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Original poster

Heart palpitations, dizziness, what to do?

70 replies

JuleeCruseship · 20/05/2019 12:30

For the past two days I've been having weird palpitations, accompanied by breathlessness and feeling lightheaded. My chest generally feels quite tight and it's hard to catch my breath.

I rang to make a GP appointment but there isn't one for 5 weeks.

Should I call out of hours this evening, or what? It does feel a bit worrying as I feel so not-right. It's not little unnoticeable palpitations to me.

I'm 35, overweight but not amazingly so.

OP posts:
Mrsemcgregor · 20/05/2019 12:32

111 and see what they say. Don’t mess around with heart/chest/breathing problems.

Original poster
JuleeCruseship · 20/05/2019 12:34

I will have to do it when I get home as I'm at work. So I'm well enough to work but I did get a taxi in as my usual walk felt beyond me.

OP posts:
womanhuman · 20/05/2019 12:35

A&E. You don’t mess with breathlessness.

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Original poster
JuleeCruseship · 20/05/2019 12:39

But I can still function, indeed, I'm at work. But I feel very weird.

OP posts:
womanhuman · 20/05/2019 12:42

If you call 111 and tell them dizziness and breathlessness, 100% they’ll tell you to go A&E.

PurpleWithRed · 20/05/2019 12:43

It wouldn't be unreasonable to pop in to an urgent care centre or A&E with palpations and breathlessness, or your GP on the off chance, although if you are able to work it may be that they sound worse on here than they feel to you.

Lotsalotsagiggles · 20/05/2019 12:44

Iron deficiency can make you feel like this too but def check it's not anything sinister first. Get some bloods done to check

BrokenWing · 20/05/2019 12:47

Surely if you can MN randoms during work you can call 111 for some actual qualified advice!

Please call 111

Original poster
JuleeCruseship · 20/05/2019 12:48

I'm not calling 111 because I know they will tell me to go to A&E, because that's what they always do to people who call them with anything related to breathing or chest stuff, and I don't think it warrants that. Like I said, I'm able to work. I guess I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this and what it was/what they did.

OP posts:
BigSandyBalls2015 · 20/05/2019 12:51

Ring 111, don't wait until you get home, do it now.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 20/05/2019 12:52

Well go to A&E then! I would take this seriously! Better to wait around and be told it's nothing, than collapse at work!

BrokenWing · 20/05/2019 12:58

If they tell you to go to A&E then at least you know it could be serious then you can decide if you go or collapse at your desk instead!

Quorafun · 20/05/2019 13:00

please go to A&E. What you describe is a very very good reason to do so. If you would prefer a GP, then call the GP surgery and tell them your symptoms. At the least they will get a doctor to phone you back.

Illberidingshotgun · 20/05/2019 13:06

Speak to your line manager. I would be horrified if someone was experiencing these symptoms at work, and would be urging them to seek some sort of medical attention promptly.

It could be any number of things, but as I'm sure you are aware, however unlikely this is to be a serious heart issue, heart attacks can present like this, particularly in women.

I would be concerned that you weren't able to manage your usual walk into work today, so these are not minor symptoms. Go and get yourself checked out. It will likely be nothing serious, but at least will set your mind at rest, and may therefore lessen the symptoms anyway.

I do get these things happen when I get particularly stressed or anxious, and am prone to palpitations, but I am always able to identify the stress causing it. You do not mention being particularly stressed or anxious.

Don't mess around with your health, OP. NHS services are there for a reason. If you are reluctant to go to A&E, see if you have a walk in centre nearby.

BoreOfWhabylon · 20/05/2019 13:07

Palpitations with dizziness and breathlessness will get you an ambulance. For very good reasons.

Don't mess around with this.

NoBaggyPants · 20/05/2019 13:08

Can you make an on the day GP appt? Usually if you call at a designated time they'll get you an appointment if it's warranted, or they'll put you on a callback list and the GP or nurse can decide if you need to be seen.

You'll probably need to take time off work if you're given an emergency appointment.

Dodie66 · 20/05/2019 13:09

This sounds like a panic attack but you do need to do what other people have said and get it checked out.

mateysmum · 20/05/2019 13:24

Go to a & e please.

I was reading in the Telegraph this morning about a lady who had very similar symptoms and soldiered on for a month till eventually went to her GP. They sent her straight to a & e without passing go. She had had a heart attack. Symptoms appear differently in women.

Please don't ignore it.

mateysmum · 20/05/2019 13:30

Should also say...

It could be a panic attack but I have them and the breathlessness and palpitations should not last for 2 days. They tend to come and go quite quickly though the "weird" feeling can last longer.

Even if it is a panic attack,j just knowing this can relieve the symptoms.

mincepiesareyum · 20/05/2019 13:40

Please go to a&e. My husband had this and kept ignoring it for literally months...his main artery was severely blocked and needed a stent urgently. Obviously that may not be the case for you but please get it checked out!

FoxSquadKitten · 20/05/2019 13:42

I guess I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this and what it was/what they did.

Yes and it was low iron/ferritin (What's your diet like?) but please book an emergency Gp appt today to check it's nothing more serious.

Runkle · 20/05/2019 13:43

Can you get to a minor injuries unit or out of hours Dr? I'm sure if you explained to the receptionist they would ensure a Dr saw you or at least spoke to you today.

Runkle · 20/05/2019 13:44

P. S. For me it was panic attacks and anaemia but still you should get seen.

Original poster
JuleeCruseship · 20/05/2019 13:45

Thank you. I have something important to do at work today, but I will leave early and go to A&E on my way home in a taxi. The only way to get a same day appointment here is to ring at 8am - it's past that now. Otherwise it's 4 weeks. They're also currently closed for work.

OP posts:
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