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not sure what is going on

Manyou7 profile image
40 Replies

hi there

I have not been yet diagnosed with a heart condition but I am seeing the cardiologist on the 14th February

For as far as I can remember I can always remember my heart beating quick for a long time after I’d finished football…

Recently in the last 2-3 weeks Iv really struggled … Iv been to AnE with chest heaviness and just felt tired and sweaty when I walking just like 5 minutes… the ecg and bloods came back ok at the hospital but I no there is a lot more that can be going on.. Iv had to take a sick note of work and am struggling with my little boy because of the strange feelings I am having … the doctor is saying it’s stress and anxiety but it just feels like something is really wrong… I don’t no what I was expecting from posting on here but I just don’t know who to talk to about things so just wondering if anyone had similar experiences or if it sounded like anything anybody had been through

Many thanks

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Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7
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40 Replies
Tos92 profile image
Tos92

I’m sorry to hear about what you’re are going through. It can’t be easy with having to look after a little boy.

As your appointment is a couple of months away, it might be wise to contact your GP and see if they can refer you for a holter monitor. A holter monitor is a small device which is attached to you for a certain amount of time which records your heartbeats. As you describe your heartbeat as being quick, this can pick up on any abnormal heart rhythms. An echocardiogram is also useful to check the size of your heart and its structure in heart rhythm issues or disorders.

Do you have any way of recording your own heart rate at home? Maybe a smart watch or an oximeter? This can help you keep your own log of your heart rate and present it to your GP or cardiologist.

It is hard to ignore heartbeats that feel irregular once we become aware of them however, most of the time they can be harmless, especially if they are ectopic beats.

If however, you have chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms present with your fast heart rate, do not hesitate to go to the hospital again or call 111.

All the best.

Tos

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toTos92

Thanks for the reply

It’s the 14th of this month so it’s like a week tuesday.. Iv been taking propanarol so it has been lowered … just been feeling really grim and the constant worry is really draining isn’t it and it just makes your feel horrendous… Iv just constant chest tightness even when I’m like sat up at the computer typing and I’m forever wondering is it my heart etc … I was going through a stage of setting my alarm through the night in case I didn’t wake up as stupid as that sounds … just a complete mess at the moment 😞

Tos92 profile image
Tos92 in reply toManyou7

Oh I see. You had put the 14th February but if it’s this month, then that’s even better. It sounds like you are really going through it at the moment. Anxiety can increase the heart rate, so do be mindful of this, and so can a lack of sleep which seems like you are struggling with at the moment. Have you tried any natural ways of lowering your heart rate and anxiety such as meditation, breathing exercises, perhaps going for a walk if you can manage that? I find that walking helps with my anxiety.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toTos92

Does it ? Iv found when Iv gone walking particularly uphill Iv really started sweating so I think that’s made me worry and not do it … guess the anxiety and stress can do that also but in my mind I’m thinking it’s because the heart can’t cope .. I no it sounds crazy … I was playing football about 3 weeks ago I had like a squeezing in my shoulder I could breath etc but it was just strange and I didn’t no what it was … it’s tough isn’t it 😫

Tos92 profile image
Tos92 in reply toManyou7

Manyou7 try and take it easy before your appointment. It’s just under 2 weeks away and hopefully your cardiologist will order tests to rule out issues with your heart. If there are lifestyle changes you can make in the time-being, such as reducing smoking if you’re a smoker, drinking alcohol, and losing weight if you need to can also help in the interim.

Let us know how your appointment goes.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toTos92

Yeh will try thanks

I’m normally really active play a lot of football and walking but just well of it so just been staying in really reading and watching tv hopefully he will do some stuff on the day to see if anything’s going on

Thanks

Avagra profile image
Avagra in reply toManyou7

Are you on the computer for a good length of time because chest pain can easily arise from muscles through poor posture

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toAvagra

Hiya

No not really just seems my chest is really tight whenever I doing any activity

I was at the play centre other day with my lad took him up a few flights of stairs and started sweating a lot … since then Iv hardly moved out of my room just in a really bad place

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7

also Iv just no appetite so then I’m thinking that’s another reason really strange

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

So sorry to hear what your struggling with at the moment! I hope your appointment on 12th goes well and that they can help get you some answers, it does sound like something especially with the loss of appetite with the other symptoms. I have my appointment with cardiologist on 21st a week after you. Let us know how your appointment goes x

