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Original poster

Palpitations!

36 replies

mineofuselessinformation · 22/10/2013 20:05

I hope someone can give me some advice...... Since about 12 noon today I've been having palpitations. I do get them occasionally but usually they last a few seconds then go. My heart rate isn't particularly fast. Do I need to do anything?
I have been very stressed recently.....
Thanks.

OP posts:
noodleone · 22/10/2013 20:07

What do you mean by palpitations? How fast is your heart going and is keeping a normal rhythm?

Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 22/10/2013 20:09

It feels like my heart isn't beating evenly for want of a better word... Dont think it's fast.

OP posts:
noodleone · 22/10/2013 20:12

When I have palpitations, my heart goes very very fast but normal rhythm so not really sure. That's a long time to have it going on for. It might be time to phone 111 - I think that's the number now

oddslippers · 22/10/2013 20:12

I think it may be a sign of anaemia, have you had your iron levels checked?

oddslippers · 22/10/2013 20:13

But yes worth getting some medical advice

Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 22/10/2013 20:17

Thanks noodle. I think I'll sit on it for ten minutes and try to relax - and them call if its carrying on... Just want it to stop as its an unpleasant feeling.

OP posts:
Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 22/10/2013 20:52

Oh bugger, they want me to go to A&E for an ECG. It's a 35 min drive in the pitch black on my own. Would it be terrible to leave it til the morning and go then if its still happening?

OP posts:
Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 22/10/2013 20:52

It's probably me getting my knickers in a knot....

OP posts:
FrameyMcFrame · 22/10/2013 22:28

If it's ectopic beats you can try pinching your nose and closing your mouth as if to 'pop your ears'
Iyswim?
That actually can stop the fluttering feeling.
Think it's called vagal manoeuvre.
But get it checked out.
I once had ectopic beats palpitations which went on for 24 hrs, I did end up in hospital but it was benign and went away on it's own.

FrameyMcFrame · 22/10/2013 22:32

How are you now?
Did you go to A&E?

Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 22/10/2013 22:45

Frames, thanks for asking. It's still having a go every now and then - not constant - and when it happens it feel like my heart's beating in a different part of my chest and neck and it feels like it's beating in a 'bumpy' way iyswim?
I'm going to bed soon and will see how I feel in the morning. I just couldn't face going at that time of night (silly I know).
I know I have a heart murmur which is harmless, and had my heart checked out years ago when I was pregnant. I think it's probably stress (moving house, changing job, etc) but what worried me is that it's gone on for so long. The only other time it was like this was about 3 years ago, but that only lasted about 20 mins.

OP posts:
Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 22/10/2013 22:46

Oops! That was to Framey, not Frames....

OP posts:
FrameyMcFrame · 22/10/2013 22:52

Hope it stops soon, it's quite an unpleasant feeling, sounds exactly like what I get.

FrameyMcFrame · 23/10/2013 16:16

How's your palpitations today?

digerd · 23/10/2013 16:53

Have you had an echocardiogram to determine the cause of your heart murmur? Are you having regularcheck-ups?

Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 23/10/2013 18:05

I got up this morning.... Nothing. At work they started up again. Hmm
I've got a full-on day tomorrow (shouldn't even be working a full day plus extra time but that's another story) so I'm leaving it for now.
I have a breast screening appointment for Friday, so if they're going then, I shall go into A&E after.
Digerd, I did have the murmur checked (ultrasound and ecg) but it was nearly 20 years ago. No palpitations at the time, so it was never brought into the equation.
This is a terrible time for this to be going on, but that's probably why it's happening!

OP posts:
digerd · 23/10/2013 21:23

I just mentioned it because I was diagnosed with a heart murmur 5 years ago which is caused by the aortic valve not closing properly. It has been deteriorating eversince and shall soon need a replacement valve.
I do not get palpitations but did 40 years ago when my Thyroid overacted but usually they happened at night in bed.

Good luck with your breast screening.

Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 25/10/2013 12:36

So.... I went to A&E last evening as I was still getting palpitations. Nurse could feel them when taking my pulse (missed beats - ectopic?). Heart monitor done - nothing 'significant' showed up, bloods taken - normal. Sent home.
I need to see a gp to organise a 24/48 hr monitoring, but of course can't get an appointment.

OP posts:
digerd · 25/10/2013 18:26

Another mner had ectopics and she had an echocardiogram and an MRI with enhancement. She had no murmur, but was given beta blockers which helped. They nothing seriously wrong.
A&E always send a report to your GP, but can be a few weeks before he/she gets it.

CakeInMyFace · 25/10/2013 19:29

I've had these for years and take a beta blocker. Had an echo and wore a monitor..usually they are harmless. My doc and cardiologist were not concerned at all. The beta blocker is only because I hate feeling them not because it's medically necessary. They feel awful I know but will probably disappear one day in their own. I try to think of them as hiccups!

Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 25/10/2013 21:54

I know that they're probably harmless and very likely due to the fact that I have been under a lot of stress lately (but never had it like this before, even on the day of a very nasty court hearing to settle divorce finances?).
But, they just feel so horrible and do make me feel short of breath at times. And of course, the more they go on, the more bothered about it I feel.
I got the youngest to feel my throat earlier tonight, and she could feel it in my pulse too!
I just want it all to bugger off (and suspect I wouldn't be offered beta blockers as my heart rate is usually quite low, as is my blood pressure). Confused

OP posts:
FrameyMcFrame · 25/10/2013 23:05

try the nose pinching ear popping thing?
A doctor taught me that trick when my ectopic beats were really annoying me.
I hardly get them nowadays but if \I do, that ear popping pressure thing sorts it.

Kernowgal · 26/10/2013 09:09

I usually get palpitations either when I'm ovulating or when I'm due on - ie it's hormonal. Could this be the case with you OP? They are annoying and I feel a bit breathless for a few seconds but am then fine. Doc said nothing to worry about as am otherwise fit and healthy.

babyjane67 · 26/10/2013 09:36

Are you getting any chest pain/pressure with them op?
Im getting these too but with chest pain/pressure&have gotta go back to gp for an ecg&blood tests for thyroid,electrolites etc
If ecg shows nowt have to have a24hr one done
My gp saidnot to ignore chest pain&if i get it again to go straight to a&e!

Original poster
mineofuselessinformation · 26/10/2013 18:27

Framey, I've tried the nose thing and it doesn't help.
Kernow, this is a bit more than a few here and there. The nurse counted ten in 60 seconds at A&E. (I managed 23 'alarms' in a row on the heart monitor too.)
I know it's probably nothing, but it's now day 5 and counting, and they're still going now and again, which is highly annoying. I'd rather they had a pattern than this.

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