Discomfort in chest area

[bowie88]

I'm coping with PAF but does anyone feel like I do: i feel a 'discomfort' in my chest area, its hard to describe, it feels like it's 'trying' to flutter but doesn't start? Just a bit uncomfortable - i kinda feel it in my throat? I know what palpitations are like - they've been suppressed for 6 weeks so far by the bisoprolol. My HR is 50-60 at rest & my Kardia shows NSR. Am i being a hypochondriac?!

[pd63]

Could be discomfort from the bisoprolol, suggest contact your GP anyway

[jeanjeannie50]

I don't think you're a hypochondriac at all. Didn't you tell us a week ago that you had Covid? Could this possibly be affecting your heart, or is this something that has been going on longer?

[BobD Volunteer]

Not a hypochondriac at all but you must accept that AF causes heart anxiety and we become far too aware of what is going on in there when the vaste majority if non AF people never notice these things. Staying busy is the best solution though I do admit trying to sleep is often difficult.

[saulger]

Hello Bowie. I also have a tight feeling in my throat, even when in NSR. I also have days when the heart feels rock solid (can't explain the sensation), and others when I feel that it's "iffy" and I'm on the verge of an episode. Have you taken your blood pressure when you feel odd and when you feel heart-confident, to compare?

[Ppiman]

Chest discomfort is a source of anxiety that I can sympathise with. I was told that in some people, the throat (i.e. the oesophagus) naturally presses against the top of the heart and can perhaps create strange feelings or make the heartbeat feel more pronounced, possibly similar to what you describe?

Another source of chest discomfort can be from lower down, where the stomach sits below the diaphragm and where the oesophagus enters; acid here can cause problems, as can a hiatus hernia. This can cause feelings very much like heart issues, sometime travelling into the back.

Steve

[bowie88 in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Ppiman, that's interesting, especially as last night i had abdominal pain after a big meal, could well be acid. And i do have a hiatus hernia! Must eat smaller meals...

[Buffafly]

I get that, seems to be a little bunch of ectopics and makes you feel anxious it’s the start of something. The suggestions from others seem good.

[Auriculaire]

I get a feeling of constriction in my throat and upper chest when I go into afib. It is strongest at the beginning of the attack. Sometimes it is the only symptom I get and it prods me to check my pulse and use my Kardia.

[Jctga]

You might want to have your gallbladder checked out. I had similar symptoms and more heart irregularities before gall bladder removal. It was removed about 6 weeks after I had ablation and symptoms of chest discomfort that remained after ablation went away. I had always thought chest and throat discomfort were related to heart issues. May be worth checking out for you.

[Ppiman in reply to Jctga]

Can I ask whether the discomfort was on the left or right side with your gallstones?

Steve

[Jctga in reply to Ppiman]

It was more central.

[bowie88]

Thanks everyone for your replies, all interesting. Could well be ectopics, because i sent a recent Kardia ECG to my GP & he said it looked like Sinus Rhythm with an ectopic. I'll look into the gastro ideas as well because i do have problems with abdominal pain sometimes & i do tend to eat late at night...

[Cavalierrubie]

I have a hiatus hernia and gastric problems and you have described exactly the feelings that I get in my chest. Large meals make it worse of course. You are not a hypochondriac. I think we all get scared out of our wits at times with this monster and anyone saying otherwise is telling fibbies. I have to take acid reflux tablets which help but also I take liquid Gaviscon (bit expensive) but this usually gets rid of all of the flutters in my chest and throat.

[Karendeena]

Likely ectopics