Heart palpitations...

Anyone ever had them or know how to control them when they happen?

Apparently I have them. It all started when I was teaching an elementary violin class yesterday afternoon. I felt dizzy and my pulse was racing so I let them out early. Just walking to my car was difficult. So when it happened a second time that afternoon that's when I drove to the ER. So after a 5-6 hour stay in the ER, the doctor says it's most likely caused from stress and caffeine. On the bright side i tested negative for drugs and for being pregnant.:p

I get it sometimes. I think it's been in connection with some virus I've picked up (like a particular strain of the flu or cold). Then it gets worse if I have taken cough medicine. Seems to go away again after the cold and flu passes.

Darn, here I was hoping you WERE pregnant, so I could be an auntie!!

Sounds like to me you had some anxiety. Anxiety causes heart palpitations. Stress, caffeine and other factors do it also. I have heart palpitations myself, usually caused by anxiety, even though you don't think you're anxious.

Caffeine -- if you had a lot more than "average" in your system -- could well have been the cause, Mano. Most CNS stimulants have the capacity to cause an irregular heart rhythm (ephedrine...and other substances that mimic its effect...are among the worst). Also, keep in mind that even mild dehydration significantly lowers the "threshold" level at which your CNS will react adversely to these substances.

I do get them from caffeine...i had to cut back. One cup of coffee a day.

Also get them when i dont get enough sleep, and when my blood sugar is low. I need to eat something small every 3-4 hours. They are scary! i've been getting them for a long time, and they still feel so creepy.

Caffeine -- if you had a lot more than "average" in your system -- could well have been the cause, Mano. Most CNS stimulants have the capacity to cause an irregular heart rhythm (ephedrine...and other substances that mimic its effect...are among the worst). Also, keep in mind that even mild dehydration significantly lowers the "threshold" level at which your CNS will react adversely to these substances.

You know...i did notice that my mouth was getting dry and i needed water but i wanted to put it off until i was done with teaching. Halfway through i reached a point where i absolutely needed water and it was pretty much a snowball effect after that.

When i thought about it i realized that i had taken a redbull but hadn't eaten all day.

so redbull + dehydration + stress from teaching = palpitation city...

and... here i just thought i might be pregnant. Bella would've made a wonderful aunt. :D

In all honesty, i'm glad i can laugh about it now...it defintely was not a fun experience last night.

I do get them from caffeine...i had to cut back. One cup of coffee a day.

Also get them when i dont get enough sleep, and when my blood sugar is low. I need to eat something small every 3-4 hours. They are scary! i've been getting them for a long time, and they still feel so creepy.

they are creepy indeed! makes me paranoid about if they'll happen again at the worst time for it to happen! (i.e. teaching or during exams) that in itself causes some anxiety.

So sorry you went through this Mano.:( Caffeine gives me the same symptoms. The more caffeine the worse it gets. So, basically I am a no-caffeine gurl now.

time to take better care of Mano, mano!!

glad it wasn't serious, even though it felt like it at the time. no more caffeine overdoses, please.

Nothing scarier than a racing heart....I've had that during ultra-emotional-stress times...adrenaline can cause the same effect as caffiene.

Sorry you had to deal with that...especially while teaching! Yikes...you feel like you're gonna die, and having the kids there, wow...glad it wasn't anything serious, Mano!

Darn, here I was hoping you WERE pregnant, so I could be an auntie!!


Huh? Who are you talking to? I can't get preggers anymore.

But now that you mention it, I did have extremely weird heart things going on when I was pregnant with the twins. The doctors told me it was the increased amount of hormones that a woman gets when she's carrying twins. It made my heart pound harder and it was so strongly beating from one side that it was causing skipped beats or something. Or double beats. I don't remember now. But they said it was common with women carrying twins and it was because of the increased hormones.

Huh? Who are you talking to? I can't get preggers anymore.

But now that you mention it, I did have extremely weird heart things going on when I was pregnant with the twins. The doctors told me it was the increased amount of hormones that a woman gets when she's carrying twins. It made my heart pound harder and it was so strongly beating from one side that it was causing skipped beats or something. Or double beats. I don't remember now. But they said it was common with women carrying twins and it was because of the increased hormones.

Why, my buddy Bella we referring to me of course.

She's always wanted to be an Aunt. Sorry to get your hopes up Bella.:cool:

Sorry you had to deal with that...especially while teaching! Yikes...you feel like you're gonna die, and having the kids there, wow...glad it wasn't anything serious, Mano!

Well i've ate healthier and rested a lot the past few days so that should've helped a lot. but there's definitely going to be apprehension when i start teaching my students again on monday. i'm definitely going to have a bottle of water nearby just in case. I think i'm fine now but now just paranoid where/if the next palpitation attack occurs.

I had some coffee last weekend, first time in probably over a year.

