Palpitations

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Replies

  • fittocycle
    fittocycle Posts: 827 Member
    Did they check your electrolytes? My friend had this happen to her and learned she was dehydrated and low on potassium. Might be something to look into.


    I was reading all the posts and glad to see I'm not the only one with SVT. I take a low dose medication for it now. Didn't want to do the medication at all but decided I didn't want to risk another episode if I happened to be riding my bike alone on one of our wonderful bike trails. :ohwell:
  • wingsandgills
    wingsandgills Posts: 48 Member
    Caffeine gives me heart palpitations. Anything over, like, 16 oz of coffee in the day. The palpitations occur after I lay down for bed. Also prior to a major surgery I had heart palpitations all day long for weeks before the surgery. I attributed it to overdoing it on energy drinks, subsequently going cold turkey on caffeine (can also cause palpitations), and/or pre-op anxiety. Anxiety can cause heart palpitations.

    The reason your doctor doesn't seem concerned is because they're harmless, and if your blood pressure and cholesterol look fine she probably ruled out the only possible conditions that might cause it. Still, monitor when they happen, what you're doing when they happen, and how frequently they happen. You might be able to find a clear correlation with some other behavior and can bring that up with your doctor.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    I have them and take medicine for them, kind of. It's the same medicine I already take to prevent migraines; the doc just upped it a bit. I still have them during my period (but not all month like I did), so apparently there's a hormonal part to it for me? Same with my migraines.

    If your blood pressure is low you can get them. I was at the ER for that a while ago (because the drop in blood pressure totally freaked me out and made me feel so strange!). I had low BP due to a virus I had, and I had palpitations the whole time there, all hooked up to the monitors. Mine are harmless.

    If your BP is low and you have them, I know Gatorade helped me (but I also had a virus). You might try it -- won't hurt :)
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    So I have a general question because I just recently began experiencing some chest pressure. It started on Friday. I felt my heart flutter and then it began to beat pretty fast. I'm not sure why, I have no health issues or stress but the pressure stayed with me until I went to sleep. I didn't work out that day as usual because of the pressure. The next morning (Saturday) I was fine, so I did an 80 minute circuit workout and walked 5.35 miles later on in the day. Sunday, started out okay I did an early morning walk (5 miles) however the pressure feeling came back and stayed with me and is still here. I work at a hospital so I decided to go to the ER to be checked out. Everything came back fine, EKG, Chest X-ray, Blood, etc. The physician let me know she's waiting to see what my thyroid says but that everything else looked fine and released me.

    I am trying not to think about it, however I still feel the pressure. When I asked my physician about it, she said it could be stress. I don't know what is wrong. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to take a break from exercise for awhile. Perhaps I am over doing it.

    Anyone go through anything similar or have any advice?

    I'd really appreciate it... thanks.

    Hi, I get something like this. It feels like my heart is skipping a beat, literally like my heart stops beating for a second, then followed by a fluttering or racing heart beat for a minute or so. I've had it for years and was always told not to worry. then one day, it started and lasted for 2 solid days, so My GP sent me to a consultant who got me to wear a portable ECG for 24 hours. I was diagnosed with an ectopic ventricular heartbeat. Basically, this means that one chamber tries to pump before the next chamber is ready to receive the blood. It's harmless, just really frigging annoying.

    If it is an evh, it won't necessarily show up on an regular ECG because it is intermittent.

    When I get into a spell of this, I cough. Try it. It compresses the heart and seems to settle things down. :smile:
  • TaraLe33
    TaraLe33 Posts: 3 Member
    I am very glad you went to the doctor, because at the end of the day, no matter what we say, this is nothing to mess around with. I have a Premature Ventricular Contraction. Sounds like a lot of people here have something similar. My heart gets off rythmn and delays its beat for a second to get back on track. It can be dangerous unless your heart is nice and strong and moves a good amount of blood with each beat. But it is VERY uncomfortable when it happens.

    Here is my point...Mine gets much worse when I am stressed. Practically non-existent when I am not. Another thing, I am a therapist, and what you might be experiencing is stress attacks. This is also a description of a panic attack. And contrary to popular belief you don't have to be in a stressful or upsetting situation to have one. If your doctor doesn't find anything wrong with your heart, I would suggest talking to him about the possibility that it might be panic.

    last thing... honey, maybe you should ease up on the work out. Sounds like you do an extreme amount of work...might be having a negative effect on your body. Remember moderation... God Bless.
  • SkaterGirl704
    SkaterGirl704 Posts: 37 Member
    How can walking cause heart palpitations or pressure?
    Maybe you are taking in too much caffene. Maybe you drink lots of green tea, coffee, or caffene drinks.
    I don't know what your diet is like. Walking is not much of exercise, and does not get your heart rate up, intense cardio does.
  • marvybells
    marvybells Posts: 1,984 Member
    Did they check your electrolytes? My friend had this happen to her and learned she was dehydrated and low on potassium. Might be something to look into.



