How do I know what type of arrhythmia I have?

Question

I feel different sensations in my chest. I describe them as if my heart is pumping, but then stops and then beats again. Sometimes I feel something strange as if my heart were a wet dog that shakes to get rid of the water excess; it is like a very rapid shakiness that lasts 1-2 seconds. One day I got out of my car and felt that every other heart beat was missing. It lasted for about a whole minute. If I go to the doctor the EKG looks normal because by coincidence the heart is normal during that minute that I am connected to the machine. What is the brief shakiness in my chest? It can happen if I am relaxed or under stress, happy or sad, rested or tired.

I had the holter monitor for 24 hours. The doctor just made a hand movement with his hand to indicate to me that is was so so. (I don't understand sign language!)

Answer 1

First off, I am very sorry that you have these very uncomfortable sensations.

Obviously, office EKG are completely useless if you are not have any symptoms or an a/dysrhythmia. And that is the nature of the dysrthythmias especially if they occur intermittently. There are other tests a doctor can order like a Holter moniter or an event monitor. With these test, a longer tracing can be done. In the case of a Holter monitor, you will wear a monitor for 48 hrs and your heart rthyme will be continous recorded for that period of time. Hopefully you will have an event and the monitor will capture it and if you don't well its like having a normal EKG. In the case of an event monitor, (if i remember correctly) the recording will start once you are having symptoms and you active the monitor. I would talk to your doctor about this and request to see a specialist.

Though I have to preface this by saying that most palpations in young people are fairly normal. When you get stressed or drink too much coffee, your heart will palpate. If you have not passed out or gotten too dizzy then I think you are okay.

Answer 2

There are two possiblities going on. The first is that you are having panic attacks for whatever reason. These can make it feel like your heart is going crazy when in reality it is your head that is going crazy. They are transient and usually will go away in a while. They don't cause any long-term health problems and generally indicate a significantly stressful period in a person's life.

The other possibility is that you are having PSVT or Paroxsymal Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia. This is a cardiac condition which occurs transiently in some people. It is a condition where the heart will be beating fine and suddenly the heart rate will jump to between 180-220 beat per minute. Usually after a short period the heart rate will come back down into it's normal range.

This condition can signal numerous problems with the heart. It is treatable with medications and long-term prognosis is good. You need to see your doctor and discuss the situation frankly. If he sees finds any cause to think you have PSVT he will probably send you to a cardiologist who will do further testing to determine a possible cause for your condition and the necessary treatment.

Answer 3

It could be an accessory conduction pathway, such as seen in Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. The Purkinje fibers, which are supposed to terminate in the ventricles, instead wrap back around into the atria, causing a "short circuit" in effect. Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia and atrial fibrillation are common with this disorder, and could explain the fluttering. Ask for a 30 day holter monitor, and a referral to a cardiologist. Cut out all chemical stimulants from your diet - coffee, tea, chocolate are all caffeine-laden. Avoid them.

Generally, though, your episodes seem very short in duration. If the longer lasting episodes start occurring more often, you should seek medical attention.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

Sounds like a heart murmur to me. I have a heart murmur and sometimes I get the sensation I am falling. At least people with heart murmur describe it that way or they describe it like you do. The minute I get that sensation I feel like I have to breath harder because otherwise I feel as if my heart will stop. An EKG or heart sonogram will be able to confirm. Ask your doctor for one just to be on the safe side. Some doctors ears are very keen and can actually listen for a heart murmur through their stethoscope. If it is a heart murmur, well you would have joined millions of people that have it. It is very common in women and nothing to really fret about. If you go to the dentist for cleaning, you will have to take penicillin. The doctor will explain to you.

Answer 5

You need to be put on a holter monitor, it is a heart monitor that you take home and wear for a day or two so the doctors can see patterns and catch the arrhythmia when it happens

Answer 6

go to a doctor right away to find out!

things like coffee and such can give you an arrythmia called PACs (premature atrial contractions).

the deadly rhythms are Ventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Fibrilation, and of course Asystole (flat line), which im sure you DONT have. With these 3 you need emergency care with EMTs and doctors in the ER.

This is pretty much what i know off the top of my head about arrhythmias that i learned in school. hope it helps. but see a doctor!

Answer 7

!st of all, you need to get a second opinoin. Your physician owes you more than just a "so,so" and a hand movement. That is rude and insensitive to your concerns. He sounds like another jack *** physician who thinks he is above his patient. I would say more but I can save it for now.
Secondly, see a cardiologist, it cannot hurt anything and if you are concerned you deserve to have those worries brought to a rest. Many people have palpitations like you are describing. It could be anything from mitral valve prolapse to short spurts of a fib. I am sure you will be fine.
Im another RN and a heart patient myself.

Answer 8

Amitriptyline (trade name: Elavil) can cause ventricular arrhythmia, to be exact.

Answer 9

Sounds like Atrial Fibrillation, which is what I get once in awhile. My heart becomes completely chaotic and disorganized, and rapid.

Answer 10

I have arrhytmia myself,,went to e,r and resukts came all good,, nothing out of normal.. But they did mention heart gets off beat sometimes.. No pain involved.. They said i should see a csrdiologist to make sure why,, i dont drink coffe.. Havent drink beer in a konth and half.. I dont eat fst foods.. And excersie ldaily.. So yes it sucks.. I tske of myself and still have arrhytmia..