Heart palpitations

@aschaeffer1
From having heart palpitations for decades and on Synthroid for my thyroid yes the medication for thyroid can affect PVCs, PACs, palpitations per my doctors. The dosage has to be fine tune on an ongoing basis. I hope you are getting TSH and T-4 blood test to help your doctors fine tune your dosage. If not asked about those test along with others that monitor thyroid.

I am not aware of choleterol medications causing palpitations but I am not a medical doctor and there are many different types of cholestrol medications with many side affects.

Your heart rate at 139 is high and should be much lower to around 70 at rest. But remember that stress and anxiety will also raise your pulse as well as your blood pressure.

Try to find ways to ease our stress and anxiety. With doctors permission enjoy and exercise you like doing. Not into exercise, try a hobby you always liked to have done or try.

I see you are already seeing a endocrinologist. Have you considered getting a second opinion. Please know that almost all individuals will from time to time have heart palpitations. Most never are aware of them as so short or doing other things even are aware they happened. However when you are in heart focus your mind is fixated on heart beat.

@aschaeffer1 I have heard - and read - that dehydration can cause palpitations. Most people - especially seniors - are not aware they are dehydrated. I am often told I am dehydrated when I go in for bloodwork, but I am never thirsty so I’m unaware of it.

Have you had any cardiac tests done to rule out heart disease?

Hi myself, I’m guilty of not being hydrated enough. I’ve never been a great water drinker. Some people drink a glass of water several times
times a day, and I barely remember because I’m never thirsty. I have an atrial fibrillation condition and I take medications for that. I haven’t had any palpitations for a couple years now since I started the meds.

I too began with palpitations. I then partnered with a cardiologist and from a series of tests .. ( you know them ).. they discovered I had a faulty valve. However I was asymptomatic .. to any chest pain / fatigue etc. After years of follow up it was decided I should have TAVR procedure as valve was not improving. So palpitations may seem minor… yet may may be indicative of what is the root cause of those palpitations .

Thankyou. I will bring this up with my Cardiologist at my next appointment.

I have had palpitations since a teen, and attribute it to smoking cigarettes (40 yrs. stopped in '09) Top part of heart beats fast, lower part of heart beats slow. Stops beating sometimes, just checking to see I'm paying attention. Not taking any meds, don't believe in taking any unless undergoing severe pain. Biofeedback has always been a huge help. Mind over matter.

@rashida
My Heart Failure (HF) doctor and my EP (electrophysiologist) all confirmed with me that dehydration is and will cause palpitations, PVCs, PACs, and even get into tachycardia.

I have heart failure so on one side supposed to limit my fluid intake but have cardiomyopathy, PVCs, PACs, and non sustained tachycardia. So they want to make sure I drink enough water.

I was given a recent tasked to write down everything I drank and listed the amount. Then was told I should try to maintain a certain level of fluid intake every day. I found I was right on most days but on other days I did not exercise was below the recommended fluid intake for me.

I also have palpitations, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, and tachycardia. I also have high heart rates during rest. My cardiologist has a program with NSight, which provides a blood pressure cuff as well as a device that it is connected to that sends my blood pressure and heart rates to their office to monitor my readings. It is a great program to have. You might check with your cardiologist to see if this is available in your area.

My dad died at 57 due to an aneurism and he also had coronary artery disease. I’m getting close to the age of when he died, so it starts to really make me nervous.

Thankyou. I also have that blood pressure monitor service. I guess we just have to remember to live one day at a time and enjoy each and every day.

Hi @aschmelka1. It is great to see you join Mayo Clinic Connect and create this discussion. Heart palpitations and high heart rate are scarey things to deal with, totally understandable why you are frustrated. You have received good feedback from members already and I am hopeful you feel encouraged.

I am not medically trained but do have experience taking levothyroxine for underactive thyroid since my 20’s. What I know is dosage changes need to be small and then it takes 4-6 weeks to adjust before making another change. You mention palpitations for over a year now but did not say anything about your levothyroxine regimen. I read that For thyroid cancer: Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually more than 2 microgram (mcg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day.

Here is the complete overview:
- Mayo Clinic Levothyroxine Summary
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/levothyroxine-oral-route/description/drg-20072133
You also mention taking cholesterol medication. For both conditions it does sound like you have the right doctors helping you between cardiology and endocrinology.

What dose levothyroxine are you taking and how often do you adjust it? What other medications do you take? I am curious, do you notice palpitations changing any when you are exercising or before/after eating?