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Chronic heart palpitations and can’t determine source- any ideas?
I started feeling flutters about five yrs ago but was told not to worry about them. Over past two -three years they have become chronic and intense, most regularly as soon as I lay down and now they occur in the mornings and sometimes randomly through the day. Heart races up to 160 a few times a week now. I have been through holter monitors, MRIs, CT scans, you name it. Heart is structurally healthy. Resting heart rate rock solid in high 50s, no issues exercising. Have had multiple opinions in Chicago and even went to Mayo to get a full exam on this. Doctors did diagnose a small burden of Afib ( less than 1%) and picked up other irregular heart rhythms ( multiple types) but they seem rather unconcerned and have put me on two different beta blockers which I’m not tolerating ( make me feel faint). My main Electrocardialogist also recommended an ablation which seems extreme to me being an otherwise young and healthy 52 yr old. Odd that advice ranges from “do nothing” or get an ablation. They cannot identify the source and I’m hesitant to do an ablation without confirming that this isn’t due to something else- hormones ( did I mention 52 yr old female?) Central nervous system related? Vegas nerve related? I have even suspected Covid ( or dare I say vaccine) as three of my older siblings have been diagnosed with afib within past three years, which can also mean genetics, but they are ten yrs older than me and we all got diagnosed with afib within short period. At any rate, you can tell I’m at a total loss but desperately need to get more answers and help because it’s causing a lot of fear, anxiety and worry that this is just going to lead to me having a stroke or heart attack. Not knowing why this is happening to me is making it unbearable. Thoughts?
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I’ve had a-fib since my early 50’s. My mother had it also. As far as I know, none of my siblings have it. Your heart rate goes up like afib. I have a little device called Kardia. It does an ekg by using your finger tips and records it on your phone. My cardiologist used the readings once and I had been in a-fib. It’s less than $100. Worth the money. A couple of years ago I got a Watchman device inserted in my heart. This is to keep a blood clot from forming and having a stroke, the biggest issue with a-fib. There are things that can be done once it’s needed. It took me over 10 years to reach that point. Good luck with everything.
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4 ReactionsYou didn't mention sleep apnea. Gloaming (frequent and well informed contributor) found that apnea was his problem so I got tested. I have been diagnosed with mild apnea. I am having an unsuccessful relationship with a CPAP machine. I wear it for the required four hours of fitful sleep and then turn it off for some real sleep. Relating to your situation, it records the sleep interruptions that formerly created my racing heart which only happened at night. Gloaming said that unchecked apnea will remodel the heart which is the heart's way of compensating by creating new electrical pathways and further problems. I hope I am quoting this correctly. Just sharing what I think I know.
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3 ReactionsThank you for responding and sharing. I did do a sleep apnea check and that came out fine. So I can check that one off the list. I have heard the CPAP is not fun. I hope you can get into an easier rhythm with it. Thank you again.
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1 ReactionThank you for responding and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. It’s great to know there are longer term solutions. I have recently started hearing more about the watchman device so will do some further research on it. I have the Kardia card and use my Apple Watch regularly to do the EKGs when I feel it coming on. I have a handle on the patterns. I almost feel like afib became a result of all the arrythmias I was experiencing. I had a variety going on ( fluttering, skipped beats, dropping suddenly) and now it feels consistently like afib with the racing. Hard to know how to treat this without knowing the cause. Thanks for the info. Really appreciate it.
Your condition sounds similar to mine. I've had these bouts of rapid heartbeats, pounding, PVC's etc, mostly when I rest. No issues with vigorous exercise. I did a holter and after seeing an EP, he recommends a TEE and an ablation, but he says it may not fix all these weird heartbeats but it should fix most of them. So, I'm getting all this done... It's always better to get these things done while you are relatively healthy and in-shape as recovery is quicker...
Jengeo - In my opinion, of course related to Covid and more probably vax. Which means that you may need to do more dietary restrictions than if you had not gotten the vax. I did not get the vax.
I discovered at age 21 and 7 years of afib or something similar, that it was due to being EXTREMELY sensitive to caffeine. I decreased my coffee, and found that I had the same symptoms with 1/2 cup that I had with 4 cups. Until age 75, I had no problems, but found some Haagen Daz COFFEE ice cream where I live and started eatting it and within a short time, I was having heart rhythm issues. I stopped eating and it mostly went away, and then read dehydration can cause heart problems. So, I started drinking more water, had been drinking hardly none, and viola, the problem is gone. Also, a high sugar diet not good.
If anything I have said rings a bell, and you get rid of the problem without having to take icky drugs or scary procedures, please let us know! Also, Mountain Dew has more caffeine than cola, which is also high in caffeine, chocolate, teas with caffeine, those stupid and dangerous energy drinks.
Dalebout - I have sleep apnea and also my sister. She used one of those snorkel CPAP machines for years, but discovered that if she sleeps in a recliner she has no problem. So, after my husband died, I had no one to poke me when I stopped breathing, so I tilt myself up and have no problem. One time, I lowered the pillows and woke up gasping. So I am perched up, but live alone and my dogs don't care, and surely better than those crazy machines.
Try it, and let us know.
Thank you for taking time to suggest some solutions. I sleep on my face. I cannot sleep sitting up or on a slant. When I try to do that I always wake up in a face down position. at the bottom of the bed. I am happy for you and your sister...that you have found a wonderful solution.
Best,
Dana
Thank you for your response. How long have you been dealing with it and have you been diagnosed with afib?
Lindy thanks for the perspectives and ideas. A lot resonated. I do notice that if I have chocolate, any amount of alcohol ( even 1 glass of wine) in the evening my heart goes nuts so I generally have stopped that entirely. I drink one cup of coffee a day and my doc said it was fine in that amnt but you inspired me to try to go off caffeine entirely for a week or two just to see if it has an impact. I agree whatever I can do naturally I want to max that out first. I’ll see if it makes an impact. Thank you!