Constant heart palpitations, worse at night, low folate?

[Ragdollmother]

Over the last few weeks I’ve been getting increasing heart palpitations, to the point that at night I can’t sleep at all as my heart is flipping about all night , beating hard and fast, then beating slower, and I’m dizzy and slightly breathless.

It happens during the day too and I’ve had a few near fainting episodes, I’m extremely light headed all the time.

Gp did bloods that came back low folate so I’m on 5mg folic acid daily. My b12 was lower end of normal but Gp totally unconcerned despite strong family history of pernicious anemia /b12 deficiency.

A 30 second ECG showed nothing of concern so I’m waiting for a 24hr one next although may have to go private for that as it could be a few weeks away on NHS and I honestly feel like I am dying.

I don’t know if low folate would cause such severe symptoms?
I’m 40 and possibly perimenopausal , but again would that make me feel like this ?

I am searching for anything that can help me feel better :(

Sounds like Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia, this can cause heart palpitations. Its causes by either a condition that prevents your stomach from absorbing the vitamins or diet factors. Have a google there is an NHS page about it

You'll know more once you have the ECG. I have a fast irregular heartbeat (i go from 70bpm to 190bpm stay there for 60s snd the normalise), but I also have low blood pressure. The fast heart makes my blood pressure drop further, causing me dizziness and blurred vision, I also get tingling lips, sweats, breathlessness. I take 1 tablet (tildem) and its made a difference).

@AllyJames12how are you now

Hi, i am experiencing the same with the heart palpitations. I have had them on and off for many years and been tested and ct scan about 6 years ago, all apparently fine, but they are particularly bad at the moment, I went to the doctors 2 weeks ago who gave me a ECG which of cause was fine. They have referred me to cardiology which will take months. I am 41 years old and this episode has lasted so far nearly 3 weeks I am absolutely sick of it.

@billyblue47 can I ask what caused these symptoms? They are similar to mine although it HR is usually between 75-90. Breathless and low bp are my main issues

I've had all the tests, 24 hr heart monitor, ecg, echo etc, nothing found.

My folate is 5, b12 355, ferritin 15, Hb 10, vit D 30.

@Lilxa89 I'm still the same unfortunately.

Could this be peri? I'm 43 and definitely experiencing some symptoms like insomnia and heavier periods

I think that sleep deprivation had a huge impact. I had a child waking hourly for several years. My symptoms are much better now she sleeps through the night.

I am also peri. No one ever suggested peri having an impact but I'm sure it does.

Not saying this is the cause of your symptoms, just another avenue to explore- I have had a few episodes of low Folate, but I am given B12 top up first, as they now know that Folate top up can lower B12. Palpitations, headaches, inability to sleep on my left side, were 'finally' linked to the fact the right hand side of my neck and shoulders had ceased up solidly, due to being tied to a desk for years, so after tests for a range of issues, visits to an Osteopath sorted it and maintenance visits ever since (physio failed and they told me it was all in my head, don't you love NHS physio and their exercise sheets - Not!)

@Ragdollmother I know this post is old but did your symptoms settle down? I'm having problems with breathlessness at rest and more palpitations. Also going through peri

I know this is old too
But i had all these symptoms and it was low potassium- not enough to be life threatening as it can be. But enough to make life difficult.

I initially had to get an infusion but now if the symptoms come back I can sort it out with fizzy (sorry cant remember the actual term) tablets.

@LeopardsRockingham can I ask exactly what symtoms you had? And how did you become deficient in pottasium?

I had palpitations along with other perimenopause symptoms. Dr gave me beta blockers which I didn’t want. When I started HRT they stopped.
I then had surgery to remove an ovary and they started again the same day. Upped my dose of oestrogen and they stopped again.
I have ectopic heartbeats and that’s what I feel. Oestrogen controls them. So definitely can be a symptom of perimenopause.

I had constant heart palpitations in my late 40s and started taking a cheap daily magnesium supplement - just a basic one from Boots or whatever. Totally sorted it within 24 hours. Worth a try, but do go back to the doc if it doesn't make any difference.

Has anyone experienced the breathlessness at rest too? Feeling like you can't get enough air in your lungs?

Yes I had terrible heart palpitations. At one point I did a blood pressure test (in fact 5) and it was off the scale. It could be about anything: “Oh I need to put the bins out tomorrow” heart palpitations-so much I would ache. Police car goes by? Hours of agony.

HRT for a year (and I had to have a ECG first -all normal). Not had a single heart palpitation since.

Do your bones ache? -I sometimes felt like my feet had been run over.

Was convinced I had early onset dementia as I couldn’t recall everyday words.

All much better.

The Proace woman Max also hlped
massively so I presume magnesium/
vitamin D/ iron also a concern.

Just ride it out. “Yes I know, there was a loud bang. It’s ok it’s just the hormones. The heart palpitations will go soon. Let’s. Laugh about it.”

Im not sure how it happens. I eat loads of high potassium foods like bananas, spinach, avocado

Heart palpitations, breathlessness, bouts of severe weakness/trembling
Being very fatigued when trying to do something simple like climbing a few steps