I have heard/read that PD may cause cardiovascular issues such as a quick change in blood pressure. What other cardiovascular symptoms can be caused by PD assuming a healthy heart? I am experiencing a split-second striking pain in my chest from what I believe is my heart. It started several months ago (once a month), now a few times a week. One time it did it twice w/i 5 minutes, took my blood pressure immediately, and it was 174/114. I rushed to the ER, and they couldn't find anything (EKG, X-ray, blood test) all good. Blood pressure 24 hours later was 115/79 - very normal. I don't have any heart attack symptoms (shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating...) The cardiologist couldn't find anything when I visited him, so he ordered me an ultra-sound and stress test which is scheduled at the end of this month. This may be a stupid PD question, but would dyskinesia cause a heartbeat twitch/irregular heartbeat? Thx
Cardiovascular symptoms caused by PD - Cure Parkinson's
Cardiovascular symptoms caused by PD
I was diagnosed with PVC’s (pre ventricular contractions) several years ago (before I was diagnosed with PD. Unless you have other heart issues, they consider them benign…unless you get them very often or they become worse in intensity. I see a cardiologist once a year. Do you feel them when you lay on your left side? When I first started getting them, they hurt and would take my breath away. That was probably 12 years ago.
It mostly happens when I am sitting. I have not experienced it lying in bed, or walking or exercising. My heart rate is overall normal when it occurs (65 - 75).
Mine first happened when I was sitting as well. Even happened when I was driving. I haven’t had one in a couple of months. They seem to come and go. I have no idea what triggers them. Good luck. I hope you get some answers.
I was curious about dyskinesia. Dyskinesia is the involuntary movement of muscles. The heart is a muscle, is there an association?
According to Google, yes.
I would suggest you ask your MD for a holter monitor, a wearable temporary device that records any arrhythmias that may occur. After you have a recurrence of this episodic pain you can bring it back in for them to analyze what happened.
There are also smart watches that offer ECG monitoring. I have not studied this so I do not know how well it works.
Thanks, Park_bear for the info. I'm familiar with that Holter monitor as my daughter wore one to detect an AFib. I will suggest that to the doctor. I am looking for a Smart Watch w/ an ECG monitor. I'm a Samsung guy and didn't see one by Samsung, but it looks like Apple and Smart Watch (Brand) have one.
Do you think these symptoms are internal tremors (understand you are not a doctor; however, your qualitative readings/research/posts are quite beneficial/productive). From reading others' internal tremors posts, the symptoms do not align with internal tremors.
These two links may be of interest to you :
healthunlocked.com/cure-par...
healthunlocked.com/cure-par...
Art
The causes of Parkinson's can also cause cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease. They often occur together, as do some cancers.
PD medication can also cause heart challenges.
Discover the causes of your PD symptoms (trauma/stress. toxins and/or stealth infections) and you will have your answer about your heart. But make sure your medication is not the cause of the pain and BP irregularities.
great enquiry as I manage my low BP ( plus I’ve had AF episodes ) along with PD
WILL ADD MORE later
I have the exact same symptom you described. A rapid pressure feeling in the center of my chest, although it makes me think “heart” every time the sensation occurs. It’s a micro-second burst, doesn’t last that long and is not accompanied by the atypical symptoms associated with a heart condition. I have had a few incidents where it lasts let’s say 2-3 seconds, but they are very rare. And those incidents I would almost describe as palpitations. But the other sensation is rapid, and again very quick.
I’ve seen a cardiologist two times about this matter. 3-years ago they put me on a treadmill stress test with the nuclear dye, and found nothing. Then they did a specialized MRI evaluation on the heart, slowing it down to see if there were any flow restrictions, plaque buildup, etc. Nothing there. Again, this past year I did a second nuke dye stress test, and yet nothing.
I recently visited the cardiologist again out of concern, because the frequency had increased and they waved me off stating based on the past tests and my description of the symptoms, it was nothing they could pin on the heart. Blood pressure was a bit high, and I have a family history of high cholesterol. This only prompted them to want to put me on a statin drug. So I “waved” them off.
My cardiologist is well aware I have Parkinson’s, but I him of the opinion they brush off any correlation between Parkinson’s and the heart. Basically it’s not on their radar if they can’t prescribe some medication that they can make a bonus on. And let’s just say my last visit was less than friendly with them.
There is one other sensation I have had that may be related, but when I get up in the middle of the night (on occasion) to go to the bathroom, I am seeing stars swirling around in front of me, an indication of low blood pressure in my opinion. But it’s not a regular occurrence either.
Final note: I am not one that gets super excited about exercise at all, and I am also not one prone to weight gain. 5’9” and 150 lbs. I’m active, but unfortunately I’m still working and I sit behind a computer for 6-8 hours a day. I will be the first to admit I need to embrace some sort of high intensity exercise regimen, in addition strength based training. I have the necessary equipment, just need to find the willpower.
