moan about me - chest twinges and palpitations

[Suebedoo]

I originally came across this site because my husband had open heart surgery and I have found the advice and support invaluable. Over the last few weeks I have been given a dose of ageing. 12 weeks ago I felt like a reasonably fit 59 year old, decided to restart my running by doing couch to 5k and within days of doing my first run, started with ankle issues. I have been hobbling ever since. I am lucky to have health insurance so got an mri yesterday and waiting results. In that 12 weeks I’ve also started with palpitations and a faster heart rate that last anything from minutes to an hour at a time. When I say faster - my resting heart rate is about 55 and they increase to about 85. I also now am getting twinges in my chest area which feel more like a bit of a twinge or very tiny shooting pains. Plus I now have a stye in my eye. GP did blood tests and the only thing that came back slightly abnormal was my cholesterol but I’m going to see him again tomorrow as I wasnt getting the chest twinges when I first saw him. I know this is nothing compared to what most of you are going through or been through but I am feeling suddenly old and a tinsy bit worried/vulnerable. If anyone has any advice/experience of the heart part of this long winded message for me to take to the GP I would love to hear it

[Popepaul]

The twinges could be ectopic beats. They are very common and generally considered to be harmless.

[Suebedoo in reply to Popepaul]

Thank you . That helps. I find it very odd that my ankle pain and the palpitations pretty much started at the same time - almost like the pain in my ankle has turned up the volume of my internal workings

[cometwatcher1927]

have you been getting short of breathe ?

Some of the common questions the GP asks , plus you over look in daily life

Also do you get the pain before during and after exercise ?

Any dizziness lightheaded ness when you stand up ?

Are you more tired than usual ?

Your right to be concerned as be safe than sorry. I found my heart issues just crept upon me looking back

[Suebedoo in reply to cometwatcher1927]

Thanks - will go in armed with a list

[Murderfan58]

Tell you GP everything that is happening to your body . Take a list in case you forget everything. And I am sure he will refer to consultants . But don't worry about any tests he wants you to have . Better to be safe than sorry. Hope you get the help you need. 🤗

[Suebedoo in reply to Murderfan58]

Thank you

[Qualipop]

If the palpitations don't happen all the time it will be difficult to catch them and identify where they come from. It took me a year of holter monitors, ECGs etc that never picked them up. The only thing that finally caught them was a stress test so I suggest you ask for that first. Most ectopics are completely harmless and made worse b y stress and anxiety. ie the more you worry about them,the more you get. A heart rate of 85 is normal. Mine is always around that. It could be increased if you are worrying about the palpitations but as it's new for you you need to mention it to your GP. He'll probably say anxiety.

[Calmisgood]

Do you check your blood pressure at home with a monitor and keep a record, it may help

[Suebedoo]

I went to the GP this morning but had to see a different one from normal. She was a bit dismissive because I wasn't suffering from any of the symptoms at that moment. I have been referred to the palpitations clinic but as there is a long waiting list, she said that if I have private health insurance I could use that. She also said to go up to the hospital when I am experiencing the palpitations and they will give me an ecg but I can just see me going up and the palpitations stopping as soon as I get there :). I did mention to her that my daughter has just recently been diagnosed with a bicuspid valve and that the whole family may need to get checked and she said she would need my daughter's consultant to send a letter. I am pretty sure that isn't my issue and his her dad's side of the family but will try and get checked at some stage. Thank you for listening to my moan and helping me. I will let you know if there are any developments.