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What Causes Cardiac Arrhythmia?
Question: hello, I'm a 34 yr old female 5'1" 191 lbs. since 2011 I've had palpations alot and have seen several cardiologist. I was diagnosed with leaky heart valves in late 2015. recently when it's happened I've felt my pulse by putting my finger on my neck. quite a few times this has happened. I will feel my heart beat then alot of fast quivering, then beat again and fast quiverinf. this will go on for 30 seconds to several minutes and I get lightheaded and it's terrifying. what could this be? I've had a lot of testing done. such as echo, stress , Holter and the 30 day holter. any suggestions on what this may be, what I can do to make it stop and any other tests I can take to find out what's wrong? it's interrupting my every day life and all I do is stay home bc I'm scared something may happen.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would like to review your performed tests (Holter and echo reports) for a second professional opinion.
If Holter monitoring has excluded possible cardiac arrhythmia, I would recommend performing some tests to rule out/in possible metabolic disorders that may cause heart palpitations:
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for possible electrolyte imbalance.
Have you measured your blood pressure during these episodes? Do these episodes occur when standing up or walking or in every position (even when lying down)?
The occurrence of these symptoms in up right position could indicate possible orthostatic intolerance. In such case a Head Up Tilt test would be necessary to rule in/out this possible disorder.
If all the above tests result normal and all your cardiac tests have concluded to be normal, you should consider anxiety as a possible cause of this clinical scenario. It can happen in leaking heart valves too and cause similar symptoms (if cardiac arrhythmia is excluded by Holter monitoring).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would like to review your performed tests (Holter and echo reports) for a second professional opinion.
If Holter monitoring has excluded possible cardiac arrhythmia, I would recommend performing some tests to rule out/in possible metabolic disorders that may cause heart palpitations:
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for possible electrolyte imbalance.
Have you measured your blood pressure during these episodes? Do these episodes occur when standing up or walking or in every position (even when lying down)?
The occurrence of these symptoms in up right position could indicate possible orthostatic intolerance. In such case a Head Up Tilt test would be necessary to rule in/out this possible disorder.
If all the above tests result normal and all your cardiac tests have concluded to be normal, you should consider anxiety as a possible cause of this clinical scenario. It can happen in leaking heart valves too and cause similar symptoms (if cardiac arrhythmia is excluded by Holter monitoring).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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