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Just Stopped Smoking 2 Weeks Ago.. Is It Normal To

Posted on Wed, 21 Oct 2020

Question: Just stopped smoking 2 weeks ago.. Is it normal to have heart flutters..

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be related to nicotine replacement products.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

If you were using nicotine patches or nicotine replacement products the heart palpitations may be related to their usage.
Also heart palpitations are a symptom of stopping smoking and they may subside after 3-4 weeks.
Stopping smoking may have long term effect on stopping heart fluttering.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (40 minutes later)

What about tight chest and funny feeling around my hart? I was told this was normal from stopping ciggs and thc at the same time..

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
They are related to palpitations.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
The tightness in chest and funny feeling around heart can be related to palpitations .
As I previously mentioned the palpitations can be related to using nicotine replacement therapy as well as smoking withdrawal.
You get distracted going out in fresh air, staying with friends which don't smoke and wash the clothes and objects which can carry the smoking smell.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Thank you so much.. I have one more question.. Like I said for 2 weeks no smoking.. Cold turkey.. I feel rough but everyone tells me it's my body healing it's self. Now when I inhale it feels like a vibration high up in my chest... And sum nights feels like a light flu.. But everyone tells me to hang in there that all this is normal and will pass..

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (4 minutes later)

Like when I lie on my right side. A little flutter in my chest.. Not really coughing or anything.. Just light flu feeling at night..

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be mucus clearing out.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.

The flu like symptoms may be caused by the mucus and other debris created by smoking which is clearing out of lungs.
The body is healing itself as you say.
The fluttering sensation and palpitations at night may be caused by anxiety also caused by stopping smoking. An ECG will help rule out heart problem.
I think you may need to wait and see if it is improving by itself.
Just be patient and wait if it will get better.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (5 hours later)

Thank you.. Like I said this is my 14th day none smoke cold turkey.. How long would you give the swimming feeling and tight feeling in my chest to go away.. I heard 3 to 4 weeks.. Plus I'm not really sleeping at all

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possibly anxiety related to smoking.

Detailed Answer:
As I previously mentioned this situation may get better in 3-4 weeks.
The fact that you are not sleeping at all may be related to stress and anxiety and it is common when you stop smoking.
Get relaxed, get outside in fresh air get accompanied with non-smoking friends.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (21 hours later)

Thanks for all your answers.. I might add 1 month ago I had bloodwork, urine sample, and CT scan.. All was well.. I feel fine all but the swimming feeling and little hart flutter..but seems to be feeling better in last 2 days since talking to you.. I work outside. Just want to b safe by cold turkey quitting..

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stopping it cold turkey is the best way.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
It is good that all tests came out normal so there is nothing to worry.
There is no risk on quitting smoking cold turkey but it is considered best way to stop smoking.
The fluttering may be related to stress and anxiety.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (33 hours later)

Hey it's me again with a question.. So last 2 days been feeling better.. Been out working fine. Chest tightness has eased up a little.. So was eating tonight when I got real hot and felt swimmy and heavy in my chest.. Checked my blood pressure it was 118/78 with 63 pulse. I know you said all this was normal but I'm not liking the chest pressure.. Iv notice it happens at night.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be GERD

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
The blood pressure and heart rate values you had at that moment are normal. The tightness in chest is not related to palpitations.
I think you may need to get evaluated for gastro esophageal reflux or allergies.
Tell me if you were having other symptoms like burning sensation in throat, cough , difficulty breathing.
Get physically evaluated by a doctor to check your throat and listen to your lungs.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana