What Causes Fluttering Feeling In The Chest Area?

Posted on Tue, 4 Jul 2017

Question: I have a fluttering feeling in my chest area--have been checked out in hospital but seem to have no heart problem. Could another problem be causing these systoms. Am 80 years old and my children insisted I be checked out thoroughly. Have been dismissed from hospital and have an appointment with cardiologist on the 18th of July. This is second visit to hospital and am otherwise healthy for my age. Take no medication. Now taking 1 baby aspirin per day.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Discussion follows

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Please upload the EKG you would have had at the hospital when you had the fluttering in the chest. If that is not helpful you would require to have a Holter monitoring done. Have you had your Thyroid function done? If so please upload the result.

Awaiting your input.
Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Do not have the EKG from hospital. Am to get heart monitor to wear in next few days. It is being mailed to me. I do not know all the tests that were done in hospital.I know I did one with a test of solution put into vein. The tests took nearly all day--A very thorough evaluation.Spent night in hospital-- St. XXXXXXX Heart Hospital. Did not think of thyroid but good idea-Did not have Thyroid checked to my knowledge-seems when I was younger had thyroid problem. Do not remember what though. I am a poor patient because of not remembering all my health issues which I have not had any until the heart fluttering feeling which is a little unnerving. Thanks for your suggestion.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Wearing the heart monitor for a few days till you experience the fluttering is probably the best way to pick up the type of arrhythmia. Doing a Thyroid function test is to check for a common and easily treatable cause.
Do let me know the results of both.

Best wishes,

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (10 hours later)

Thanks for your advice. Should be receiving the heart monitor soon maybe even today and also will check on the Thyroid to see if it is functioning properly. Just trying to find out what is wrong with me. Feel like a fool to run to the hospital and find out nothing really. I am sure it just takes time and more tests to identify my problem. Thanks for caring.

XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are most welcome XXXXXXX

Detailed Answer:
It was nice interacting with you.
Let us hope that your heart monitoring and Thyroid test will give us a clue and I hope I will be able to help you with some suggestions to how to get relief from your symptoms.

Best wishes and regards,

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (5 hours later)

Thanks again for your kindness and caring. Will try to remember to relay my results after further tests to you. Just want to get the problem identified if possible and treatment started.

XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Relax, you would be fine.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your kind words.
Relax, let us get the results. If there's a condition requiring a specific treatment, it will be advised
If not your symptoms would be controlled by symptomatic treatment.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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