Fluttering in chest

[Biloxi]

I have been told I have a heart murmur, but that it didn't sound serious. I'm not sure the Dr even "officially" diagnosed me with one. It only made an unusual sound when I'd get up or sit down (move).

I've been on levothyroxine for hypothyroidism fit the past 1.5 years.

I just started Plaquinil a month ago.

I've been noticing fluttering in my chest a few times a day for the past few days. It happens after I eat, during eating, laying down, working out, really any time. It's happening alot lately and I was wondering if any of you had this as a side effect from Plaquinil?

Do you think it could just be that "not serious" heart murmur??

Thanks in advance!

[November90]

I don't know about the medication, but it is possible to have a totally benign heart murmur. I have a "condition" called supraventricular tachycardia, where my heart just randomly beats fast for a period and then goes back to normal (it can occur for 30 seconds or - at the extreme end of the scale! - for a few hours). My understanding is that there are basically two "pathways" when there should only be one, so the electric signals get confused, resulting in the fast heartbeat. Because it originates in the upper chambers of the heart, it's not considered to be dangerous. I take 2.5mg bisoprolol every day, and this more or less keeps it under control - it's never caused me any significant problems.

If it could be medication-related, I'd advise discussing this with your doctor. But if not, it's worth having a 24-h ECG done, which can hopefully catch the arrhythmia so that they can diagnose what type it is.

I guess that the point I'm trying to make is, even if it is not something caused by the medication, it's not necessarily anything to worry about!

[honeybug]

Hi Biloxi 😊🌿🌸🦋

I’ve had a heart murmur since birth.

At age 19 I started having fluttering sensations. It felt like it was like a bird flapping its wings inside my heart. When it happens strongly it also effects my breathing. While admitted to the hospital and further testing proved I have a prolapsed Mitral valve. It doesn’t close all the way and leads to a backflow of blood which effects my lungs.

Because of this fluttering problem I’m at risk of developing blood clots from it. I must take a high dose aspirin daily and treat with antibiotics before any surgeries.

Good dental hygiene is important for prevention of heart damage.

A lot of medicines can cause heart symptoms without a confirmed heart condition. They can also aggravate any heart problem.

If you haven’t had a cardiologist thoroughly check your heart I think that you should just to be safe.

Often a 24 hour heart monitor is worn to help monitor your condition and it’s data will help confirm the diagnosis.

It would also help your GP to know details about your fluttering.

Keep a record of dates times activities symptoms and how you felt ( light headed. Breathless weak etc.) to give your GP when you make your next appointment as proof you need testing and a cardio work up as it’s called in the USA 🇺🇸.

Best wishes for a good outcome.

Better safe than sorry. 😊

EvaJo 😊🌿🌸🦋🙏🤗💗😘😇🕊

[Roarah]

I would ask your GP for a referral to a cardiologist to run more tests to rule out more serious causes of your murmur and if it is something like afib discuss blood thinners. Lupus patients are more prone to clots and heart issues in general so just to be safe an echo gram or even a TEE might be of value.

[Dessi72]

Hi Biloxi. To answer your question. I too have have a heart murmur and I am also prescribed Plaquenil. I have had, what I call “hear fluttering” for many years and it can be quite disturbing. However, have my heart examine when I had a bad experience but all was cleared by X-rays and other examinations. So all I can suggest is to ask your GP to send you for a heart examination at the hospital to out your mind at rest. All the

Best and sending hugs. X Dessi72