Irregular beats and chest pain - please help

[MissPoldark]

For the last 10 years I have suffered with missed beats/extra beats/funny heart rhythms that I’ve seen cardiologists about over the years and which have been diagnosed as benign. I go through phases where these are better or worse for no apparent reason, despite avoiding all obvious triggers, keeping hydrated and trying to keep my potassium and magnesium at a normal intake.

About 3 years ago I started suffering with heart pain. I say this rather than chest pain because my experience of the funny beats means that I know exactly where my heart is, and feel the symptoms can be pinpointed to that area. The pain varies. Sometimes it’s a short sharp stab, that comes with an odd feeling which is difficult to describe – hot and uneasy. At other times it’s a constricting feeling, like a piece of string has been wrapped around your heart which is momentarily tightened and released. Sometimes there is no pain but just a general strange feeling in that area. I should note that the funny beats and pain never seem to occur together.

At my first referral to investigate the chest pain I was sent away and told it was most likely musculoskeletal. Things got worse and I was back there a year later, but this time I had a stress test which was clear/didn’t show anything to be concerned about. On the third referral I had a CT angiogram which was also clear. Also had an echo which was normal. So I was informed I’d had all the investigations they could offer and was discharged.

The problem is that I am still left with these symptoms that are severely affecting my quality of life and I don’t know where to turn. I feel like I'm just waiting for the worst to happen.

Has anyone experienced anything similar or have any suggestions as to what could be going on here?

I’m 39, normal weight, fairly healthy diet, never smoked.

[JustDanceAddict]

Similar, yes.
I’ve seen cardiologists, had ecg, echo, etc and nothing has ever been found.
I find that keeping hydrated really helps though.
Have never been able to capture the beats, which is annoying. Have had for well over 20 years and not dead yet..,

[Skap]

I have SVT and get a lot of ectopics. I had an EP study done but unfortunately it wasn't possible to ablate. The SVT is well controlled with calcium channel blockers but I still get lots of flutters and bumps and sometimes pain. The cardiologist was completely unconcerned about the pains he also described to me what sort of pains I should worry about. Now I just take paracetamol and don't worry about it.

[tinselvestsparklepants]

Place marking as this could be me - need to read this thread. I'm constantly exhausted with fluttering heart sensation that's much more marked recently - doctor not interested but I'm keen to understand what's going on...

[aNonnyMouse1511]

I have suffered for 13 years with this. The pain is sporadic and doesn’t match my ectopic beats / palpitations so I take those to be muscular / anxiety.

I’ve had a 3 day trace done and told benign. Offered beta blockers if they bother me but decided against it.

Decided it’s normal for me and try to go with it.

[DecemberSnow]

Could it be costocondritis as well as the missed beats?

[Vinosaurus]

Prosecco seems to set mine off too, more than any other booze. As does tiredness, being premenstrual or stressed.

One thing that has helped a lot is getting my ferritin levels up (even if you're not anaemic you can still get symptoms if your ferritin is below 100, as a lot of women's are - don't believe the NHS parameters of over 15 is fine, it's a load of crap!) and also taking daily magnesium tablets (I take Holland and Barrett 250mg).

[wineandsunshine]

PS I forgot to say I also take medication for excess acid as indigestion make them SO much worse!! So try to avoid large meals and a rubbish diet!!

[wineandsunshine]

I've had ectopic beats and SVT since I was 18 (now 37). Also had similar pains. They flared up when I had my last son and had all the tests possible which came back clear. I have tried to put up with them over the years, and these are the things I have learnt to follow:

• NO caffeine at all
  
• NO alcohol (I've only done this for two years) but it's helped massively.
  
• ensure my iron isn't low as it does fluctuate
  
• hydrated
  
• exercise
  
• know my body - they are worse when I'm due my period or stressed
  It's taken me a long time to realise they won't hurt me or cause any problems, the cardiologist did say he could ablate the problem area but actually I think if you know the triggers and can avoid them they are ok to live with. Not pleasant but manageable.

[whatsaroundthecorner]

I have been experiencing the exact the same symptoms for many years now and have been to the doctors countless times. The last time I had it investigated was 6 years ago and I was given an echocardiogram which came back all clear. The pains have never subsided throughout the last few years though. I also suffer ectopic beats. The one thing I can definitely say is that when I lead an unhealthier lifestyle , so say over Xmas when more junk food, I get more pain. Since the 2nd Jan I have been back to regular , healthier meals and the pains have settled down again. It might be worth keeping a diary to see if the two are linked for yourself.

