Any ideas : I have have a couple of... - British Heart Fou...

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Any ideas

Sam32102 profile image
20 Replies

I have have a couple of episodes a year once every 2 months. I will be exercising normally a trigger and I will get like a thump feeling in my chest and my heart rate will race at 200+ beats per minute. I feel light headed and a bit breathless after 20 minutes it stops and goes back down. I feel exhausted after it. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas? I’ve had ECG 3times and came back clear

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Sam32102
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20 Replies

Sounds like Atrial fibrillation but needs checking out. Have they never given you a holter monitor?

Sam32102 profile image
Sam32102 in reply to

Yeah had it on for 24hrs and nothing came back! When I go to doctors they never seem to worried about it. Just when it happens it worse feeling.

in reply toSam32102

I’d see if you can get one that you wear for a longer period of time. 24 hours seems a bit useless given that you don’t get it so often!

Sam32102 profile image
Sam32102 in reply to

Yeh thanks for the reply

Maisiemay13 profile image
Maisiemay13 in reply toSam32102

Hi I had similar experience with 24hr monitor so went to see cardiologist privately and had a two week monitor this showed I had PAF.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toMaisiemay13

I went private at a certain point - made a total difference in diagnosis and treatment. Nothing against the NHS but sometimes private is the best way forward no matter what the condition being investigated.

Sam32102 profile image
Sam32102 in reply toSunnie2day

Yeh have been thinking that was it very expensive

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toSam32102

It is a bit pricey to see a private cardiologist (costs depend on locale) but worth it when a diagnosis is difficult to be found on the NHS. I'm retired and use a fair portion of my small private pension for health insurance so that helped a little.

A private cardiologist will find the problem then refer you back to the NHS with 'advisement' regarding diagnosis and recommended treatment.

Maisiemay13 profile image
Maisiemay13 in reply toSam32102

My appointment was £250 the two week ecg cost £600 but as I did not have any symptoms with my irregular heart beat it was worth every penny

Thecyclist profile image
Thecyclist

That's definitely not good especially with breathlessness and dizzy spells. I had a similar experience when out cycling, wearing a HR monitor and I felt a thump and palpitations and my HR went crazy and wouldn't come back down. I ended up in hospital with a hypertensive crisis.

I did have some tachycardia show on a 48hr tape but Echo came back all good so they didn't seem overly worried, had another 48 hr tape and nothing showed. However I keep having ectopics/palps and the odd run of fast beats, I told my consultant as I am concerned and am now awaiting a 7 day tape and if that is inconclusive I will hopefully get a loop recorder fitted. Have also been diagnosed with High BP/LVH which is now under control, however I am no longer cycling.

I would keep on at the doctor, have you had an echocardiogram done ? What is your Blood Pressure like? What about blood tests etc? Are you under a consultant/cardiologist or just the GP?

Sam32102 profile image
Sam32102 in reply toThecyclist

Hi

Thanks for reply I have not had an echocardiogram! Blood pressure is perfect doc says ! All blood test and ECGs have come back clear! i haven’t seen anyone recently as seem to get there’s nothing to worry about but I think I’m going to go back and request I see someone! I train every day and I haven’t had anything happen for around 4 months just the odd ectopic beat.

Lucymoo profile image
Lucymoo in reply toSam32102

I had similar incidents over 10 years they have recently got more frequently and a recent ecg over 5 days ended with a diagnosis of PSVT awaiting to see a cardiologist. Thought not to be life threatening but at increased risk of stroke so keep at your gp I didn’t.

Fazerboy profile image
Fazerboy

Hi, this sounds similar to what I had. My hr would suddenly go from say 80 to 160 then after a while it would drop straight back down. Because it only happened say once every couple of weeks it was almost impossible to record it. I’m a cyclist and use a garmin cycle computer and a hr chest strap. This proved to me that my hr was causing issues. I actually found that if I lay on my back it would reset. Eventually I was given a loop recorder and this showed that I had svt (avnrt). I had an ablation in October and have been ok since.

Sam32102 profile image
Sam32102

Thanks for reply it only happens if I am exercising particularly hard? Did you find it same or does yours do it when at rest

Palpman profile image
Palpman in reply toSam32102

My ectopics and short runs of SVT and AF always occur upon exertion and even tying my shoelaces. Sitting or lying down will ease them off.

oggy0 profile image
oggy0

As other have said, I would definitely be going back to GP/Cardiology to ask for either a much longer Holter of 1-2weeks or an implanted loop recorder. I had the later in for around a year and it confirmed just ectopic beats and no AF in my case. Once it was taken out I was then monitored annually with an echo & ecg due to my dad and grandad's medical history.

Do you have any family history of cardiac issues...if so that could help convince them it's worth further investigation?

Sam32102 profile image
Sam32102 in reply tooggy0

Yeh I will definitely ask the question!

Lilypocket profile image
Lilypocket

Hi

Maybe ask your cardiologist for an exercise test (I think I understood it started while you were exercising?). You will be monitored and they will be able to see what is happening while you are making an effort i.e. if your tachycardia is set off while you are cycling or running on the spot. Are you taking any medication?

Take care

😊

Sam32102 profile image
Sam32102 in reply toLilypocket

Yeh might be worth asking ! No medication at all

Lilypocket profile image
Lilypocket in reply toSam32102

Great!

Yep I would ask if it hasn't been suggested .

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