Bradycardia and symptoms help

[ToughTime]

I’ve always had a ‘slower than normal’ heart rate and after any type of surgeries the nurses have always had to turn the machine off due to the excessive beeping due to the low heart rate and just said it was an athletes heart rate.. fast forward to a year ago I started getting dizzy after standing for long periods and felt like I wanted to faint so it would set a bit of panic and I’d do my best to go home so I could lay down. This would happen in episodes where I’d lose colour in my face, feel sharp pains in my jaw and feel a bit dizzy and a weird sinking feeling inside? But didn’t think too much of it. Fast forward further to Nov/Dec 23, my body did a complete U-turn.. I am bed bound a lot of the time due to palpitations, nausea, dizzy, pale, feeling weak, tremors etc. When I attempt to walk or do exercise I’m extremely fatigued, me legs feel like they could drop and whether I’m doing anything or not, my symptoms are here and I need to lay down.. Everyone was adamant it was an Endocine issue, who saw me and basically laughed and ignored what I was saying but said it’s nothing to do with hormones, thyroid etc and that he was 100% sure that was true. The GP tried Propranolol to help combat the palpitations and anxiety(which was secondary to the initial symptoms) but had a bad effect so they put me on Bisoporol at a lower dose instead (which I know can lower heart rate further). I had a 24 hour cardiac tape which I have attached. This is what was said. I spoke to the GP to which he responded ‘I can be bradycardic too’ and ‘we only treat if there are symptoms’ so I said to him.. ‘what have I been talking to you about this whole time if I didn’t have symptoms?’ So he’s put me back to cardiac unit for further investigation but I fear this will just be another person that brushes me off. I’m stripped of all my daily activities and can’t do anything I used to! I have a full family history of ranging severe heart issues. BP is normally fine. I just want someone to listen. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Tos92]

I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling like this. I can see that your 24 hour tape has recorded 264 episodes of bradycardia. In my opinion, although not medical, that seems quite high. You are also symptomatic. I think given your family history and your current symptoms, it is worthwhile seeking a second opinion. It might be a good idea to discuss with your GP if you could have a 7 day holter monitor, plus other investigations such as an echocardiogram. This should help at least contribute to determining whether you do suffer from abnormal heart beats or arrhythmias.

I would also suggest if you can keep your own record of your heart rate and BP using either a BP machine, or an oximeter.

Bisoprolol can regulate heart rate. Have you felt a difference on it? They come in varying doses too.

All the best and please do not hesitate to call 111 or even 999 if you’re struggling with how low your heart rate is getting.

Tos

[Sunshinebrew in reply to Tos92]

I’m very sorry to hear this some doctors can be very dismissive at times and it’s difficult to get a diagnosis and help and it’s hard for you because you’re feeling so poorly to keep on trying but you know how your feeling and your not well so keep going back to get some answers.

I do know how you feel before I was diagnosed with heart disease and MVA I was not listened to and told it was anxiety of course I’m anxious too because I’m feeling ill!!! So disheartening to not be taken seriously.

Keep going back until you get some answers, perhaps a visit to A & E when you feel faint so they can assess you

But I’m really sorry your going through all this and hopefully they can find the cause and you can start to feel better x

[ToughTime in reply to Tos92]

Thanks for your response! I spoke to the GP about that and he said he was contemplating an echocardiogram as they’re normally only done for ‘older patients’ (I’m 28) but said that if cardiac requested it he’d do it on the spot which I think is stupid considering my family history and symptoms! I really tried but they honestly push you off like it’s nothing but as I told him, I know my body better than anyone else and I shouldn’t be feeling like this!! I know something is wrong.

The Bisoporol (1.25mg) has helped the palpitations to an extent but I still don’t feel right and still get them and often experience tremors all over now (when it used to be just hands/arms). I often check my BP and note that it ranges from 115/74 - 152/92 (or higher if I’m crying but they’ve done by BP during that and said that it’s quite high) - I find sometimes that my pulse is 45 but BP is high and I know that it’s rare but I’ve read that Bradycardia can put extra pressure on the blood vessels making it like this.

I think that if I get palmed off again I’ll definitely be going to A&E again. The only problem with them is during the 10 second ECG they perform they always say it’s fine and say there’s not a lot they can do. I just don’t want to drop on the floor and die. That’s my fear. Thank you for listening

[Tos92 in reply to ToughTime]

I was the same age as you when my symptoms started. I had my first echocardiogram at 28 too. Although nothing significant was found at the time, it was reassuring to have the echo. Send another request to your GP for an echo, and really try and advocate for yourself regarding your symptoms and your family background. If you still cannot get anywhere, it may be worthwhile looking at finding another GP that will refer you for the test. I know it can be difficult to get the correct testing and diagnosis at a young age as I’ve experienced this myself.

Bisoprolol is not the only treatment available to manage heart rhythm problems. There are many more that you could try which may make a difference to how you are feeling however, it requires your GP and cardiologist to work with you to do the correct testing first, which will hopefully lead to a diagnosis, and then the right treatment.

I have actually found on a few occasions that A&E can refer you for testing that perhaps a GP didn’t think of or wasn’t willing to do.

Please keep us updated.

[Alana84]

Hi,

When I first had symptoms my GP condescendingly explained I was pregnant, all sorts of things happen to your body when you're pregnant, try honey and lemon to ease your cough and get some rest. The next day 111 called me an ambulance and I was whisked off to a&e with breathing problems. But still, no one looked at my heart, because I'm too young (and I was 37!).

Fast forward 2 years and I'm incredibly lucky that an ecg at a&e picked up an atrial flutter and since then, I've had all the tests, I've got a-fib, poor heart function, a few other bits I don't fully understand and I'm booked in for a cardio version.

There's a good chance there's absolutely nothing wrong with you but, if you can afford it, maybe pick up a fancy watch (mines a Samsung galaxy 6, which I got after my trip to a&e), it'll pick up atrial fibrillation and record your heart rate. Or, get a private echo cardiogram and then do back into the NHS (I nearly did) - all pricey options but might put your mind at rest or get you the treatment you need.

I'm bradycardic as well, my heart rate does to 34 at night - no one seems that worried about that 🤷

It's probably nothing to worry about but I'm sorry your GP isn't taking you seriously.