Ectopic history,fatigue and hoarseness

[Gymmy]

Hi, I’m new to the site and this is my first post so hello from me. I have had ectopic heart beats for years.Very much into fitness and still a gym fan at 70.However early this year I felt ill in the gym ie out of breath,fatigued beyond normal and when I got home my limbs were shaky.My lower legs were swelling a little for some weeks but returned to normal.

Since then I have been exercise intolerant and my legs feel very fatigued the next day if I do too much.Strangely as I get this fatigue my voice goes hoarse.

I’ve had ecg and echocardiogram and both show no issues.Similarly blood tests and chest x-ray all clear.

I’ve been taking 1.25mg bisoprolol daily for some years and came off it for a while but this didn’t help with this fatigue.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this or got any thoughts on the matter.Any replies very much appreciated,thanks.

Gymmy

[BobD Volunteer]

The fact that you posted here may suggest that you already think that you may have Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation which may well be the case. PAF is notoriously difficult to capture sometimes unlesss you are having an event whilst connected to the ECG machine.

You need to learn how to take your radial pulse digitally (with your fingers) and see if it is regular or highly erratic/ chaotic.

Welcome by the way.

[Gymmy in reply to BobD]

Thanks for the advice BobD

[Hennerton]

Do you have a thyroid issue and has yours ever been checked? Some of your symptoms are reminiscent of an under active thyroid, particularly tiredness and hoarse voice. If I were you I would ask for a full thyroid panel and post the results with the reference ranges on the HU Thyroid UK site, asking for comments. They are a lovely bunch of people and will be happy to help.

Unfortunately thyroid diagnosis is very poor across the whole world and if there is the slightest doubt about yours, you will need to keep on pressing your doctor for proper help.

[bantam12 in reply to Hennerton]

As Hennerton says it is sounding the under active thyroid alarm bells, definitely worth having bloods done, minimum you need is TSH, T4 and T3 but if you can get antibodies done as well all the better.

[Gymmy in reply to Hennerton]

Thanks for your thoughts.Thought my last blood tests would have checked for thyroid issue but not sure.

[Gymmy in reply to Hennerton]

Thanks for this

[john-boy-92]

It would have been interesting to check your blood oxygen (SpO2) and blood pressure as both have the potential to cause those symtoms. I use an oximeter (about £20) that clips on a finger to measure my blood oxygen. It also has a pulse trace that indicates my brief delays and atrial flutter. There are blood pressure monitors that will detect AF but it's questionable how accurate they are.

It could depend on the type of exercise that you do. In the gym I used to do Spin bikes, rope work, dips, TRX work, and kettlebells until I had a stroke at age 69. I gave up cycling on the road and a turbo as the stroke left me partially sighted and, then someone stole the bike from the garden. I now have a Concept 2 rowing machine at home and a Polar Vantage V + H10 so that I can back off when my heart rate goes over 180bpm. My medication is Dabigatran (Pradaxa), Amlodipine, and Finistride.

[Gymmy]

Don’t think I’ve had SpO2 checked so will request at next appointment,thanks