worried about my heart

[Lorrainess]

Hello,

Id welcome any input.

Since yesterday, i've had an irregular heartbeat, tingly and strange sensations everywhere in my body, head, elbows legs, chest. It started out in the fingers, hands, toes, feet this is where it seems to be strongest, particularly in my right fingers and can feel painful at times. Breathlessness, dizzyness.

This is around the third time this has happened, roughly within 1 year, 2 years, i cant be clearer to be honest.

The last time this happened, i had these symptoms every day for around a month , Particularly my right finger, it had extreame tingly painful and numb sensation for many months.

Everytime , the doctors have aid my heart beat is fine, blood pressure normal. Ive had the 24 hour heart monitor, which was normal.

Its very uncomfortable, the thought of having this for a month again is very distressing as i cant get to sleep properly and im worried.

Ive seen the doctor today. He said i can have blood tests and ECG on 28th December. He also said i could buy a monitor to check my heart at home.

I drink and smoke a lot, and have other illnesses which mean i cant exercise. Just my daily tasks are my exercise.

Any thoughts or advice would be very welcomed. Also on which heart monitor to buy.

Many thanks Lorraine

[Happyrosie]

hello Lorrainess. Well, you sound in a bit of stress. What do you mean by “heart monitor?” Do you mean a blood pressure monitor? One that fits to your upper arm is best. Boots sell them.

Other than that. You say you drink and smoke a lot and don’t exercise. Have you thought about walking a bit? Walking in the open air is so good for you, especially if you can get to a park or some woods. Walking allows you to think about things deeply, not worrying just getting your mind in order. While you walk you can practice some breathing exercises too.

You are under the care of a doc who is looking after you. So hang in there, lots of good breathing, think about how you might improve your nutrition and drink lots of water, and let us know how you get on.

[devonian186]

I think you know that we will say to cut down on your drinking and cut out the smoking. Does this also suggest you may be a bit overweight and unfit. So some light walking and cutting back a bit on those unhealthy things without causing you un needed stress

[Deejay62]

hi Lorrainess, firstly I’m going to tell you that you do need to try and give up smoking. I always suffered from an arrhythmia of my heart Supra ventricular tachycardia (SVT). As a 16yr old there was smoking in the office and sometimes I use to join in. In my early 20s I began feeling ill waking at night with my heart racing and all kinds of feelings. I went to my doctor who told me to stop smoking or it will continue. Once I did those feelings went. I’ve never drank alcohol because I found that made me feel the same. I might have a shandy and that’s about it. Now I’m on tablets I find anything alcohol gives me heartburn.

I think maybe your doctor is talking about a kardia machine or such like device. It gives traces of your heart etc and you can do print outs or send it to the doctors. I don’t use them I have a pacemaker that does all that but there are some on here who does. Maybe you can post about that or someone might come along and see this post.

All the best

[Chinkoflight]

It seems to me you are identifying lots of big problems (co-morbidity) and some new problems which can be summarised as peripheral neuropathy. You are being seen by your GP who probably knows you, is offering good support and also some reassurance too. Those symptoms can arise so many ways including sitting down a lot.

But you have listed some lifestyle issues that you know aren't helping. And I guess your GP has mentioned these too!

My advice would be to start on a new health regime but not diet or abstinence based as these can set impossible to achieve targets.

Find some simple, achievable steps. Several people have suggested walking not to achieve a chore, eg walk to shop, but for it's own sake. Find a time of day you know you can walk regularly. Then walk, whatever the weather (unless it's icy and unsafe). Do it. Record it on an app like Strava.

Walk at a speed that you can hold a conversation for 10 minutes say. Do this for a week. Whatever is okay for you to start set your parameters and then increase either distance or time the next week. Do this for 10 weeks until you can comfortably walk for 30 minutes.

Don't reward yourself with food or drink or a fag when you are successful. Don't punish yourself with food or drink or a fag when you don't succeed as will happen occasionally.

Do share with family, friends what you are trying to achieve. It will help you stick to the plan and they will encourage you to.

You might find that you can cut down a fag or a drink a day as your reward for the exercise because you will feel better about yourself. The more you succeed the stronger will be your self esteem. All the time you will be improving your cardiovascular system.

And here is a long term target - to join your local Parkrun which is also a Parkwalk at your own pace! You'll find you're not alone.

Or find your own bite sized improvement plan.

I feel positive for you. 😁😁😁😘

[Qualipop]

The pain/tingling in your fingers sounds like a trapped nerve. It might be peripheral neuropathy ie nerve pain in your extremities. I have it in my feet and hands; trapped nerve in elbow and shoulder. A physiotherapist might help but you know the answer yourself. Weight, drink and smoking, all of which suggest you have mental health problems. Have you had help for that?