Hello I am Surreygirl1 and I have suffered from palpation's for years which recently got worse. On the 1st January, 2019 went out for a walk but suffered terrible pains in my chest and also seemed to have a pulse that was irregular. Some times it skipped a beat and at others I had two together.
HELLO : Hello I am Surreygirl1 and I... - Atrial Fibrillati...
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Surreychica_1
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Don’t want to sound alarmist Surrey, but it sounds to me as if you should visit your local A & E without delay. “Terrible” chest pains need urgent investigation, no if’s, no buts!!
Luludean in reply to
Flapjack ! She is growing a cat in a pot!
in reply to Luludean
I know, clearly a talented lady, just want her to stay that way....
in reply to
and there's another one lurking in the background, top right 😂😂😂
Luludean in reply to
Carneuny! That is probably growing too!!
Good to be silly sometimes on this site!
But , yes surreychic do go to your gp.
Have you had any further chest pain since your episode 7 weeks ago? What did your GP feel had happened?
With the little you have told us, we are wondering if this was angina. The palpitations could be atrial fibrillation.
Surreychica_1 in reply to
Yes I have when I went to the hospital, you have to climb up a hill and the three times I have been I have had chest pains and had to stop several times, however when I got on the flat the pain went. My doctor also thinks that I have atrial fibrillation, however I have yet to hear back from the cardiologist.
in reply to Surreychica_1
That does sound like angina, though only your doctors can make that diagnosis. I hope after your three visits you have a treatment plan in place. Take it easy while this is getting sorted out. Nothing strenuous.
Surreychica_1 in reply to
Yes I have been taken it easy. Well I had to speak to my friend who is a doctor in the UK as I was getting no where here. I told him all my symptoms and he told me I had angina and also he gave me the name of the a spray for me to use when I have an attack as well as the name of a beta blocker. I took that to the doctors, young doctor a locum and she prescribed them for me. She also put me down as priority to see the cardiologist but so far no a word.
My AFib sometimes presented itself with bad chest pains, but sometimes those pains where digestive tract issues(they can feel very similar). Usually "skipped" beats are actually extra beats closer together so it feels like a skip(PVC). If you are having actual pauses that is more concerning. Anyway you look at it you need to be seen by a your doctor(EP and/or cardiologist also)ASAP! I had palpitations much of my life and what you're describing sounds like when it changed for me and I had started having Afib. The fact that your palpatations are happening more often, there are new changes in rhythm, you have chest pain, and are worried, is a sign something is wrong and changing. I would suggest to get at least a two week monitor, and a stress test is a good idea as well. Keep us informed and I wish you the best.
Thank you for your reply I am working on it. I have had the monitor for 24 hours but that really isnt long enough as someone has mentioned. I have had a x ray of my heart and that showed my heart to be healthy so it must be the arteries or capillaries carrying the blood supply that are blocked. The spray helps a lot when I need it.
Hope you feel better soon!
It is unlikely that anybody responding on this forum is medically trained and even if they were, there is only one course of action that anyone should take if they are suffering from terrible chest pains. Go to A&E and let the experts investigate the cause.
Jt222 in reply to
100%
I have seen a cardiologist. It took months to get an appointment. My doctor kept telling me it was nothing and that people had palpitations all the time. I did go to A&E when I had chest pains and also my heart seemed to be beating hard, not only that despite my blood pressure rising up to 150 even though I am on blood pressure tablets they sent me away again so I was in the same state coming home as I was when I went. She said I was not in any danger of having a heart attack. On the 1st January doing my usual walk I got chest pains and had to come home, but as soon as I was home it stopped. The next day I had a appointment at the hospital and there is a hill and I began to get chest pains but when I was on the flat the pain disappeared so I thought perhaps it was my back, however I spoke to a friend who is a GP and he said it was rapid angina and he gave me the names of a beta blocker as well as the spray and I went to see my GP and she got them for me. I also began to have other symptoms that I have described above and missed beat and then the heart starting again as well as what appeared to be two beats in one. My doctor said that she thought the same as jt222 at that I am beginning to get Afib as well as Angina. I do not know if they go together. I was so worried the other day I called an ambulance but after tests which included an x ray of my heart they said there was nothing wrong with my heart.
I wore a monitor for 24 hours and I have yet to know the results. They have not been posted on my medical records. My young doctor has made me priority with the cardiologist but so far there is no response.
I am taking it slowly, I cannot walk very fast now as I begin to get a pain in my chest as well as that strange sensation in my throat.
