heart beat

[ken-d-wood]

My heart sometimes starts beating fast for no apparent reason and it sometimes feels like its going to come out of my chest. I've recently had my pulse checked at the hospital but the nurse said it was fine.
Any ideas?

[bigmamma]

If you're worried about it still ken , perhaps pop back to your gp , you may need a 48 hr reading to pick it up .
I have subventricular tachicardia and my heart goes suddenly extremely fast several times a day , but so far it's gone back to normal by itself so I don't have to worry , it just feels odd . All the best . x

[ken-d-wood]

Thanks bigmamma. Another trip to the gp it is.

[Tups]

Could it be related to drinking coffee or other caffeine drinks?

[Tups]

By the way, a nurse can only deal with what she sees. If your heart beat was ok when she checked it, that's all she can do. A doctor will consider the overall picture so go and see yours. If only to ease your mind. Stressing can exacerbate heart beat problems

[ken-d-wood]

I only drink on average 3 cups of coffee a day. is this to many?

[bigmamma]

That's not many coffees ken , I would'nt think you have too much caffeine for sure , your gp will understand your concern , go see him/her if only to get properly checked over .

[Ethel]

Palpitations are incredibly common - most people experience this at some stage in their life.

The British Heart Foundation says:

"Although palpitations can feel unpleasant, in most cases they are completely harmless and do not mean that anything is wrong with the heart. The majority of palpitations happen because of ectopic beats. Feeling anxious, stressed or very tired may contribute to palpitations. Smoking, drinking caffeine or excess alcohol many also play a part."

Worrying about it can aggravate it, so you get in a vicious circle. Next time it happens, breath slowly and deeply, and try to sit still. You should feel it slowing down and returning to normal.

However, you should see your GP for a check up as sometimes palpitations can be symptomatic of health problems.

[JezUK1]

I had something very similar to what you're describing I had something called AF "Ateral fibulation" Atrial fibrillation is usually accompanied by symptoms related to a rapid heart rate. Rapid and irregular heart rates may be perceived as palpitations, exercise intolerance, and occasionally produce angina (if the rate is faster and puts the heart under strain) and congestive symptoms of shortness of breath or edema.

The best thing I suggest is going to your doctor and getting him to do something called a ECG. Basically just looks at the rhythm of your heart and other things. It dos not hurt and it takes about 30 seconds. (All they do is place some pads on you.

I had to go on a form of beta-blockers and a few weeks later they Cardioverted me. It's basically a small electric shock to get your heart back into normal sinus rhythm. That may well seem very daunting but don't worry that you may not even have that after all not a doctor. I hope this helps and good luck. if you do want to talk more to me about this please contact me via my website below.

Jez
http://www.onelifeboard.com - Discuss life, love, health and living. Get information and advice on topics that matter to you! Get support and enjoy lively conversations.

[sara3]

I think Ethel is right (as always!). I have an ectopic heartbeat, but I don't drink, smoke, stress (ha ha ha!), drinks gallons of coffee. I had lots of tests and that was the result.

basically, my heart rate picks up and you can even see it beating through my clothes. different things work for different people. for me, I have to squat down and take a very deep breath in and hold it. my heart then stops (momentarily) then re-sets itself. sometimes I have to do this 2 or 3 times. I'm not unwell, it's just one of those things.

I recall my GP suggested I held my nose and tried to blow through my ears.. well, maybe that works for some!

get it checked out as you need to be sure, but don't stress over it. and best of luck :o)

[spudqueen]

Definitely worth checking out again. My friend had this a few years ago and was diagnosed with Wolffe-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which was treated with beta blockers.
http://www.cardiacmatters.co.uk/WolffeParkinso nWhiteSyndrome.html