Heart palpitations - anyone else?

[grumpalumpgrumped]

I have had palpitations once in a blue moon (as in a few seconds, maybe once/twice a year or so). However recently have had them for long periods at least 3 times a month. Have read up and know I should see gp as there is a history of heart problems on my dads side but these are more heart disease related.

Swinging between thinking gp will think I am making a fuss, to being scared.

Anyone else have them, what did you do/tests etc. They seem worse when I am tired.

When you say palpitations, do you mean missed beats (ectopics) or a fast heartbeat? Ectopics are usually harmless. If it's fast heartrate, do you get breathless with it? If so that definitely needs checking out. If no breathlessness then probably harmless but get it checked! Don't be scared...I've had ECG and echo, both fine, nothing to worry about.

Are you drinking more drinks containing caffeine? I have always had palpitations but they have got worse as I have got older , doctor said this was due to hormone changes. I had an ECG at my doctor's and was then referred to cardiology ( this was because I have a congenital heart defect though) where they were diagnosed as benign.
I would pop along to your doctor and get them checked .

Iron deficiency can cause palpitations.

Please check it out asap. My partner has been diagnosed with heart failure today after becoming breathless and going to A&E. They said the most probable cause in his case is untreated arrhythmic heart beat (that he did not know about but he has had palpitations in the past). None of the tests he had were painful.

I've had a sort of blippy heart (with what they call quite a few ectopics) for as long as I remember. I started having hours on end of palpitations when I got a horrendous virus, which has hung around for over 2 years. Whenever I have a flare up the palpitations start again but they have been checked out and are not, in themselves harmful. Please do get yourself checked out by the Dr. You will feel so much better once you know what you are dealing with. Good luck. My consultant tells me to drink lots of water if my heart is playing up plus I take a low dose of beta blockers but not all the time.

Thanks all.

inspace - not racing heart, more like missing ones so guess ectopic. I can feel them in my neck.

NK - no more caffine than usual. I wondered about it being hormonal.

supercosy - you are right I do need to go.

acrylic - sorry to hear that. My Dad has heart failure, he has had it a long time

wiley - checked a while ago but need to get it done again.

Right off to doctors. Need to find out, thanks everyone.

Good luck- you'll be fine!