Thank you all for your replies. They are very helpful and also it is comforting me to know there are others out there who are suffering, I do not mean I am pleased you are suffering, but I have felt very alone
Thank you for your reply. We can only react to what we read and because your post was low on information it was impossible to know whether or not you were getting the proper medical advice you needed. I’m surprised it’s taking so long for you to find establish whether or not you have AF. As you probably know, there is paroxysmal AF which comes and goes without warning and persistent AF which is there 24/7. There is a lot of information available on the AF Association webpages including information about how to feel your pulse and understand what your pulse is doing particularly when you are feeling unwell. Sometimes with Paroxysmal AF it’s difficult to have an ECG which coincides with an episode, so can I suggest you look at the Kardia which is a device used in conjunction with a smart phone or tablet which enables you to take as many ECG’s as you like and can help determine whether or not you have AF.
I hope this helps, and that you get the professional help you need to assess your situation and establish an effective treatment plan........
Surreychica_1 in reply to
That is useful to know. Well I was just introducing myself, didnt want to write too much, but I am grateful for all these replies. No I didnt know about the Kardia. You are right it is hard to have an ECG at the same time as having an episode. I do take my pulse which is why I discovered the strange double beats and also I have been taking my pulse when it has stopped and started again.
That is what I need an effective treatment plan but it is taking ages to sort out, despite my doctor putting me down as "priority" I still have not heard from the cardiologist.
Thanks for that information it is very useful.
Possible avenue while awaiting appointments. Suggest you get a copy of Health Defence (available second hand at Amazon ). Look up Dr Sircus IMVA and decide whether to contact him for advice. As you say, if all ventricles serviceable then there could be a constriction somewhere. I believe there are medical companies that can carry out a full artery check. Clearly if money is short then you may have to leap in the dark.
GERD/heartburn can mimic angina and can coincide with afib or SVT episodes. Used to scare me a lot and then I realized it was heartburn
No it is not heart burn. Only happens when I an exerting myself such as walking. I used to walk every day until I got the chest pains, also I cannot walk up a hill or stairs without getting chest pains
I am not a doctor and I am acting on pure instinct. Do you have any autoimmune issues or have chronic fatigue?
Sometimes, when our body is unable to produce enough energy for physical activity our Heart protests in the way of pain. The heart is a muscle which when worked hard, as it would be with Tachycardia and or AF - gets a build up of lactic acid within the muscle- as you would if you do exercise. This is Angina - Which simply means chest pain. Maybe your pain is a symptom that your heart is working harder than the body can provide energy. This is a also a common symptom of people with Chronic Fatigue and Autoimmune conditions.
The skipped or missed beats sound like ectopic beats by the way - which are considered benign but also indicate that the heart is not getting enough energy. As we age and if we have other conditions then the mitrochondria which are within all cells and are the batteries of our body ie + they convert fuel into energy our body can use cannot always keep up.
Of course all other causes of heart disease must be ruled out.
Best wishes CD
Hello Dreamer, No I do not have an autoimmune issue not do I suffer from chronic fatigue. That is all very interesting though.
I agree that all other causes of heart disease need to be ruled out. It is very frustrating here in Spain as I just cannot seem to get a diagnosis.
As we speak I do have a very strange sensation in my throat, nothing to do with food as I have not yet had breakfast, but I get it a lot.
You are right I am sure my heart is not getting the energy it needs.
Thank for your reply
Can you describe the strange throat sensation?
Not really, it is hard to describe. It is not like heart burn. I have had that once or twice. It has gone at the moment but it seems to come back at times and then remains for hours.
Have you had your thyroid function checked? Before my hypothyroidism was diagnosed I had a lot of weird sensations in my throat- -like something was out of place and I had to push it to make it go back.
May I suggest, if it is an option, you try some of the Intagrative Clinics in Spain - depending upon which part of Spain you are living in?
I had excellent care in Spain but it does depend upon which part of Spain. I also found that like UK the state were great in acute and emergencis but not that active in treating chronic conditions. Do you have any private cover or relying upon State? Best wishes CD
Hello Dreamer, no I rely on the state. I do not have private cover, wish I did, however if I do not get any joy I may fo to the private clinic to get a diagnosis. At some things, especially here in Andalucia they are great as you say. However getting there seems to take ages and a lot of hassle.
I do not know what an Interactive clinic is! can you please explain.
I sent you a private message with some links. Best wishes
That is great. Thank you
I don’t know where you live but it sounds like you need to have an angiogram to check that you have angina. An x-ray of the heart is fine, but your arteries need checking. I would personally call an ambulance and be taken to hospital. It seems where you live are very lax in getting a move on with treating you. All the best and hope you are feeling well soon
Thank you for your reply. I did call an ambulance the other day when I had chest pains but all they did was check my heart and said it was fine and so they could not take me to hospital. I drove myself and they took an x-ray of my heart at the hospital but not the arteries. You are right the arteries need checking. That is what I was hoping for, but that didnt happen.
