Breathlessness, palpitations and cough - related?

[HJ44]

They are all driving me mad. The palpitations have been a pain for months now. I did try a beta-blocker which seemed to help at first but then things went back to how they were so I came off, with GP agreement.

The breathlessness is a bit more recent. It can be totally random but can be when I'm exercising. Tho does seem to settle if I carry on walking/cycling. Tends to be worse afternoons/evenings.

Then there is wheeziness, unpleasant chest/throat fluttering/thumping sensations, and the cough. Some of this could be asthma-related? But my peak flow is totally fine (450) so can't be asthma surely? Weirdly, the palpitations sometimes seem to kick off the cough. The cough is bad enough to make me retch and splutter.

So it all feels related at times. GP knows about palpitations and about breathlessness and is aware I am an occasional asthmatic, but hasn't actually seen me and doesn't seem concerned. But it is bothering me. I'm not sure what to do or say next to get to the bottom of it, or to resolve it. It really isn't pleasant Any advice/thoughts/suggestions?

Hi
Just read your post. I too have been suffering from palpitations, on a daily basis since April (Thought it a vaccine side effect) I don't have a cough, but do get the thumping sensations you describe and the fluttering. I get a pain almost like heartburn with terrible burping. I was given omeprazole which hasn't helped and I have a follow up phone appointment next week. The doctor mentioned Hiatus Hernia with regards symptoms. Do you have any sort of indigestion or heartburn symptoms? Could be some sort of digestive issues perhaps. I know acid reflux can cause a cough.

Have you had an ECG to confirm that the palpitations aren’t caused by an unusual heart rhythm? Usually they aren’t and even if they are it’s something fairly benign but it sounds worth checking. Some people experience lots of weird symptoms when they have PVCs which are not usually dangerous but can be annoying.

Have you had covid? All of this can be long covid/post-covid symptoms.

Also how are your iron and B12 levels?

Ah some replies, thank you!!

To answer questions - don't think I've had covid, and have had a negative antibody test so seems unlikely. But vaccine after effects?? Timeline fits

I have had an ecg which was a bit odd, GP said the interval between parts of the beat were too long, but didn't explain further or seem concerned I didn't have an episode of palpitations during the ecg tho. I found a free trial for an app that checks heartbeat and it showed multiple occasions of ectopic beats so at least I know I'm not imagining it!

My iron levels can be a bit low, was slightly anaemic last year, but again GP was dismissive and said I wasn't anaemic enough for it to be a problem, so what do I know?!

And finally, Im off to google hiatus hernia, see if it rings any bells. Thanks for the comments!

My husband has had palpitations on and off for the last 6 months and although he had an ECG a few months ago it did not show anything disturbing. However he persisted with asking the doctor to investigate further as it was stopping him sleeping and he eventually was fitted with a 24 hour heart monitor and is this week in hospital waiting for a heart valve operation as a result of the findings from the moniter. He also has the cough. So whilst not wanting to worry you and it may be something completely different I would insist on your doctor fitting you with the 24 hour heart moniter to rule out any problems with your heart.

@HJ44, I think a 24 monitor should be the next step for anyone presenting with constant palpitations, if not just so it can rule anything serious out. I would have thought if your ECG was 'odd', the doctor should have followed that up. I had 2 ECGs in surgery which were fine, and had the 24 hr monitor fitted at the beginning of July. However..... I still am waiting on the results due to backlog!! (I think this is ridiculous). I feel my palpitations as soon as I wake in the morning and it does really get you down with the constant worry. I always think worst case scenario.