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Original poster

Frequent heart palpitations

26 replies

terrified321 · 15/02/2023 21:53

Been told a thousand times they're anxiety or gastric related and nothing to panic about. Ive had dozens of ECGs, a normal 24 hour tape in September, had an echo and stress test a few years ago, a 3 day monitor once.

Under cardiology for review as a relative needed an ICD a while back and they weren't convinced it wasn't a genetic condition.

Palpitations all but disappeared for 2-3 months, and then came back with a vengeance last week. I'm now feeling them every 20 mins or so, it's like my heart 'drops' for a few seconds - have lost count of number of times today. It's worse when I move position, stand up, laugh/feel emotional, anxious or eat - always worse after eating and drinking.

I'm on hold to 111 but previous experience is they just send me over to A&E for an ECG and then sit wait for 6-8 hours for a doctor to say, anxiety, go home. I've got an app on my phone and caught a few on there so it's definitely happening.

I'm absolutely terrified something awful is going to happen to me, I live alone and if something happened no-one would know.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 15/02/2023 21:54

Have you been tested for anaemia ? Low ferritin, caused by heavy periods, caused my palpitations.
Have you given up all caffeine ?
Are you peri menopause age ?

Wolfiefan · 15/02/2023 21:56

If they say it’s anxiety have you had treatment for that? Have you posted this before?

Original poster
terrified321 · 15/02/2023 21:59

I have had treatment yes for anxiety, tbh my anxiety’s been a lot better lately so I’m a bit unsure why they’ve come back . Definitely not menopause, don’t drink/eat caffeine and not anaemic as far as I’m aware.

Yeah I’ve probably mentioned it on MN before but a while ago if I have.

OP posts:

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HappyHolidai · 15/02/2023 22:02

Remind yourself that they've been investigated and found to be harmless. Breathe calmly and relax.

I have a long history of palpitations and love on my own. In my case I do actually have a heart condition so that makes it a bit more complicated. But the 3 things my cardiologist said to me should be the triggers for 999 are:

  • can't breathe
  • chest pain
  • loss of consciousness

Otherwise the advice is to ride them out and wait for them to settle. It's not easy though. When they started I was so anxious and scared... Over the years I've done a huge list of things to try to reduce palpitations and anxiety: medication, no caffeine or alcohol, walking every day, plenty of rest, CBT, multivitamins, reasonable diet... They do help but it's never nice when they start.
just remind yourself you've survived all the previous episodes and you are very likely to survive this one.

TheShellBeach · 15/02/2023 22:02

I'm so glad that all your test results have been normal.
Why aren't you relieved about this?
You can't keep having ECGs. There's no point.

Wolfiefan · 15/02/2023 22:02

So are you on medication? Still using the techniques you learnt to deal with the anxiety?

Bloops · 15/02/2023 22:16

Oh my goodness, I'm going through the exact same thing. I also suffer with anxiety. I know how scary this is so sending love

Hiddenvoice · 15/02/2023 22:20

I’m sorry you’re going through all of this. Try take slow deep breaths in and hold for 5 seconds and blow your breath away. Remind yourself you are safe and all your test results are normal. It sounds like your anxiety is playing up and you’re perhaps building up to a panic attack.
You say your anxiety is managed well at the moment, has anything changed in the last few weeks that had maybe upset you? Is there anything coming up that you might be feeling worried about?
Has your diet changed in anyway? I have a heart condition that is well managed but I find if I have a little too much caffeine (I don’t drink tea/ coffee/ juice) then my heart races and I can find it hard to settle it into a normal rhythm again.

stbrandonsboat · 15/02/2023 22:22

Magnesium can help. I also take ashwaghanda which is good for anxiety.

Houseplantmad · 15/02/2023 22:26

Sugar triggers palpitations for me, as does alcohol or stress.

justasking111 · 15/02/2023 22:35

@terrified321 Google "Vagus nerve palpitations".

Original poster
terrified321 · 15/02/2023 22:39

Thanks 💕 111 basically said same, anxiety, take prescribed medication (which I’ve done) and lie down for a bit/try to shift focus away. Im sure the more I think about it the worse it gets. Vagus nerve would make sense yes.