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toYumz199725

Thankyou hope yours does to ! Yeh something isn’t right just not sure what ! Just worrying isn’t it when your not sure what’s going on x

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

Thanks I hope so too! I really hope you find out what's making you feel so rough. Yeah it's so worrying makes all sorts of things go through your head! x

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toYumz199725

Yeh just been in bed last few days keep thinking to go to a n e but they can’t really do much they say

Hope you have a good day

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply toManyou7

Yeah they can't do much for people with complex heart issues it's a night mare honestly everytime I go! Sorry to hear you can't get any help, your appointment will come soon and hopefully that will shed some light on what's making you feel like this! ❤️

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toYumz199725

Thanks a lot 👍🏻👍🏻

Silvertail profile image
Silvertail

I have similar symptoms and have had them for many years. Mine is caused by microvascular dysfunction, which is hard to diagnose. Some cardiologists don't seem to consider this as a cause of chest pain.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toSilvertail

Ah ok did you get that diagnosed when you went to see the cardiologist? Suppose it’s hard for the gp isn’t it if the normal bloods etc are normal

Silvertail profile image
Silvertail in reply toManyou7

Yes. After I had an episode of takotsubo, I still was having chest pain on exertion. He sent me for a stress echo and said the results were positive. However some time later I mentioned it to another cardiologist and he just shrugged his shoulders. Obviously they don't all think alike.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toSilvertail

Yes that’s it was thinking of going back to a n e today but just feel like like they will say wait for the cardiologist

Collectone profile image
Collectone

Hi .Has your GP checked for thyroid problems or anemia.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toCollectone

Hi

Yes both of those weee normal the gp said

Hi, I've had a recent stent in my LAD. I'm 50 fit and it was a shock. My symptoms were tachycardia attack twice. But I was getting chest pain a lot. I wasn't tired but I had a horrible feeling of dred and feeling of impending doom!! Not pleasant. I luckily had an Angiogram and had a 85% blockage in my LAD. I was very lucky.

I'm on blood thinners now and it's been three months since stent and all good.

Please go to A@E and get checked again

My bloods and ECG were normal too as they dont show up chest pain. They show up if you had a heart attack. But you want it sorted before anything happens.

Get checked

I'm not trying to worry you as you sound very stressed anyway but I'm just telling you my experience.

Take care

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply to

Ah ok thanks

How did you get the angiogram done ? Is that something you could request ?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toManyou7

An angiogram is very invasive and would only be done if it was essential. There are other tests that need to be done first like a holter monitor which records your heart for 24 hours or an echo scan which can look at the blood flow in the same way as an ultra sound works or a stress test on a treadmill. Your GP could have arranged a monitor or treadmill test. An angiogram which involves putting a wire through your arteries would only be done if they suspect a blockage. You do right by insisting on tests but if it does happen to be all caused by anxiety would you be willing to accept that diagnosis? Or would you carry on worrying even if told your heart is fine? I suffer from health anxiety and I know how real the symptoms can be yet I do now have heart disease and had a heart attack . It's terribly difficult to know which is causing what.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toQualipop

No I no what your saying there I think I would accept the diagnosis of the cardiologist… suppose it’s a case of waiting to see the cardiologist isn’t it

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toManyou7

It is because it would now take the GP as long to arrange any tests.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toQualipop

Ok Thankyou

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toQualipop

It’s really strange mine it’s like a heaviness on the top of the left of my chest like near the clavicle … it seems to come and go.. just frustrating because just going on a twenty minute walk today I didn’t feel right at all … seem to have this heaviness/uncomfortable feeling when I’m sat or lay down … just completely lost my appetite to and unsure if that’s because somethings going on or an anxiety thing

Did you have anything similar ?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toManyou7

