Palpitations, shaky and chest tightness

[sunshineafterarainyday]

A couple of months ago I went to my GP with shortness of breath and a tight chest. She did my obs and noted that I had a fast heart rate and I was having (what I now know to be) palpitations. A 24hr ecg was performed and I’ve been referred to the cardiology dept for further investigations.

Since then I’ve been having palpitations on occasions but am waiting out for my cardiology appointment.

This past hour I’ve been really aware of my heart beat and am a bit shaky and have tightness in my chest. I’m not distressed by any of this but am just aware. I feel ok otherwise and can get on with my evening but I could just as easily got bed and sleep if that makes sense?

Any ideas what’s going on?

Have you phoned OP. My FIL had a heart attack a couple of years ago. He did not go to the hospital at the time. He had to have a stent put in. Please do not leave it.

@Italiangreyhound No I didn’t. I just sat down for the evening and rested and it went away on its own. It was quite weird. I’m going to ring my GP and tell her that I had an episode again and see if she can bring forward my cardiology appointment to put my mind at rest. I was very close to going to the walk in centre which is not like me at all.

@Italiangreyhound I’m sorry to hear about you FIL. What were his symptoms at the time? Last night was the second episode in 3 months for me although I often have palpitations but nothing else alongside them.

Glad all is well now OP. I think we know ourselves when to really worry and that is why you didn't go. Make sure to ask the GP what to do next time . Good luck.

If it happens again please ring 111. They may well dispatch an ambulance. This is a good thing as the paramedics will be able to take an ECG trace while you are experiencing the symptoms. This can be very helpful in determining what, if anything, is wrong.

Palpitations with chest pain/tightness, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting or dizziness/fainting should never be ignored.

@BoreOfWhabylon Thank you for the advice- if it happens again i will call. I failed to mention the sickness I felt yesterday whilst I was feeling a bit shaky. I didn’t even think that it would be helpful to go to a and e but you’re right it would help with investigation if I had a trace at the time of an episode. I could kick myself for not ringing now!

Ok, well you have a plan for if it happens again .

But please contact your GP today.

Sorry, that was supposed to be a reassuring smile, not a giant grin!

Can you get your vitamins b12 and d checked? Deficiencies can cause palpitations

OP he had chest pains.

I also was admitted with suspected heart attack, it was myocarditus. My dh also went with suspected heart attack. That's three people, one family, only one really was heart attack and he was one who did not go initially!

It’s happened again. No chest pain this time but very aware of my heart beat, disturbed vision (which I normally get before a migraine), hot, shaky, breathing deeply and feeling sick. I haven’t contacted my GP yet.

I normally suffer with migraines which always start with the visual disturbances and then lead to an awful headache where I need to go to bed. Over the past 2 weeks I’ve been having the visual disturbances that I associate with a migraine but no headache. Just a really intense half an hour or so. I was driving home last night when this happened and I was scared to the point I was crying as I was driving. I find it really frightening.

We are going away tomorrow morning and I know I really need to go to the GP to discuss everything (which I will do as soon as we’re back)

I’m just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar?

do you take medications?
naproxen for example can cause palpitations.

I get this , usually at night. It just passes of its own accord, I never thought to go to A & E. It started around the same time as other menopausal symptoms, so for me at least I think they are related. I had an EEG which was normal, they kept me waiting ages for the results too, but did say when I eventually got an appointment, that they would have called me in straight away if they had found anything serious. So I think that no news is good news in that respect.

@PurplePillowCase not on any medications.

@52FestiveRoad Do you? I’m hoping it’s nothing but I just haven’t felt right for a while now and all the things are happening more frequently and with more intensity.!hiw do you cope with it? It really is draining me. I’m exhausted.

I had similar symptoms with a very o era to e thyroid but I’m not a doctor - if you have chest pains and all these other symptoms please call a doctor - don’t rely on randoms on the internet

Could be atrial fibrillation or AF

Sounds like low potassium to me. I had the exact same symptoms for ages and this was what it was. I now have to take daily supplements.

OP I sense you don't want to go to hospital and that's understandable but please call 111 and be properly assessed instead of relying on random MNers who may or may not have any medical training. You say your symptoms are getting more frequent and intense, that needs investigating. Yes hours spent in A&E is annoying and it might be nothing serious but I think in this case you are better off safe than sorry. Please phone 111 and get checked out.

Actually I do feel quite drained by it too. But I am pretty sure it is menopausal linked for me- If you are not in that age group then I would go back to your doctor.

I get these symptoms and have had numerous tests over the years and it is always put down to iron deficiency anemia.
I’ve had 24 hour monitoring, ECG’s and ECHO.
Have you had recent blood tests and have the results to hand?
It could also be a condition called Atrial Fibrilation. Many people have it and not even realise. It’s a temporary irregular increased heart rate. Sometimes the symptoms of these can make you feel anxious which then causes more physical symptoms that make you feel even worse. Also when I am unde the weather or tired mine get worse.
Get another appointment or go to A&E if you lose consciousness, have visual disturbances or just want reassurance.

Yes. It's so exhausting, I wouldn't wish it on anyone

I've had this since my 20s. It's linked to anaemia with me. It did used to develop into a full blown panic attack in my 20s but now I realise it's never got any worse I can calm myself. I get back on the spatone which sorts it out pretty quickly.