Heart Flutters/Palpitations

S.,

Another thought - are you taking a B Complex? I had what you describe about your age...the doctor asked me what kind of B vitamin I was taking and then said for me to go to the health food store and get one without YEAST. The flutters stopped immediately upon changing.

Different topic: I'm over here in Memphis area; was a homeschooling mom, also. The VERY BEST thing I learned (after picking brains of role models for many months)about sibling rivalry was to cut the attention I was giving it. I would sit them down, talk it out and try to take appropriate action. Upon advice from a seasoned mom - I announced: There will be no more arguing. If I hear any arguing - *both* of you will get a correction - no questions asked. After the first chance to test me to see if I were serious - the arguing dropped by 85%!! Didn't quit - but I could hear them whipering an argument off somewhere sometimes (which I didn't acknowledge). :) Our house was so much more peaceful.

Those two are now 35 and 32 - best of friends.

J.
www.joyboudreau.com

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S., several things can cause this feeling...too much caffeine or use of certain medications to include over the counter meds. I urge you to see your doctor and let them know everything that's been going on. Make sure to record when it happens, do you have shortness of breath when it occurs, what exactly are you doing when you notice...sometimes we only notice these feelings when we are still, even though they can occur when we are busy, we just don't notice. I wish you the very best of luck and hope everything is well. Please see your doc to be sure.

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Hi S.,

It can be anything that the ladies have mentioned already, hormones, too much caffeine and also stress. At 43 the body does start changing and sometimes you notice things you've never noticed before. If you aren't already, you might want to start taking an absorbable multivitamin and some other supplements to protect your heart. I have no heart issues but I do take something for protection (that has grape seed and grape skin extract) that keeps plaque from building up as well as keeps the elasticity in my vascular system. The hardening we hear so much about is happening younger and younger because our diets are not as healthy as they once was. Prevention is worth so much., especially with little ones still at home :)

Regards,

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

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I have had that since I was 24. (I am 51 now) I had an EKG and they said everything was perfect. It still happens, about once a month. I just figure it is the way my heart works!! Let me know if you find out different! Thanks!

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I can be hormonal. Estrogen dominance can cause palpitations. Might be worth exploring with you doctor.

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I am also 42 and have heart palpitations along with being tired. My heart would pound mostly when I was "resting" I thought the tired part was just due to having two small children(they are 2 and 4). After several test, it was found I have thyroid issues. Perimenepause can cause these symptoms as well. I suggest seeing a endocrinologist and they can take some simple blood test. Fortunatly, it's nothing serious, but don't mess around with any heart issues. Getting older is tough-LOL! Good Luck!

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This happened to me also. Went in for an EKG, Stress tests, etc....the only thing that showed up was that I was Pregnant! LOL....

After the first few months of my pregnancy, they went away!

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Could be stress related.
We all seem to be overstressed these days. If so, it could be a little panic attack.

For stress I'd recommend taking a good vit B complex.

Cut back on the caffeine. Are you taking any new meds? OTC or prescribed?

Try journaling your day to include everything you ingest, stressors, when the feeling occurs. You might be able to see a pattern.

P : )

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This started with me five years ago. I had test after test after test and no on ecould find out what was wrong with me. I had a few other symtoms as well. Look up Hypervenilation syndrome. It was causing all of my problems.

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Heart palpitations are a sign of thyroid issues, but you said you have plenty of energy and all that, but it's still a possibility. I've had them for years, just every once in a while, and I attribute them to the low thyroid.

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It may be caused by an overload of caffeine or it could be an anxiety attack.

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I had the exact same thing happen to me. They started as light flutters and then got deeper and closer together. The most severe episode came at 3am while nursing my 4th baby...and, of course, my husband was on the other side of the country. It was bad enough that I called 911. With follow-up, I found that everything came back normal...blood pressure, thyroid, pulse ox, chest x-rays, and heart ultrasound. The doctors wrote it off as anxiety (not sure why...I only have a job and 4 kids :) )...although I am sure it could have been hormone related. The truth is that it could be a number of things, and you'll only feel better about it if you rule out some of them. Check with your doctor. Good luck!

