Comment from: adrie, 19-24 Female (Patient)Published: July 10
I am 23 years old, and three years ago, I started with my palpitations. It was really bad! My heart would race fast, and I'd get really dizzy and pass out. I was in the hospital for two weeks, and they did every test you can think of. I was the youngest one on the cardiac floor and the youngest to have an angiogram performed. It finally went away. They gave me Lopressor to slow down my heart rate. It worked a little. Well that was three years ago, and I've been having palpitations again. Sometimes it feels as if it skips a beat; sometimes it feels as if my heart is working hard to make a beat. I hate this, and it's scary! They never told me what was wrong. So now, here I am, wondering why its back and hoping it doesn't get to the point it was when I was passing out.
Comment from: unt80, 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: July 10
I have had palpitations since I was 14. I am now 28. It used to not be very bad, but I have noticed lately that they are getting much worse. I can actually feel it about a second before it starts. I am not overweight, don't smoke or drink. Mine is much, much worse when I am tired or when I am lying down. Rarely do I have a problem when I am actually moving.
Comment from: BJ, 55-64 Male (Patient)Published: June 29
I had very bothersome palpitations that doctors couldn't seem to find a cause for and basically dismissed. After lots of questions and probing on my part, I finally found a doctor who listened and eventually diagnosed my problem as acid reflux (GERD). I'd previously had some indigestion symptoms, but they'd dissipated, so it wasn't anything I associated with my heart palpitations. However, once the acid reflux was controlled with medication, the heart palpitations disappeared completely.
Comment from: paulie, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: March 02
I have been getting palpitations on and off for about seven to eight years, although they seem to be more frequent now. It is unnerving to say the least! I have had an enlarged thyroid diagnosed also around seven years ago. I have just had blood work done for this; no test results yet. Maybe by the end of the week I will have them. I am post-menopausal, at age 48. I have a rapid heartbeat, sometimes with dizziness. I really want something to stop these palpitations because they are really getting me down and affecting my daily life.
Comment from: sbullet, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: July 10
I have had palpitations for many years. I have a right bundle block but the doctors over the years have said that has nothing to do with it. I do smoke a pack of cigarettes every other day, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, PBC-stage two, and have electric zaps in my head. I guess I should monitor when I have these palpitations and what my activity is at that time. They are scary! I know I must choose a healthier lifestyle too.
Comment from: Mrs T, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: July 10
I had an ablation in June of 2009. It took more than five hours and was unsuccessful. I am still having bad palpitations. I am due to see the doctor who carried out the procedure who has told me there is another procedure called balloon mapping. I do not want to go through that procedure while awake.
Comment from: silviablum, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: June 29
I have had heart palpitations for about five years on and off. I have had tests run that show nothing. I just recently started getting them again, and it is so annoying. I feel it in my throat and chest. I can't say I have any pain but a slight tightness on my left side. It is really uncomfortable. I don't have high blood pressure, but I have cut out soda and limited caffeine. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow for a checkup and will bring up the palpitations again. I wish there was a quick fix.
Comment from: cathy, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: May 20
I have had palpitations for more than nine years. I had all the tests and nothing showed up. I also get the left-sided stomach/rib pain. This pain comes about five minutes after the palps begin. I put it down to the food I have eaten because I can stop it by sitting on the toilet and trying to pass something, which stops them within five minutes. Thank God because they are yucky! I hate going to bed on a full stomach because you can guarantee a wake-up call from my heart!
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Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning. These episodes can occur at any time, even during sleep. A person experiencing a panic attack may believe that he or she is having a heart attack or that death is imminent. The fear and terror that a person experiences during a panic attack are not in proportion to the true situation and may be unrelated to what is happening around them. Most people with panic attacks experience several of the following symptoms: racing heartbeat, faintness, dizzyness, numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers, chills, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of loss or control. There are several treatments for panic attacks.
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. With an arrhythmia, the heartbeats may be irregular or too slow (bradycardia), to rapid (tachycardia), or too early. When a single heartbeat occurs earlier than normal, it is called a prmature contraction.
Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle.
Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the coronary
arteries. EKG, exercise treadmill, stress echocardiography, stress thallium, and cardiac
catheterization are important tests used in the diagnosis of angina.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
Hypoglycemia is a syndrome caused by low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include palpitations, trembling, intense hunger, sweating, nervousness, and weakness. Consuming lifesavers, table sugar, soda, and juice are good treatment options for hypoglycemia.
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is also also known as "click murmur syndrome" and "Barlow's syndrome." Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve abnormality. Signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse include: fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, and migraine headaches. Echocardiography is the most useful test for mitral valve prolapse. Most patients do not need any treatment, however, patients with severe prolapse may need treatment.
Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for cell function. Low potassium (hypokalemia) may be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, ileostomy, colon polyps, laxative use, diuretics, elevated corticosteroid levels, renal artery stenosis, and renal tubular acidosis, or other medications. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, aches, and cramps of the muscles. Treatment is dependant upon the cause of the low potassium (hypokalemia).
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are premature heartbeats originating from the ventricles of the heart. PVCs are premature because they occur before the regular heartbeat. There are many causes of premature ventricular contractions to include: heart attack, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, hypokalemia, hypoxia, medications, excess caffeine, drug abuse, and myocarditis.
