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539156 tn?1281818356

Any connection between MS and heart palpitations?

It just occurred to me that I should ask about this.  I have had  heart palpitations for several years.  It happens almost every day, hundreds of times per day.  Actually, right now it's like every few beats.  It is also one of those things I have had to learn to ignore as much as possible because doctors have never found a reason for it. I have been checked with EKGs, stress test with contrast (twice).  Just like all my other complaints, it is chalked up to stress, aging, or lack of exercise.  BTW, I have come to realize how much pain and discomfort I have learned to "ignore"
Thanks for being there.  You all have helped me so much already.
Peace, MK
22 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hi Heather, I also have MS and feel what you feel on a regular basis sometimes accompanied by pain. Though I have had many tests nothing has shown a problem.  I have recently been experiencing fluid around my collar bone along with pain and general unwell feelings so now I am seeing a cardiologist who has in fact found abnormalities. All the years I have been fronting up to my GP, and Neurologist expressing my concerns always to be told heart issues are unlikely to be MS related. I do have lesion on my brain stem so it will be interesting to see if my issues are related to my MS after all
I wonder how they will treat me if it is found to be MS related.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with MS in 2003 but am pretty sure I've had it since the mid-90s. I had my first attack of heart fluttering in early 2007 while in a theater watching a movie. It scared me to death and thought I was having a heart attack. Instinctively, I coughed, and that seemed to reset my heart rhythm. But I couldn't go back into a theater for a year, which hurt, because I'm a movie buff. I also had started using pain meds therapeutically around that time after a pain specialist convinced me it was appropriate for me so I could continue enjoying my life (my pain was in my legs, hips and chronic). I read in the Rx info that heart palpitations are a side-effect. I also read in Montel Williams' book "Climbing Higher" that he suffered from chronic heart palpitations early on in his MS diagnosis. He describes them perfectly, as if he was reading my mind. And I've just lived with them all these years. But today, ironically in the health food store, I had one that almost caused me to faint. It was very stressful and frightening. And since I've been feeling so so tired lately and have been running a low-grade fever, I'm going to go see my MD Monday and request that I be screened for blocked arteries. I'm 53, am a passive smoker, have perfect cholesterol bit border line obese and high BP. Since my mother almost died from blocked arteries, it's definitely the correct thing to do. Especially since I have great insurance and if anything, it will ease my mind. I don't have time for this nuisance! I recommend anyone having these symptoms get checked out. Fir preventative, garlic, COQ10 and Hawthorne will help strengthen your heart muscle and knock a few points off your cholesterol reading. Best luck for health!
Helpful - 0
751951 tn?1406632863
Gruuvi, is that something we would normally increase via dietary adjustments?

Odd coincidence that this topic popped back up today, as I went to see my PCP's partner (they had a cancellation) yesterday afternoon, when after lunch I started having attention-getting irregular-feeling fluttering in the chest.  I'm going for an echo tomorrow PM, although yesterday's in-office little EKG snapshot was normal.  I had this problem quite frequently for some time back 15 years or so ago, befroe I quit smoking.  Like so many others posting here, I've been through all the tests, with no explanations, and in the past year or so I've wondered if it could be coming from a neurological root.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
For those with MS and heart palpitations or a racing heart look into increasing your Magnesium!  Do some research and you'll see the Magnesium Deficiency is quite common and even more so in those with MS.  The palpitations and racing heart are common symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency.
Helpful - 0
338416 tn?1420045702
Do you get short of breath as well?  Sometimes it's both with me, sometimes one, sometimes the other.  It feels like I'm not getting enough air - like I've gone for a jog or something.  
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701252 tn?1234375689
Exactly, except for yesterday when I was driving home from work (short drive, light traffic) I was either in bed reading or on the computer doing something non stressful (not working)

Helpful - 0
1 Comments
me too
338416 tn?1420045702
I've had similar symptoms.  Often it's when I'm at rest - on the couch, in bed, and my heart starts pounding for no apparent reason.  It's gotten up to 130-140.  Doesn't make any sense.  Unless it's stress, and my brain is wiring up my heart.  But I'm not stressing when this happens...
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
This is exactly what I get...laying down doing no physical movement, and all of a sudden the heart starts racing and pounding....
701252 tn?1234375689
Not to bring back a thread from the dead, but I am having the same problems (I posted on another older thread yesterday).