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I myself have not had heart palpatations, but my husband does have pretty bad ones. He started getting them a few years back when we were living in SC over the summer. It was really hot and humid outside and he said he could feel his heart flutter every once in a while and then would get a head rush all of the sudden. I took him to the ER and while they were running tests he passed out multiple times. Turns out his palpatations were so severe that his heart would flutter, stop for a beat, and restart itself causing the head rush of blood to his brain. After all the tests the doctors determined it was due to dehydration and too much consumption of cafiene. I'm not sure what your cercumstances are but it may be similar for you. By the way, the ER doctors tested my husband for every possible drug under the sun because they thought we was on something before they actually listened to us and realized what it was!

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Do you take any medications? It could be a side effect of them - or even of a supplement that you are taking. I, too, have these feelings and have had my heart checked - everything was fine. My doctor said that I might be having a panic attack. I can't say that I necessarily agree with that as I don't seem to be worrying about anything in particular at the time it happens, but he said it could be subconscious. Definitely go to the doctor and get checked and at least you won't worry that something is wrong that could be corrected. Good luck!

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I had those when I was around your age, and I still get them occasionally. For me, it was a combination of factors. I was stressed out between kids and work. I was also going through perimenopause. For me, it was hormonal. Now they happen about two or three times a year. Hardly enough to notice.

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Hi S.
What you are experiencing is completely common, although, everyone who feels this deals with their symptoms differently. Some people are symptomatic and some are not. You may try cutting your caffeine, stress, etc. Try to get more exercise. If this doesn't help you may need to see a cardiologist to get a monitor placed to see what type of rhythm is causing the palpitations. Sometimes certain rhythms can be treated with medicines. I know this sounds like a lot and I didn't want to overwhelm you with this information, but it is nothing lifethreatening, just more/less a nuisance. Many people experience this like I said. I am a nurse and I work with cardiac patients.
Email me if you need anything.

PJ

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What's your caffiene intake like? I know that you can overstimulate if you drink too much. I had a few "flutters" when I drank caffiene after being off it for 2 years because I was either pregnant or nursing.

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It could be a million things and many of them very serious. This is a medical problem and you need to see a doctor.

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S.,
It sounds like you have an active life, which is a great stress reliever - should knock that down way low on the diagnosis list. It should also put thyroid issues on a lower alert level, but keep them in sight on the horizon. Everyone has a wealth of possibilities most of which are fairly benign and easily managed without seeing your doctor. There are a great many highly effective homeopathic remedies for most minor ailments (as well as some more complex problems, but you want to check with your doctor before using any of them) I recently had the opportunity to educate my doctor on a highly effective treatment for plantar warts. Duct tape! I read several articles online which said it was a good treatment. I tried it and it worked. When I told my doctor about it, she said, "I've heard about that but I've never talked to anyone who's ever tried it." (What followed was a bit of banter about the possibility of writing a Rx for Duct Tape!)
Now, back to your heart flutters. As I said, most of the possibilities are fairly benign and some are highly unlikely in your case. The worst case scenario is mitral valve prolapse or MVP. This condition is far [FAR] more likely to occur in women than in men. Although it is a lifelong condition and tends to be asymptomatic (not showing any symptoms), it might be noticed/discovered as early as your teens or not noticed until after your mid thirties. Many people may not know they have the condition until a routine physical picks up the click of the heart valve with a stethoscope. Unfortunately, many doctors don't seem to be aware of the problem or, at the very least, don't seem to take it seriously. In most cases, the condition causes no problems and needs no treatment other than to be aware and alert for new symptoms. Unfortunately, it can be a devastating disorder.
MVP refers to the mitral valve in the heart. Prolapse means the valve is sluggish and does not open and close properly. So the heart is not pumping blood the way it should. It tends to be noticed more when a person is relaxed or resting or if they are strenuously exerting (or immediately after). Obviously, if the heart is not functioning properly, there can be serious ramifications. Mitral valve regurgitation, when blood flushes back into the heart chamber, can, worst case scenario, lead to endocarditis, and infection of the heart.

