Palpitations, sudden rapid heart rate, dizziness

[Lau5]

Hi all, newbie here 🖐🏻

It’s been great reading posts for similar symptoms! Although it’s not good, it’s been comforting reading about people in the same boat ... and I’m not going mad as some Drs made me believe!

Reposting as the original got deleted due to what I thought the cause was! It all started Aug last year. I’ve been experiencing constant palpitations/skipping beats, I can feel my heart pumping 24/7, I get sudden spells of rapid heart rate (sometimes up to 160/170 resting) which brings dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, chest discomfort, breathlessness, body spasms. This usually happens in the evening or at night whilst trying to sleep or when I’m asleep. It usually lasts around 30 minutes before my heart rate comes down and then I can feel rough/fatigued for days after. I don’t remember the last time I had more than 4 hours sleep. I’ve been in A&E multiple times but now I just wait for it to pass. I was put on Bisoprolol but after 4 months they were making me feel worse.

All tests, bloods, ECG, 24 hour monitor have all been normal.

Anxiety has been mentioned to me but I really don’t believe this is the case, I have a lovely life with no real stress.

I’ve now been to a private Cardiologist and he has been brilliant! I have an echocardiogram booked for this weekend so fingers crossed it can bring some light to the situation.

Any advise, positivity or similar experiences I’d love to hear. I’m only 30, fit and healthy so I just feel I need to get it sorted.

(Sorry for the essay 🙈)

[Rubyrose85]

Hi there,

I had a friend with a similar thing, in her 20’s. Went to the doctors over and over being told everything is fine. One day she ended up in hospital for something else and they happen to catch it on the heart monitor. It turns out she had an extra heart beat (PVC). She had a small operation through her groin artery, so not too invasive, and is now totally fine.

[Hidden]

Hi, eventually I find someone experiencing similar problems to me! I have been suffering with palpatations and irregular heart beats/ectopic beats etc over the past 2 years and had many test from ecg, echocardiogram,exercise test,24 hour heart monitor and blood test.

I've been diagnosed with bradycardia mild left ventricular hypertrophy and mild mitral valve regurgitation and have been taking 1.25mg of bisoprolol since.

Over the last 2 months I have been in A&E twice, 1st time around 6 wks ago while at work my pulse dropped to 38 feeling lightheaded, fatigued and terrible body shakes which last around an hour. Eventually blue lighted to A&E and after 8 hours i was discharged after everything settled down.

Then last week my cardiologist took me off bisoprolol to see what my heart rate drops too without taking any meds saying they may fit a pacemaker if it stays low.

Last Friday while at my gp having a 24 hour blood pressure monitor fitted my heart rate went to 180 with high blood pressure which I don't suffer with so I was sent to A&E again to get checked out for Afib.

Again I had terrible body shakes while there but all test came back ok and I was sent home after 8 hours?.

Currently waiting for a 3 day monitor but since coming off bisoprolol my heart rate shoots up and down, my chest hurts and the palpatations are constant.

I feel a bit confused it can't be all in my head i know my own body and like you I was asked do I suffer with anxiety??? No I don't I try to get on with things but this is now baffling.

I hope you get some answers soon and I will keep you posted on any news when i find out more.

Good luck

Regards

Taz71.

[jeanjeannie50]

There is a forum on Health Unlocked for people with your symptoms. It may be an idea to copy your post there too:

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

It sounds like you may have atrial fibrillation/flutter or tachycardia.

Jean

[GADUXA]

I used to have same episodes, it turned out as General Anxiety Disorder and Panix Disorder. Now it is OK.

