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Original poster

Heart Palpitation

24 replies

3kidsareenough · 06/10/2020 21:35

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else gets heart palpitations which are considered "normal". I've had them for a few years now on and off. I've been to the dr about them a few times when they were really bad and scared the hell out of me. I've had bloods done to check thyroid all came back fine, have had ecgs and 24 hr heart monitor, bloods done to check my heart health all have come back fine. On last seeing the dr I was told that it could just be something that's normal and have to live with them but they are all I can think about & feel especially when I'm sitting down or trying to get to sleep. They drive me mad. I've cut out coffee and caffeine to see if that makes a difference but I'm still getting them. Anyone the same?? Or any suggestions what it might be???? Thanks

OP posts:

NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 06/10/2020 22:19

Yes i have had them for as long as i can remember, have had ECHO scans and apart from a mild CHD everything is normal. My worst time is at night, they seem to wake me up just after i have fallen asleep.

Elsiebear90 · 06/10/2020 22:22

Did you have them while wearing the 24 hour tape?

mineofuselessinformation · 06/10/2020 22:27

Yes. Horribly, I had them for five days straight at one point and took myself to A&E eventually as they were scary.
I had a 24 hr holter and nothing was found.
I've since realised that it is stress.

TitianaTitsling · 06/10/2020 22:32

I frequently get them also, and agree for me it's stress even if can't identify what's stressful! Short scripts for propranolol are a lifesaver for me!

Iambitingmytongue · 06/10/2020 22:35

I had this for a couple of years and it turned out to be hormonal (seems to be a fairly common symptom of perimenopause) I haven’t had any palpitations since I started hrt a year ago.

GlomOfNit · 06/10/2020 22:53

I get them too, I really hate it. I also think it's a combination of stress and perimenopausal symptoms. Twice in the last 3 years I've worn 'event monitors' and they didn't record anything untoward, apparently (I definitely pressed the button when I had a blip) - they sent the 'borderline' readout to the relevant department the second time but apparently all within the parameters of 'normal'.

Tried giving up caffeine but makes no difference. I definitely get them more at some times than others, which might be stress, I suppose.

Sometimes just before one I get an unpleasant 'swooping' sensation and a feeling that something isn't right. I notice them mostly at night but apparently this is common, because it's when we're quiet and fewer distractions.

ECG, event monitor, bloods - all 'normal' - I just have to live with it.

Fallowdeerhunter · 08/10/2020 10:52

They are normal. If you’ve had them checked out and there’s nothing wrong then they’re fine. I get horrible ones, before periods, after drinking, after exercise, when stressed and increasingly more as I head towards menopause. All the tests show simple ectopic beats. I went privately and saw a top radiologist and he said as my heart is healthy generally (had an echocardiogram) then they would never cause problems. I must say when he told me that they happened a lot less...

Original poster

3kidsareenough · 10/10/2020 17:20

Thanks all. I have to say that has put my mind at ease ( and surprisingly they have lessened since I've read your posts 🤔!) Menopause or Perimenpause is something I hadn't considered and to be honest I am in the age bracket for that too. I really hate the thought of having to give up my coffee it's what helps me through my day at work!! Maybe I'll cut down a bit anyway. Yep i definitely was pressing the button on the monitor and like that was told it was within the normal parameters of what they would consider normal. It's a sensation that is horrible though.

OP posts:

Elieza · 10/10/2020 17:36

I was getting them because of dairy.
I’d eaten dairy all my life (cheese regularly) but as I became peri it apparently caused palpitations and the odd minor intermittent dizziness.

I thought this was utter nonsense. Until I stopped eating dairy for three weeks to prove this news wasn’t applicable to me, and the palpitations stopped! A year on and if I eat dairy after a few days they come back. If I don’t eat it then no palps.

So I’d try cutting out all dairy for two weeks. It’s not long and if it stops them that’s great. If not then it’s another thing to rule out.

So you need to cut out anything containing cheese or milk etc, no convenience freezer foods or shop bought ready foods like pizzas or cakes etc as they all contain dairy. Every little does count!

Make everything from scratch or buy vegan foods. Although eggs are fine if you like them and aren’t vegan.

Worth a try?

Elieza · 10/10/2020 17:37

Oh and no butter either obv.

wineandsunshine · 10/10/2020 21:26

Yes daily - they are horrible. I have had all the tests too and they still get my anxiety building.
I'm on bisoprolol at the moment, which does slow my HR but ectopics/flutters etc are still obvious.

If you find a magic cure please let me know!

