Hi Moms,
About a month ago I started having heart palpitations frequently one day, they kept coming every couple of hours, I called the Dr. and he said if I started having chest pain with it I should go to the ER. Well I calmed down and the next day I was fine.
Today I have been getting these palpitations again, frequently like the last time. They don't hurt, just scare me.
I'm not any stressed than usual but I am a little anxious bc I'm pmsing (I was pmsing the last time it happened too I believe) and I was diagnosed with GERD at the beginning of November.
Does anyone else have this problem?
Thank you all for responding, I feel a little better knowing that I'm not the only one. I did end up going to the ER the other night, did an EKG, a chest xray, drew blood, and they monitored my heart with the monitor for two hours and they found NOTHING even tho the entire time I kept having strong palpitations. The ER Dr told me that they will not call it palpitations because my heart never beat over 100 per minute, it stayed 77 and below which is normal. I am still experiencing them quite frequently but I am scheduled to see a cardiologist in two weeks so hopefully it gets better.
Again thank you all so much I appreciate it:)
Most likely, it's a panic attack. I get them for no reason sometimes. Just take some deep breaths and try not to think about it too much. I hate it when I get them!
As you can see there could be many causes. I get them from a very common defect called Mitral Valve Prolapse. It is a valve defect that is very common and not harmful. It is irritating however, and sometimes makes me dizzy. I'm on a daily beta blocker, which helps tremendously. Keep track and mention it to your doctor.
I get them from time to time. Sometimes on and off for days. I've been checked and everything is ok. I haven't had them for a while due to lifestyle changes. No caffeine, 7-8 hrs sleep at night. stress reduction (yoga, deep breathing, etc.), and a good diet (cut out most sugars, white flours, and other starchy foods). I find that eating lots of high quality protein and fats (coconut oil, avocado, raw milk cheeses, etc.) stabilizes my blood sugar well. Many people are deficient in magnesium also. A good whole food multivitmin from the health food store (I take Garden of Life) helps, and then you can try extra magnesium as well.
Hope this helps,
J.
This happened to a friend at work and I don't think anything major was "wrong" but I know she was advised to quit caffeine for a while and at least cut back sugar. Also, standard blood tests can rule out easily fixable problems like thyroid problems, etc., so you might check back with your doc again to pursue that.
ive had them from to much caffein intake, comming down off anti-depressants to fast or the wrong way and from anxiety attacks....there are alot of different reasons from it...just keep a log of when you have them, how long you have thm and about what time of the month you have them and show them to your dr. i was eventually diagnosed with sinus arrythmia so i have had to really pay attention to the amount of stress in my life and my caffeine intake...
i know its scary, but as long as you keep tabs as to whats going on in your life when you have them and follow suit with changing that behavior, you can over come them
L V
I too have had the same problem. I am so glad to hear that you are taking care of yourself and have gone to the doctor. I have had the same problems. I would sometimes get dizzy and feel that I was going to pass out. I refused to go to a doctor because I have been told that it is just my nerves more times than I can count.
Last year, I collapsed. I was not aware of any heart palpitation before-hand, but it turns out that I had two strokes. (and two previous ones that had gone undiagnosed)Then, they checked my heart backwards and forwards. There has been no evidence of an irregular heartbeat, however, heart palpitations can lead to strokes.
Doctors were never able to find a definitive reason for my problems.
The reason I am writing this is not to scare you, but to tell you, like Victoria, to pay attention to your intuition. Take care of yourself. Eat right, reduce stress, and find a doctor who listens to you and respects you.
Jen
Heart palpitations can be related to many things. I have had them from anemia in the past (which is really a common side effect).
Yes, it could be brought on by panic attacks, it could be caffine as well. I would suggest cutting caffine out of your diet completely, including chocolate, for a week and see if the palpitations continue. If they do, you would be wise to go see your doctor to make sure there is nothing else more serious going on.
I have had these palpatations for 15 years. I have gone to the ER 3 times (when they were worse), I have worn a halter monitor (it never happens when I'm wired). I just recently went to my cardiologist because I had a couple of really bad episodes lately. I really think there is a connection in harmones. I had a stress echo last Friday and it was clear. They always run a battery of tests and find nothing abnormal. I've been told caffeine plays into it as well. The one connection I can make is it seems to get worse if I'm very tired.
What works well for me is to make myself take deep breaths. Your doctor is right, if you don't have associated chest pain, you're in good shape. My doctor said it was with the "electrical" part of my heart. I have been offered for them to go in there and cauterize (burn) the electrical part that is making the problems. I have a friend who did this in Sept, but she is still having problems. I'm not interested in that procedure.
The cardiologist I saw said over 90% of people have these palpitations. Most people don't notice them. Those who do it can be nerve racking, if you don't develop a strategy for dealing with it. I also thought it was interesting that my brother and two of my cousins are having the same issues right now. So, I don't know if genetics are involved as well.
If you want to email me personally, please feel free. Take care and I hope this helped!
Merry Christmas!
L.
I do, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and it is set off by changes in my hormones right before my period. It can cause panic attacks (heart palpitations, jitters, nervousness). You might check what you eat. Because of the change in hormones you become more sensitive to stimulants like chocolate and caffeine. Those stimulants can set off panic attacks. Try eating more balanced meals during the 5-7 days before your cycle and also look into something like chamomile tea or another natural calming drink or just stick with plenty of water and juice. It is nothing to get overly concerned with, you just have to learn what works for you. -J. White
Hi L V
You have gotten alot of good responses. I will just add one thing. There is a product with Shaklee called Stress Relief Complex that may help. It reduces cortisone levels (stress hormone.) It is very safe. You can check it out at http://www.shaklee.net/healthforlife.
I had a very major heart problem that went undiagnosed until I was 48 years old. So don't ignore your own intuition if you think that there is something wrong. Find a doctor who will listen. That is not the way of most cardioligists.
Victoria
Are the palpitations associated at all with exercise, walking across the room or any added movement? If so, then a visit to the doctor is definitely in order.
I am not a doctor, but If this is a new thing and is not caused by increased activity then I believe it could point to stress. My doctor explained to me that this does not necessarily happen at the time of stress, but after the stress time has passed. When I did have PMS I was stressed!
At any rate, if you are worried, a trip to the doctor may be in order just to ease your mind. Worrying about what it is could actually cause the stress!
Victoria's remedy is a good one too!
