heart pounding very hard/irregular=me worried

[Enudely]

I have an insufficient aortic valve, leaky and all that business. Lately, my heart has been pounding VERY hard at random times. I'm here now writing because it just woke me up out of a deep sleep pounding in my ears! I put my hand just under my left breast, and can feel my heart pounding away very hard. I also feel it in my neck usually. This has been happening regularly, always when I'm at relative rest (though one would think I'd just run a marathon!) Any suggestions?
I think I'm going to call my cardio tommorow because I'm finally worried enough.
I'm 24 years old and am taking an ace-inhibitor ... 10mg a day.

 

[Nancy]

You're doing the right thing by calling your cardiologist. Why are you waiting until tomorrow? Call today. If you call tomorrow, it will be Friday and maybe he'll be booked up, and then it will be the weekend and you won't be able to see him until next week. Don't let this wait.

If you are feeling funny at all and can't get an appointment, take yourself to the ER.

It might be just one of those things, or it could be serious. It has to be figured out by the pros.

best wishes.

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Elena,

From what you have described, it sounds like palpitations (disclaimer: of course, only your cardio can diagnose), most of which are benign, but uncomfortable. Your cariologist may put you on a Holter monitor to check it out and get confirmation of that diagnosis.

I've heard that one way that sometimes eases palpitations is to bear down in your lower abdomen like you are going "number 2".

Let us know how your appointment goes!

Melissa

 

[DANIEL]

Sounds like......

Sounds like......

Just had AVR on 7/0203. Have lived with a regurging aorta my whole life. What you described sounds like what I was experiencing for many years. My personal guess (based only on my history) is that you are feeling and hearing your heart catching up with a few extra beats to compensate for the regurge. For me these beats WERE (now my heart is quiet for the first time ever with the new valve) very distracting. Sometimes feeling like my heart would jump out of my chest. However, I never experienced any symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness,etc. Like you I only was aware of this when at rest, especially horizontal, i.e. sleeping ! This would never (atleast I was not aware) happen when I was exercising, etc.

Talk to your cardio and I am sure he/she will put your mind at ease re this.

Ciao

 

[BrooksM]

Palpitations

Palpitations

Sounds like palpitations to me as well. When I started getting them somewhat regular I decided it was time to get my valve replaced. When I had them I was also light-headed, mine were always triggered by nervousness, excitement or caffeine.
Seeing your cardio right away is definitely the right thing to do.