[MissPoldark]

Have you had the flutters/ectopics before?

I think it could have been the Prosecco that triggered them too. Hopefully they will settle down soon for you.
One of the main things the cardiologist advised to prevent these was to keep hydrated. I don’t feel that’s ever been an issue for me but what she stressed was drinking stuff that replenishes electrolytes, meaning not just water but things like orange juice or coconut water.

[Widget123]

Hi, I ate a bit more trashy food over the period (as standard) but definitely drank too much Prosecco... I’m sure that triggered it as I was fine (just drunk) when I went to bed and when I woke up they were there from the second I opened my eyes and have been ever since. I thought cutting caffeine and alcohol etc out and going healthy would’ve helped but it’s been 2 weeks and they’re still constant. Just want some reassurance I’m not about to peg it... it feels like my hearts just a mess! Roll on Friday GP appt

[MissPoldark]

Ambulatory not ambulance!

[MissPoldark]

@Widget123 in the past mine have been as bad as yours, happening very regularly. Did you change your diet much over Christmas or something like have more caffeine?

Are you having pain as well?

[MissPoldark]

I’ve had the beats captured on an ambulance ECG recorder. Typically symptoms weren’t too bad when wearing it (of course!) but it did capture some premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), which is what feels like an extra or missed beat. I also had a PVC couplet.

I’d pretty much learnt to live with the funny beats but the pain (more so the weird, unsettling sensation that goes with it) is stopping me from getting on with life.

I’d considered getting one of those Kardia devices too.

[riverside277]

@Widget123 they're great aren't they. I wouldn't of found out what mine were and would of continued to think I just had to live with the palpitations if it wasn't for the device recordings. Really glad it's helped you aswell.

[Widget123]

*Kardia Alivecore

[Widget123]

Riverside I brought this Kardia Alice ire device on Amazon two days ago, it’s a gamechanger. For £5 yesterday I sent it for review and they sent me a detailed report back of my ecg, they noted my first degree block and caught a string of ectopics it’s SO accurate I can’t believe it.

[riverside277]

You need to capture the beats. Since I was around 13 I have suffered with regular supraventeicular tachycardia and only last year found out that's what it was. I work in a cardiology department so was given an 'alivecor' from the consultant which is a small device you place your fingers on every time you have an episode and you need to download an app on your phone for them to be recorded, they are sent sent for analysing. (Carry it round with you in your bag). Without this I still wouldn't know what these palpitations were which are absolutely awful when they happen. There is treatment options I have been offered now and I would highly recommend speaking to your gp to be referred for this. Wish I had of knew about this device many years ago as I new if I was given a 24/48/74 hr ECG monitor which is more popular, that it would be typical I don't have any episodes in that time.

[Ohdeariedear]

I had the palpitations/funny beats and it turned out my iron level was on the floor - back to normal now and haven’t had them since then.

[Littlejets]

Also take a look at WPW Syndrome.

[Widget123]

I’ve just put a separate post up asking about ectopic beats and then saw this! Apart from the pain I’m experiencing horrific flutters and skipped beats (ectopics I guess) atm and have been since New Year’s Day. I’m getting 1 every 10/20 seconds. It’s CONSTANT. GP said my ecg was fine and it’ll burn out but I feel like my hearts going to explode. How regular are your when they’re bad? Have you experienced them this regular? X

[ravensoaponarope]

maybe this, as suggested above?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precordial_catch_syndrome

[Spied]

I get this pain.
Had countless investigations and am seeing a cardiologist again next month as it's really making me anxious.( I was under a cardiologist as had svt a few years ago- then told I was absolutely fine and no cardio issue so discharged)
The various G.P's I have seen have put it down to anxiety and/or GERD.
I now take ppi's- but still get this heart pain.
T

[inwood]

Precordial catch?

[MissPoldark]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I’ve had iron levels tested which were ok.

@Aus84 do your strange twinges and pinches feel like they’re around your heart?

@ravensoaponarope I don’t think so, I’ve had heartburn before and that was very definitely middle of chest oesophageal pain.