Other symptoms may be dizziness, passing out, chest pain lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour or longer and not caused by a heart attack (this needs to be determined by an EKG). There are a number of excellent websites with information. Just key in mitral valve prolapse.

Hopefully, your condition is just a case of exhaustion and your body will recover on its own. But it's better to be sure. And, should you go to the doctor, remember that he or she is not in charge of your healthcare ... you are. The doctor is only a partner to help in your care. Let your doctor know your concerns. Don't be afraid to ask questions about anything concerning your health care or even to disagree with your doctor. The way to get the best healthcare is if you and your doctor have an open give and take relationship.

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S., I have those sensations, too, often when I am resting. Sometimes I have a flutter, sometimes what feels like a big beat or a skipped beat. After x-rays, a holter monitor (24 hr take home gadget), and a cardiologist, they concluded it is PVC's (Pre-ventricular contractions) a big word for a small blip that has no negative consequences (except my occasional alarm). I also have mitral valve prolapse, yet another big word for a small blip sometimes lumped into "heart murmur."

I encourage you to see your Dr so you, too can get a satisfactory explanation (whatever yours is) because anything to do with your heart (especially when we are fit and healthy otherwise) can be alarming.

H.

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S., I used to have palpitations all of the time. Mine are due to anxiety. I don't have them near as often as I used too. I thought I was going crazy until I realized what they were. I don't know if you suffer from anxiety but that's what mine are from. Just thought you should know. J. A.

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hear is what I would recommend go to Womenheart.org, and read some of th stories under Inspire, that is where you will find alot of help and support. It may be nothing, but request a echo cardiogram along with a ekg, however keep in mind women heart disease is so different I should know as many of us do on inspire, we were all very healthy and some of us have had everything from heart attacks to heart strokes, to bypass surgery, and believe me you are not to young, I am healthy weight normal, low blood pressure, low heart rate, and on Sept 18, 2004 my life change from a heart attack into a triple by pass, on women heart.org it will give you some question to find out if there is a concern or not. Women heart disease is the NO 1 silent killer over breast cancer in today society. because we don't show the signs of a man when they get a heart attack, fatigue, numbness in the left side in the jaw, or shoulders, and remember everyone is different, go to web md even and check out the information regarding heart disease.
Sorry for being straight forward but this is one subject that is very dear to my heart, and I want women to wake up and smell the coffee of heart disease it is real.

B. A

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Hi S., I get those sometimes too. My OB told me not to worry if you notice them at rest. I guess during or just after excerise is a problem. I also notice that it happens more often if I have caffeine.

I think it is worth talking to your doctor about it, but you may not have to set a seperate appointment.

Good Luck! D..

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Sounds to me that you are in perimenopause. That is one of the symptoms. Find a female doctor or Female Nurse Practioner that specializes in hormone balancing and go see her. I have been doing this for over 3 years and I am 52. Ask them to check your testosterone levels- Free and total. Also your estradiol and progesterone levels, homosysteine, DHEA. She has also been watching my thyroid and tests for that looking at T4,T3-free, TSH and Free T4. These tests must be broken down in order to get a good diagnosis. These are all simple blood tests. I am also taking a dietary supplement-Gabamax- to help with anxiety which may help your palps as well.
Don't listen to anyone who shuns you and says you are healthy. They aren't specialized enough in hormones to understand the situation. Get Dr. Phil's wife's (Robin McGraw) book, "What has age got to do with it!" She talks about all this and more. You may want to go to his website to see what you can learn as I am sure she has a spot on there.
Good luck.

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I am 30 and have had those for years. but just off and on. If this is an every day thing, I would put in a call. Do you have an advice nurse?

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Dear S.,
Hopefully by this time, you've been to the doctor about your palpitations. You've received a lot of very experienced answers from the other moms and I won't reiterate what they have said.
However, people are most likely to notice palpitations when they are relaxed and not distracted. This might be why you notice them when you are still and at the computer.
Good luck!

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