    that happened to me twice. once about 15 years ago, my blood pressure dropped dangerously low & all my muscles involuntarily cramped up on me. It was a very distinct & scary feeling. (i've had little flutters & panic attacks before. this feels different)

    never had a problem again til yesterday, i immediately guzzled some gatorade & assumed the "oh sh/t i'm about to pass out any second" position on the couch with my head cradled between my knees. no muscle cramping this time & i recovered much faster, but the rapid heartbeat with palpitations was present.
  • Maureen214
    Maureen214 Posts: 40 Member
    I've had lots of heAlth issues in only 45 years and most f them odd or not related. I had a ten pound tumor in my abdomen that was cancer 10 years ago and surgically removed. I didn't need chemo if radiation and if was only found because I had a pulmonary embollism after a broken ankle surgery!! I was on blood thinners fir a while then went off because the cancer was gone and all the tests came back negative fir clotting disorders. Anyway, / years ago I suddenly had two blood vessels burst and my body filled with blood flits so I'm on blood thinners for Life now. The doctors thought my cancer was back but found a benign tumor on the outside if my esophagus. I have also had reflux for years and difficulty swallowing that feels like a chest tightening. Sometimes working out, bending over, drinking something cold, and or anxiety can add to this. Three times I've gone to the ER cause the tightening was so severe. All of those things could be the reason, but this benign tumor could have been here addi g to it for years also. I take an anti anxiety medicine like clonazapam when I feel it coming on and try to relax.
    I hope you find the route of your chest tightening soon.
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    Low potassium, and or magnesium can also cause palpitations. Make sure you're getting enough.
  • xapril77x
    xapril77x Posts: 248 Member
    Low potassium, and or magnesium can also cause palpitations. Make sure you're getting enough.

    How much potassium & magnesium per day?
  • Maureen214
    Maureen214 Posts: 40 Member
    Nothing on this forum is going to replace medical care or a doctor's advice, but I'm with the other poster that mentioned anxiety.

    I had an anxiety attack before that lasted for like an hour and a half. My chest was tight and heart was beating so hard I could see it move my bra under my shirt. It was horrible and there was nothing I could do about it but wait to calm down and let it pass. I felt like it would never end, but it did. :P I have anxiety attacks very rarely, but they do run in my family. My mother had them and sister has them sometimes.

    Usually it only happens when I'm sleep deprived and stressed out or worried about stuff I have no control over. Regular sleep, hydration, daily magnesium, multi-vitamin, and regular medical care with my GP (so I know it's not an actual blood pressure or heart problem), keeps it from happening. But, I'm still a worrier and think too much. ;)

    You might not be worried about losing your job or paying your bills, but over-exercising (if that's the case) is a form of stress, too.
  • gertudejekyl
    gertudejekyl Posts: 386 Member
    I got them from age 16 - 32 approximately. I got checked at the doctor. Often after a stressful day - a day when I was really bothered or nervous. I don't get em anymore. I used to smoke a pack a day and drink coffee. I gave those up --maybe that's why the palpitations went..... Stop exercise if that is what your body tells you.
  • Maureen214
    Maureen214 Posts: 40 Member
    Sorry to hear about your anxiety. I posted previously about some of my medical history. Since I had cancer 10 years ago, I noticed an in tease in my anxiety and have had a few actual panic attacks. I've had a few other medical issues since then I. E. blood clotting disorder , gallbladder removed, tumors appeAring on follow up exams, but luckily all 4 have been benign just wierd in odd and different places, bulging discs in back and neck bacterial meningitis and now migraines which never had previously..... Anyway I think these issues have caused the anxiety oh and sleep apnea which we know how not enough sleep can stress us out, too! But I wear a lovely CPAP machine now, so I always have an anti anxiety medicine like clonazapam which my GP prescribes so I do 't ever have to just wait it out or calm down cause that makes it MUCH worse for me and the first time lasted hours and the second time after hours I went to the ER. So with the medicine, it usually starts to work I about 20 minutes.
    I hope you're doing better, too and sorry if this us Waaaaaaay too long or TMI!!
  • DymonNdaRgh40
    DymonNdaRgh40 Posts: 661 Member
    I am very glad you went to the doctor, because at the end of the day, no matter what we say, this is nothing to mess around with. I have a Premature Ventricular Contraction. Sounds like a lot of people here have something similar. My heart gets off rythmn and delays its beat for a second to get back on track. It can be dangerous unless your heart is nice and strong and moves a good amount of blood with each beat. But it is VERY uncomfortable when it happens.

    Here is my point...Mine gets much worse when I am stressed. Practically non-existent when I am not. Another thing, I am a therapist, and what you might be experiencing is stress attacks. This is also a description of a panic attack. And contrary to popular belief you don't have to be in a stressful or upsetting situation to have one. If your doctor doesn't find anything wrong with your heart, I would suggest talking to him about the possibility that it might be panic.

    last thing... honey, maybe you should ease up on the work out. Sounds like you do an extreme amount of work...might be having a negative effect on your body. Remember moderation... God Bless.

