Waiting for a heart echo but weird new symptom

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I have a heart scan booked for next month after going to the gp with palpitations, light headedness, dizziness, shortness of breath and heart rate going into 130-150 just when walking. They think it may be a valve issue and I’ve had ecgs, which came back normal (showing my heart rhythm was fine but heart rate was too fast), 24 heart monitor (showing the same) and I’m also booked in for a heart echo. 1st appointment was beginning of this year.

However, for the last couple of weeks my heart has been “jumping” in my chest. Don’t know how else I can explain it! Sometimes it’s like a very strong vibration, and other times it’s like my heart is literally jumping around in my chest. It started off just being noticeable occasionally when I was lying on my side, and now it’s much more often -like countless times a day - when lying or sitting. It’s painful for the few seconds it’s happening.

Should I let the hospital/gp know? And I know that sounds like a stupid question but they don’t seem to be treating this with much urgency (ecgs and blood tests done relatively quickly but long gaps between that and heart monitor and echo) so I don’t know if I’m over reacting.

Any advice welcome but please try not to tell me that I’m going to die as I’m am not in the mood for that at all

Of course you should let them know. In fact if it happens countless times per day and you feel pain with it and this is a new symptom then I suggest you call an ambulance the very next time it happens.

I don't know what it is but it definitely needs checking out.

Thanks User
I know it sounds ridiculous not to be worried but the doctors I’ve seen so far have been so.. un-urgent (I know that’s not a word!)

It’s not a crushing pain or anything, more like discomfort or a feeling like when you burp - not as I’m feeling like indigestion, but feeling the air move up. I’m aware that probably makes no sense!

I’ll call the gp tomorrow or ambulance as appropriate.

Definitely tell your heart doctor. I've had similar symptoms to you with my heart thumping. I've got the opposite problem though - an extremely low heart rate (39bpm).i have dizzyness, palpitations and pain too.
I now have an implantable loop recorder fitted to try and record my odd symptoms.
I too had a 'normal' ecg.

Oh gosh that is low! Do they have any idea what’s causing it?
ECGs are strange aren’t they. It’s taken so long for me to get taken seriously as all my ecgs come back “normal”. The problem my gp thinks I have would even affect the rhythm so they’re are kind of useless for this problem.

I’ve booked in to see the gp this morning. Ecg first then follow up with the doctor. Wish me luck!

*wouldn’t even affect the rhythm I mean

I can empathise! I too have an echo booked for next month because of daily dizziness/ nearly fainting/ passing out at times. I do have quite low blood pressure so think that's my issue.

But - I think I get similar to you regarding the heart 'jumping'. It's almost like a kicking sensation in my chest, kind of like if you get a scare and your heart is thudding but instead it's one or two massive thuds with a weird feeling of something shifting - and with no scare or any reason for it. Mine doesn't hurt at all, but is disconcerting!

I'd always thought it was sort of a huge palpitation and never thought of mentioning it to the cardiologist or other doctors

I hope all turns out okay for you OP, and that we get some answers. It can be a bit frightening. Do you feel worst when your heart rate is high? Is that when you feel light headed/ short of breath/ crappy?

I have left bundle branch block and get a feeling in my chest that feels similar to how your stomach feels when you go over a big hill in the car. The jumping could be to do with the rhythm of your heart and you should definitely mention it sooner rather than later.

The jumping could be harmless ectopic beats. I have this and it's been assessed as harmless.

I get them more when anxious, or when I have been drinking alcohol or over tired.

Try not to worry but do get it checked.

I’ve just had the ech and they’ve given me the print out to pass on to the go. I have some kind of heartbeat and that’s about all I can figure out!

allyouneedis interesting that you mention left bundle branch block. The ecg print out I’m looking at says incomplete right bundle branch block - is that something to check?

absentminded yes, when my heart rate peaks or shortly after I fell really dizzy and lightheaded and short of breath. That’s what I originally went to the gp with, and a few months later they’ve prescribed beta blockers. They have mentioned mitral valve prolapse/regurgitation as a possible cause but obviously don’t want to confirm until I’ve had the heart scan. It’s a bugger, isn’t it I’d definitely mention the “jump” at your scan - I promise I will too!

Brilliant. Gp looked at the ecg and basically said it was all in my head, and these big jumps/movements were me being anxious and hyper aware of what was actually a normal heartbeat. I told her it was not a normal heartbeat, it’s a proper thump and vibration with pain that stops me in my tracks but she insisted I couldn’t possibly be feeling that and I must be imagining it.

Absolute tosh.
I mean, it’s nice to know I’m not about to keel over, but if I’ve been referred to a consultant already by another gp., and I’ve been told to report any new symptoms immediately, it just felt like being fobbed off.