1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Chest and neck tightness

Posted by arlene61 @arlene61, Aug 27, 2020

I was diagnosed with PVC's several years ago and they have steadily gotten worse. I've been placed on a variety of beta blockers and I get relief for a period of time and then the fluttering, spasms, skipping all start again. 2 years ago I had new symptoms of tightness around my bra line and neck. Noticed this would happen after the fluttering episodes. It would last for days. I had a complete cardiac workup, echo, cardiolite stress test, cardiac MRI and no issues other than PVC'S. Currently on propanol ER 60mg and still experience fluttering episodes and awful tightness, feels like a tight band around my neck and bra line. I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this tightness? Oh and when I am more active, power walk, I feel better and the tightness isn't as bad and absolutely no shortness of breath during exercise. I feel like the Dr doesn't really understand what I'm experiencing.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 28, 2020

Hi @arlene61 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect,

I appreciate your question as I too have had tightness (mid-day and later in the day) around my bra line. I've had heart valve problems since age 11 and also concerned about symptoms that might be related to the heart. So far, it doesn't seem to be the case for me.

The tightness in the neck is concerning. Have you sought a second opinion? If not, I recommend that you seek out a second opinion at a well-respected heart center. Someplace like a Mayo Clinic facility (they are in Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida), Cleveland Clinic, or a good university medical school near you. Here is a listing from US News regarding the top-rated heart centers, https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cardiology-and-heart-surgery. You might take a look and see what is near you.

From what you have posted it sounds like these diagnostic heart evaluations have been done since these symptoms began. Is that the case?

REPLY
arlene61 | @arlene61 | Aug 28, 2020

Yes the evaluations were done a year ago and I'm told no cause for concern. I had symptoms of tightness early this year and saw the Cardiologist again on February and was reassured everything was good. No reason to worry. I have had the tightness going on three days now. But I also have Multiple Myeloma and currently in treatment. One of the drugs is dexamethasone and I am sensitive to this drug and have been told this could also be the cause. But again I've had the tightness off and on this year before I started chemo treatment. Very frustrated!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 29, 2020
In reply to @arlene61 "Yes the evaluations were done a year ago and I'm told no cause for concern. I..." + (show)
@arlene61

Yes the evaluations were done a year ago and I'm told no cause for concern. I had symptoms of tightness early this year and saw the Cardiologist again on February and was reassured everything was good. No reason to worry. I have had the tightness going on three days now. But I also have Multiple Myeloma and currently in treatment. One of the drugs is dexamethasone and I am sensitive to this drug and have been told this could also be the cause. But again I've had the tightness off and on this year before I started chemo treatment. Very frustrated!

Jump to this post

Hmmm, have you talked with your oncologist to see if this neck tightness might be due to any of the treatments for Multiple Myeloma, @arlene61? I'm going to invite @gingerw to this discussion as she has Multiple Myeloma as well and may be able to speak to this symptom.

If it were me, I would still take my records to a well-known heart center to make sure that nothing has been overlooked from a heart standpoint. However, you must do what you feel comfortable doing.

Take care and will you post again?

REPLY
2 replies
arlene61 | @arlene61 | Aug 29, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hmmm, have you talked with your oncologist to see if this neck tightness might be due..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hmmm, have you talked with your oncologist to see if this neck tightness might be due to any of the treatments for Multiple Myeloma, @arlene61? I'm going to invite @gingerw to this discussion as she has Multiple Myeloma as well and may be able to speak to this symptom.

If it were me, I would still take my records to a well-known heart center to make sure that nothing has been overlooked from a heart standpoint. However, you must do what you feel comfortable doing.

Take care and will you post again?

Jump to this post

Yes I've discussed with Oncologist but I have dealt with these smptoms when not on any chemo treatment for 2 years. Will post any updates.

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 29, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hmmm, have you talked with your oncologist to see if this neck tightness might be due..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hmmm, have you talked with your oncologist to see if this neck tightness might be due to any of the treatments for Multiple Myeloma, @arlene61? I'm going to invite @gingerw to this discussion as she has Multiple Myeloma as well and may be able to speak to this symptom.

If it were me, I would still take my records to a well-known heart center to make sure that nothing has been overlooked from a heart standpoint. However, you must do what you feel comfortable doing.

Take care and will you post again?

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 Thanks, Teresa, for tagging me in to this conversation.

@arlene61, I do not have any diagnosed PVC issue, so I had to look it up! Is there a chance you need to change your diet to include less caffeine, or when you drink it? I wonder if that may be a factor, as my research also showed tobacco use could be part of it. Also, making sure you are getting the right nutrients for good heart health seems to be critical, especially enough potassium. Apparently there is favorable outcomes with a regular exercise program versus more sedentary with regard to PVCs. I bet that you might be apprehensive to do a lot of exertion but a great daily habit of walking might be just right, do you think?
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
arlene61 | @arlene61 | Sep 4, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@hopeful33250 Thanks, Teresa, for tagging me in to this conversation. @arlene61, I do not have any..." + (show)
@gingerw

@hopeful33250 Thanks, Teresa, for tagging me in to this conversation.

@arlene61, I do not have any diagnosed PVC issue, so I had to look it up! Is there a chance you need to change your diet to include less caffeine, or when you drink it? I wonder if that may be a factor, as my research also showed tobacco use could be part of it. Also, making sure you are getting the right nutrients for good heart health seems to be critical, especially enough potassium. Apparently there is favorable outcomes with a regular exercise program versus more sedentary with regard to PVCs. I bet that you might be apprehensive to do a lot of exertion but a great daily habit of walking might be just right, do you think?
Ginger

Jump to this post

Ginger, I am very health conscious, never smoked, and try and eat a good diet. I have one cup of coffee in the morning, decaf green tea, an occasional la croix and lots of water. I also try to stay very active, walk or ride my bike 4-5 days a week. When I exert myself the tightness isn't noticable but it's there when I'm done! There is not a situation that trigger the palpations. Usually at rest and the tightness follows! I'm seriously considering gathering all my Cardiac testing and making an appointment with Mayo and getting a second opinion. I am a high energy person and the Drs call that anxiety and suggest that might be the cause. I thought that might be the case because I do feel anxious when I have them. Sometimes when I have a palpation my heart rate will start to beat fast but less than ten seconds and I cough to get it back in rhythm, this happens rarely. I do not take any anxiety meds and have been considering maybe that would help?? Thank you though for your suggestions!
Arlene

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 4, 2020
In reply to @arlene61 "Ginger, I am very health conscious, never smoked, and try and eat a good diet. I..." + (show)
@arlene61

Ginger, I am very health conscious, never smoked, and try and eat a good diet. I have one cup of coffee in the morning, decaf green tea, an occasional la croix and lots of water. I also try to stay very active, walk or ride my bike 4-5 days a week. When I exert myself the tightness isn't noticable but it's there when I'm done! There is not a situation that trigger the palpations. Usually at rest and the tightness follows! I'm seriously considering gathering all my Cardiac testing and making an appointment with Mayo and getting a second opinion. I am a high energy person and the Drs call that anxiety and suggest that might be the cause. I thought that might be the case because I do feel anxious when I have them. Sometimes when I have a palpation my heart rate will start to beat fast but less than ten seconds and I cough to get it back in rhythm, this happens rarely. I do not take any anxiety meds and have been considering maybe that would help?? Thank you though for your suggestions!
Arlene

Jump to this post

@arlene61 Getting an opinion from Mayo Clinic, or a large teaching hospital, would probably go a long way in helping you figure this out! There are also family medical factors to consider, I just remembered. Please let me know what path you decide to take.
Ginger

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.