extra beats, palpitations, syncope, kind of scared here

[not_again]

Hello, in September 2007, 3 days after my colonoscopy and EGD (gastritis) [coincidence?], I was standing in line at the post office (like I do every day) and out of nowhere I felt strong quivering in my chest for many seconds, then my vision faded and I had to lay down right in the floor to keep from passing out.  Everything was back to normal within 30 seconds although I was shaken up and left with a tight feeling in my chest.

The EKG was normal when the paramedics arrived 5 minutes later, and my EKG, blood work and echo was normal once I got to the (University) hospital.  Later I had a stress test, chest xray and thyroid test that was normal.

I then wore a 30 day event monitor.  It was picking up isolated extra beats.  9 times out of 10, my palpitations are when my pulse is normal and they are just a single isolated palpitation that does not cause any type of syncope.   However,  very occasionally, it feels like I will have several of these extra beats in a row, lasting up to 10-15 seconds, (such at the day described at the Post office) and these are the times when I will get syncopal events.   I only had singular isolated palpitations with no syncope while wearing my 30 day monitor.    When I do get several palps in a row, it does usually seem that my heart rate speeds up a great deal, but only for the amount of time I am feeling the palps.  

I am usually quite shaken up and fearful for 1-2 days after an event, but then I relax and don't worry until the next one happens.  One other thing is that I have also experienced a funny pressure on my chest in the center since the first time this happened, it's basically always there.  

What do you believe is happening to me?
Do I need an EP study or an ICD?  
What is my risk for death associated with one of these events,  given that I am 30 yrs old,  50 pounds overweight, and I exercise almost daily, and my EKG / echo is normal?   I am an ex smoker of 1 pack/day 10 yrs.

[Mukesh Garg, MD]

It should be reassuring to you that all your heart tests suggest that there is nothing seriously wrong with your heart function.

[erijon]

Thanks for finally responding to me, I'm sure it was tough to come clean but understand you are always welcome in the heart disease community where you can network with others who have had similar experiences. Also know that you can reach out to me anytime as well. Please understand I would never want you to stop asking for help, just do it withn the guideline and let others have a chance.

I hope this is a positive first step.

[erijon]

You're branching out! I noticed you posted this same question on another Expert Forum today under a different screen name and used that same screen name to ask another question on the Heart Disease Expert Forum.

Does this mean I'm right and I won't be hearing from you? You gotta start giving others a chance to post, in what world is what you're doing fair? Others have questions too.

[erijon]

Still waiting for a message as I have in all my other requests. Send me a message, especially if I'm wrong so we can discuss. If I'm right (pretty sure I am) also message me so we can have an open discussion off the forum.

Hope to hear from you.

[erijon]

We can discuss it off the forum, just message me.

[not_again]

What the ____ are you talking about?

[erijon]

Hey there bus_token, gettin_it, watermelon_bubblegum,erijshh, jimbc, glueby, beebay, if_i_had you, carlot, Thompson383, Bluedog, people013, zuzzu, ajibdi, stinky534, glueby, idathunkit, tactac, help30439, cheeta_breeda, neegnomer, crabdaddy358, save_a_heart & sleepy_pete. Keep coming up with those new screen names. ( six weeks worth)

Did you know you took up 21% of the available posts last week between the Heart Disease Expert forum and this one asking pretty much the same thing ? Maybe this answer will be the one you're looking for.

[not_again]

PS-  I did not mention that there were several automatic recordings with my 30 day event monitors that were labeled non specific arrythmias' and I had no symptoms with them.  They appear as if the EKG waves started dipping down instead of up, but I didn't have symptoms with these, and it usually happened after my exercise sessions.