Heart rate can get up to 175 BPM
Happens out of the blue no matter what I’m doing.
It has been increasing over the past few months.

I had this issue in my late teens, had all of the testing done and they didn’t find anything.  I had a long break from it until now.  I wonder if its MS related THIS time.

I work out four + days a week on a spinning bike and hand weights, core exercises, etc (plus walk a lot). Drink very little coffee, and my cholesterol levels are low to normal.  I’m 30.  
Helpful - 0
539156 tn?1281818356
Thanks, Deb...I have kept a close check on my thyroid.  Recent test results were "right on" also, the palpitations started way before I started the Synthroid.I have been fortunate to have PCP that is a good listener...
Blessings, MK
Helpful - 0
429700 tn?1308007823
I've had this problem for years as well, but all tests were negative.  My sister had a tilt table test (she has MS, too) which revealed an autonomic problem.  I can't think of the name of the problem, but it's also related to fainting.  She has lesions on the brain stem.  Although I have lesions, the brain stem lesions aren't that apparent, but my neuro says I probably have them there based on my symptoms.  

One thought is that thyroid problems (I noticed you take Synthroid like me) may cause irregular heart beat.  When I first started getting them about the same time the thyroid problems started up.  Have you had your TSH, T3, T4, etc. tested in a while?  If it's too low or high it will make you have heart palpitations.  

I still have irregular heart beats (even on a beta blocker), but it's not as bad.  It will get bad when I've not slept well or physically stretched myself.  I also cut out all the caffeine (I was having migraines) and noticed some improvement.  

Deb
Helpful - 0
495035 tn?1221753092
Were you on a heart monitor when you pressed hands with the odd cardiologist? I find that a little strange on his half.
and heart stuff just knocks you out theres no, i feel tired, its just gotta sleep,
The heart is a real active old thing and it can cope with many things like, being scared , and exercise , I have always known when is the right time to stop doing something! the heart can take more than people realise.
have you had a 24 hr  ECG that is a good one which can tell between sleep and active abnormalities
CJ
Helpful - 0
486038 tn?1300063367
hi... I had a rather odd cardiologist, but after a scan of the heart he said that the valve was a little funny but nothing to worry about, and that meds would take care of it. So, I'm on medication that is supposed to control both my slight high blood pressure and my heart arythmia- it doesn't really control the missed beats or the funny squeezes but like ya'll I'm used to it.

My neuro actually picked up that if i do anything exerting (push on his hands) my heart will take off and I will become over-tired to the point of exhaustion. I'm not sure what that is either, but I live with it and try to avoid it happening. Basically, no scaring me, no running, nothing that makes me have to exert myself.

I guess this thread made me realize it really is more common than I thought.
~Sunnytoday~
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495035 tn?1221753092
Hi there again hun... watch that cholesterol level that can cause heart symptoms, and please try and do as much exrcise as posible. I dont take tabs for either condition but I do as much as I can in diet and exercise,which helps. upping and downing of meds can cause palpitations as well.
Hugs Hope You get to grips with it real soon
CJ
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506903 tn?1211847133
samething here, and had everything checked out and they said I was fine. Onedr. tat came in to look at me for a whopping 3-5 minutes told me I was depressed and suffered from anxiety. Gave me citalapram(sp) andI had no changes after 6 months so I stopped taking it. Now I just deal with it.
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539156 tn?1281818356
Wow...thanks for that.  No meds for the heart.  Synthroid, Cymbalta (for aches and pains), Mirapex (RLS)...that's about it. Ohhh yes, cholesterol meds too.  None of those remarkable as far as the dosage.  Just doubled the Mirapex because the RLS has recently gotten much worse.  Seems like the .5 mg is working well enough for now.
MK
Helpful - 0
233622 tn?1279334905
I have had this problem for years.  It started in my teens.  I have been through all of the heart testing.  

I was diagnosed with a mild mitral valve prolapse and tachycardia.  I have been on  beta blockers for more than 25 years.

Occasionally I'll still get some palpitations or funny heart rhythm but for the most part the beta blocker keeps things under control.  

