I Am Experiencing Frequent Heart Palpitations With Lots Of Belching

Posted on Thu, 14 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 Answered on

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am experiencing frequent heart palpitations with lots of belching and mostly dry coughing. Last night I couldn't get to sleep because no matter how I laid and tried to relax my breathing along with gentle massaging of my artery on the left side of my neck, it wouldn't stop fluttering every time I took a breath or coughed. I'm also extremely fatigued. I returned from Vail, CO, two weeks ago and suffered from altitude sickness - I was on oxygen the entire week.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

My opinion is that your symptoms most likely are related to altitude sickness. It needs two-three weeks to completely recover from altitude sickness. Moreover on this settings antidepressant may be complicated with palpitations.

If you were my patients I would recommend to reduce the dose of antidepressant for a couple of days and will follow with the following exams:
- Blood work (including blood oxymetry)
- Hormone levels (including thyroide hormones)
- ECG
- Holter monitoring
- Cardiac echo

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (7 minutes later)

what is a blood oxymetry test entail?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Blood oxymetry test is also known as arterial blood gases analysis. It measures the concentration of gases (oxygen, dioxide carbon etc) on arterial blood.

This test will help to evaluate lung function. Alteration in blood gases (from altitude sickness) may trigger arrhythmia (palpitations).

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar