Palpitations and how to get rid of them??

[dinoprincesses]

I've experienced palpitations before, about 10 years ago due to medication but it lasted a few mins and then went away.

Since last night I've had constant palpitations, it feels like my heart is constantly skipping a beat (I know it obviously isn't). Couldn't sleep last night because of it.

Just to rule out, I know it isn't stress or anxiety related. I came off antidepressant's about 6 months ago and have felt better than ever. Had a lovely week at work etc so nothing to be stressed or anxious about.

Does anyone know a quick way to get rid of them? It's driving me mad now as it's making me feel a bit breathless and sick now it's been going on so long.

Thank you @UnicornsHaveDadsToo. I do drink coffee but limit it to two coffees a day, I don't drink any energy drinks or anything like that.
There isn't a pain as such but just an uncomfortableness that comes and goes. I will give the breathing thing a go now and see if it stops them. Thank you!

Defo need to see your GP but in the meantime dunking your face in cold water will help.

See your GP. I was diagnosed with a congenital arrhythmia at 30. The only symptom was palpitations.

It's probably nothing. Palpitations are very common, but definitely get it checked out just in case.

I'm fine by the way, I manage mine with tablets.

I've had palpitations three times in my life: once caused by iron-deficiency anaemia when I was younger, once caused by low blood sugar which was a surprise to me and once caused by taking vitamin D. Note that I didn't take over the manufacturer's recommendation, but sometimes it can do that, apparently. Anyway, my point really is that there can be all kinds of causes that you never imagine so best to get medical advice because it can really be a symptom of a lot of things and best not to guess. Hope you find out the cause soon.

Managed to get a phone appt for today so will update once I've spoken to the dr

I have AF - it appeared out of the blue one day and I finished up on cardio unit. I am now on a blood thinner and propranalol.

The first thing you need is proper investigation to ascertain what is causing this. If there is a clear cause then it can be treated.

One thing that I do is to take a slow deep breath in and then release it even more slowly - e.g. count to ten on inhale and to 20 on exhale. A normal heart will slow down if you do this - one with an arrhythmia will not.

I hope you manage to get to the bottom of all this.

Call 111 see a Dr. May be nothing, but best to check when it's your heart!

I had a in episode earlier in the year with palpitations and breathlessness. I callled 111 then had to go for appointment at A&E as the hospital was the only place round here that could do the neccesary tests. Saw a Dr had ECG, blood tests etc and ended being told I was seeing anaemic. Took iron tablets and was ok again.

I'm sure there's alsorts that can cause palpitations. I was also told that worrying about it can make it worse and more noticeable - so get checked out ASAP today to set your mind to rest.

I have an extra heartbeat. The skipping I felt was actually an extra beat.
It's controlled by pills.

Glad you have a GP appointment but I am pretty sure they will send you to A&E so I would get organising some childcare.

GP will be too worried about missing something serious not to send you to A&E. 111 would do the same thing. Especially as this is happening constantly and is out of the blue.

Hope all goes well.

I started getting episodes of palpitations last winter. I assumed it was just a symptom of perimenopause. It turned out to be atrial fibrillation. I now take a low dose of bisoprolol every day (which stops the rate going too fast when it happens) and carry flecainide with me.
It now feels more manageable and less scary.

How did it go @dinoprincesses ? Hope you are OK.

My palpitations were caused by a b12 deficiency. Get checked out

Probably irritation of the vagus nerve, often caused by IBS. Yoga stretches can help.

Definitely needs a chat to the GP but in the meantime you can make them stop by first splashing your face with cold water a number of times, then sitting down with your head between your knees and taking deep breaths.

The cold water stimulates the vagus nerve and gets your body back into a parasympathetic state, and when you put your head between your knees and breathe deeply and slowly, it tells your amygdala (‘reptile brain’)that you can’t be being chased by an animal as you wouldn’t have your head lower than your chest and be breathing slowly. Your brain then turns off the alarm system in your body and slows the heart rate.

I saw the GP yesterday and he said my heart sounded fine but if it carries on this weekend then he will book me in for a blood test to check my thyroid function next week. It's still happening today but not as much so hopefully it will go soon.

Sorry, @Munchieslittleslipper but I don't see the basis for coming to that conclusion.

To the OP, I would have thought blood tests would be standard in this situation.

I hope they did an ECG.
Blood tests regardless.

I have regular palpitations. They started though when I started drinking a can of Diet Coke every day not realising it contained caffeine. I usually only drink water. However I also started on pill to stop periods at same time. Since then they have been regular. I went to GP and had ECG I think it was and results were normal. I still get them but I’m not breathless or have pain with them. If anything I find them bloody annoying! I used to get with alcohol or full fat coke.

Hi OP. How are
you getting on?

I have them too. My bloods came back with low iron and under active thyroid. But i think What’s started then was having a contraceptive implant put in.

They’ve died down since upping my iron, but still there and still giving me worry… This thread hasn’t helped!! 🙈