Low heart rate palpitations

[Ems1822]

Hi, i hope someone reads this and can shed light.

My resting heart rate is around 62-70bpm (great if i were a healthy active person - but im not.. im severly overweight and mostly non active)

So Ive been having heart palpitations on and off for weeks, i thought it was anxiety induced so i bit the bullet and have started prozac under the direction of my gp.

I have since noticed a pattern that i seem to get these palpitations when my resting heartrate hits the low 60s. My heart rate drops quickly after exertion too.. like could be 105 and then drop to 80 within 30 seconds.

My question is, could the palps be happening because my heart is going unsafely slow, trying to kick start it, if you know what i mean.. should i be worried?

I get no other real symptoms with the palps (no dizziness, no gasping for breath, no nausea, no crushing chest pain) other than slight chest discomfort for a second after the palp.

Any ideas would be very greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

[bantam12]

An ECG and Echo would be a good start to make sure your heart function is good. Heartrate in the 60s is within normal range and palpitations are considered benign and normal but if you are very overweight it's possible your heart is struggling. You need to ask your GP for some tests or a referral to Cardiology.

[johnadams in reply to bantam12]

You seriously think they are going to order an Echo? An ECG and perhaps a 24 hour one at most.

[bantam12 in reply to johnadams]

Not sure what you are querying ? Why wouldn't the tests be done ?

[johnadams in reply to bantam12]

If there is no reason for a test to be done, then it won't be. I don't personally think an echo will be done, except privately but maybe i'm wrong.

[bantam12 in reply to johnadams]

I apparently had "no reason" as my ectopics were said to be "benign and normal" but I wasn't going to let my symptoms be brushed off by the Cardio, after repeat echo, ecg, 14 day monitor and treadmill test it was found I have several problems one being AFib. Drs are far to quick to dismiss patients before everything has been investigated.

[johnadams in reply to bantam12]

presumably your not in your 30's - nor do you have a normal sinus rythmn on your ECG if you have ectopics - ultimately everyone knows their body best, but if the doctor is trying to give fluoxetine he is going down the health anxiety route.

[bantam12 in reply to johnadams]

Anxiety is the easy option for Drs, doesn't mean we have to accept it, I have been labled with it in the past and proved them very wrong !

My ecgs are normal, it was actually the echo and treadmill that showed the problems but this isn't about me.

[Smfri2020]

I agree getting an simple ekg will help determine what’s going on ! I have had them done many times they are fast and can help determine if there’s any damage going on . Hope you get answers !

[Barbola]

Taking Prozac is not a good idea. Dont upset urself. Have a simple ekg done. If u know someone who owns a new apple watch that detects afib etc. Let them do a quick ekg. You dont say how old u are. And lose weight by following a good eating plan. I did and blood pressure went down and i could throw out my meds, i.e. betablocker. I have afib.

[Ems1822 in reply to Barbola]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I am a 34 yr old female. I have has ekgs done, but it shows nothing, as they are so quick, i of course never experience a palp while hooked up. I have a 3 month wait before i can get into a cardiologist. I am hesitant to go to the hospital, because i am concerned they will just palm me off saying its anxiety or something.

Can i ask why you think prozac is a bad idea?

[Barbola in reply to Ems1822]

Bc i think it masks your problems....maybe it helps with anxiety. A cardiologist will put you on a holter monitor which is attached to you day and night and sends signals to a central station. Only this way they can tell what the palpitations mean. My EKGs were all ok till i had an episode of afib at time of EKG just once. Your cardiologist should also send you for a stress test if you show heart rhytm irregularities. Hope your insurance pays!

[Ems1822 in reply to Barbola]

Thankfully, im in Australia so it would ve mostly covered. Thank you so much for your reply.

[johnadams in reply to Barbola]

But if prozac has been offered they think it is anxiety - so why would that be a bad idea? It clearly sounds anxious. 60's isn't slow. Dropping from 100 to 80 after 30 seconds of exertion is normal, and ECG's normal = health anxiety / panic disorder.

[soppysokes]

Praps be a good idea to have your thyroid checked out.

[Kingsley09]

I definitely have afib but why not try what I have done I take 200 mg am of magnesium citrate and 200 mg in pm and since I’ve started that the last two/three months I’ve only had upto now one very slight afib attack and am not really sure if it really was that and not just ectopic beats perhaps that would help you I read about it on the afib group and it seems to have worked for me it doesn’t mean I no longer have afib but it has done more to keep it under control than the drugs the cardiologist has given me I am seeing him in August and am looking forward to what he has to say about my taking the magnesium for my heart plus it helps with muscle pain hope this helps