Minor palpitations

[Changeling43]

Hi all, not concerned but would like opinions from experienced people.

I am not currently diagnosed with AF or PAF but I get around 5 palpitations a day. I had a heart attack last year and am taking the standard aspirin, statins and BP tablets having finished my year of aggressive thinners.

My palpitations seem to always be almost a single beat or two that are at a much higher rate and never last more than a second or two so it’s almost impossible to track with any sort of ecg unless I insist on a monitored version.

Bottom line question is; should I get another appointment to insist on constant monitoring or can I just live with it? It’s not stopping me doing anything and generally I’m not bothered about it.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sounds like ectopic or out of place beats whicb are common for everybody but we heart people notice. They are considered benign although can be annoying. If you have any pain or feel faint then please seek medical attention.

If you feel that they are becoming more common you should talk to your cardiologist about wearing a monitor to see what is actually haappening as if it is AF then with your history you should be on anticoagulation asap.

[rosyG]

it may just be a few ectopics but it wouldn't hurt to ask for a 24 hour ECG to try and see what is going on. I have a Kardia on my phone and can record what happens- very useful and can send to doctor.

[meadfoot]

Yes its frustrating. Sometimes i find that by the time i have reached for my kardia monitor to capture them they have been and gone. They feel horrid and quite concerning even though cardiologists dont seem that concerned about them. That doesnt make us feel any better though when experiencing them.

Ask about longer term monitoring.

[Hidden]

This article discusses different sorts of palpitations from a GP perspective: gponline.com/palpitations-r...

[Changeling43 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou so much, have just read the article and it has been very useful.