Palpitations nonstop, could I be anemic?

[Toastandjams]

Since last weekend I have nonstop palpitations, seemed like my heart beats fast and loud, big thumps. I can also feel it at night.
Also I had suddenly cracked both corners of my lips, which now healed and have often restless legs syndrome at night for months.
And I feel like confused, forgetful, saying wrong words- like opposite what I want to say. Brain fog.

I had palpitations in a past and had tests done like ECG, heart Echo and Holter. All they find was some minor valve regurgitations which need no follow up.
As these palpitations seems nonstop I rang my GP on Wednesday and over the phone he said that as I had a ,,case of these ,,in a past and nothing was shown, than it’s unlikely it’s something else.
He said it’s my anxiety and he sent me a link about relaxation.
Now these palpitations are non stop.
I checked my heart rate, it’s apprx in 90-100. Blood pressure is normal ( I normally never check my blood pressure - have a monitor here since I was pregnant, like 10 years ago)
I rang again GP on Fri, spoke to another Dr and she is send me for a blood test.
I had very mild anemia about 6 yrs ago, which was literally borderline for blood tests, had a fast pulse and felt out of breath.
Had to take iron pills and it helped well.
I worry now as I’m not sure what’s is it. I feel funny like fainting..
Any Dr or nurse here who can tell me?
My blood test is on Wed.
I want to take iron pills now but I think if I’m anemic it will mess up the blood results?

Had the same issues myself. From symptoms you are describing would say that anaemia or low ferritin levels is a definite possibility. I would get a full blood count down and maybe take a gentle iron supplement in the meantime, like Spatone.

Ditto what previous poster has said - get spatone which is much easier on your tummy (Tesco sell it).

I'm on bisoprolol 2.5mg for ectopic beats/SVT since February and they were exactly as you describe with hard beats at times especially in bed and turning to left side. My HR was 75+ and they have really helped.

If I were you, I would be asking for another GP to discuss medication whilst awaiting blood tests - this May ease the symptoms...good luck op. I've had them since 18 and now 37 and they are horrible!

I get restless legs and really bad palpitations when my iron is low.
Gp prescribed me ferritin and they went but then a couple of months later the palpitations came back again, literally everyday, all day long.
Had an ecg, blood test all fine.
I had to ask Gp for more iron pills as he wasn't going to give them to me because I was within the 'normal range'. But the range is huge so who knows what's normal for me? Or you?

In the end he gave me 6 months supply and they have really helped.
I still get the palpitations but only at certain times of the month so I think it's also my age

Meant to say I don't think the iron supplements will affect your blood test results that much because the amount of iron in them is really not much compared to what GP's prescribe for deficiency.

[quote Toastandjams]@khione I normally ask for these but the surgery is shut.
I'm actually having the blood test in my home as they send nurse around to do blood tests now.
So I cant walk to reception and ask for print out.
My last blood test was in January but not sure if full blood count. I phoned yesterday to see what my ferritin was and she (receptionist)said cant tell me as not medical trained.[/quote]
You should be able to get online access - it may require a few email exchanges but they should still be able to organise it. Or email you a copy of your results

I had palpitations before being diagnosed hypothyroid.

They were really loud in my ears when lying down (heart rate bashing so hard it felt like my head was moving) and disappeared on thyroid replacement medicines.

When I first started the medicine, I also got palpitations after eating.

All gone now. Could be worth checking your TSH, fT4 and fT3?

Do you have a lot of tea or coffee? Caffeine can give palpitations.

I don’t drink tea at all and I do drink coffee but it’s mild.
I so get race racing normally with strong coffee, so I make a weak milky coffee. Once a day in the morning and sometimes even only decaf.
I am actually worried about Atrial fibrillation? I read about it as someone mentioned it I’m really worried that something is seriously wrong with my heart.
Especially I already have a valve regurgitations, which is essentially leaky valves.
Anyone has any experience with AF?
I was thinking to go to A&E earlier as my heart was just jumping but husband said it’s silly idea as of Covid..
So I will again call GP in the morning to see if can have ECG test..

