Bp Versus Palpitations

[Samuraisan]

Does anyone know ? I take my BP regularily and it is pretty good. But lately I think I am having palpitations. I am under quite a lot of stress at work. I went to see my GP yesterday ( not about this ) and mentioned it to him and he said everyone gets palpitations and as long as I don't feel dizzy, have pain, or feel sick, it' s nothing to worry about. But it does feel unusual, should I go to a Cardiologist ?

[anneasquith]

I think your gp has to refer you to a cardiologist ?

[Samuraisan]

Well, I have private insurance so kind of use both

[Buenchico]

Here's what the NHS tells patients
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Heart-palpitations/Pages/Introduction.aspx

and this flow chart (from the British Journal of Cardiology) is the recommended practice for GPs, showing whether they should refer a patient to a cardiologist or not:
http://bjcardio.co.uk/files/uploads/2009/07/Br-J-Cardiol-2009-16-182-6-figure-2.png
(You might need to press Ctrl and + together a few times, to make the image larger, in order to be able to read the text)

[Prudie]

I would say yes everyone has palpitations, especially when stressed or overtired. although scary I understood they were nothing to worry about. I think your GP would have escalated it if he had any concerns

[mandimoo]

I was having lots of palpitations, and yes they do feel horrible don't they! I have since been diagnosed with Hughes syndrome (sticky blood) and take low dose aspirin per day. My palpitations have all but disappeared.

[Samuraisan]

Thanks all. I think I will wait until next week, and if I don't feel they have gone I will seek advice. I have taken my BP again this evening and it's ok, quite good in fact. I just wonder if palpitations show up on BP readings ?

[Peter Pedant]

No it wont show up on the BP machine

and in the absence of Sqad - tell you GP you want a private referral
You should go thro the GP really

[boxtops]

I get palpitations from time to time and there is nothing the matter with my BP. They can be caused by anxiety so try not to worry about this symptom, it doesn't mean necessarily that there is something the matter with your heart - I get them when I've eaten too much, for example. This might help http://www.patient.co.uk/blogs/sarah-says/palpitations-only-a-heartbeat-away

[bodeker]

I get palpitations every now and again and its a most uncomfortable feeling and I have had my heart checked out several times and the docs have said I have a healthy heart, its the fittest thing about me lol , the rest of me is falling to bits but that's doing great !

[boxtops]

Out of interest, why do you take your own BP at regular intervals? I only get mine checked once a year, by the practice healthcare assistant.

[Samuraisan]

Well Boxtops, a few years ago I did have high BP ( through my GP) and he put me on some pills and told me to monitor it. After a while I stopped them, just to see, because I don't like taking too many unnecessary drugs, and bought as machine. I showed it to my GP who said it was good and to keep monitoring. So I do. Once. Month or so, that's all.

[Sqad]

I agree with the comments of your doctor.a