I get all sorts of things; pain between my breasts, breathlessness, front neck aching below clavicle, under left breast. My GP's very good and this year has sent me for holter monitor and echo scan and just this last Friday, a doppler scan to check the circulation in my legs because I have tightness in both ankles and it feels like dragging two lumps of lead around. When I had the heart attack they found two more blockages at 64 % where they said blood was flowing freely so they didn't stent them. So with every new problem I wonder whether those blockages may have got worse. All the tests were negative so I have to assume I have nerve damage from my spine and I get referred pain. I have 5 disc problems, a spine slipped out of line, scoliosis,severe arthritis in both shoulders knees and hips and a nerve trapped that affects my whole left leg , abdomen and lower spine. I Know my GP's not a magician or psychic so we can only guess at what's causing problems and rule out things with tests. I'm due a lung function test soon because my breathlessness isn't heart. I suspect my chest/back muscles are in spasm and don't let my lungs expand fully but we may never know. I've finally persuaded myself to get what tests I can and just put up with it. What will be will be.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toQualipop

Yeh that sounds like a plan

How old are you if you don’t mind me asking ? I think I might go back to a n e today as the heaviness is really uncomfortable

Been feeling sick too and really sweaty when doing anything

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toManyou7

Hahahaha, I'm 75 but have been putting up with this since I was 38. If it's really bothering you do go to A&E. Good luck

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toQualipop

Thankyou

Going to try and relax watch some tv if things get worse I will go

Like you say sometimes you need to stop worrying don’t you and just say what will be will be

Hope you have a nice evening

Like you said see what tests the cardio guy does and be satisfied the ones Iv had so far were normal

Deejay62 profile image
Deejay62

Hi sorry to hear how you’re feeling. The good thing is you’ve got an appointment to see a cardiologist, usually it’s difficult to see one unless there are suspicions regarding your symptoms and tests and they need a second opinion from a specialist. Try not to worry until you see the cardiologist, they should be able to explain more to you or suggest you having further tests. Let us know how you get on. All the best.

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toDeejay62

Thanks for the message 👍🏻👍🏻

piggybank1 profile image
piggybank1

I don’t want to make you feel any more anxious but I had symptoms of being breathless and aches in my chest. I was told by my go nothing to worry about but went for ecg which was clear. But the clinician suggested I should have an additional test on a treadmill. This test showed I had heart failure. Left side EF 38%. I know doctors are busy but only you know how you feel - push for a further check up and good luck

JaneFinn profile image
JaneFinn

Feel for you Manyou, I know how worrying heart (or potential heart) related symptoms can be.

I just wanted to say that when you have your appointment with the cardiologist, in my experience it will really help if you have a written list of all your symptoms that you can get him/her to look at. I find it can be easy to get sidetracked from saying some of the things I really want them to hear, and then afterwards the anxiety is still there because I haven’t managed to mention a symptom that worried me!

The same goes for all the questions you want to ask him/her - and now is a good time to be compiling them in advance of the appointment.

I don’t suppose there’s a chance you’ve had or got a virus, have you? ( I’m just thinking that some of the symptoms you mention could be linked with a viral illness.)

But it’s always better to be safe than sorry - if you feel you need to get seen, then I’d say ring 111 (who would send you to A&E) or go to A&E. Once you’ve seen the cardiologist and had more tests, he/she might well reassure you that another time this is not necessary, which would be good news. But in the meantime you don’t have that kind of reassurance, so don’t let fear of what they might say put you off going. It’s your life, and only you know how you’re feeling.

Please do let us know how you’re doing, and how you get on with the cardiologist. Take care, Jx

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7 in reply toJaneFinn

Thanks Jane for the response… Iv not had any viral conditions or anything I can think of… yes that is a good idea about writing it all down.. I am going to go back to my GP tomorrow and just tell him about the worry and distress… I don’t no what they will say but I don’t no what else to do …

Thanks again for your advice

JaneFinn profile image
JaneFinn in reply toManyou7

That’s a great idea about explaining it all to your GP. I hope they’re helpful and understanding xx

Manyou7 profile image
Manyou7

so frustrating Iv been back to a n e twice still getting proper chest pains woke up with palpitations shivering and they say all they can do is the ecg and blood test

Even though Iv got the cardiologist on Tuesday it seems to long of

Iv got real heaviness around my chest and shoulders no appetite stomach pains too

Feel like I’ll only get seen when it’s to late they say at a n e they can only do certain tests just find it all a bit mad

Like you I had ECGs which came back ok at GPs and hospital after suffering palpitations, but real diagnosis and treatment only happened after emergency hospital admission so maybe ask your GP if you can get 24 hour ECG to monitor heart rate prior to February so they have more to go on?

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