Anyone suffer with palpitations?

[longearedbat]

I am 64. I am not a health worrier at all and probably visit my doctor once a year or so for minor things (usually injuries!). However, on my last visit, it was discovered my blood pressure was higher than normal. After self monitoring for a week, it was decided that it was within acceptable levels, so that was that.
A few weeks ago I had terrible palpitations - my whole body was vibrating with my heart beat. It was very alarming. I ended up in a and e, but after having an ecg they said my heart was normal, although my BP was high. I am now on yet another week of BP monitoring. Today I developed palpitations again, although they have now passed off.
I am just asking if anyone else suffers from them. Was there a cause? It's really horrible because I honestly think I am about to have a heart attack when it happens, because it is such a weird sensation. For someone who is rarely ill and generally robust, I now feel rather vulnerable, but have been made to feel as though I am making a fuss about nothing. If you suffer/have suffered from them, did you find out the cause?
Just to add I steer clear of caffeine most of the time because it doesn't agree with me. I exercise regularly, don't have any other health problems and don't take any medication. I just feel the way my heart is behaving is not normal.

what sort of palpitations is it? I get missed heartbeats and had ECG and blood pressure monitoring etc and they found nothing wrong. Do you get that or is your heart beating very fast?
If you are worried it might be an idea to see your GP

It's my heart just pounding, like I've had a real scare! It feels like it's missing beats/irregular, but apparently it is working correctly. My pulse rate remains average, around 65. I will be going back to my gp when I've finished this week of BP monitoring.

Mine are probably triggered by too much caffeine, sugar, alcohol and decongestant medication. I've had them investigated twice. First time I had them in my 20's they did a 24hr monitor. They told me nothing to worry about unless I get other symptoms. When I had them in my 30's they did an ultra sound on my heart, 24 hr monitor and a stress test (on a tread mill). They found a very minor MVP but again nothing to worry about. They feel horrible but if you know they are not something more sinister it is easier to cope with.
I only get brief episodes of them now if I have more than a couple of glasses of wine. They keep me awake at night so I rarely drink!

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with SVT after a period of several months of dizziness and palpitations. The attacks would come seemingly out of the blue with my heart beating so fast it was scary and resting didn't stop it. I had perhaps three or four of these episodes. Eventually I had a 24 hour monitor and stress test and it was diagnosed as SVT. I take drugs to control it. Of course yours may be something totally different!

Thanks for the responses. I am hoping that perhaps I will be able to get further investigations through my gp in due course, but the feeling (of the palpitations) is just frightening; I can actually see my heart beating through my clothes it's thumping so hard when I have an episode. When you have sailed through life with no major health problems in adulthood, and also when some of your friends have already passed on, you begin to think your number is up.

I have atrial fibrillation, basically irregular heartbeat. Just came on out of the blue a couple of years ago. I’m the same age as you. I have beta blockers but only take a low dose one occasionally ( once a fortnight or so). I’m absolutely fine otherwise. Go and see your GP and get a cardiac referral to get checked out. I’ve been told that the episodes seem frightening but they are not life threatening and to just learn not to get stressed by them. Easier said than done, I know !

Supra ventricular tachycardia here. Diagnosed with a 24hr heart monitor.

It's worse when I'm tired and stressed, caffeine also flares it up. But I'm lucky that I'm annoyingly healthy and fit so it's not likely to be problem. I think mine has been exacerbated by menopause.

I do, usually mild but definitely worse if I'm low on iron - so light be worth getting that checked.

I can actually see my heart beating through my clothes
Yup. I was actually taken to A&E once when an attack happened in the GP surgery and the nurse looked at my t shirt moving and said "is that your heart beating?".
However, once diagnosed I was reassured that it's not as dangerous as it seems, it's treatable and manageable. I'm 61 and like you was in good health until two years ago since when I've had endless health problems.

How long does it last? Because if it's more than 15 minutes or so you might want to go to A&E.

@Skap thanks for your reply. The one this morning lasted for a couple of hours. It then tailed off and I'm fine now - certainly can't see my heart pumping anyway. I think I am going to ask my gp for a referral to try and get to the bottom of the cause. I don't get breathless or dizzy or have chest pain when it happens, which is a good thing. When I went to a and e I got the feeling they thought I was having an anxiety attack and I was told I was fine and to go home and take it easy. I have nothing in my life to make me anxious except my heart trying to jump out of my chest occasionally!

I have PVCs - got tested with stress test, echo, 72 hour holter (on top of dozens of 12 leads) . Relative has a heart condition that could be inherited but cardiology were happy to discharge me . I’m terrified of them though . Anything that spikes adrenaline or stress causes them so laughing, crying, excitement, anger anxiety, sometimes very strenous exercise ... apparently it’s totally normal though

With SBT your heart rate can easily top 200 beats per minute. While not immediately dangerous (and not painful), I was told to go to A&E if I couldn't stop it within 15 minutes.
If you are feeling palpitations but your heart rate is normal it's not SVT.