Weird question, any cardiologists about?

[Fairylea]

I am 36, I have had numerous ecgs and an ehco years ago for various things (not heart specific, almost as a side thing) and they've all come back fine although I've been told I have a "normal irregularity" whatever that means.

Anyway, I don't smoke, don't drink and I'm a healthy weight. I've been taking my pulse more as I have been walking more and trying to get a bit fitter. My resting pulse is about 60-72 ish.

What I am posting about is that my pulse seems to be a bit irregular at times - rather than a rhythmic "boom boom boom boom" it often goes "boom...boom boom... boom... boom boom boom... boom" etc. Not related to being stressed etc. Just on and off all the time. Other times it seems regular.

Does this matter? Is this normal? I'm guessing it must be as surely the ecg etc would have picked something up. I've had my dh and dd taking their pulses to compare and theirs are completely regular!

Does it happen around the time of your period? Evidently the hormones or something can cause palpitations, which is possibly what you are describing?

I don't actually have periods at the moment, I'm on cezarette which has stopped them.

I also take thyroxine (125mg) and last had my thyroid checked about 3 months ago. I don't know if this is a new thing or always been like this as I've never checked it before!

Without knowing what it is you've been told you have, it would be impossible to comment.

There are irregularities that are of no significance, mainly something called ventricular ectopics, and presumably this is what you have - but it would no doubt reassure you to know the name of it and have a more detailed explanation.

I started with all this around peri meno.

This is most likely a sinus arrhythmia which is a normal irregularity.

Basically, at the peak of inspiration the heart rate slowed slightly and then returns to a normal rate. Totally normal. From memory it is the increased tone on the phrenic nerve. Usually just there because of physical positioning of the anatomy within the chest

Has absolutely no impact on how your heart works. Just one of those things

Sounds like ectopic beats, which are very common and harmless. People often just don't notice them - I only noticed that I have them when I was training as a paramedic and got a stethoscope. Listened to my own heart and was horrified that there would be a big pause then a double or particularly loud beat. I convinced myself I was probably dying and should make the most of every day... then read about them in a textbook and was very relieved. Ha ha!

The 'ectopic beat' Wikipedia page is full of info, but main takeaway is not to worry

Sorry, should have said vagal nerve

Just reread your post and saw you said it only happens sometimes. Sinus arrhythmia is pretty constant.

There are many many variations of normal arrhythmia. If you have had cardiac investigations and they are happy with it I wouldn't worry

Could be sinus arrythymia with you only noticing it sometimes.

Noticing your heart beat often doesn't have any great correlation with there being anything wrong with it, especially once you have set out to notice it.

Wow isn't mumsnet wonderful. So interesting! Thanks for so many useful replies.

My heart is more off rhythm than on, if that makes sense. If I've been walking fast or pottering about it reverts to regular for a very short time and then goes back to its odd one.

I don't have any chest pains or breathlessness or anything odd - apart from sometimes going a bit lightheaded and everything going black for a second if I get up too fast usually in the morning but I think that may be just because of my low blood pressure...?

Aren't bodies weird.

My DH started to take his pulse when he wanted to get fitter and began running. He noticed that his pulse was irregular. He had no other symptoms, felt perfectly well although when running he had started to feel more out of breath than usual. Anyway, to cut a long story short he was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation.

If you have had ECG's I would have thought this is something that would have been picked up. I just thought I'd mention though as it sounded very similar to my DH's experience.

By the way, after a successful ablation he has been in normal rhythm for the last 9 months.

Would it be possible to email PALS and get them to tell you what your diagnosis is? This is what I hate about medical people - they give you a layperson's verbal explanation which you cannot remember. I believe patients need to be given a written explanation of what we've been told.