Should I pursue? - Heart Disorders Message Board

luvthenet · 02-22-2006, 11:40 AM

Hi. New this to this forum and need some advise. Long story short, I've been having flutterings/palpitations, fast heart beat and short stabbing pains for about three weeks. Not every day. Sometimes they are gone before I realize they were there. Also, fast heartbeat and shortness of breath noticed everynight immediately when I get in bed. EKG was normal. 24hr. Holter results just came back and Dr. said the palps were normal, but I have a very fast heart beat.

Still have symptoms. Can these symptoms be related to anxiety? Should I actually see a Cardiologist to evaluate my concerns? Can you have a normal EKG and Holter and still have an issue?

Thanks for your time and advise.

zosolizard · 02-22-2006, 12:55 PM

Hi there,
Well, I am sort of in the same boat as you (symptom wise) - just further along with tests.

I also had "normal" palps on my holter, but decided to persue it further & see a cardiologist. I've had a few different tests which have come back "normal".... but to me, palps, chest pains, pounding heart, etc...... that just doesn't seem "normal" to me.

I feel that anxiety does contribute to the problem. It's the whole 'chicken or the egg' theory. Do heart problems / symptoms create athe nxiety ? Or does anxiety create the heart problems /symptoms?

You may wish to have some tests done by a cardiologist to feel better about things (or to get a better look at things!)

Based on what I've read here & other places - some folks have been told they are "fine" but end up finding out that something was wrong all along!! Other folks live with palps & pain for years on end........

We have to be our own health advocates these days. There don't seem to be easy answers to any of this. But I think "hey, it's my heart, and I only have one - and I NEED it"..... so, I personally would look into things deeper.

Good luck to you!!

Timber · 02-22-2006, 01:01 PM

The fact that the heart symptoms started suddenly a few weeks ago means it was a good idea that you saw your doctor to be sure that you're ok. Yes, heart sensations of all kinds can be caused by anxiety. It is possible to have a normal EKG/Holter and still have heart problems, but if the palps were caught on the monitor and were normal, then you probably needn't worry about that.

A couple of questions:

How fast is your heartbeat?
Did the doctor tell you what kind of tachycardia you have, or offer a reason for the fast heartbeat?
Did you have bloodwork done, specifically to check your thyroid hormones and for electrolyte imbalances?
How old are you?

If you are an anxious person, you should definitely have your anxiety treated, because for many people, that vastly reduces the incidence of palpitations. Also, cut out caffeine COMPLETELY as it's a major cause of heart fluttering and fast heartbeat.

Graciella · 02-22-2006, 02:59 PM

AHH... good questions. Well, I'll tell you a little bit about how things developped with me and you can hopefully pick up from this.
I also had these rapid heart beats. I started with a stress test - came negative. I then had EEG- came negative. I also had a holter monitor for 24 hours - what you have to remember is that when you have it hooked you need to try to induce the palipatations anyway you can, whether through exercise, bending down,etc.. The cardio has to see the disruption on the EKG. When you had it on it probably never happened, so there was nothing big to record - it "seemed" fine. So, maybe you should try it again for 24 hours. The QRS lines is what determined my condition - went through the roof 250 bpm.
So, if you feel you have these kinds of heart arrythmia, re-do the tests.

enie · 02-22-2006, 04:41 PM

I agree with timber. Sounds like you need to keep looking for answers. But first, as timber said; "cut out caffeine COMPLETELY as it's a major cause of heart fluttering and fast heartbeat". I was a chocoholic and now I can’t touch the stuff without paying the price. If any symptom interferes with our way of life, it deserves a solution.
enie