    I did for a little bit and honestly since it started I haven't been running. I also cut the coffee out. I'm currently just doing my circuit workouts and trying to rest a little bit more. I think I've done a good job of eliminating stress and I'm working on getting more sleep. Thanks for your kind response. I'm a work in progress.
  • knitapeace
    knitapeace Posts: 1,013 Member
    <--- Not a doctor! However...

    I had the exact same symptoms last year. Sometimes it was when I was stressed out from work, sometimes when everything in my life was going fine. I finally spoke to my doctor about it and she suggested I stay away from pseudoephedrine (nasal decongestant--Sudafed) and caffeine. I got off caffeine entirely and still had the issue. I was on the brink of scheduling an appointment with my husband's cardiologist when I did a simple Google search and discovered that this CAN be a symptom of premenopause.

    I'm not big on dietary supplements, but I went out that night and bought a multi-vitamin and a box of black cohosh pills marketed as a hormone replacement alternative. I only took the black cohosh until the box was gone and then I didn't buy any more...it's not something you're supposed to take for an extended period of time. By the time the box was empty, the symptoms were gone completely. I eventually went back on caffeine and the palpitations are almost nonexistent. I still get one or two every now and then but I cough (like someone else mentioned) and it goes away. I've also started meditating which I think helps with the stress component.

    I'm only 44, definitely not IN menopause, but periomenopause can begin up to 10 years prior to actual menopause and in my experience that was what caused my palpitations. Your mileage may certainly vary, but it's something to consider. (Although you don't look old enough from your avatar to be worried about that right now!)
  • DymonNdaRgh40
    DymonNdaRgh40 Posts: 661 Member
    So, I did visit my physician last week and after some further tests she discovered I was having heartburn. My physician felt that due to my diet of healthy foods, I was experiencing a back up of digestive acids. She prescribed me some Prevacid to help. She also suggested because I do eat a high protein, low carb diet to every now then have some carbs. She mentioned the build up could be happening because there is nothing to soak up the excess. So anyways, I'm totally relieved and feeling much better. I haven't had to take the prevacid yet because the feeling is gone but at least now if it comes back I'll be prepared. My heart is fine, blood, thyroid, etc., are all normal. I just have to work on keeping the stress down and eat a bit more carbs from time to time.

    One day I'll add coffee back into my diet because I miss it terribly. I've slowed down my workouts a lot and miss running but I plan to do one Friday morning to see how it feels after a three week lay off.

    Thanks everyone for your feedback and concern.:smile:
  • Derpes
    Derpes Posts: 2,033 Member
    Do you have a history of acid reflux? Sometimes people have silent reflux - reflux without heartburn. It can certainly cause chest pressure.

    If the palpitations make you nervous or anxious, the panic could cause a spike in your heart rate for a few minutes.

    Breathing tends to help with stress:

    http://www.cmhc.utexas.edu/stressrecess/Level_Two/breathing.html
  • DymonNdaRgh40
    DymonNdaRgh40 Posts: 661 Member
    So, I did visit my physician last week and after some further tests she discovered I was having heartburn. My physician felt that due to my diet of healthy foods, I was experiencing a back up of digestive acids. She prescribed me some Prevacid to help. She also suggested because I do eat a high protein, low carb diet to every now then have some carbs. She mentioned the build up could be happening because there is nothing to soak up the excess. So anyways, I'm totally relieved and feeling much better. I haven't had to take the prevacid yet because the feeling is gone but at least now if it comes back I'll be prepared. My heart is fine, blood, thyroid, etc., are all normal. I just have to work on keeping the stress down and eat a bit more carbs from time to time.

    One day I'll add coffee back into my diet because I miss it terribly. I've slowed down my workouts a lot and miss running but I plan to do one Friday morning to see how it feels after a three week lay off.

    Thanks everyone for your feedback and concern.:smile:
  • DymonNdaRgh40
    DymonNdaRgh40 Posts: 661 Member
    Do you have a history of acid reflux? Sometimes people have silent reflux - reflux without heartburn. It can certainly cause chest pressure.

    If the palpitations make you nervous or anxious, the panic could cause a spike in your heart rate for a few minutes.

    Breathing tends to help with stress:

    http://www.cmhc.utexas.edu/stressrecess/Level_Two/breathing.html

    Wow! You have no idea how right on you are. I think we were posting at the same time. Thanks for the link!
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    I'm glad you found out what it was! Chest pressure is one of the worst kind of feelings. Now you have tools to help you deal. :smile:
  • DymonNdaRgh40
    DymonNdaRgh40 Posts: 661 Member
    I'm glad you found out what it was! Chest pressure is one of the worst kind of feelings. Now you have tools to help you deal. :smile:

    Yes!:flowerforyou:

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