To be worried about my heart?

[avocadotruffleoil]

I'm a 28 year old female and for the past two weeks have been experiencing what I can only describe as a fluttering and heart palpitations every 30 minutes or so. I also notice that when at rest my heart rate goes down to around 50 bpm, this would be fine if it weren't for the fact it gives me an uncomfortable sensation in my chest when my heart rate goes that low. I do exercise 4 to 5 times a week but am in no way athletic.

I went to the GP yesterday about these feelings in my chest and he discovered I have a heart murmur, this has never been picked up so must be new. I am now booked in for bloods and an ECG tomorrow and referred for a heart scan.

I am incredibly worried as I have noticed for a few years that when my heart rate drops low I feel very uncomfortable and it drops especially when I am laying on my left side and I just never gave it much thought but now I'm worried that the sensations I've been feeling as well as the heart murmur may be something serious.

I just can't relax, am I be unreasonable for worrying so much about this?

Anyone?

You are not unreasonable for worrying at all.

You are in good hands, you have taken the incredibly brave step of getting things checked out rather than doing nothing. It's always best to get these things seen to sooner rather than later, which you are doing.

Nobody can tell you not to worry, but know that you are not alone, there are many, many ways to deal with something if there's anything to deal with, and well done for not ignoring this.

Wishing you the best for tomorrow.

Sounds like your gp is taking this in hand and has you on the right track. Try not too worry too much but it's always hard not to. You'll probably end up getting a 3 day holter monitor to check your heart rate etc over a longer period. Maybe also start a diary of symptoms as well so your gp can get a clearer picture of what happens and when it happens.

Yes, good luck and you are very sensible to report it before it gets worse.
When my heart rate got very low I was given a pacemaker, simple procedure, nothing to worry about, and you might even not need that.

Thank you both 😊 I think it's the waiting that is the worst, even if they were to come back and say something was wrong (hopefully not), at least I would then know what I am dealing with but it's the waiting about and scaring myself that I hate. That's a good idea about the diary @romdowa, I will do that!

Just dont go googling !!! You will only worry yourself silly, if your gp had heard anything of great concern they would have shipped you off to a n e straight away!

Thank you @TrickyD, if you don't mind me asking, how low did your heart rate drop and did you experience any sensations when it did drop? Glad to hear you're all sorted now 😊

Avocado, I kept feeling suddenly very dizzy, then it got to the point when I just lay on the bed while DH paced around and kept taking my blood pressure. As the machine also tests heart rate and it was showing 38 and going down, just assumed it was malfunctioning.
DH however disagreed and rather sensibly rang 111. They tried to contact my GP, no luck so they sent an ambulance.
The paramedics gave me shots of a heart stimulant and carted me off to the hospital where a doctor was waiting.
The consultant appeared and told me that though it is very easy to deal with high heart rates with medication, low ones need a ‘procedure’, i.e. a pacemaker.
This was done the next day under sedation, no problem, but unfortunately when it was tested an hour later it was not working so had to be done again! Poor old DH could overhear all this.
Second time lucky, all well since, two years on.
Only downside an ugly lump at the top of my chest, but worth it to be alive.
You may have a totally different diagnosis, your GP seems on top of it. Try not to worry.

Good luck, of course you’re worried. Can you practice some relaxation techniques? Find something to soothe you if you can. It’s amazing what can be done for hearts, especially when you’re young.

@TrickyD oh wow, that must of been really scary for you and your DH! Thanks for sharing and glad you are doing well now! 

@Fanthorpe thank you, yeah I have yoga class (on zoom) this afternoon, so I am hoping that that will help with my anxiety a bit!

I wonder if it might be hypothyroidism, I have quite a lot of those symptoms.

Try an relax, you've taken the step and seen the doctor about it, they will help you. Try and not think about it until you have your next appointment, get a letter ect. Just keep looking after your self in the mean time as a way of controlling the situation, I know if I am panicking about my heart (I have palpitations quite alot) if I eat badly it mades me feel worse mentally.

My heart murmur wasn't found until in my 40s, but they think I've had it since birth. Prolapsed mitral valve. Gives me palpitations from time to time, and odd feelings in the middle of my back. I've got a BP monitor and oxymeter to keep an eye on it and drink quite a lot of hawthorn tea to keep me chilled out as I'm not keen on meds. The sleeping on left side often hurts so I've trained myself not to!! Glad you are getting it looked at as it is always better to know. As pp said, don't Google (until you have a diagnosis) as you will end up worrying that you have everything from bubonic plague down.

Thanks everyone, I know it's so dramatic and silly but because it's my heart I just feel like I'm going to drop dead at any moment.

Today I've noticed I'm getting breathless just going up the stairs and been feel quite nauseous but then better after I eat. Had strange sensations, like a heaviness/ache in heart but funnily less palpitations and been feeling quite clammy and been sooo tired all day.

I didn't have these symptoms yesterday, just the palpitations for a couple of weeks so I'm not sure if it's just in my head and it's just anxiety.

Do you eat enough potassium?

@rosiejaune no probably not, my diet is shocking if I'm honest. Very carb heavy. Do you think that could be contributing factor?

Too much sodium and not enough potassium (they have opposing effects) are frequently related to heart issues.

The carbs, it depends. Unrefined carbohydrates (beans, legumes, wholegrains) are healthful, but if it's sugar and refined starch, that could contribute too, to all kinds of ill health.

I was advised to take potassium after the pacemaker went in. Lack of it can make you feel weak and wobbly. If not pills, at least eat a banana a day.

Hi OP, just want to say that your new symptom of feeling breathless today and a different sensation in your chest (chest pain?) mean that you should visit A&E tonight or at least urgently call 111. I know your appointment is tomorrow, but tomorrow may be too late - those symptoms are URGENT. Please let us know how you get on.

Definitely not unreasonable to be worried, but try and not get too stressed. Your doctor is taking it seriously and you're definitely being looked after.
Heart murmurs can be innocent and vary in grades. In my family four of us had heart murmurs growing up but I'm the only one with a heart issue.

Your new symptoms today could be anxiety, but keep an eye, mention it when you go for your ecg.

I am on team Alfaxan here. At least ring 111.

@Alfaxan thanks, I really just don't want to waste their time especially with Covid going on and I'm worried that I get up to hosp and it is just anxiety. I wouldn't say it's pain, more like achy/pressure feeling but certainly more breathless.

A couple of years ago I had bad anxiety (I am now on fluoxetine which has helped massively with this) and had similar symptoms and phone 101 and they were asking me questions like could I climb the stairs and said I wouldn't be able to if I was having a heart attack and were asking if my lips were blue tinged etc. I called them twice that night and no one came out nor was I told to go to hospital so I just don't want them thinking I am a hypochondriac.

Give them a call - it's what they are there for.
Have you been drinking enough water?

Hiya - I’m a cardiac nurse. Any history of heart problems in your family? Breathlessness/nausea/clammy and pressure call ring alarm bells for me. However you are very young - do you have any other issues like diabetes for example?
If you know you suffer from anxiety then panic attacks can often present like this too - how long have you had these new symptoms for?
Sorry for the 20 questions!
Xx Cath

As @romdowa said - the GP has made a good start, however ECG is a moment in time. Diary for a couple of weeks and a 3-7 day holter moniter will show more. The scan will be an echocardiogram (like a pregnancy scan but for the heart) this looks at valves and structure and function. All very sensible so far. And bloods will show any high or low levels of electrolytes like sodium /potassium as well as any damage to the heart or anything else. Fingers crossed for you OP xx❤️