The iron pills I have here are the medical supply.
But I’m scared to take it as if not needed, I don’t want to overdose on iron.
I also went to Boots today and bought some multivitamins with higher Magnesium and iron.. so I migh take them..
The restless legs I get now for few months, but I never thought it could be symptoms of lacking something any minerals, I though it because I don’t drink enough.
The cracked lip corners happened twice in last 3 months..suddenly overnight on both sides.

Go on YouTube and type in POTS and it's a mayo clinic video. Sounds like you have this. It's quite rare x

m.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ9bv7jx-Ls

POTS is when you stand up and your heart races then you feel faint.

Ferritin is ideally about 90-120. Lower than 70 is low (despite the very wide 'normal' range). Loads of women have low ferritin due to menstruation.

A family member has AF and is on blood thinners for it. It is connected to stress for her, and presents as a racing and irregular heart rate. She has tablets to take during attacks that mostly help. I think it's quite a serious thing to have and certainly merits full testing.

I would certainly call your GP and get the various tests (ferritin, TSH, ECG for AF etc and whatever else your GP suggests)

POTS isn't just standing up and your heart racing. It's worth mentioning if everything else comes clear. I had many of your symptoms and for years they couldn't find anything wrong with me. Was diagnosed at the start of the year! A massive weight off my shoulders. X

Typical symptoms of PoTS include:
• dizziness or lightheadednesss_
• faintingg_
• problems with thinking, memory and concentration – this combination of symptoms is often called 'brain fog'
• heart palpitationss_
• shaking and sweating
• weakness and fatigue (tiredness)
• headachess_
• poor sleep
• chest painn_
• feeling sick
• shortness of breathh_

@missrks

POTS isn't just standing up and your heart racing. It's worth mentioning if everything else comes clear. I had many of your symptoms and for years they couldn't find anything wrong with me. Was diagnosed at the start of the year! A massive weight off my shoulders. X

Typical symptoms of PoTS include:
• dizziness or lightheadednesss_
• faintingg_
• problems with thinking, memory and concentration – this combination of symptoms is often called 'brain fog'
• heart palpitationss_
• shaking and sweating
• weakness and fatigue (tiredness)
• headachess_
• poor sleep
• chest painn_
• feeling sick
• shortness of breathh_

Yes, sorry, I wasn't clear - I was only referring to the particular symptom the OP was talking about: her palpitations.

I know it's very sweaty and you feel terribly faint etc I had it myself for many years. It improves as you age, thank goodness, and pressure tights worked wonders for me.

But (for me at least) it was ok sitting down with my legs on a stool. When I stood up, that's when it got going. Waiting at a bus stop with nowhere to sit was a killer.

missrks

And OP said her BP was normal - doesn't your BP drop when you stand and get the racing heart? Maybe it doesn't for everyone with POTS

Awh bless you! It's a rotten thing to deal with, hopefully mine eases off, thankfully it's not a horrific case of it and managing not to bad now.

My BP stays fairly stable, sometimes up and sometimes down. it's my HR that goes up by 40 + when I stand up. My BP was usually 80/50 which is stupid low. I've got it up to around 100/90 by taking salt tablets and 4 litres of water a day. Haven't fainted in a few weeks! ☺️

i think if you feel unwell and are worried and in discomfort, you have every right to go to a walk-in centre, or A&E. they are not busy.
the people who might have the virus will be in a separate area.
as someone else said, you must not drive.
they will be able to observe and measure the symptoms you are having, that's the best way to make an assessment.
please go. let us know how you get on.

Thanks everyone. I'm in bed now, feeling a bit better.
I was checking my pulse, it's about 60 atm. It seemed regular on my wrist, but then on my chest it feels jumpy.
I don't have any other symptoms.

I am not dizxy or breathless.
Even the restless legs are not on today. .
I will contact gp on Monday.
I already spoke to two different ones this week. The first one said its anxiety and second one offered a blood test.

I will update tomorrow. Thanks and good night xx

I'm in a&e. Heart was just too much at night, so I asked husband to drop me off. I'm just waiting to be treated.

*triaged.

Hope you're okay. ❤️

Just had ecg and blood taken. Waiting for result.
My blood pressure was rather high 150/90.
I checked at home and it was always ok 120/80. I'm worried even more now..

I worry now they will think my blood pressure is always high, but that's not true.

I checked multiple times in last few days and it was always rather low or normal, never more than 120/80