Random Electric shock/fluttering feeling in chest that last for less than a second

[CT868]

Hey Everyone!

Since my first and only Afib episode after taking a few benedryl, I've been doing great! Haven't had any complications and even decided to test caffeine and alcohol to see if this may have been a trigger for my Afib. Neither were triggers it appears and life has gone on as if I never had that Afib Episode. So still have zero idea as to what caused my afib episode.

If you read my last post you'd know that I'm 28, BMI of 25, no prior history of ANY health issues, eat a very healthy diet as I compete in fitness comps, and work out 5-6 days a week plus yoga. Also my Resting heart rate is usually around 57-60 BPM.

However, in the last couple weeks, I've been getting this random fluttering/shock feeling in my sternum that last less than a second however it worries me a little bit. My Cardiologist ran a ECG, EKG, Stress Test, Echocardiogram, and CBC; all of which came back normal and was told "you have a very healthy heart." I set up another appointment which he had me wear a holtor monitor for a week and even though the sensation happened a few times while wearing the Holtor monitor, he said my Rhythm came back 100% normal and thinks this may not be something to do with my heart. He did say this may be an anxiety disorder.

Usually this sensation comes when I'm at rest and my heart rate is low. Also note, there is no pain, just a flutting/shock feeling and I am not currently on any meds as my Cardiologist doesnt see a need for them.

Has anyone else experiences these symptoms?

[heartmatters1]

Could it be a digestive thing? - i.e. indigestion/heartburn/trapped wind. I get something similar very often & find taking an antacid helps & fluttering goes. The vagus nerve could also be involved.

[CT868 in reply to heartmatters1]

Its possible. I've had IBS since I was a 18 and have a family history of Acid Reflux/GERD.

[Padayn01 in reply to heartmatters1]

Na it’s defiantly not trapped wind but defo I think vague nerve involvement

[CT868 in reply to Padayn01]

Also possible. My doctor said it could be vagus since I'm usually in "bradycardia" due to my physical activity and it being normal of someone at my age and physical condition. My resting heart rate sometimes gets low as 47 when I'm watching TV.

[Padayn01 in reply to CT868]

Are you on any beta blockers?

[CT868 in reply to Padayn01]

They had me on 25mg of Metoprolol XL for a week after my AF episode but they took me off and didn't see a need for it due to my age/physical condition. My cardiologist also thinks that this MAY be an isolated event and my body having an adverse effect to Benadryl since it's pretty rare for someone at my age to have afib.

But only time will tell.

[Padayn01 in reply to CT868]

Did he say how to fix it if it’s Vagel nerve causing it?

[CT868 in reply to Padayn01]

He did not. But from what I know about VAF--its a completely different animal and should be treated completely differently than regular AF. In fact I've heard that it's more of a nerve problem and less of a heart problem at that point. From what I heard, vagal AF occurs in A LOT of high performance athletes and younger individuals with completely normal hearts. Also the medical community doesnt have a lot of info about Vagal AF since it's really hard to identify.

[Padayn01 in reply to CT868]

Yes I totally agree it’s a different beast altogether I mean no one has ever said to me that my symptoms are Vagel related it’s just me doing loads of research have come to that conclusion

[Lewis1234 in reply to Padayn01]

Sorry, I always go on about this but will again now.... Gluten seems to have a big impact on some of those with vagel AF. I had over 30 fast PAF episodes over 18 months each lasting 3-15 hours. Gave up gluten and after 6 weeks of no change, I have now not had a single episode for 7 months... Have been on 3.75mg bisoporol from the beginning 2 years ago, but over the last 2 months I have slowly been reducing that, now on 2mg and plan to reduce to zero as i believe it is pointless for me and my vagel AF. The 3 cardiologists I have seen all just glaze over and change the subject if I've mentioned vagel AF! None of them suggested giving up gluten, just suggest meds and ablations.

[Padayn01 in reply to Lewis1234]

Interesting I will defo knock gluten on the head and give it a try, I will try anything to tackle this

[Lewis1234 in reply to Padayn01]

Worth a try... I cut out gluten mostly about 95%, no normal bread (there is loads of gluten free out there, some of if is fine some of it is awful) no normal pasta, pastry etc, but definitely succumb to the odd biscuit or small bit of cake now and again! Good luck.

[Padayn01 in reply to Lewis1234]

Cheers mate

[Padayn01]

WOW!!!!! all i got to say is thank you for sharing, just only today i was trying to ask the same question on this forum but didn't know how to go about it, as even trying to explain it myself is weird, but i get these little shocks on the left side of my chest area I've been getting them on and off since my first AFIB episode back in Dec 2018, since than i'm 7 months post ablation and cannot figure what they are, i do think they are anxiety/vagel nerve driven as certain emotions and feelings set of these shocks but also when i'm doing nothing i just can't get my head round them, but it will be great how other people will react to this question.

[Ticktoc in reply to Padayn01]

Thinking of going down gluten free route as sounds like tingley flickers I get tried cutting out loads of food am on Bisoprolol and Apixiban n amlodipine would love to get off some of them fingers crossed

[higgy52]

Hi,

could be a missed beat or extra beat, i get them,

[BobD Volunteer]

Sounds like ectopic (missed beat ) activity. Pefectly normal for everbody but we AF people get too aware of our hearts.

[CJ1971]

Hi CT868, Your experience is exactly like me. I was a competing cyclist with a rest rate of 44 before my 20s. Late 20s had mild overnight arythmia discovered from a test tape. This tied into nights where I was drinking, not a lot though just normal for 20s, 5-8 units. I have had this type of shock for years. Its almost certainly the nerve system as it happens without any issue to the heart. Always when I'm in bed and when either going to sleep or waking. Sometimes don't have it for months. It's not ectopic as I can have plenty of them. They just feel like very momentary recovery after physical activity. I had my first AFib at 39. The next was 7 years later which naturally cardioverted within 5 days. The next was a year later in 2018. Unfortunately I've had three more since the beginning of the year. I'm now 48. Cardiologist says this tends to be what happens. They start to come on more regularly. Be careful thinking caffeine and alcohol is OK. Sugar, Caffeine and Alcohol are triggers obviously not the cause though. I have been off all for over three years and recently discovered the I have become lactose intolerant or have a slight magnesium deficiency. My heart trace is practically perfect and I have no infrastructure issues. I take 1.25 mg Bisoporol in the morning and evening and have Flecanide as a PiP. Probably all connected to VAF for me too but practically impossible with knowledge so far to fathom. And probably best not to. I've done all I can to remove triggers and as told the AF will find a way through regardless but better to delay. I have a mild cerebral Hypertension that is normal on the Bisoporol, 120/70. I've recently started Mindfulness and Meditation and will be going on to Hypnosis to chill out. Cheers, Chris

[Ticktoc]

I get similar but also trapped wind pain after eating but the little electric shock tingles in chest don't seem to last long was diagnosed with a fib in Dec but don't seem to get much help re questions I've asked gp I am on Bisoprolol and Apixiban I worry about what effect these have with my copd meds as most say don't take this or don't take that not even a cardiologist or a fib specialist get more advice on here thankfully hope you stay well as your only young good luck