heart palpatations?

Question

Just lately I have been getting a lot of heart palpatations. They aren't there all the time, but they come and go oftern. Also, I can get breathless fairly easy and when I wake up in the morning, I am always soaked because I have sweated like crazy through the night! Do you think these are all related to one thing? Does anyone know what may be wrong? Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't know if this helps, but I had all of the same symptoms and was under the assumption that I had a heart murmur. Turns out that the murmur was misdiagnosed and I have a congenital heart defect called Atrial Septal Defect. (where the hole in your heart is between the top two chambers instead of the bottom chambers like a murmur) It is repairable by surgery if it is bad enough, but most of the time it is just left alone.

I would talk to your doctor about it, have him/her refer you to a cardiologist to do some tests. I had to have a TEE(a ultrasound from inside the throat) to find my defect.
Good luck ...my heart problem scared the crap out of me until I found out more about it. God Bless and take care of yourself.

Answer 2

You may or may not have a heart problem. The wisest thing to do would be to seek medical attention. Have yourself checked and examined thoroughly so that you can rely on a physician's diagnosis so you could stop wondering and worrying about what could be wrong.

Be observant as to the "triggers" of your palpitations. What things get you tense or stressed out? What time of day do you feel the palpitations, what food or drinks do you take prior to feeling these things? What state of mind are you in lately....that is, can you exactly describe you psycho-emotional condition these days? Are you in fear of or worried about something such that you feel like you aren't in control?
When you do seek medical help, try to give as much information on your overall condition....be specific about everything for this will help your situation.

Answer 3

I had palpatations a few times myself, which made me breathless and a little afraid, no heavy sweating though. I was tested etc, but the doctor put it down to stress and slight panic attacks. He was probably right, as they hardly ever come now. Hope this helps

Answer 4

Tachycardia means a fast heart rate. The normal adult heart rate, or pulse, ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. A heart rate that continues to beat above 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia.
Tachycardia can occur naturally, for example, when you are exercising. It can also be caused by serious, life-threatening heart problems.

Your heart rate normally increases in several situations, such as when you:
* Exercise
* Have a fever
* Are anxious or excited

Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone in your body) can cause a fast heartbeat. Problems with the heart that can also cause tachycardia are:
* Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): These forms of tachycardia are disturbances in the natural electrical impulse that causes your heart to pump. The problem occurs above the ventricles (the lower chambers of your heart). If you have PAT or SVT, it does not necessarily mean that you have a serious heart problem.
* Atrial fibrillation: This is an abnormal rhythm pattern where the right and left atria (upper heart chambers) are contracting irregularly and making the heart beat faster.
* Ventricular tachycardia: This is a less common, but more dangerous kind of tachycardia. The heart beats in a regular rhythm but very fast. This abnormality is caused by heart disease. In a few cases it can be due to medication you are taking, such as digitalis or quinidine. The problem starts in your ventricles (lower heart chambers). The most serious aspect of ventricular tachycardia is that it can become ventricular fibrillation.
* Ventricular fibrillation: This is the most serious type of tachycardia. Your heart beats in an irregular rhythm and very fast. Your ventricles contract (squeeze) chaotically, which prevents the heart from pumping. When this happens, blood circulation stops. Sometimes the episodes are brief and suddenly go away. Most often, however, ventricular fibrillation requires immediate medical treatment to prevent brain damage or death.
* Mitral valve prolapse: This mild deformity of one of the valves in your heart can cause a fast heart rate.

The main symptom is the sensation of a fast heartbeat. Other symptoms of tachycardia that may require medical treatment are:

* Lightheadedness or fainting
* Nausea
* Cold sweat
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain

These symptoms may be caused by any type of tachycardia, mild to severe. The more serious the tachycardia is, the more severe the symptoms are. Contact your health care provider if you are having any of these other symptoms in addition to the fast heartbeat.
The treatment depends on which type of tachycardia you have. Treatment may range from exercise conditioning to control of anxiety symptoms. It may include medication.

The best prevention is to have a heart-healthy lifestyle:
* Maintain a healthy weight.
* Eat a healthy diet.
* Get regular exercise, as recommended by your health care provider.
* Don't smoke.
* Seldom use other stimulants, for example, caffeine.
* Have regular medical check-ups after age 40.

Answer 5

Palpitations At A Glance

* Palpitations can occur without heart disease or as a result of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
* The SA node is the pacemaker of the heart.
* Slow heart rhythms are called bradycardias. Rapid heart rhythms are called tachycardias.
* The average normal heart beats at a rate of 60 times per minute.
* Some patients with arrhythmias have no symptoms while others can have symptoms, such as palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
* Arrhythmias can occur because of disease of heart muscle, valves, electrical system, or arteries to the heart (coronary arteries).
* Palpitations can be evaluated with testing, such as blood tests, echocardiogram, EKG, Holter monitor, treadmill testing, and tests of the coronary arteries.
* Palpitations can be relieved in many patients by stress reduction, stopping cigarettes, and reduction of caffeine and alcohol.
* Some patients have palpitations associated with abnormal heartbeats that can require medications.
Kindly have your cardiac status evaluated by a Cardiologist.

Answer 6

Could be your thyroid gland. I'd get checked out by the doc immediately if I was you. Husband had the same thing and is now on a low dose medication for the problem. (by the way if it is this you won't have to pay for the medication) Hope this helps. Make an appt. 2 c yr doc 1st thing 2morro.

Answer 7

Being a paramedic I would say you have Atrial fribillation and is easily managle with drugs,I have had 7 cardio versions to get rid of it but while my heart goes back to normal beat it always slips into the 1812 overture in under 24 hours reacing sometimes 200 beats a minute but the I have a jab to stop and start it. get yourself referred to a cardiologist

Answer 8

have you been really worrying about things?, anxiety can cause this then worring about the palpatations can make it worse, i had really bad palpatations when iwas really ill,and medication such as painkillers can bring them on or even stopping medication, i would get it checked out just incase something's up, my Gp taught me a way to calm palpatations if they are not stopping, if you lay flat and then find the main artery in the front of your neck ,where you can feel the pulse then gently apply pressure and massage ,this can help, also beta blockers can help but please please get checked, hope this helps and you are ok, i know from expperience its very scary.

Answer 9

Do you have a lot of caffiene or a lot of stress as both can cause them symptoms, either way I would suggest getting this checked out by your gp to be on the safe side.
Another cause of them symptoms is hyperthroidism so maybe have your t4 checked as well.

Answer 10

my daughter has the same problem and was diagnosed with heart arrithmia its not dangerous but does need to be checked out and kept an eye on by a doctor