Thank you for your helpful response, Zscaleplanet. Your symptoms do sound similar. I am concerned about my BP, as it is higher in the morning than the rest of the day: morning wake-up average 133/92 vs. evening 118/80 (this way prior to PD diagnosed). Taking a low dose of Losartan Potassium did nothing to improve my BP; if anything, it made my evening averages worse; so I stopped taking it. My New Cardiologist saw a chart of my BP over several months and is perplexed by how well it is overall, but generally high in the morning. I too have a family history of high blood pressure, but I have been fighting it with regular exercise. On a weird side note, when I eat a lot (full stomach), my BP is generally good when I wake up the next day, and my PD symptoms are very mild (with no medication).
As with every cardiologist visit, upon beginning the appointment the nurse assistant will take my blood pressure. It seemed to be much higher than I’ve seen before. She was not concerned and said she would take it at the end of the appointment to see if it changed any. True to form, it was back down to normal - I do not remember the exact numbers.
She said this was all too common, as when you walk into the appointment, you are generally stressed and your blood pressure goes up. She said for the second reading, they’ll generally see it drop back down. She also noted blood pressure was a moving target in some cases.
Also make sure you have a good quality blood pressure tester for. Always trying to save a buck, I bought a cheaper one at the local drugstore. The pump on it was not sufficient enough to get a bite on the arm. I ended up buying a much better unit and feel as though the readings are much more accurate.
Hi stlewy, GERD can mimic heart attack symptoms...do you have any problem with acid reflux? I've had GERD for 25years or so and have had episodes where my my left arm hurt along with a pretty significant heaviness in my chest. My PCP did an EKG and stress test when I told him about it and he said it's the reflux. Aside from that my blood pressure has been all over the place as for the last year or so, so I bought a blood pressure monitor and check myself often. I also I did a web search and found out that it can be a side effect of PD.
Good Luck
My boyfriend has been diagnosed with PD as of two years ago. He l l/2 years ago began having what he called "episodes" where his heart would race, he would feel dizzy and faint and had to lie down .took an hour or so to pass. Doc put him on beta blockers and when he took one with the onset of the episode, it would help. But the episodes came more often and were worse, so they put a heart monitor on him which detected atrial fibrillation. If you have Afib, and go to a cardiologist, they will not see it unless you are having an episode so you need to get a heart monitor (exterior) to monitor for a month which he did. He is now schedule for an ablation surgery for his Afib next week.......
Thanks, Cinnamon2024, for your information. I don't get dizzy or have not seen AFIB symptoms yet. When it occurs, my heart rate stays low; however, sometimes, my blood pressure skyrockets. The blood pressure drastic change is sign of something going on.
PVCs and irregular heartbeats or pre-ventricular contractions are very common symptoms in PD. You can simply look it up under pub med. I get them routinely . Ultimately triggers anxiety. Dysonia less comonly but still regularly can occur in the scalene and pect minor mimimicking angina. Also well documented online. Happens to me regularly. Sorry
Surfdoc, you are the second person on this post thinking PVC. So far, this sounds the most logical. I will tip my cardiologist on this (otherwise the doctor will do a bunch of standard practice/rabbit chases that can be avoided). Research on PVC reveals some common causes/triggers. One that poked out for me is caffeine. I have been drinking caffeine coffee for about 20 years, but recently started drinking sugar free Red Bull as an energy drink. And during holidays/festivities (especially here in New Orleans areas), I have replaced my sugary drinks with sugar free Red Bull w/ 0 sugar/0 carb Vodka. My issue being discussed here started mildly about 8 to 9 months ago right about the time I was formerly diagnosed with PD and made diet changes (dropping simple sugars to avoid type 2 diabetes). I am not sure if Red Bull is linked to PVC symptoms, but I am going to abandon Red Bull altogether, and only drink decaf coffee for the next 4 weeks to see if that helps/solves the problem. I am sure Red Bull is a can of worms in itself, and wouldn't mine PwP experiences/comments.
RED BULL ???!!!??? Yeah, eliminate that ASAP — haha. That alone will give you PD - LOL
Although I too have questioned if the caffeine (coffee)is part of my heart problem as well and not related to PD. But coffee helps me deal a little better each day with my symptoms and to also get through the workday. May need to taper my intake back to see if that helps.
hey, caffeine is a significant trigger. My electrophysiologist stated that the best is hydration and magnesium threonate twice a day.. which is very effective.. Red Bull is not your friend. That said, the wrong type of decaf coffee isn't either. Be careful which decaf coffee you purchase because the used to Decafinate the coffee are bad news for PD.
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