Marfan syndrome is hereditary condition affecting connective tissue. A person with Marfan syndrome may exhibit the following symptoms and characteristics: dislocation of one or both lenses of the eye; a protruding or indented breastbone; scoliosis; flat feet; aortic dilatation; dural ectasia; stretch marks; hernia; and lung collapse. Though there is no cure for Marfan syndrome, there are treatments that can minimize and sometimes prevent some complications.
Heart rhythm disorders vary from minor palpitations, premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), sinus tachycardia, and sinus brachycardia, to abnormal heart rhythms such as tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), Wolf-White-Parkinson syndrome, brachycardia, or heart blocks. Treatment is dependant upon the type of heart rhythm disorder.
Aortic valve stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart. The causes of aortic stenosis are wear and tear of the valve in the elderly, congenital, or scarring or scarring of the aortic valve from rheumatic fever. Symptoms include angina, fainting, and shortness of breath. Treatment is dependant upon the severity of the condition.
Heart valve disease occurs when the heart valves do not work the way they should. Symptoms of valve disease include shortness of breath, weakness or dizziness, discomfort in your chest, palpitations, swelling of your ankles, feet or abdomen, and rapid weight gain.
A heart murmur is the sound generated when blood flow within the heart is not smooth. Causes of heart murmurs can be functional, congenital, or caused heart valve conditions. Symptoms of a heart murmur may be none, or may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and arm, leg, and ankle swelling. Treatment of a heart murmur depends on the cause.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a condition in which abnormal electrical pathways in the heart cause arrhythmias. Symptoms of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome include tachycardia, dizziness, palpitations, fainting, and shortness of breath. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a common cause of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is caused by mutations in the PRKAG2 gene.
Ticks are known transmitters of disease to humans and animals. Tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, tularemia, babesiosis, and Southern tick-associated rash illness. Infected ticks spread disease once they've bitten a host, allowing the pathogens in their saliva and mouth get into the host's skin and blood. Tick bites are typically painless, but the site of the bite may later itch, burn, turn red, and feel painful. Individuals allergic to tick bites may develop a rash, swelling, shortness of breath, numbness, or paralysis. Tick bite treatment involves cleaning and applying antibiotic cream.
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is an abnormal conduction of electricity in particular areas of the heart. PSVT was referred to at one time as paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or PAT, however, the term PAT is reserved for as specific heart condition. Symptoms of PSVT include weakness, shortness of breath, chest pressure, lightheadedness, and palpitations. PSVT is treated with medications or procedures that return the heart to its normal electrical pattern.
Heart failure is caused by many conditions including coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and conditions that overwork the heart. Symptoms of heart failure include congested lungs, fluid and water retention, dizziness, fatigue and weakness, and rapid or irregular heartbeats.
Chagas disease is an infection caused by the T. cruzi parasite. Symptoms of Chagas disease include rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and the Romaña sign. An ELISA test is used to diagnose Chagas disease. Treatment depends upon the phase of the disease and the patient's age.
Schistosomiasis (snail fever), a disease caused by parasites, causes a variety of symptoms and signs, such as cough, rash and bloody diarrhea. Praziquantel is used in the treatment of schistosomiasis.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart's main pumping chamber is enlarged and weakened. Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy include chest pain, heart failure, swelling of the lower extremities, fatigue, weight gain, fainting, palpitations, dizziness and blood clots.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects many people today. Many people with HCM have no symptoms or only minor symptoms, and live a normal life. Other people develop symptoms, which progress and worsen as heart function worsens.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy, the rarest form of cardiomyopathy, is a condition in which the walls of the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) are abnormally rigid and lack the flexibility to expand as the ventricles fill with blood.
The pumping or systolic function of the ventricle may be normal but the diastolic function (the ability of the heart to fill with blood) is abnormal. Therefore, it is harder for the ventricles to fill with blood, and with time, the heart loses the ability to pump blood properly, leading to heart failure.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy, the rarest form of cardiomyopathy, is a condition in which the walls of the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) are abnormally rigid and lack the flexibility to expand as the ventricles fill with blood.
The pumping or systolic function of the ventricle may be normal but the diastolic function (the ability of the heart to fill with blood) is abnormal. Therefore, it is harder for the ventricles to fill with blood, and with time, the heart loses the ability to pump blood properly, leading to heart failure.
What Are the Symptoms of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy?
Many people with restrictive cardiomyopathy have no symptoms or only minor symptoms, and live a normal life. Other people develop symptoms, which progress and worsen as heart function worsens.
Symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy can occur at any age and may include:
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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I am 23 years old, and three years ago, I started with my palpitations. It was really bad! My heart would race fast, and I'd get really dizzy and pass out. I was in the hospital for two weeks, and they did every test you can think of. I was the youngest one on the cardiac floor and the youngest to have an angiogram performed. It finally went away. They gave me Lopressor to slow down my heart rate. It worked a little. Well that was three years ago, and I've been having palpitations again. Sometimes it feels as if it skips a beat; sometimes it feels as if my heart is working hard to make a beat. I hate this, and it's scary! They never told me what was wrong. So now, here I am, wondering why its back and hoping it doesn't get to the point it was when I was passing out.
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