Terrified please help.

[Glen76]

Hi I am new here and will try and explain my concerns in the shortest way possible.

I was told I had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy about 15 years ago and have been having it checked annually without any issues. Last week I was feeling a little pain in my chest, palpitations and other symptoms so I took myself to hospital. They kept me in for3 days running tests and discharged me after checking everything Was the same on my echo and ecg etc.

So I was discharged on Friday and Saturday night I lay down in bed and when I touched my chest my heart was going really fast then slow then jumping and it really scared me, woke up and same was happening. So I went back to the hospital and they said yes I have an irregular heartbeat and keep an eye on it and discuss it with my cardio doctor.

I am absolutely terrified by this and don’t know what to do or anything. It’s still irregular will it always be?, will I have a heart attack as it feels like it’s working really hard, is there anything I can do or take to help it? (When I was discharged on Friday they gave me beta blockers for the first time in my life, I asked if they have caused the irregularities but was told no.

Can anyone help or advise please? I’m sorry about the long post.

Thank you In advance.

[Shar28]

Hello, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear of how you’re feeling. A big change like this to your established hypertrophic cardiomyopathy must have been a huge shock. It’ll take time to get your head around, for your new medication to get to work and for things to settle down.

In respect of your betablockers and what they do there’s a good explanation on the BHF website. Basically they can help to steady your heart rate so if you have an irregular heart rate they should help. Here’s the link

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Being anxious is entirely natural and normal. But it doesn’t help our bodies steady down. If anxiety is troubling you talk to your GP. They can refer you for some help such as counselling and prescribe medication to help too, if appropriate.

You’re doing the right things getting checked out when you have symptoms and engaging with this forum for support. Follow up with your cardiologist. Get help from your GP too. Hopefully these actions will help your feeling of being terrified subside. The BHF and cardiomyopathy UK websites and nurse helplines are wonderful too. The numbers are on the websites.

All the best to you and your loved ones.

[Glen76 in reply to Shar28]

Thank you so much Shar28 that’s a massive help it really is. I will definitely read the links and follow your advice. I really appreciate your kind words and advice. I hope you and your family are safe and well.

[SarahJLD]

When are you due to see the cardiologist for your annual HCM review? Do you see the cardiologist at the same hospital that you’ve just been admitted to?

If appointment isn’t imminent I’d be tempted to email the cardiologists secretary and explain what has happened recently and ask that they contact you to discuss new symptoms and concerns.

[Glen76 in reply to SarahJLD]

Hi SarahJLD I am due to see him on the 25th of this month and no it is a different hospital. I didn’t think of emailing the secretary thank you so much.

[Tombstone in reply to Glen76]

Yes I had an irregular heartbeat, they put me on Bisoprolol a beta blocker which slows the pace of your heart down, I'm sure this will help you, and calm you down, because worry and anxiety is natural ,but it won't help your condition. And good luck on the 25th.

You'll get help and good advice on here because were all going through yours and our own problems.

Take Care.

[SarahJLD in reply to Glen76]

Do you have a yearly echo and ECG when you go for HCM check up? I do but am over due because of covid. If you don’t it I think it would be asking if secretary can request results from the hospital that you were recently admitted to.

HCM symptoms change as the disease evolves. I’ve had ‘episodes’ and then been stable for long periods before another episode. Last year I earned an angiogram for chest pain, no blocked arteries but it confirmed symptoms were HCM related. Increase in beta blockers and generally been ok since.

I’ve found Cardiomyopathy UK helpline supportive and also there is a HCM zoom support group this week that might be of some use to you.

[Stobban]

Yea, I have the exact same Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, its the better of the three and normally the only effects you have are palpitations, which you have. Unfortunately, the more they appear the more you worry. I am on Bisoprolol tablets which settles the palpitations and they work extremely well. Take the beta blockers as they will level your heart rate. Try not to worry too much but do get the palpitations seen to, the proper tablets will take care of that. Good Luck.

[Glen76 in reply to Stobban]

Thank you I am also taking a bisoprolol and I am hoping they work for me for the last 2 nights I haven’t been able to sleep even though I am really tired. My heart literally goes from beating normally for 10 seconds then really fast then a space and then slow and it’s really frightening. My wife felt it and said it feels like my heart is working really hard.

[Brandibell]

Hi, i have a dodgy heartbeat. Faulty electrics as I call it(LBBB). It back fires quite frequently and goes from 41- 145 throughout the day and bobs about. Most flutters are harmless. Palpitations only become serious when they go too high and last more than an hour. The majority of time it is caused from anxiety.

Beta blockers steady the pace but I have found they don't stop the flutters. I often cough when it goes out of sync(Tip)

It is a catch 22 the more they appear the more you panic, so I find the more I occupy myself the easier it is to cope with and when they do happen I tend to shout at it as if to say 'yes I know you are there now quit it' and carry on with the day. Take care.