[Rosie-45]

Hi, I've had a very similar history to you which started last October , from what you said I'm guessing it was the same cause 🙄 . I was fit, healthy, athletic and had to take a couple of months off work, after never having a day off sick in 10+ years. I saw a private cardiologist who said he's seeing this pattern in many patients and put me on ivabradine 2.5mg twice a day and aspirin 75mg daily which improved symptoms almost immediately with virtually no side effects and no lowering of bp (mine is already low so I was keen to avoid beta blockers) 6 months on and I'm back to work and swimming/going on long walks again. I still have to pace myself and struggle with sleep if I do too much - leading to further fatigue and re-emerging of symptoms but I can manage it a lot better. I'm also using b12 oral spray which has been a game changer with the fatigue, I now have heaps more energy (even though my bloods for b12 were normal). Please believe this will pass and you will get better. Rest as much as you can and be kind to yourself. All the best x

[LenC]

I booked myself into the emergency ward at a private establishment a couple of decades ago with a, then measured, heart rate varying 220- 250 bpm. The ER doctor worked his magic and with the rate receding I was admitted, and was examined by my cardiologist the next day. ECG was done and I was prescribed Felodipine-Hexal 10mg, which is basically for angina, but I have only had a few episodes of increased heart rate a few time over the years. Over indulging in my favourite spicy dishes seems to be a trigger as is strenuous activity in hot, humid weather. I have lately had some vertigo attacks, which caused a faster heart rate. When I feel this coming on I take a Felodipine and that seems to help. I am also on Bisoprolol 5mg. for HBP. I have a multistage treadmill test and a cardiac examination + doppler+ doppler colour mapping once a year. Let us members know of the outcome after your echo. Good luck. (71yo)

[PeterGabriel]

Has your cardiologist mentioned atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat? I have it, though it's currently under control, fingers crossed. Your experiences and symptoms sound very similar to mine when they first appeared. AF is hard to diagnose if it comes and goes, but maybe your cardio should set you up with a heart monitor for a week that you wear under your clothes.

[Crazyface]

Although I am a bit older than you, the symptoms you mention are almost identical to what I experienced for eighteen months.

I was also 'running to A&E' - six times in total and was on Bisoprolol. I started on 1.25 and the dosage was ratcheted-up to 10, at one stage. I could not tolerate it and reduced it on my own to 5, 2.5 in the am, and 2.5 pm.

I then got put on the list for an ablation, which was carried out 29 Nov last year - on the run-up I further cut my Bisoprolol to 2.5. It meant more and longer episodes, but with the procedure to look forward to, I managed to cope, and it was worth it.

The ablation has been wonderful - I am reborn. No more SVT and no more Bisoprolol and Edoxaban. I was visited by the professor who did the procedure approximately one hour afterwards, and he told me that I could stop the medication immediately. It was wonderful and I have not looked back.

Please push for an ablation - it will change your life.

Finally, can I say that when I first started getting the palpitations I was quite afraid all the time - but over time my confidence grew - I knew they were not going to kill me. Breathing exercises helped me during episodes - breath in and make the breathe-out much longer through pursed lips.

All the very best - you will get there.

[Pollypuss]

Strangely for the last week I was having strange heart beats I Tried my wrist and sure enough one in six beats was odd. So rang the doctor when I thought it was getting really bad because I am always in denial . Anyway they had me in for an ecg and they could not find anything and it went away. I think it was brought on by stress and more stress when I was worried about it. I cannot fathom why we can have these strange episodes …and then they go away. I have read acres about the gastro cardiology syndrome which seems to make sense especially the brilliant cardiologist from York on utube who explains it so well. However anything odd that persists is worth making sure you don’t let it go.

[Healthy64]

Hi Lau5I would suggest you get checked out by an endocrinologist as well get screened for any suspicious adrenal or hormone related issues

You may be describing runs of tachycardia induced by abnormal activity in adrenals etc

You may be asked to complete 24 hr urine tests to screen out possible Phaeo activity

I had similar experiences and it took almost 6 years to diagnose there are a lot of conditions that can impact the heart - do check your blood pressure for a while say am mid day and evening

Also when you get those runs with me heart rate went to 228 -248 then 272 plus the bp like 220 -240 over 110 -130 but if strong surge then 278/145 caught in hospital

Keep a diary and look for patterns eliminate caffeine for a while ie see if your foods or other things reveal a pattern like no rises in evening

Collecting data will greatly help doctors narrow the problem down

I now know I have Phaeochromocytoma a rare condition both adrenal glands - bi-lateral and tumour on Pulmonary artery

