Irregular heartbeat....any ideas?

[maidamess]

Hi, I know this isn't NHS direct but thought you might shed some light on this.

Since yesterday morning I have been aware that my heart is beating irregularly.

I felt very hot and dizzy for a moment in the morning, which passed . (I have a sinussy chesty thing going on too)

I felt very dehydrated as I had exercised hard the previous day, and been out in the garden clearing it.

I feel a bit breathless (Am generally very fit)

My varicose veins are giving me merry hell at the moment.

These may all be separate issues, but wondered whether any of you have had any experience.

You should get it checked out, TBH. The heart can go into an irregular rhythm for lots of reasons but you need an ECG to work out what the irregularity is and whether it needs any kind of treatment. HTH

Oh forgot to say I had chronic indigestion all day yesterday too. I'm quite the picture of health, aren't I?

My heartbeat gets very irregular when my body is stressed - I had food poisoning a few weeks ago and my heart was missing about one beat in six - very disconcerting.

You should see your GP. If your heart is beating irregularly, you will need an ECG. It could be due to a virus, or it could be nothing at all; or of course it could be more serious. But you do need it checked out.

Do you have any swelling anywhere?

No, no swelling.

Maidamess - Have you contacted anyone medical? I was also wondering if you drink a lot of coffee or take strong medication or something?

Well I spoke to my sister in law when she visited today, she's a DVT nurse and said it could be my bodies reaction to the probable chest/sinus infection I've got. But she said to go to doctor nevertheless

I don't drink much coffee, or am on meds.

Its not painful, just something I've become aware of the last 2 days. She took my pulse and said there was a definate ireegularity to it, but in a regular way. IYSWIM.

Get it checked. My DH has atrial fibrillation and also gets ectopics (irregularities which aren't a problem but you can feel them). If he's got fibrillation he gets very breathless. My mum has same sort of thing and both have noticed that attacks sometimes seem to go along with indigestion.

Will make dr appointment for tomorrow...thanks all for advice xx

Maidamess - please do make sure you see the doctor tomorrow or go to A+E if your symptoms get worse. I don't want to alarm you but a couple of your symptoms (dizziness and indigestion) could be symptoms of a heart attack (could also be lots of innocent explanations too!)I know it's probably unlikely but I couldn't not mention it.

Women often have different symtoms to men. More info here.

any news maidamess?

Well....I went to doctors. He listened to my heartbeat and agreed it was irregular.

Then he organised an ECG for me in the surgery, and noted (after the embarrassment of chipped nail varnish on my toes when I had to take my shoes off ) that it was the ectopic beat that was irregular. I think.

He's given me anti biotics for the sinus infection I've got, in case its my bodies reaction to the infection thats causing the odd beat.

He said to go back in a week if I still noticed it.

Luby, I had put those symptoms together too! Scary, but not that. Thanks for your concern xx

Glad everything is ok. Have been thinking about you today! Hope your sinus infection clears up soon. I have an ectopic heart beat too which I don't always notice but sometimes it can make my heartbeat feel very irregular.

Ooh Luby, fancy you having a dodgy ticker too. Well, not dodgy, but YKWIM.

Mine seems to come and go, and I have felt a bit ropey tonight. I feel its my body trying to fight something, does that make sense? I'm normally a really fit person so this has thrown me a little off kilter.

It sounds like your body is telling you to slow down and take things easy. Take care of yourself and don't overdo things until you are better.