ILoveTeeeeeea · 10/10/2020 23:25

The timing of this is weird, only this afternoon I was worrying, (I’ve ignored for a while) mine seem to get worse when I eat/drink something sweet. I’m mentally/physically exhausted from work, but I’m far less stressed than other occasions in my life- weird...I’ve also been having my ventilin inhaler more - I wondered if it was iron deficiency, I could easily fit into the peri menopausal category too

CakeInMyFace · 11/10/2020 21:00

I get them lots too, they started randomly 10 years ago in my early 30's. I've worn monitors too, and gone through bad spells, had all the tests and am told the same. Ectopic beats and have to live with them. They don't bother me too much now, I take a small dose of bisoprolol daily which helps me, but I know they can feel really scary. It's a bit shit really!

Aragog · 14/10/2020 03:16

I did for years on and off, and I was always told it was fine. They just put I was tachycardia on my medical records.

but in recent times they got much worse - much faster (250-280+ bpm) and more frequently. I was having many more svt episodes lasting longer times. Whereas in the last I could stop them myself I was struggling to that and they were leasing several hours, and needed help from a and e to stop.

Had ablation in September which has stopped the bad svt episodes. Heart rate is still on the high side and still known to be in th 120 region quite a bit, off times it gets higher to 150-160 region. I don't really notice these as palpations though - guess as I'm used to much higher before.

Nat6999 · 14/10/2020 04:03

Have you had your Vitamin B12 checked? Deficiency can cause palpitations.

Original poster

3kidsareenough · 18/10/2020 12:06

What is bisoprolol cakeinmyface? Can you buy it over the counter?? I have cut down on the coffee intake again to see if it makes any difference- haven't seen any difference yet but that's only been since Friday!! I've had so much blood work done nat that I can't even remember now what they've checked I might look at that again. Definitely is more pronounced when I'm sitting at rest. I know my heart rate has always been on the lower side which I assumed was okay maybe not?? Ohh it is driving me mad

OP posts:

MellowMelly · 18/10/2020 12:28

Maybe it’s an over stimulated vagus nerve if everything else has been ruled out? It’s quite a complex nerve and can cause heart palpitations and various other issues surprisingly enough. It’s affected by stress, hormones, digestive problems amongst other things.

I’ve been learning to calm mine down and I definitely get less palpitations now.

Original poster

3kidsareenough · 18/10/2020 17:41

Thanks mellowmelly, never heard of it. Off to do some googling now. They're definitely no where near as bad today as they were on Friday or even yesterday. I'm starting to think I'm focused so much on it when I am sitting still that it's all in my head

OP posts:

Spied · 18/10/2020 17:46

Alcohol was triggering atrial flutter for me.
I take Bisoporol and I've had no palpitations since.

wineandsunshine · 18/10/2020 18:07

Bisoprolol is a prescribed drug - it does help slow down the HR. I’m on 2.5mg

moanyhole · 18/10/2020 20:07

I came on here to ask this. I get the odd episode but tonight i had constant palpitations for an hour and a half. Does eveyine else have them last that long?

EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide · 18/10/2020 20:29

I've had them off and on as long as I can remember. The last couple years I've had episodes of very fast heart rate which usually wakes me up in the night, but at times just starts randomly in the day. It will be 100+ and my regular hr is 60. I had ecg last year which was borderline. Dr gave me propranolol but I don't take it as it makes me feel groggy. I know for a fact that red wine triggers mine for some reason. If I am unwell with an infection or virus, my hr sits at 120 minimum the whole duration and it eventually wipes me out. I think I should go back for the long monitor but it's not been that bad lately.
I think palpitations in general are very common and quite safe though.

Original poster

3kidsareenough · 28/10/2020 16:59

Hi Folks, thought I'd just come back and let you know how things have been with the palpitations. This is my 3rd week now off caffeinated coffee & drinks and the palpitations have stopped. I'd say it's only been this week that I've noticed they've stopped. So maybe I have some kind of intolerance to caffeine 🤷‍♀️ ??mine would have lasted for that length of time too moanyhole.

I do miss my bullet strength coffee though but I'll stick to the decaf if it keeps these awful feelings away. I hope everyone else can find an answer and thanks so much for your advice and responses ☕️

OP posts:

JumpingJo12 · 14/06/2021 22:53

Hi All ,
It's nice to hear other people's experiences as you feel so alone with this. I have also had heart palpitations on and off for about 2 months. I've just started on 10mg citapram and that's started them off again. Chest hurting now!, it's getting to me now that's why I thought I would come on here. Its so scary , I just think if the citapram is going to make me worse than I don't see the point in taking it!, thought it would ease my anxiety but what I've heard on this forum it's not going to help at all!, I've cut my caffeine down also and cut down my drinking. I thought maybe it was to do with perimenopause but Doctors won't give me anything as I'm.still having periods. Just awful, don't know what to do anymore. I'm so aware of my breathing, and that's when I can't sleep . Maybe I should try something herbal ? Has anyone tried herbal remedies at all?

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