Does anyone know much about palpitations?

[grandpashark]

Just had a horrible episode - I normally get PVCs but I had a weird episode sitting on the sofa , felt like I had about 10 flutters that wouldn’t stop - like a weird prolonged weightlessness feeling - and I felt I was blacking out. I didn’t - phoned surgery who phoned 999 . Paramedics came out and did an ECG etc , said all totally normal and maybe a reaction to painkillers (codeine based), caffeine (I was drinking coke at the time) or panic attacks .

I’ve had investigations before (echo, treadmill, monitors) as I’ve been bothered for a long time with flutters . A relative (my mams twin brother) was found to have ARVC a few years ago but no one else has it - mam was screened and she’s fine .

I’m now sitting still mildly panicked . I can see the ECG in front of me and I know it’s normal and paramedics wouldn’t leave if they were at all concerned . They’ve advised lie in bed and relax and phone health centre ... how do I know the same thing isn’t going to happen again ?

Give up caffeine

I take beta blockers for mine. Glucose fructose syrup, msg and too much caffeine set mine off so I avoid those things.

Sometimes you can get them when you're anaemic

I used to get loads- had tests etc all ok. Have now given up caffeine completely for the last 3 months and they’ve virtually gone.

I get them if I have a lot of caffeine

Had to totally give up caffeine as set me off with palpitations. My friend had to give up coke.
Also if you anywhere near menopause l found it brought more palpitations

I occasionally get these flutters when going through a stressful period. They often trigger panic attack for me which in turn creates a vicious cycle.
The best thing I would suggest is try to take your mind off it. Read, mumsnet, chat to a friend on the phone and try your best not to focus on your heart and become hyper aware as this makes me worse.

I get them when I'm due on and when I'm ovulating. Always have. Might be worth keeping a diary to see if there's a pattern?

I am due a period actually - I’m a fortnight late (definitely not pregnant) ... I’m definitely very hyper aware - almost like waiting on the next one , and I swallow air as well which definitely isn’t helping . I’m trying to convince myself if I had heart failure or cardiomyopathy or something it would show on an ECG . Absolutely exhausted .

Sugar, wine and caffeine set off mine

Hoping it doesn’t happen like that again , I’m used to small flutters but that was a big set in a row - I thought I was going to die there and then . I’ve been sitting looking at the ECG which is probably a very bad idea indeed as I’ve very little idea of what I’m looking at . The paramedics said it was entirely normal though .