Irregular beats and chest pain - please help

[MissPoldark]

For the last 10 years I have suffered with missed beats/extra beats/funny heart rhythms that I’ve seen cardiologists about over the years and which have been diagnosed as benign. I go through phases where these are better or worse for no apparent reason, despite avoiding all obvious triggers, keeping hydrated and trying to keep my potassium and magnesium at a normal intake.

About 3 years ago I started suffering with heart pain. I say this rather than chest pain because my experience of the funny beats means that I know exactly where my heart is, and feel the symptoms can be pinpointed to that area. The pain varies. Sometimes it’s a short sharp stab, that comes with an odd feeling which is difficult to describe – hot and uneasy. At other times it’s a constricting feeling, like a piece of string has been wrapped around your heart which is momentarily tightened and released. Sometimes there is no pain but just a general strange feeling in that area. I should note that the funny beats and pain never seem to occur together.

At my first referral to investigate the chest pain I was sent away and told it was most likely musculoskeletal. Things got worse and I was back there a year later, but this time I had a stress test which was clear/didn’t show anything to be concerned about. On the third referral I had a CT angiogram which was also clear. Also had an echo which was normal. So I was informed I’d had all the investigations they could offer and was discharged.

The problem is that I am still left with these symptoms that are severely affecting my quality of life and I don’t know where to turn. I feel like I'm just waiting for the worst to happen.

Has anyone experienced anything similar or have any suggestions as to what could be going on here?

I’m 39, normal weight, fairly healthy diet, never smoked.

[MissPoldark]

Oh, I forgot to say, I've also had a chest x-ray to check it wasn't anything lung related and that was clear.

[MissPoldark]

Sorry I’ve just realised how long my post is!
Anyone any experience of anything similar?

[SprogletsMum]

Has anyone explored that it could be anxiety?
Mine sometimes presents like this and with all the investigations you've had done that don't point to a physiological cause, it could be worth looking into.

[Josette77]

Sounds like anxiety. Did you do anything to help with musculoskeletal?
Yoga? Massage? Physio? Chiro?

[letmepeeinpeace]

I get this just before a period. Been told it could be hormonal. Also, lack of iron triggers it

[MissPoldark]

I wish it was just anxiety but it doesn’t seem like it.
I’m worn out with trying to convince myself it’s nothing to worry about.

It happens often when I’m not doing anything in particular, but other more concerning times it’s happened when

... I’ve been pushing down on something
.... making pastry
....running a few steps for a bus I thought I was going to miss

Each time it’s been a brief sharp pain in my chest.

I know that brief & sharp isn’t classically cardiac, and I think this is one reason it’s been dismissed. But we’re always being told to be mindful that women don’t experience typical symptoms, however this doesn’t seem to be considered by medics when it comes down to it.

[Liveforfridays]

Iron levels? I had all this MRI etc when I was younger. All clear. The last few years since having kids it's back. I was diagnosed with anemia in the summer x

[Aus84]

I've have been going through this exact thing OP. Even the strange twinges and pinches you described. I've been diagnosed low iron and on the days I focus on getting my levels up I've been feeling much better.

[Liveforfridays]

@Aus84 do you have heavy periods? My iron levels were terrible back in August. I have just had a heavy period and I feel weak today. I don't know why the drs don't look to see if there are any problems. I had fibroids when I was pregnant and I get weird twinges and pains throughout my cycle. I would like to have a scan but I don't know if they will do it

[Aus84]

@Liveforfridays yes but only in the last 6 months which is when all this started. I had an internal ultrasound after irregular cycles and they found small cysts (?) on the walls of my uterus which is the cause of it all but they don't think need to do anything about it unless my iron gets too low.

[ravensoaponarope]

could it be a combination of ectopic heartbeats and heartburn?

[MissPoldark]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I’ve had iron levels tested which were ok.

@Aus84 do your strange twinges and pinches feel like they’re around your heart?

@ravensoaponarope I don’t think so, I’ve had heartburn before and that was very definitely middle of chest oesophageal pain.

[inwood]

Precordial catch?

[Spied]

I get this pain.
Had countless investigations and am seeing a cardiologist again next month as it's really making me anxious.( I was under a cardiologist as had svt a few years ago- then told I was absolutely fine and no cardio issue so discharged)
The various G.P's I have seen have put it down to anxiety and/or GERD.
I now take ppi's- but still get this heart pain.
T

[ravensoaponarope]

maybe this, as suggested above?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precordial_catch_syndrome

[Widget123]

I’ve just put a separate post up asking about ectopic beats and then saw this! Apart from the pain I’m experiencing horrific flutters and skipped beats (ectopics I guess) atm and have been since New Year’s Day. I’m getting 1 every 10/20 seconds. It’s CONSTANT. GP said my ecg was fine and it’ll burn out but I feel like my hearts going to explode. How regular are your when they’re bad? Have you experienced them this regular? X

[Littlejets]

Also take a look at WPW Syndrome.

[Ohdeariedear]

I had the palpitations/funny beats and it turned out my iron level was on the floor - back to normal now and haven’t had them since then.

[riverside277]

You need to capture the beats. Since I was around 13 I have suffered with regular supraventeicular tachycardia and only last year found out that's what it was. I work in a cardiology department so was given an 'alivecor' from the consultant which is a small device you place your fingers on every time you have an episode and you need to download an app on your phone for them to be recorded, they are sent sent for analysing. (Carry it round with you in your bag). Without this I still wouldn't know what these palpitations were which are absolutely awful when they happen. There is treatment options I have been offered now and I would highly recommend speaking to your gp to be referred for this. Wish I had of knew about this device many years ago as I new if I was given a 24/48/74 hr ECG monitor which is more popular, that it would be typical I don't have any episodes in that time.

[Widget123]

Riverside I brought this Kardia Alice ire device on Amazon two days ago, it’s a gamechanger. For £5 yesterday I sent it for review and they sent me a detailed report back of my ecg, they noted my first degree block and caught a string of ectopics it’s SO accurate I can’t believe it.

[Widget123]

*Kardia Alivecore

[riverside277]

@Widget123 they're great aren't they. I wouldn't of found out what mine were and would of continued to think I just had to live with the palpitations if it wasn't for the device recordings. Really glad it's helped you aswell.

[MissPoldark]

I’ve had the beats captured on an ambulance ECG recorder. Typically symptoms weren’t too bad when wearing it (of course!) but it did capture some premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), which is what feels like an extra or missed beat. I also had a PVC couplet.

I’d pretty much learnt to live with the funny beats but the pain (more so the weird, unsettling sensation that goes with it) is stopping me from getting on with life.

I’d considered getting one of those Kardia devices too.

[MissPoldark]

@Widget123 in the past mine have been as bad as yours, happening very regularly. Did you change your diet much over Christmas or something like have more caffeine?

Are you having pain as well?

[MissPoldark]

Ambulatory not ambulance!