Extra Heartbeat Referral

[rosepod5]

Hello

I recently went to my GP just got a review and mentioned I had been getting dizzy spells, feeling tired all the time and breathless.

I have been suffering with anxiety so we was initially putting it down to that until my blood pressure was taken.

The doctor detected an extra heart beat occurring at regular intervals and took me straight for an ECG which also showed this.

I have now had blood tests taken and been referred to a cardiologist which I am now awaiting a date for that.

My relative has a smart phone heart rhythm tracker which I tried and attached the photo.

Just wondering what could have caused my heart to now have a regular beat all time and what sort of treatment I may be looking at?

[etheral]

The tracing showed what appeared to be an underlining slow. sinus rythm with PVCS. Treatment and outcome depends on age, other cardiac problems,etc. Certainly an Echocardiogram should be done, and refferel to an Electrophysiology should be arranged. If at any time you are unconscious you should go to the emergency department. Best of luck.

n

[rosepod5 in reply to etheral]

Thank you for the response, I was referred a week ago to a cardiologist so awaiting an appointment date. Hopefully will get some answers soon

[Dodie117 in reply to rosepod5]

Note that a cardiologist is not necessarily an EP -electrophysiologist. Either ask your GP to refer you to an EP or if they can’t or won’t then when you see the cardiologist ask to be referred by them to an EP.

These are the experts in arrhythmias and the “electricians” of the heart. Cardiologists are more the “plumbers”!!

Try not to get too anxious about this. It takes time to get tests done and sometimes can be difficult to catch but there are treatments and you will learn to cope with it and feel better in time.

Good luck 🍀

[rosepod5 in reply to Dodie117]

Sorry, this is all new to me so really appreciate the responses I’ve been getting.

Thank you for the advise

[MarkS]

I got my ruler out, as my EP did when I first saw him. Those beats look pretty irregular. I don't think it is just a question of some extra beats. It looks like AF (irregularly irregular beats) which would explain your dizziness and tiredness. But then I am not an EP! Get an ECG when you feel the irregular beats return (it's pointless when you are in regular rhythm).

[rosepod5 in reply to MarkS]

Thank you for the response, the image was taken from a little bluetooth two finger device but it did match that of the one done at the doctors.

The results I get are the same every time, the irregularity doesn’t go away no matter what time of the day or night it’s taken.

The doctor detected it straight away on the ECG also so it’s pretty clear each time.

Was referred a week a go to the cardiologist, just the wait leaves me with lots of unknown answers.

[MarkS in reply to rosepod5]

Thanks. In preparation for your visit to the cardio, you need to write down a list of questions. Obviously this would cover the diagnosis, but also, do you need to be on anticoagulants? What is the treatment plan? Do you need to be on beta or calcium channel blockers? Your rate seems to be 90-95 according to the trace above, if I've read it properly. That's a tad high. Also look up Chads2vasc before hand and try to work out your score - if there's anything you're unsure about, try to find out beforehand, such as blood pressure. That will maximise your useful time with the cardio.

Mark

[rosepod5]

I am 28 with no family history of heart diseases etc so it’s a bit of a mystery at the moment.

I work long hours, usually would be 4on4off 12.5hour shifts rotating days/nights but due to holiday cover currently working 6on2off.

Struggling quite a bit with the tiredness, breathlessness and just generally feeling rubbish. Also been experiencing a tight chest occasionally.

Trying to be patient and carry on but I do hope the referrals come soon.

Changed the original post image to one completed after waking up which still looks irregular.