Thank you for saying I'm a good dad, I do try my best for her, this is the thing that scares me because if something happened to me then her life is ruined too because we have no family living near us, they are in different countries now and my parents in South France. Thanks for your words, I appreciate it a lot
BTW, you may need to go back to the dr. one way or another. If you dont agree with the doctor, feel free to tell him you dont agree, or consider seeing another doc.
I am sorry to hear about your circumstances. Its obvious from your post that you love your daughter very much and are a great dad.
Joe, I know from experience that it is possible to worry yourself silly with heart things. I am not saying that what you are experiencing isn't real, but worry makes things worse when it comes to palpitations, as does stress. The mechanism for it has to do with chemistry, a complicated topic to be sure. When you get stressed, your chemistry changes, and palpitations can kick in, unfortunately.
The holiday season is fraught with stress, and the result can be holiday heart syndrome (its a real thing, google it).
If it were me, I would work on getting some stress reduction in, and also make an appointment with a cardiologist. For me, moderate aerobics works best. I get on the bike and get my heart rate up to 80% for 20-30 minutes, and I feel a lot better. This works to get the air down deep in the lungs, and to help flush out some of the bad karma. You might work this angle, in whatever way works best for you, while you're waiting to see your cardio.
The holiday season is fraught with stress, and the result can be holiday heart syndrome (its a real thing, google it).
If it were me, I would work on getting some stress reduction in, and also make an appointment with a cardiologist. For me, moderate aerobics works best. I get on the bike and get my heart rate up to 80% for 20-30 minutes, and I feel a lot better. This works to get the air down deep in the lungs, and to help flush out some of the bad karma. You might work this angle, in whatever way works best for you, while you're waiting to see your cardio.
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