I got extremely anxious feeling. So I pulled out the old chicory (coffee substitute that has the opposite of a caffeine rush - it actually flushes out the stress hormone, cortisol, from the body). Within a short while I was feeling fine again.

Actually, when I make my chicory, I use the roasted, ground chicory root, but I also mix in with the grounds a tablespoon of barley grass powder. That is high in vitamin B and very good for the nervous system.

You should be able to find chicory drinks in a health food store, if you're interested. Or, if you live anywhere around Louisiana, I hear that's the common drink there anyway.

I think it tastes like coffee, but it could be like an herbal tea taste, too, but very much richer/stronger in flavor. I like to mix it with milk and have a "frapaccino" like drink. Yum!

Well I'm from San Diego so i think my best bet for finding chicory is probably in an herbal store. But thanks for the suggestion i'll look into it.

i did notice that my mouth was getting dry If you were taking any sinus medication like Sudafed, it can cause your heart to beat faster. Just FYI. :)

Thank you for all your replies and advice...so far I’ve been able to do a better job in preventing these palpitations. I've been drinking lots of water and staying away from any caffeine.

However I did have these palpitations once again last Wednesday evening while driving home from school. Some have told me that these are panic attacks I’m having and that I’m just anxious. But now I’m not so sure.

I’ve noticed that my heart beat often starts speeding when I’m walking up hills/stairs, when I start teaching, or when I do things involving a lot of physical activity such as teaching. Afterwards when my heart rate slows down I start experiencing this pain around my heart and a lot of fatigue for the rest of the day. For the past few days the pain and fast heart rate seems to come on a little stronger anyone have ideas of why?

I THINK I'm covered for insurance for just a little longer but we're looking for a more long-term health insurance company. However I would like to get a check up from the ER to make sure everything is okay with my heart. As stupid as this sounds I'm just worried that there may be a fee for a check up as i'm still waiting on the bill for the trip to the ER a few weeks ago. Any suggestions?

Yes. I'm a nurse.

Don't go to the ER for a "check-up." You DO need this addressed with an MD ASAP. What you're describing is not normal, esp. given your age. You really need a cardiologist. I would NOT chalk this up to anxiety. ER's don't really care what's really going on with you...they are there to treat life threatening situations and I'm sure they've already told you to follow up with a doctor.

If you have a primary care physician, get there right away to be refered to a cardiologist. If you don't have a regular doctor, it's time to get one immediately.

Don't let this slide. This could be a number of things, and the fact that you are having pain and fatigue are not good signs Mano. You need an EKG, an echocardiogram and blood work to start.

GET TO A DOCTOR ASAP!!! It's unfortunate that it's Saturday. If you have any chest pain over the weekend, go to the ER. If not, call a doctor first thing Monday morning and get established. Tell them what your problem is, and ask to be seen ASAP.

Gosh Mano. I sure hope you find the cause soon. Let us know how you are doing. I know that is a scary thing to go through.:(

Yes. I'm a nurse.

Don't go to the ER for a "check-up." You DO need this addressed with an MD ASAP. What you're describing is not normal, esp. given your age. You really need a cardiologist. I would NOT chalk this up to anxiety. ER's don't really care what's really going on with you...they are there to treat life threatening situations and I'm sure they've already told you to follow up with a doctor.

If you have a primary care physician, get there right away to be refered to a cardiologist. If you don't have a regular doctor, it's time to get one immediately.

Don't let this slide. This could be a number of things, and the fact that you are having pain and fatigue are not good signs Mano. You need an EKG, an echocardiogram and blood work to start.

GET TO A DOCTOR ASAP!!! It's unfortunate that it's Saturday. If you have any chest pain over the weekend, go to the ER. If not, call a doctor first thing Monday morning and get established. Tell them what your problem is, and ask to be seen ASAP.


DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, the pain and fatigue add a different dimension, get thee to a doctor pronto, cause I said so.

Not the ER, and not a walk in clinic either, k?

Also...going to a doctor appt. will most likely cost less than a visit to the ER room.

They are there for life threatening situations and charge according based on providing a time critical service.

I get heart palpatations all the time (mine is from my medicine). They can be very frightening and painful! In fact it was horrible with my pregnancy. I couldn't breathe at times and some days it got to the point my chest would hurt and feel bruised.

The minute I told my doctor they had me tested (I walked around with a machine that monitored my heart for 24 hours, can't remember name). I just marked whenever it was happening. When I went back in the machine picked up on ones I didn't even notice!

In my case it was ruled to be harmless (it was a combination of my thyroid medicine playing against my hormones and the additional blood flow from being pregnant), but it relieved my worries knowing what was going on.

I definitely think it's something to be aggressive about getting resolved and hope you had a problem free weekend.

Keep us posted and wishing you well.