Perhaps keep on to your GP???? This Afib and the heart is so scary isn’t it.
Frightening to say the least. I kept thinking I was going to have a heart attack and so frustrating I do not seem to get anywhere. Been having problems for many years and the all of a sudden the symptoms changed and still cant get anywhere.
Oh I have just seen from your other posts that you are in Spain. I had a seizure in Majorca some years ago with a subsequent find that I had a brain tumour. I found the medical services brilliant. I’m sorry you are having such a time with them in your particular area. Best wishes
There is another excellent forum on HealthUnlocked called British Heart Foundation where you can good advice about heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation (AF)
As Flapjack says, the KARDIA is often a way to show your doctors the rhythm disorder underlying your palpitations. You can make printouts and email them to your cardiologist. Many of us have had success this way, convincing sceptical doctors that our palpitations are not insignificant.
Has there been any discussion about anticoagulants (ACs) for you? This would ONLY be relevant if you had confirmed AF or atrial flutter (AFL). Have a look at CHADS2VASC2 scoring. If you do turn out to have paroxysmal AF or AFL, then this does make consideration of AC important if you meet the criteria.
Do you have the choice to see another doctor at your surgery who could perhaps speed things up more effectively for you?
I was in Ronda and Antequera a couple of years ago in June. 4O°C! I got off the train at the wrong stop in the middle of nowhere, stranded for several hours. It felt a bit like being in a spaghetti western.
Surreychica_1 in reply to
No there has not been any talk about anticoagulants. I have been taken Asprin. I will have a look at CHADS2VASC2 and see how I score.
Well that is a good idea Oyster. They have all been sceptical to say the least. I cannot understand why the kept telling me it was normal. I mean two days of palpation's. How can that be normal and the times I had them got longer and longer and the times in between got less.
The doctor I am seeing is very sweet, it is getting past the receptionist there which is the problem. The doctor - a locum - gave me a paper with instructions for the receptionist to ring the hospital, but she sent me off saying I did not need to wait and that the hospital would ring me. I knew that she would not ring. However I am going to make another appt. with my doctor to ask about the angiogram.
Ronda is lovely though isnt it. lovely train ride from Malaga, I have done that a few times. I love Ronda, the surrounding countryside is beautiful. Antequera is very historical. Just as well another train came along, there cannot be many running along that route.
Surreychica, get a cardiologist right away, I had PAF for years and chose to ignore it because I didn’t have high blood pressure and I had 3 strokes, fortunately I am recovering. Get on blood thinners and other drugs they say, if not, change docs.
I am doing my best to get to the cardiologist. I have seen him twice and I do not yet know the results of the tests. It isnt easy to change doctors here. I have a sweet doctor and she has done what she can to get me a date to see the cardiologist. They are just not responding and I am certain the receptionist did not ring the hospital when the doctor asked. I may have to go private.
in reply to Surreychica_1
In the UK there can be very long waits (6 months+) for the first appointment with an electrophysiologist (EP). Some of us choose to pay 250 euros for a private consultation inside a week, to get a treatment plan. Because all the tests are so expensive, many of us then return to the NHS for those.
And yes, Ronda is a great destination, preferably out of season to avoid the heat and crowds up from the coast on a day trip.
Surreychica_1 in reply to
That is interesting to know. I might do that actually, if my appointment doesnt come through soon. Was that 250 euros paid for the test in Spain!
Yes that was me. I was a guide and went once a week for years. Every Tuesday, took various routes up, but all routes to Ronda are stunning.
Very hot as you say in the summer, but the scenery is quite stunning what ever time of the year. One of my favourite places, the other is Granada.
in reply to Surreychica_1
Sadly, not in Andalusia, but in Hull in the UK, not everybody’s favourite place. And I paid 220 pounds sterling which must be around 250 euros. Sorry, did not mean to cast aspersions on the day trippers, who must be the life blood of Ronda.
Well, at least take a adult aspirin everyday.
I do take an Asprin daily. The soluble type
Aspirin is not recommended by the European Cardiac Association as a prophylactic against AF stroke, it seems to be still used in US. It’s not advisable to take daily because of the risk of stomach bleeds - soluable or otherwise. Aspirin is an antiplatelet not anticoagulant. It is very useful to take immediately if you suspect you have had a stroke though.
May I suggest you also visit the AAwebsite for AF - heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/... and download info on diagnosis and treatments - armed with information you can then talk to your doctors which I found really helped.
Well the good news is that I have finally got an appointment with the cardiologist for the 5th of March and also the doctor at the clinic has arranged for a blood and urine sample to be taken. I feel a lot better now I know something is being done. So thanks for all your encouragement. I feel a lot more optimistic now. I am just hoping that they can get to the bottom of what is the problem and some sort of plan worked out so I can get on with life.
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