Firstly - apologies - this is a long one.
Hi I wonder if anyone can offer any advice please? Im a 36 year old mum of a 4 year old and Ive been suffering from heart palpitations for about the last 14 or so years. Im a non smoker and don’t drink any alcohol due to the palpitations. I have had a few 24 hour ecg monitors in the past, were the results showed sinus tachycardia but recently had an echocardiogram back in April this year as my palpitations have really been preventing me from exercising properly. The results showed that I have a heart murmur with trivial-mild central AR and mild posteriority directed MR. I also had a blood test that showed I was low in Vitamin D and calcium. From the results, I tried a low dose of bisoprolol to try to reduce the palpitations which seemed to work reasonably well but I had to come off the bisoprolol due to wanting to try for another child.
So I finished the bisporol around mid June and all summer haven’t had any major issues with heart palpitations at all. However the last 2 weeks or so, I’ve noticed a increase in what I call bad palpitation episodes. To the point where they started last night, continued overnight and this morning where my heart would put in a strong beat and then seem to skip the next, every 2-4 beats or so. Other that feeling tired and struggling a little to catch my breath or take a deep breath, Ive never passed out or fainted from them. I’ve ended up missing work today and trying to see a doctor as Im so upset and worried. Of course, anxiety makes the palpitations worse, but I just feel so helpless. I haven’t had such a bad spate of palpitations for a while and just find them so debilitating. I also feel really stupid and embarrassed when I experience them and have to stop doing something because of them. They seem to last for hours/days/weeks in varying degrees and I have totally changed my behaviour because of them. I feel very restricted by what I feel I’m comfortably capable of and also terrified that I have an underlying condition that could be very serious.
I would just be so grateful to find someway of coping with them. I don’t really seem to have a true diagnosis as to the cause of them as the heart murmur, I have been advised is unrelated to the cause of the heart palpitations. Should I insist that I be referred to a heart specialist for more testing? Is there more I can be doing with my diet to help? I would love to start an exercise plan, but whilst my Fitbit tells me my steps per day are pretty good, I’ve stopped going to the gym because Im scared of pushing myself. Also, the Fitbit doesn’t pick up my heart rhythm when the palpitations start so I never really know whats happening or when its triggered. Also are there any other medications that I could be prescribed that won’t effect a possible future pregnancy?
I have friends whose parents died of heart attacks very young and although It doesn’t run in my family, I have had family members who have died from heart attacks in later life.
Hi Lozcdoz, I'm 35 and have superventricular tachycardia. I think this is different to your condition as my palpitations come on at rest rather than with exercise generally. What did your GP say? I would insist on being referred to a cardiologist if you haven't been already. I have found with other health problems that you really have to fight your own corner with the NHS unfortunately. I would also suggest that it count the beats per minute when you have an event and go to A & E if it is a prolonged episode...the BHF helpline will be able to give you the guidelines to follow for your condition. When I have events my heart rate reaches 190 beats per minute and was told by the A & E doctor to go to the hospital if it lasts more than 30 minutes.
Thank you Daisy2311. My heart rate never seems to get really high, just generally when I start moving around and it reaches near 100 bpm, the palpitations start. However I can get them at rest too. I didn't get anywhere with my GP so I will call the BHF nurse for advice. Im thinking I need an exercise ECG to pick the palpitations up. Doctors said my sinus rhythm during the palpitations is level and normal so there is no need for referral
Im sorry to hear that you have had to fight to get a diagnosis. I think I may be looking to do the same! Best of luck to you and I can't tell you how reassuring it is to chat to someone who is going through similar experiences and coming up against the same kind of issues, so thank you again for taking the time to reply.