Irregular heart beat.

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi. I'm new here. Had a strange irregular heart beat then a racing pulse this afternoon. Went to the after hours Dr and had an ECG, blood tests, blood pressure test and all was reassuring normal! But I don't know what caused it. I'm back to a steady rhythm now. It lasted about half an hour. I am 68, male, reasonable weight and don't touch alcohol. I do take tablets for hypertension, but as I said, BP was good and always is with the medication. Any ideas? I had not been doing anything strenuous. Weird...

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi, id say keep onto your doctor or consultant to give you an explanation.

    For several years i have had the same. Unexplainable episodes and tests showed nothing. I started to think i was going mad!! As i hit 40 i decided i needed more info as these episodes became more frequent.

    I insisted on a referall and i had more tests. The stress test, ecg showed nothing. However, i had a lot of episodes during the 24 hr ecg where my heart jumps to 160 for no reason.   At last i could prove it!!!

    My consultant believes i have some additional conductive tissue and i should think of the epidodes in terms of a short circuit that is nothing to worry about. I have very minor heart block and a slightly leaky valve but its nothing i am told and most people do apparently. However we are monitoring and if it gets worse then we will reconvene sooner. Im also learning to recognise triggers...over exercise, caffiene, stress, alcohol and cutting those out or managing them so i can manage my episodes. That makes me sound unhealthy. Im a regular gum goer and exerciser!  Im letting you know as your symptoms sound familiar.

    I would say, you know your body. If you think something is wrong or something is happening that you are not familiar with then follow your instinct and push for answers. With me, i needed answers and an explanation for peace of mind. It took me a while but i got there eventually.

    • Posted

      Thanks Paule, that was helpful. I was advised to see my own GP next week, not urgently, so I will probably do that. I'm not over worried, but would like to know why as you did for your symptoms. Thanks again.
  • Posted

    HI

    I had a 3 way by pass before that surgeon said that I may get paplutations dont worry. I also  take tablet I have a GREAT GP he has taken me off propanalol

    feel FAB

  • Posted

    Sounds like Atrial Fibrillation to me - v common in people over 60 (I've had since my 20s). When it's like this it's called 'paroxysmal' or 'lone' AF.

    It's only worth treating if it comes back regulalrly. Some people have this rythmn all the time and are fine. Just depends on how you react to it.

    I've been taking flecainde for 30 years - works a treat, so don't worry.

    You may want to look up  Carotid Massage on the internet & 5-2-5 breathing - both can help shorten the episodes.

    Btw - my husband has had 3 small episodes too  - but that's it. Requires no drugs - dehydration seems to have triggerred in him.

    All the best!

  • Posted

    Meant to say 5-2-5 breathing is often used for panic attacks - but really helps AFib too!
    • Posted

      Thanks all who replied! Saw Dr this week and BP, heart listening all good. Referred me to get a 24 hour monitor, which sounds like a good idea. Almost hope it happens again while it's on. Almost...
  • Posted

    Hi. Saw the consultant at hospital. Another ECG and also an Echo test, which was fascinating! You can see your heart on the screen as it happens. ECG was normal again and the Echo results were ok, some words like mildly and slightly and a few normals. Dr said maybe long term hypertension, but it has been treated for more than 30 years. Will know more when I get his report, but he said he wasn't concerned. So that's good. Will have to wear a monitor for 24 hrs, so maybe that will shoe something to explain the problem. Here's hoping, but I'm not really worried. Just a bit, as I have had an emergency bowel cancer op, a wound infection on the scar, an incisional hernis as a result, a very spotty back, piles, a boil on my bum and now this. All in the last 9 months! But will carry on being positive if I can...
    • Posted

      At least you don't have atletes foot:-)

       

    • Posted

      True. I should be grateful for that. lol
  • Posted

    That should be show and hernia. Must proof read more carefully! Ex school teacher too.....
  • Posted

    echocardiogramm shows your heart in ways that ekg does not detect

    30 day event monitor ($240.) captures every events that ekg and echogram don't.

    I would demand the 2 tests above and then have a heart specialist decide.

    Hopefully your insurance will allow you to see a heart specialist.

    your heart health is worth it ! no one knows anything wihtout the tests !

    the 30 day event monitor captured my heart acting up in a way that the heart Dr. could justify EP Ablation, I had the abalation procedure 3 days ago and am Thankful. I did not even need a baby asprin. Its a peice of cake procedure. I am FREE ! fast heart rate is electrical see an Electrophyisologist.

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