What Causes Regular Heart Palpitations While Treating Thyroid?

Posted on Sun, 22 May 2016

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

Sun, 22 May 2016 Answered on

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi...I wa swondering if I should be concerned about heart palpitations that I have been experiencing daily for the past couple of weeks. I usually only have them when I am lying down. I am 20 pounds overweight, but am active and fit. I easily swim 1 1/4 miles 4 x a week, and bike or do calistenics and weight on the other 2 days. I am on meds for low thyroid, and a pre-op ECG in 2012 showed marked sinus bradycardia with sinus arrhythmia, low voltage QRS, and nonspecific ST elevation. No one followed up with me on this,so I sort of forgot about it until the palpitations began. Like I said, I don't have any problem with heavy exertion and can do more aerobically than many my age. I have to get both of my knees replaced soon(die to overuse), so I want to be sure my ticker is in good shape for the surgeries.

Thank you!

XXXXXXX XXXX

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice

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

The palpitations you are experiencing most probably are related to thyroid hormones dysfunction and aren't related to cardiac issues.

Moreover, you are reporting that your exercise capabilities are excelent. This is why you shouldn't worry about palpitations.

However, since you are scheduled for both knee replacement (and this is major surgery with a lot of complications) you should do the following examinations:
- Thyroid hormones levels
- Ecg
- Cardiac echo
- Holter monitoring
- Stress test

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

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