Question: For the past year, I have been experiencing a lot of heart related problems such as flutters, palpitations, chest pain, chest tightness, chest burning/cooling sensations, shortness of breath during simple tasks, nausea, and a tightness in my throat that feels dry or as tho there is a lump in my throat, pressure on the left side of chest during exhalation.

I started seeing a cardiologist in Feb. He did an echocardiogram that came back normal. I also wore a heart monitor for 4 weeks, and he ordered a stress-echo.He has never ordered any blood test such as cholesterol or any other heart blood tests. After wearing the monitor for 4 weeks, I mailed it back to the office due to COVID. I called the office asking to go over results of the heart monitor via phone but they would not do that. The stress-echo was also cancelled due to COVID.

(6-8-2020), I was laying in bed and just woke up when my heart started pounding harder than I have experienced in the past. It felt like my heart was “wobbling” inside my chest. This lasted for about 15-20 seconds and during that time, I thought and felt like something was going to happen. I could feel my heart pounding hard to pump blood and felt “whooshing” feelings in my chest-like my heart was pumping blood hard. I also had a weird chest pressure, not as sharp as other episodes, but it was a heavy feeling. This was the first time one of these “episodes” truly worried and scared me. In consequence, I called the doctor’s office and they were able to get me in the next afternoon.

That same evening, I was relaxing on the couch and my heart started racing. I checked my pulse and it was 106. I got up to get some aspirin and my heart rate increased to 126. I felt out of breath and exhausted just getting up. My throat felt very tight and very dry suddenly. It felt like there was a lump in my throat and it was hard to swallow. This lasted for 2-3 hours. I called the doctor’s office back and got the on-call doctor. Coincidentally, it was my doctor. I explained to him what I was currently experiencing as well as what happened earlier that morning. He told me that my heart rate isn’t that high and that he would just see me tomorrow, but if it got worse, go to ER.

6-9-2020, I visit my doctor and I express to him all of my concerns. He advised me that there were some irregularities and abnormalities on my heart monitor but he didn’t tell me what. He said I need to reschedule the stress test cancelled during COVID. I am currently on the schedule for 3 weeks out. However, I feel like 3 weeks is a long time because these episodes are getting worse and more painful. I expressed that to the doctor as well but he just seemed not to care.

These palpitations or flutters have seem to get worse over time, become a bigger “wobbly” feeling and more painful. I feel this doctor isn’t listening to me and he isn’t telling me what irregularities or abnormalities are on my heart monitor. The doctor told me that he really wants to check for blocked arteries; however, I feel 3 weeks is a long time to wait if I do have a blockage especially when the last episode was the worst I have ever experienced. I really felt “something was going to happen” during this last episode and I have never felt that way during any other flutter or palpitation incident or have been so concerned as I am now.

I am constantly struggling to catch my breath during simple tasks like cleaning the stables on the farm and walking more that 50 yards. I tire quickly from tasks and feel exhausted easily. The flutters and palpitations I experience are very sporadic. Sometimes they happen close together every few days for weeks. Other times, it happens randomly and weeks apart. I shouldn’t have these problems at my age and I understand I am “lower-risk” at my age, however, heart problems run in my family. My grandmother had a heart attack at 40 from high cholesterol despite being in shape and healthy weight, her mother passed at 35 from heart problems. My mom complains of all of the same problems but she refuses to go to the doctor; all I know is that her cholesterol levels are slightly high. My brother also told me he experiences the same sharp pains, flutters and palpitations often. Furthermore, I am a medically retired police officer (wrist injury) and former paramedic. I feel my experience has brought me more knowledge about signs and symptoms than an average person. My husband is a rice & walnut farmer and being self-employed we private a lot of money for the best insurance money can buy. Yet, I feel like no one is listening to me. I feel because I am 31, I am not examined the way someone who has more risk factors and I can wait longer to be seen or tested because of my age and not because of my symptoms and pain.

I have attached 2 ECGS that were taken during office visits and when I was not experiencing symptoms. I do not have any information on the heart monitor results other than the doctor stating there were abnormalities and irregular rhythms.