Irregular heartbeat etc

[M-o-ggy]

I have an irregular heart beat which fluctuates from 50 to 130 and sometimes higher. I go through phases where I miss beats - up to 10 beats a min and my pulse can vary from strong and steady to very faint. I also get a wobbly feeling in my chest. This has been going on for a year or so but seems to be worse recently.

I had 24hohrs of a little machine that tracked my heart. The doctor wasn’t very concerned but said as it seems to be a regular thing did I want to have a similar thing for a week

I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions

PS. About 4 years ago I had an episode that my doctor made small of. She called it a palpitation. It took me nearly two years to get over it. ( a friend who had exCtly the same symptoms was diagnosed with a heart attack)

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Do a week's monitor as it might explain more. Also what meds are you on?

[IanMK]

I agree with Michael. Some cardiologists don’t bother with a 24hour monitor. If your heart only dances the Tango once every couple of days it may not be seen by the monitor. Much better to leave for a week and there is a much greater chance of recording the issue.

[M-o-ggy in reply to IanMK]

No meds for the heart. Sinimet for Parkinson’s. It does the Tango most days. How worried should I be

[IanMK in reply to M-o-ggy]

Palpitations are not dangerous although I understand if they cause you anxiety. It just means that you are aware of your own heart beats and many people experience this. Similarly, missing beats and extra beats are quite normal. This is nothing to worry about. It sounds as though your doctor is being thorough if you are being asked if you want to wear a monitor for a week. I would recommend that you accept the offer if only for your own peace of mind.

[M-o-ggy in reply to IanMK]

I have only had one palpitation as the Doctor called . My heart was going so fast I couldn’t keep count and when I looked down my chest / breasts(lol dare I mention them) were actually moving. It was a weekend. If it ever (hope not) happens again I shall be on to 999 immediately

[Hidden]

Palpitations, although unpleasant, are not necessarily something to worry about in and of themselves. Equally, a variable heart rate is also not a definitive symptom of a cardiac problem, and lots of people experience skipped and ectopic beats. I have a relatively minor heart condition (linked to ectopic beats, funnily enough), and have been on medication to lower my hr due to it for the last 9 years, but I find that I can still go from a resting hr in the 60s to well over 120-130bpm just walking the 8ft from the sofa to the kettle. Even holding a conversation can make me technically tachycardic: I’m in my mid 30s, and relatively well and fit. A 7 day halter in December picked up my rate jumping about, and I experienced the bounding (very forceful) palpitations that at times are enough to wake me up whilst wearing it, but it was deemed normal - after the halter, an echo, and a couple of spotcheck ecgs, I’ve been told that it’s just something my body does. It’s a lot easier to live with and a lot less anxiety provoking having had some tests - annoying rather than terrifying.

If I were you, I would absolutely have the 7 day monitoring - if that comes back normal despite enduring symptoms, that’s a solid indicator that you’re not experiencing an arrhythmia. With regards to the similarities with your friend, have you had any blood tests? Specifically, have they checked your troponin levels? If so, that will have confirmed whether or not you’ve had a prior heart attack. In the meantime, if you’re experiencing palpitations and feel in any way otherwise unwell (e.g. faint, nauseous, jaw/arm pain, a crushing sensation in the chest etc.) then don’t be afraid to seek emergency assistance to rule out something serious - it’s always better to be safe than sorry. That said, you do eventually have to reach a point of acceptance if after all the tests nothing untoward has been found. As an aside, I know very little about Parkinson’s beyond the basics, and I’m in no way medically qualified, but a very brief google would suggest that palpitations and flutters are not uncommon with the condition? It could be that this isn’t so much a cardiac issue as it is a symptom of your PD.

Good luck and I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Thank you for coming back on the medication. My late mother had Parkinsons and in her latter years she could only tolerate Madopar. Sinemet has been known to cause palpitations. It is worth raising this with your GP. I find that most in the medical profession treat the condition but not the person when many have multiple conditions.

[gal4God]

The ps u wrote tells me u need to ask for a different cardiologist