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 15/02/2023 22:59

The more you think about it, the more you panic about it and the more you will feel it.
Do exactly as 111 suggest and do something to take your mind off it for tonight.
Tomorrow start a journal of what you’re doing when it comes on. You can write down anything you’ve eaten or drank and can write down things thag are on your mind. I do this and then shut the book as if shutting it takes it out of my mind and helps ease the anxiety.

justasking111 · 15/02/2023 23:03

terrified321 · 15/02/2023 22:39

Thanks 💕 111 basically said same, anxiety, take prescribed medication (which I’ve done) and lie down for a bit/try to shift focus away. Im sure the more I think about it the worse it gets. Vagus nerve would make sense yes.

Cardiologist prescribed a low dose of beta blockers which I've been taking for a decade now. They helped me so much. I still get the weird fluttering but just wait till it passes. Eating can bring them on. I just think oh vagus nerve again.

shreddednips · 15/02/2023 23:20

No advice OP but I've had these ever since I was a teenager, as has my mother and her mother so it runs in the family. Similar pattern with gaps between episodes and then lots of palpitations over a short period. I did have them investigated but, like you, all the tests came back normal.

I really sympathise because they feel horrible, I still feel a bit frightened while they're actually happening even though I know they're harmless. But if it makes you feel better, I've had them for about 14 years very, very frequently and they've never caused me any problems other than being unpleasant.

UB40andaglassofwine · 15/02/2023 23:22

I get fluttering heartbeat and palpitations for years and years, it's a horrible scary feeling. Sometimes mine go on for days.
Nights are worse when you're laying on your own in bed. They go away for a few months then back with a vengeance out of nowhere.
I've had so many tapes and tests. I'm actually waiting for another cardiologist update from having a 24 hour tape in December.
I've been prescribed propranolol which I find has helped
And I've recently started taking a strong magnesium twice a day, this has helped a lot.

Deathbyfluffy · 15/02/2023 23:26

It sounds really weird, but losing quite a lot of weight pretty much cured my palpitations (and lowered my blood pressure a fair amount too).

Of course this won’t apply to everyone, but I was very large and it must have been causing a bit of strain.

BobaTea · 17/02/2023 18:03

@UB40andaglassofwine , were you taking Propranolol while wearing the 24 hr holter?

I'm due to wear one soon and I'm not sure if taking Propranolol stops the palpitations showing on the 24 hr holter. I take Propranolol on a as needed basis so hoping I don't need to take a tablet on the day.

UB40andaglassofwine · 17/02/2023 19:15

I was prescribed propranolol a week after my tape. I've use to take them years ago, then stopped as I felt they weren't working.
I only take 20mg at night.
My palpitations have been so bad today that I keep having to take a deep breath. I also go dizzy.
I would try not to take propranolol the day you have your tape so it can pick up any flutters or palpitations

BobaTea · 17/02/2023 19:40

@UB40andaglassofwine , My palpitations are so bad, they are constant and uncomfortable. Today I had to take Propranolol as they were happening every few minutes throughout the day. I don't know how am I going to cope if my palpitations are bad while I'm wearing the holter.

OP, hope you get some relief soon.

Commah · 17/02/2023 19:42

How old are you? Could be caused by menopause.

BettyOBarley · 17/02/2023 19:58

What mg of magnesium do you take please?

I get palpitations too OP, I've had them for over 20 years and been told that they are nothing to worry about etc. It still worries me though.

They were terrible when I was anaemic.
They haven't been too bad recently and I've wondered if it's down to me taking high strength Vit D and a multivitamin every day.

Jowak1 · 17/02/2023 19:59

My husband has recently been diagnosed after d as offering palpitations for 2 years! Many a snd e trips for the eCg to show up normal sinus rhythm. Money spent on private cardiologist and expensive tests showed up nothing. He suggested a Kardia mobile app device for when he gets the palpitations. We got loads of reasons suggesting possibly atrial fibrillation sent them as PDF to him and he finally diagnosed Premature Ventricular Complex . Basically his heart has an extra beat but if feels like he's skipping a beat. He's on blood pressure tablets and beta blockers snd is 97% himself/ better. ( just trying to get the meds right). It's amazing how many people have this snd don't know as they don't have any symptoms- I hope you get sorted . X

Elieza · 17/02/2023 20:08

If you cough when you get them does phlegm come out? Do you get it in the summer when there’s no damp in the air? I get it in the winter mostly and it was due to phlegm lying around in my chest because I was full of it.

I stopped cheese and other dairy and it helped massively.

justasking111 · 17/02/2023 23:13

Don't cough but occasionally burp.