Chronic heart palpitations and can’t determine source- any ideas?

Posted by jengeo16 @jengeo16, 6 days ago

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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psyche | @psyche | 4 days ago

According to my cardiologist, arrhythmia problems are very common after having Covid infection, NOT post vaccination. I have PACs, PVCs, and PSVT. I have had these for 32 years. I have not had COVID infection but have had vaccines. She said getting infected could definitely create more issues for me!

rebeccadixon | @rebeccadixon | 3 days ago

I want an ablation! I am tired of a racing heart, violent (feeling) heartbeat, fatigue, nausea and foggy brain symptoms. My regular cardiologist suggested it was all in my head. I've always been super active on a farm, handling 50lb. bags of feed, hay bales, picking up limbs and hauling manure! My racing heart issues started just 4 months ago. Now, I can't do my farm work bc I am weak. Now, I have to pace myself for short outings. Now, I have to completely stop and rest while riding my horses. Now, my recliner is my best friend! I am scheduled for an ablation in mid July which can't come soon enough. I have been told it has a 80% success rate. I know of several people it has cured. I will gladly take those odds. Medicines for arythmias made me feel worse, so that's not a viable choice after living such a wonderful farm life. My suggestion to you is go for it!

nevets | @nevets | 3 days ago

Some interesting points made in this thread regarding the connection between Covid and Afib, and sleep apnea and Afib. These are my experiences: I am fully vaccinated. In November 2022 I had my first Afib episode, then I caught Covid in May of 2023 and experienced lingering Covid symptoms for the next 16 months, mostly debilitating fatigue and brain fog. I am not overweight and normally very active, doing heavy yard work, bicycling, X country skiing, etc. After a few more episodes of Afib, I finally saw an Electrophysiologist (EP) who asked me about snoring and possible sleep apnea. I told him I don't snore. He said sleep apnea is very under-diagnosed. So at his suggestion, I did a home sleep study which revealed moderate sleep apnea. I was prescribed a CPAP device, and since then my energy level has improved. So what I thought was Long Covid may have been sleep apnea? However even with the CPAP device, I continued to have occasional episodes of Afib. In January 2025, I had a PF ablation procedure and since then no Afib, touch wood...only some palpitations, which seem to be diminishing. I still use the CPAP snorkel, I am sleeping well and feeling more like my old self. I hope it lasts.

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