You do need to go to a cardiologist to get this checked out to make sure it is nothing serious.  Mine is genetic. Both of my parents and my grandfather have the same problem and are on beta blockers also.  

So anyway, I am diagnosed with MS but that was just recently.  Neither of my parents of my grandparents have MS.

Don't know if this is at all helpful but do get it checked out by a cardiologist.

LA
Helpful - 0
282042 tn?1213897154
Hi, I have  had the same problem for 2 years now, I  have had all the tests and they are fine,apparantly its very common, if you look on the heart rythmn forum you will see hundreds of people with the same problem,Mine arnt like butterflies, more like football players, most disruptive, I have had to go on  beta blockers because they are so bad. They usually stay for about 3 months then go away for a few months, then back again.I do have alot of stress in my life and numerous health problems so I suppose its all tied in.Its usually worse when Im resting, sol I try to keep as busy as possible in the day time, but at night in bed its dreadful.
Try and ignore it if you can. Good LUck. Daphne xxx
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495035 tn?1221753092
are you on meds?
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539156 tn?1281818356
Thanks for the quick replies.  I have been thoroughly checked out heart-wise.  Holter monitor, stress tests, blood work etc.   No reason for the annoying little butterfly in my chest except stress.  I do have stress in my life, most of which is pretty good.  I love my job in spite of the stressful multi-tasking requirements (teaching) and yes, I am a busy woman with pets, gardening, just keeping up this old house, etc. I am emotionally quite solid and rely heavily on my spirituality....so, I guess I'll go back to ignoring it!!!   LOL
Thanks again and bless all of you.
Mary Kay
I learn something more every day....
Helpful - 0
428506 tn?1296557399
Did you get an echo study of your heart?  I had one of these done earlier this year when my doc noticed my heart misses a beat once in awhile.  Turns out I may have always had this condition, it's something to do with a valve and regurgitation, and I don't need medication for it.  I got a lot of peace of mind from getting the echo study done.  And of course, that means they have a baseline for comparison if anything ever changes.  If you haven't had one, perhaps ask if it would be appropriate.  It's like an ultrasound of your heart, so they can watch it in action in real time.  Painless, <30 minutes.  The only part I did not like was being topless except for a paper vest!

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495035 tn?1221753092
Hi there I've been ummming and arring with my self on this one because I dont want anyone to start diagnosing heart conditions, I really feel that you should get thoroughly checked out by the doc on this one. I dont know if there is a correlation between MS and palpitations, I have a congenital systolic heart murmer, which can cause palpitations on over exertion, drinking to much coffee,alcohol,smoking ,anything really that rakes up the heartbeat, I know when its my heart tho because it will make me very very tired,(knock you out fall asleep tired) unlike fatigue of the body, basically my heart murmer is a slightly leaky valve,which is checked regularly and has been all my life.
If you are having palpitations with chest pain the go back to your doctors immediately!!! and tell them again, also get blood pressure checked.
and one last thing, many medications can cause palpitations so check your meds with the Doc
hope this helped a bit
CJ
Helpful - 0
195469 tn?1388322888
I have had this "condition" most of my life.  In my case, it is called premature ventricular contractions.  I have had all the testing.  Everytime I wore a "Holter Monitor," it would show the heart streaming along, then a big dip, then a high peak, then back to a normal rhythm.  It feels like a "thump" in my chest.  I can feel my heart thump.  A flutter of sorts, then it returns to normal rhythm.  I used to be terribly afraid of this, but like you say, have learned to live with it.  Now when it happens several times in a row, it DOES get my attention.  It's not painful, but it makes you stop what you are doing, that's for sure.

IF it were coming from MS, it COULD be caused by a lesion on the brain stem that controls our autonomic nervous system, like breathing, heart-rate, temperature, etc. This is what I was told by a Neurologist.  I do not have any lesions on the brain stem.

I understand from a cardiologist that caffeine, smoking and other stimulants, can make conditions like ours, worse.  So I would make sure that I don't overdo on those things.

As long as you have been checked out thoroughly through cardiac testing, it's probably one of those things in life that you may never know the cause.  Now atrial fibrillation is something different all together.  That CAN cause serious problems.

Glad to meet someone else that knows what I have happened in my heart every single day, sometimes several times a day.  It's a pain in the kester, isn't it?

All the Best,
Heather
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