Searching for answers

[Arctic235]

Hi, I'm 33 and I had an incident about a month ago which I went to hospital for a few days. They ruled out any heart attack or blood clot, did some other tests and released me but so far I still don't really know what happened - I'm hoping someone might have experienced the same thing.

I was playing golf and had just taken a shot when suddenly I felt light headed and almost fell over. Then I got a strange sensation in my stomach (like just below my ribs) - almost like I'd been punched in the gut. This was a strong sensation but went away very quickly, but suddenly my heart was racing - felt like 300bpm or more (way too fast from nowhere). I didn't have any chest pain or shortness of breath. I felt the blood rush to my head a bit like a sharp headache and my heart quite quickly slowed itself to normal. I remained standing, then walked about 1km off the course before going to hospital. Other than feeling a bit light-headed and worried I felt normal almost immediately. The only reasons I can think for feeling unwell was that I may have been dehydrated/lacking nutrition. The exact same thing actually happened to me twice before about 3-4 years ago (both time playing golf) but I had felt fine, finished the round and didn't get it checked out.

I have seen a cardiologist and I'm waiting for further testing, however, it is taking too long and I haven't really found any answers for what actually happened other than "something electrical" and more and more I'm convinced that something is seriously wrong, that it will happen again and that the next episode could be fatal. My mental health has suffered tremendously in the last month to the point where I can't think about anything else. I'm constantly anxious and I'm struggling to even get out of bed. I feel quite helpless. Thanks for any help here.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

No one on here can provide you with medical advice or opinions about your condition. They can only offer comments based on their own experience, which could be different from yours and lead to a wrong conclusion. I suggest you chase up the hospital to find out when your tests are booked, and/or offer yourself as available for a cancellation appointment if you can do that. But if you are with the NHS and are frustrated by the long wait you are experiencing and can afford it, you could consider the private health route where the first appointment with a consultant will likely cost about £250 with any tests as extra. In the meantime you could discuss your situation with the BHF Heart Helpline nurse as below who might be able to help

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[onadiet]

Same here. Just found out mine is Right Bundle Branch Block which is electrical fault. May eventually need Pacemaker.Also just told I got Angina as well.Electrical is usually a block ??\Don't quote me but .....

[PadThaiNoodles]

It's interesting that golf is always the precursor. Might be worth asking your GP if something about your swing could be compressing your vagus nerve in your neck?

[Arctic235 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

It is strange and doesn't seem like a total coincidence. Could be to do with dehydration/nutrition as I do often find I don't drink as much as I should when playing. But this seems like a very unusual reaction to dehydration. Normally I just get a bad head but I do remember that I woke up with a bit of a bad head that day (I don't really drink alcohol either).

[Digger0 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

The answer is to give up golf! Just joking

[FraserB]

It's good you've seen a cardiologist and you'll get answers. You've done everything right so far in the meantime continue monitoring any symptoms and patterns this could further help the cardiologist. Stay away from the internet it's full of horrible medical stories which are very rare in reality. It’s hard, but try to remind yourself that your doctors haven’t found anything life-threatening in previous tests. The "punch in the gut" mentioned may be linked to a vagal response, which often results in lightheadedness or fainting. It’s generally not dangerous but the worst feeling. And remember to stay hydrated. It's very common for people who first experience frightening physical symptoms to become hyper-aware of their bodies, and heightened sensitivity may fuel anxiety. I have rapid flutter and my very first episodes felt like I was "dying" and I was anxious through the roof. I've learned just the opposite -- I will be okay. Take one step at a time and control what you can -- if you're waiting too long find a way to get in touch with hospital if possible.

[Arctic235 in reply to FraserB]

Thanks for the reply. The vagal response doesn't seem to come with the heart suddenly going like the clappers though? The "punch in the gut" was horrible but only lasting a couple of seconds - hard to describe, felt like it was right in the diaphragm. You're definitely right about hyper-awareness - that is fuelling my anxiety and driving me crazy to be honest but it's also the not knowing. 'Rapid flutter' sounds like what my heart was doing but they haven't diagnosed that.

[Arctic235]

I am trying to drink plenty at the moment. Can you give me an idea of what 'chronic' dehydration would look like - how little fluid would I have to drink? That would be a reason for golf to bring it on since I would be walking several miles during a round.

[Arctic235]

Yeah, I mean I've certainly been dehydrated plenty of times before. The incident happened around 2pm and I think it's possible that I'd had less than 500ml to drink that day and had only eaten a late breakfast (got up late). Then walked about 2km playing golf before it happened. I think I woke up dehydrated as I had a bit of a bad head but other than that felt OK.

[Jonathan_C in reply to Arctic235]

There is a type of deydration you can get from drinking too much water and/or water that lacks key minerals, which can happen if they have been stripped out during purification. If in doubt take a sachet of something like rehidrat (its a brand in South Africa, but you must have many equivalents in UK) , in addition to drinking water.

[Mentdent]

Carry some glucose tablets and chew them next time. I they make you feel better you know the problem is hypoglycaemia and you just need some food. If they don’t work then you know it’s something else

[Bluehope81]

Not medical advice, opinions and suggestions, as they cant find any evidence of a heart attack in all its forms, then if it is the heart, that rules it in as something electrical, which is probably better than the former, generally speaking if it's something electrical they need to catch the event with a device, usually a holter monitor. Then you can be diagnosed and a treatment plan put in place.

People live with decades with all types of electrical issues, some people live with afib for decades before it being detected. The stats are on your side, the chances of you leaving this world before its been detected are incredibly slim, electrical issues don't usually progress in that way. So relax and take a breath.

The heart in it all forms is designed to beat, and it will keep trying and trying and that includes producing electrical signals from the sinus node.

You can help with your ongoing detection phase by buying a kardia monitor incase it happens again , and then you can immediately get a reading.

It could be from many other causes, like an electrolyte balance or many other issues.

[Arctic235 in reply to Bluehope81]

So you're saying most likely if it didn't kill me this time it won't next time it happens? It has happened before and I was fine but it shook me up this time. The positive I suppose is that the heart appeared to correct itself quickly and I didn't pass out or anything.

[Bluehope81 in reply to Arctic235]

hhhhm yes and no, I am saying that the stats are on your side, and that millions of people live with electrical issues, and that you don't need to jump to the worst case scenario, I think when things happen with the heart, we get reminded of our mortality and that can come as bit of a shock, I am sure in time everything will get resolved for you, All the best.

[Travellingman76]

good evening, I had presentation of unusual symptoms and have been diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis. Essentially I was usually fine other than having occassional light headed episodes which lasted for 10 to 15 seconds. Ended up getting a heart loop recorder which recorded my heart rhythm for longer period. Previously after having episodes I would have the usual tests and everything looked fine. The heart loop recorder picked up what was happening whilst having an episode. Read my bio and any questions am happy to answer.

[Forgetful]

Hello Arctic235

Whilst I cannot help you with these strange symptoms - I can say from experience that anxiety will only make them worse and your body will become hypersensitive and you will experience unwanted symptoms that are not connected to your issue. My advice would be to get a private consultation, to speed up the diagnosis - even if its just to alleviate the anxiety so that you can get things back into some perspective.

All the best