EP STUDY NORMAL....CONFUSED

Hello

I'm 37 and always been physically fit and well. 2 years ago I was running and suddenly felt a "thump" in my chest then my HR went up and I had pain in my chest, left arm and neck. It made me feel quite unwell. I told my GP who referred me to cardiologist. These episodes happen whenever my hR goes above 140. I had all the usual tests then yesterday went in for an electrophysiology study. The specialist told me that my electrics in my heart were all normal....which is great. Problem is when they set my heart off it didn't feel anything like it does when I exercise. I know it's positive that I don't have an electrical issue but now I'm worried I'll just be labelled as being anxious!

Any thoughts?

[Hidden]

Hello there - it doesn't sound like a typical anxiety attack. Although they can come on very randomly, it's rare during exercise when your mind is more focussed on the task at hand. It's great that your EP studies were normal, but definitely important they get to the bottom of what's happening. It might be worth, if you haven't already, chatting to your doctor about having an exercise ECG bhf.org.uk/heart-health/tes... to see if anything comes up when you're exercising organically rather than stimulating your heart with drugs in the EP studies. They may also want to consider a cardiac MRI scan bhf.org.uk/heart-health/tes...

Take care, Chris

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi I've had a stress ECG which found my HR suddenly elevated and also an mri which showed all coronary arteries etc clear and unblocked. The EP study paced my heart and sent it racing but didn't mimic the thump or the pain and sudden HR increase. I have LBBBut because my arteries etc are clear there was no concern. It's frustrating because these episodes wipe me out. I only suffer anxiety after an even not before but according to the EP I'll just have to live with it even though these episodes cause me to collapse

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

It sounds v unnerving. Could you ask for a 24 hr heart monitor, and go running as usual? Hope it all gets explained.

[Hidden in reply to Kristin1812]

I've had an event monitor on where you press the button when an event occurs. I've also had ct scan and mri plus stress test. It showed sinus tach and lbb but they couldn't catch the thump before it all kicks off

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I'm not sure of all the methods, and it sounds as if the Cardio brains are working on it. They were convinced the electrics of mine contributed in some way, so in the end I had a Reveal device implanted (not a pacemaker, but same size and implanted same place, over the heart). It's a bit of a faff, but it would catch the whole of your events. A device you download, by phone, so your electrics can be analysed in the Cardiac Dept.