Heart Palpitations

[GAD05]

I have been experiencing heart palpitations for the last few months. They are very random and appear even when I am just sitting doing nothing. Am struggling to get an appointment to see my doctor as the receptionist just says if it is something that is ongoing it is not as urgent. I have not been to see the doctor because I just put it down to being perimenopausal but the palpitations are continuing. I am 54 next month. Does anyone know why this is happening? Thanks in advance

[Yumz199725]

Hi, I can relate to this back in August I was out for the day at Clacton with my family and my palpitations just randomly came on after about a year or two of being controlled and since then they haven't stopped and in September I actually ended up in hospital for nearly a week because my heart was racing, nocturnal palpitations, ecg changes, severe shortness of breathe, nausea and then actually being sick was a rough few days, my heart would shoot up to 140 just from standing up and shoot up to 130 from sitting up in bed turned out I needed a higher dose of my verapamil and my heart valve disease has progressed so definitely stick to your gut if you think something is up don't stop until you get the answers, few days prior to ending up in hospital I had many ecgs and they kept saying I was fine and so wasn't! 😕. Anyway hope you get some answers feel free to message Mr if you have any questions. Take care ❤️

[onadiet in reply to Yumz199725]

I do so agree with you.Kept having tests XRays.All ok.Then suddenly wasnt.Now RBBB & Angina.Plus already knew about high NO & on Amlodipine & Statin.Happens so rapid & is hard t accept at first as well. It's so hard to sleep when it happens at night plus tinnitus.Nightmare!

[onadiet]

I've been getting palpitations last 3 months.Getting same answers from Surgery as you. That was til an Ambulance Medic told me my ECG showing Right Bundle Branch Block which is to do electrics conduits in heart misfiring. Then suddenly Dr rang to say I must get to Hosp. I got there had more tests & now got Angina as well.Already got Hypertension.Keep pushing ,go to A & E or ring 111/999 if you get chest pain as well. Surgery don't want to know when going gets tough. So get a referral to Cardiologist to get seen by Specialist.Could just be Electrolytes but it's a need to know isn't it?

[Ennasti]

Yes, it can be due to hormones which is a big trigger of ectopics. Firstly I think you need assurance that ectopics are not deadly. They are very unsettling I know, but are not immediately life threatening and do not often mean anything. They’re almost as common as headaches are and, like a headache, rarely signal anything serious.

I’d be inclined to speak to your doctor about both menopause and your ectopics - as two different topics even though there may be a link. I’m on HRT and it’s been a god send for many reasons. My ectopics still occur but I have a genetic conduction disease and this was diagnosed at roughly the same time as I went onto HRT.

[Murderfan58]

You need to see your GP and get a referral to see a cardiologist who will run a load of tests to find out why. If you can't get to see your GP phone 111 or talk to a BHF about getting to see a cardiologist.

[Larneybuds]

It is not for a doctor's receptionist to say if it is an ongoing problem it's not urgent. How ridiculous. We all know that receptionists need to try and assess a situation or filter things but there are many things that are ongoing that can worsen...cancer for example. My partner had the same symptoms for ages and it turned out to be osophegal cancer. Insist on an appointment or speak to the practice manager. Having palpitations can be a number of things and anything heart related should be checked out. Tell the receptionist the palpitations have got worse in order to get an appointment. Have you had your thyroid levels checked ? Be insistent. Hope you get sorted xx

[Rainyday2024]

Hello, I know what you mean about trying to get an appointment! It’s an awful to say, but these days you really have to stress how ill you are feeling and that all the worry is “affecting your mental health” !!

[MWIC]

Anything with your heart needs looking at and you need to get past the receptionist and demand a call back from a doctor. It’s worth getting this started via GP BUT you can book a private appt with a Cardiologist and tbh I would recommend that’s what you do as most GP’s have no idea when it comes to cardiology and all that will likely happen is that they’ll refer you to one but that will all take time. Cost for a private app is only @ £250 and you can get this quickly - after months of trying to get a diagnosis and waiting to see a Cardiologist I did this and had an appt in 2 days, got diagnosed (AFib) and got straight onto an NHS waiting list for an ablation. This still took 9 months to happen but I saved myself probably a year in waiting - best of luck and stay relaxed and calm because it really helps!!

[Rainyday2024]

sorry, sent message too soon! The whole “mental health” thing seems to be the way to go nowadays, if you want the surgery to take any notice of you. Sorry to sound cynical, but I speak from experience. The lack of assistance from my surgery and the problems trying to book an appointment really were causing me stress and I could feel my heart racing, palpitations, etc - it’s a catch 22 situation, no wonder so many people are suffering with stress! If you cannot get any sense from the surgery, try ringing 111. Good luck!

[Alphakiwi]

Hi GADO5. by coincudence my specialist has hooked me up with a 24hr halter monitor. This is necessary to get me back on tje public system for a possible AV node ablation.So here i am in NZ lying in bed trying to go to sleep bit i keep getting same as you at the rate of about 3 an hour. It happens at night mostly. Im not sure what keeps it going. Its worse on some nights but im pretty sure its the beta blocker im o

In a way its good that its coming on so much tonight. It will show up well so they are getting a good harvest so to speak. Oh well maybe after writing this i will get back to sleep. Oh oh i just got another one.

All the nest for you. You will probably need a monitor to

Colin nz

[Qualipop]

First the receptionist shouldn't be deciding whether or not you need an appointment. Palpitations are very common and usually harmless. They are strongly affected by stress and anxiety. The more you worry the more you get but your GP should be finding out why you have them, where they come from and why. Try a different approach with a different receptionist

[Trainspotter56]

It's a sign that the health service is under severe pressure I'm afraid. When I was young I went to the GP for arrhythmia and what I now know as panic attacks - in those days the service wasn't in trouble and you didn't get triaged by the receptionist. Palpitations are very common but I think you should persevere as it is clearly causing you anxiety - the fact that you are posting on here is evidence of that. I try not to go to the GP to avoid being accused of crying wolf and making a fuss, but I've noticed that even after not going for years you still get questioned by the receptionist.

I've had a lifetime of palpitations, comes and goes in cycles apparently unrelated to anything else going on in my life. One thing I have learned (I have since had some age-related cardiac issues), it is amazing what the heart can put up with - provided it doesn't get starved of oxygen it just seems to keep going.

[Petercat1]

Hi. I'd had palpitation attacks since my early teens, however they got much worse as I got older. All ECGs echocardiograms etc came back clear, even when in the throes of an attack, and doctors always said they're nothing to worry about and they're harmless!I was eventually put on bisoprolol after I had an attack in hospital after open heart surgery for an aortic dissection. The Cardiac Consultant said couldn't understand why my doctor had never put me on them before. I haven't had another palpitation attack since.

Hope that helps.