Strange heartbeats

Posted , 6 users are following.

I’ve been having heart palpitations for weeks now. Whenever I lays down or every time I eat, my heart pounds really hard in my chest. Sometimes it feels like my breathing is slowing down and then I have to take a deep breath. Also my heart is starting to do this weird thing where it feels like it’s about to skip a beat, it feels like it’s trying to but it doesn’t and it’s really uncomfortable, it happens every few seconds. A few months ago I started having skipped beats literally every second. I always had to lay down or sit because as soon as I would get up to walk they would start back up. I would constantly feel shortness of breath or out of breath, as if I’d been running. I felt pains a lot but not very often, like a lot of joint pains and chest pains. My head randomly starts tingling and it feels like water is dripping down my brain, it’s a really strange sensation. Also sometimes I feel really weak, if I were to bend my legs they would start shaking uncontrollably and I’d feel really dizzy. I feel my heart in my throat every time it feels like it’s about to skip a beat. I’m 17 years old and I’m a pretty healthy person. I eat fair amounts of fruits and veggies, drink mostly water and last summer I had went vegan for a few months before slowly starting to add dairy back into my life. I’m a pretty active person, I use to dance I’ve been dancing since I was 3. Sometimes when I’m about to go to sleep I feel like I stopped breathing and it jolts me awake and I gotta take a deep breath, that happens a few times throughout the night before I can actually fall asleep. I did use to smoke weed. Not a lot, mainly when I was with certain people, I stopped a few months ago because I had a very low tolerance and every time I would smoke huge amounts I had panic attacks. I’m scared something is gonna happen to me like my heart is gonna spaz out and stop or I’m gonna have a stroke or blood clots or something. It’s hard trying to hang out with friends and do normal things, I constantly wanna only stay home with my mom. I ask friends and people I know if they experience some of these things and they never know what I’m talking about. My family doesn’t have insurance, my parents refuse to take me to the doctor no matter how much I stress what’s wrong with me, they don’t take it serious or believe anything’s really wrong. When I ask my mom she says, “welcome to the rest of world without insurance, doctor don’t know anything anyways your gonna be wasting your money”. I have a friend who just turned 20 and he said he’ll take me to the doctor and be my guardian that day, he agreed he’ll use his tax return money to pay for my medical expenses. Idk how long it is until he gets it, but I’m just scared. I’m currently an actress, I’ve worked on a lot of local projects and I’m in the process of making my own short film. I have too much going on to die😭 I really need help some of symptoms are really strange! 

2 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Asia,

    Sorry you are going through this. I can't diagnose you, but it sounds like you might be having PVC (premature ventricular contractions), although they could also be PACs (premature atrial contractions). Typically PVCs--and sometimes PACs--give you that skipped beat, heart just jumped feeling.  A few PVCs or PACs is no big deal, but a lot of them is not so great and can definitely make you feel crappy.  You should definitely be seen by a doctor.  I don't know where you live, but I want to try to help you find affordable or free healthcare. It's out there. Can you let us know where you live? 

     

    • Posted

      I live in Duluth Georgia, I’ve looked up a few free healthcare places but they don’t have any specialists, they don’t check blood pressure and things of that nature😣 I haven’t checked them all though

    • Posted

      Hi Asia,

      Blood pressure and pulse are always checked when you go to the doctor. You are correct, though, a free clinic probably won't have a cardiologist, but then again, you never know.  Any doctor is better than no doctor though and even a PA (physician's assistant) can help you. It's up to you though whether you choose to go, of course.

  • Posted

    Also, you should know that you can walk into any ER in the US and get treated regardless of your ability to pay.  If you are symptomatic, particularly if your palpitations are accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest pain, and/or lightheadedness--go to the ER. You tell them you are 17 and can't pay. They will take care of you anyway. Depending upon the state you live in and your parents income, you may be eligible for free health insurance through CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) and the hospital could help sign you up.  If you don't want to go to the ER, Planned Parenthood will also see you for free as will any free clinic. But let us know where you live and I will see what I can find.

    • Posted

      And going to the ER, would that require me to have a parent with me? I drive, but as I stated before my parents aren’t gonna take me😣 they just don’t take anything I say serious 

    • Posted

      No, you don't need a parent to be seen in the ER.  

    • Posted

      Will they have to call a parent? I really don’t want my mom to know that I’m going. I know it sounds terrible but she’d probably get mad if she knew I took myself to the doctor. I’m gonna be 18 in two months, I don’t wanna wait that long 
  • Posted

    Hi 

    I had a very similar experience- anxiety (mostly health anxiety) can cause a lot of what you describe. A doctor will be able to prescribe something of a small dose initially to help you to rebalance and get back to normal. Severe worry can give you physical symptoms. Explain all to your doctor. 

  • Posted

    Hi Asia, How are you?

    Did you manage to see a cardiologist in regard to your symptoms?

    Did you go to the ER?

    I would like to emphasis that what you have, although I am no doctor, sounds exactly like what many other people feel in regard to palpitations.  Telling you not to stress out might help but instead of fighting it you need to understand that (and read this bold text a few times out loud to yourself): It is totally normal to worry about your heart's condition. Only a lunatic would dismiss palpitations without a second thought. You are normal. And your heart is normal. 80% of people have palpitations. You are just lucky enough to feel them.

    But you do need to have a definitive diagnosis. I am even willing to help you.

    Update your situations and lets see what we can do.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.