You can use the modified Valsalva technique to slow those fast heart runs

Lie down raise your knees a bit take a breath and bear down - like straining with bowel movement then if possible get someone to raise your legs and hold up at approx 40-45 degrees

Watch you no fall with heart rate slowing as well - this protects the heart and avoids stroke as well

Look up Vagus nerve and Vagal manoeuvres on utube

Consult with doctor as you can't do a lot of these max say 3 over 15-20 mins as might feel a bit faint doing this

However it works

Good luck I hope you get seen by not just cardiologist but also endocrinologist as our body is a complex system dependent on hormone regulation much more than we realise

Don't be put off the answer will be revealed eventually

Regards

[HenningLob]

Hi for info regardgin Bisoprolol. MY husband was on bisoprolol 3.75 mg after OHS and after he had regained fitness they said he did not need it anymore. They said he had been given it as after heart surgery everything needs to calm down and bisoprolol helps with this. Since his OHS and being given a metallic aortic valve he has suffered constantly with being aware of the thudding sensation of the valve and finds the valve very troublesome. A month or so ago, nearly three years after his OHS the Dr got him to try low dose 1.25 mg Bisoprolol to see if it would make any difference but it didn't so he came off it. I am glad to hear you have a good Cardiologist. It really helps if you feel listened to and my someone who is also efficient and takes action. I hope you can get to the root of your heart issues and resolve them.

[Hephzibar]

Morning all! I think I am joining your club!!Just had a night with a faster pounding heart for no obvious reason. I have suffered from a fast heart rate and palpitations/ ectopic beats for years now, but no cause ever seems to be found!!Last year had ? Panic attack and was thoroughly checked out with ECGs, holter test and echocardiogram with no obvious issues except for a few runs of SVTs. Everything settle down and then I added a grumbling gall bladder into the equation.

Then out of the blue I had a pre syncope attack - fast pulse and raised BP, so GP put me through the TIA clinic! No neuro symptoms and carotid arteries clear thankfully, Had a further pre syncope attack whilst lying in bed, but managed it better.

Now I am having vague lightheaded feelings - and I don’t know whether everything is connected or just due to possible side effects from the Atovastatin that I have just been started on. I was on Bisoprolol for a few days but the TIA clinic stopped it as my pulse was back to it normal 80 - 90 bpm.

GP is reviewing me in a couple of weeks on the recommendation of the TIA clinic.

I am tired anyway , but all this is just so tiring!!

[Windmill6]

hI, I had similar symptoms to you but am much older.

After lots of blood tests I was finally diagnosed with Conns disease (endocrine disorder) showing as very low potassium levels which was causing the heart palpitations. I hope you get some answers.

[Chelston]

Hi, I sympathise with your position. I am 65 and work full time as a Civil Engineer. I suffered a syncopal attack whilst driving last December and then proceeded to have all the tests imaginable. I also had inconclusive tests and now have an implanted loop recorder. I have more recently developed angina symptoms and seen the results from my earlier tests which appear to me as pretty conclusive, but two Cardiologists seem unable to reach agreement on a diagnosis. I am now potentially facing the prospect of genetic tests. How your life can change so quickly! Hope you get some clear guidance soon. Best

[Hidden in reply to Chelston]

Yes I agree how quickly life changes. I think that is the hard bit, to except it mentally. You plod along thinking everything OK and then bang. You are in other people hands and waiting for answers. I hope you get sorted.

[Pinkpoodle123]

I am experiencing similar. I’ve just spent 4 days in hospital after a horrible experience. I’ve been having palpitations and a high pulse rate but on Friday I was extremely dizzy, faint, heart going crazy, couldn’t feel my arms legs and face, could hardly speak, the colour drained from me. All tests clear, waiting for an echo and 24 hour monitor. In the mean time I’m still having palpitations and am constantly scared. I’m 38, don’t smoke, hardly drink, healthy weight. X

[Contra21 in reply to Pinkpoodle123]

Irregular ectopic beats?