Heart Palpitations
Author
Discussion

staceyb

Original Poster:

7,107 posts

254 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
If any of the PH docs could advise......

I keep getting "palpitations" what I mean is my heart speeds up for about 5-10 seconds and it feels like its gonna pop out of my chest then it slows back down and I feel a little out of breath.

I'm only 21 and live a reasonably healthy lifestyle i go to the gym 1-2 times a week and I'm a p/t dancer (no not pole or anything along those lines) and what freaks me even more is that it only happens when I'm resting but it happens about 3 or 4 times a week.

Any ideas please.

srebbe64

13,021 posts

267 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Isn't that what Tony Blair had? If it is, it needed a very minor op to sort it out. Best go and see a quack!

staceyb

Original Poster:

7,107 posts

254 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
srebbe64 said:
Isn't that what Tony Blair had? If it is, it needed a very minor op to sort it out. Best go and see a quack!


Tony Blair is like 50 though and apparently under a lot of stress (dont know what from though) and I'm 21 and have bugger all stress

Balmoral Green

42,561 posts

278 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Nice knowing you.

chim_knee

12,689 posts

287 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Plapatations can be caused by a number of things but AFAIK it isn't strictly what you describe. They are that feeling you get (like going over a humpback bridge only less so) followed by a thump in the chest.

This is cause by the heart missing a beat (the humpback bridge bit) and in the mean time filling with blood and then the thump is the larger than usual expulsion of blood.

I suffer from this in times of stress but also when I am very tired or have had too much caffine.

Don't strike diet off your list of causes of your heart racing. I also get this (my family history ain't good when it comes to hearts!) but it is almost exclusively caused by certain foods (especially very colourful ones - chinese orangey colours especially!)

I really wouldn't panic - but do go and see your GP. Get a blood pressure check and cholesterol check - both are VERY important.

I personally would put it down to lifestyle (tiredness, stress, diet) rather than you are going to drop down dead. But best be on the safeside!

staceyb

Original Poster:

7,107 posts

254 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Cheers

Pigeon

18,535 posts

276 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
chim_knee said:
Plapatations can be caused by a number of things but AFAIK it isn't strictly what you describe. They are that feeling you get (like going over a humpback bridge only less so) followed by a thump in the chest.

This is cause by the heart missing a beat (the humpback bridge bit) and in the mean time filling with blood and then the thump is the larger than usual expulsion of blood.

I suffer from this in times of stress but also when I am very tired or have had too much caffine.

I agree with those triggers, and would add: not having had enough to eat. I find that eating something sweet like a few chocolate biscuits helps calm it down a bit. Also some prescription medications can cause it.

I've mentioned it to two different doctors and they both say my blood pressure is normal and there's nothing wrong with me.

It's not pleasant, but it hasn't killed me yet...

apache

39,731 posts

314 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Balmoral Green said:
Nice knowing you.


fid

2,431 posts

270 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
A pacemaker will sort it out just fine

MarkBarton

428 posts

293 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
fid said:
A pacemaker will sort it out just fine


My brother (27, very fit and healthy) has just had to have one fitted, so it's not beyond the realms of possibility. Different symptoms - his heart was stopping or slowing right down, but they're usually used when the heart beats too fast. Very rare to have to have one at that age, and I'm not suggesting it's likely, but they're not necessarily just for the elderly.

Lois

14,706 posts

282 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Are you are taking any other medications? Quite a few can cause things like you describe.

combover

3,009 posts

257 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
I'm also 21 and suffer from this. I run about 8 miles every day and do 2 hours of weights (I'm a student) so I know it's not through any lack of fitness. It also useually happens to me when i'm lying down doing sod-all and again, only lasts for 10-15 seconds. I can't explain it as my pulse rate is seriouly low at about 46 if I remember correctly.

I have had it now for about 2 years and it doesn't affect me in any way, other than feeling unpleasant. I wouldn't worry about it, as i'm told it's when my heart misses a beat, which is not all that dangerous.

I haven't had it checked out so I can't say for definite, but i'm still here.

jessica

6,321 posts

282 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
chim_knee said:
Plapatations can be caused by a number of things but AFAIK it isn't strictly what you describe. They are that feeling you get (like going over a humpback bridge only less so) followed by a thump in the chest.

This is cause by the heart missing a beat (the humpback bridge bit) and in the mean time filling with blood and then the thump is the larger than usual expulsion of blood.

I suffer from this in times of stress but also when I am very tired or have had too much caffine.

Don't strike diet off your list of causes of your heart racing. I also get this (my family history ain't good when it comes to hearts!) but it is almost exclusively caused by certain foods (especially very colourful ones - chinese orangey colours especially!)

I really wouldn't panic - but do go and see your GP. Get a blood pressure check and cholesterol check - both are VERY important.

I personally would put it down to lifestyle (tiredness, stress, diet) rather than you are going to drop down dead. But best be on the safeside!

Get it checked out. But dont panic,I have had this for as long as i can remember.(I am 41)
it can sometimes be brought on by tiredness,stress,casffine and monsodium glutamate(Found in lots of food products).Also can be a symptom of a lack of Potassium in the body. (found in bananas.)
A quick thump on the chest usually sorts mine or a cough.

rude girl

6,937 posts

289 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Me too. Caffeine's my worst offender, but some alcohol, or tiredness will do it too for me.

groucho

12,134 posts

276 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
I've been getting extra-systols (well, that's what the doc said) for nearly 20 years. I've given up tea and coffee recently and that has made the old ticker a lot better.
The doc told me not to drink alcohol too, but one can go to far.
I'm not sure of the difference between extra-systols and palpitations.

chim_knee

12,689 posts

287 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
jessica said:
...lack of Potassium in the body. (found in bananas.)


Though to be fair, you don't need to search the banana - just eat it...

R988

7,495 posts

259 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
chim_knee said:

jessica said:
...lack of Potassium in the body. (found in bananas.)



Though to be fair, you don't need to search the banana - just eat it...


So thats what I've been doing wrong....

simpo two

92,808 posts

295 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
I think most people go through a phase of this. Cutitng down caffeine might help.

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Arrhythmia.html

vixpy1

42,699 posts

294 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Heart Palpitations?


But we have'nt met.

rfisher

5,064 posts

313 months

Wednesday 14th September 2005
quotequote all
Probably isn't but could be the start of hyperthyroidism.

Much more common in women than men.

Blood test at the GP (TFTs) will show it.

If you feel short of breath after the event it would indicate an SVT rather than an atrial ectopic. This is often followed by needing to pass urine.

Summary - time to buy that TVR.

Only joking