Heart problems?

[della_anne]

Hey everyone!

Haven't been on here in a while cause I've been so busy, its nice to have time to be back on here again...

Recently, like last week,I went to see my cardiologist for my regular checkup. She told me she heard 1 extra heart beat the whole time she listened to my heart. She told me to stay away from caffine and that its okay to have extra beats once in a while but that if I have extra beats regularly, to let her know and then they could put me on a heart monitor. I thought to myself 'okay, my heart is fine, but now that she said that I'm noticing extra beats and its ticking me off.

I'm thinking to myself now, 'maybe I should go get myself on a heart monitor' and then I'm thinking everyone is then going to know I have heart problems and I'm going to be the center of attention at work cause I will have this heart monitor on at work. I really shouldn't care what anyone else thinks and I try not to let what other people think bother me really, but sometimes it still happens.

I think of all the other heart related incidents that have happened in my past and know that alot of them were 'false alarms' where the doctor thought something could be wrong but it turned out to be absolutely fine. Just a little parinoia. My parents have always been over protective with me and I would consider myself over protective, though I try to get away from overprotectiveness because it keeps me from living life. You can't worry about every little thing, otherwise the worry will run and ruin your life.

So, now I am debating whether to call my doc and get myself on a heart monitor. Would I be parinoid to do so? I am frustrated by this cause I don't have a clear answer for this decision, I hate being wishy washy. I mean it wouldn't hurt to just go ahead with the monitor...I guess better safe than sorry?

I know all heart patients are never truely 'fixed' there is always the possibility of things going wrong. Because of this I guess I really should go...I don't want this to depress me though. I dont want to end up having to find out that I need a surgery or something, I'm too young to die, I feel as if I haven't really started my life yet, I'm still in the process of getting it together. I want to get a career, get married, be financially independant...I'm still working towards all of this. Plus getting a heart monitor cost money, I think I probalby have already met my deductible so maybe it won't be that much.

For young people like me money is an issue...not developed enough profiessionally to be able to be in great high paying jobs. It all relates together, health, money, abilities, work skills...Argh!!! ITs frustrating sometimes, but there are things I am happy for, the chance to go to grad school and learn about a field that I like, parents who won't kick me out of their house, a job that give me health insurance and a paycheck...

I guess I'm overreacting a little, and making a bigger deal out of it than it really is, if the heart thing is bothering me so much , I should just go have it checked out and get the heart monitor, that way I'll no for sure and my nerves and frustration will be put at ease.


Danielle

 

[Nancy]

Here's what I think-- for what it's worth. It may indeed be nothing to worry about. My grandson had a heart monitor because he was having extra beats. He's fifteen. His was from stress, but he was worried about it, so did the monitor thing. He now knows that it's not something he has to worry about, and they are benign extra beats that many people get.

So-- If it is something that you will be stressed out about and be worrying about all the time, get the heart monitor and find out what is really going on instead of guessing.

Fear of the unknown is the worst fear. Finding out about something is a good thing. If it's nothing, then wonderful, and if there is a little something to take care of, then you have done the right thing, and it can be addressed. So it is a win-win thing.

Who cares what other people think? My guess is that they might ask about it at first, but you will tell them it is just something that has to be checked out, and then they will go on their merry way, and will not worry about it. We think others are worrying about us, but mainly, they are just worried about themselves.

Don't let what others think get in the way of taking good care of yourself.

 

[Gnusgal]

First of all, take a deep breath and calm down. You're going to be fine. A few extra beats (PVCs?) are not harmful.

Let me ask you this- Are you noticing the "extra beats" because your doc mentioned them, or are they something you would be noticing even if she hadn't said anything? How often are you feeling them? Are there a lot in a row, or is it just one every now and then?

I get PVCs ALL THE TIME. I used to go running to my cardiologist every time they started bothering me for even the slightest bit. Every time she would evaluate me, do an echo, heart monitor, etc. and every time it was nothing to worry about. My cardiologist told me I need to stop "listening" for them and just live my life. Now I don't bother unless it really gets in the way. If things feel different, then I go. From what I understand, even people without underlying heart issues get PVCs. We just notice them more because we are a lot more "in tune" with what our heart does throughout the day.

More questions for you: What were the results of the rest of your visit? Did your doc indicate any concern with anything else? What makes you think that something is so terribly wrong that you'll need to go in for surgery or that you're going to die? I think you need to discuss this with your doctor. Let her know how paranoid her comment has made you. From now on I suggest making sure you know exactly what your doc suspects could be going on, and give you a best and worst case scenario.

Chances are that a few extra beats could just mean monitoring things more closely, or even adding a new med (if anything has to be done at all). I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you're going to need more surgery. Not this soon and with nothing more going on. And remember, stress can cause PVCs as well. So stressing over the thought of a heart monitor may be what is causing them in the first place.

My advice is to relax and give it a day or two. If things calm down, chalk it up to stress. If they get worse, give your doc a call. If they stay the same, it's up to you. Of course, I'm not a doc, I don't know everything about your particular situation and I could be totally wrong. But to me it sounds like a case of an offhand comment made by your doc sending you into an unnecessary panic.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

WHOA ! Danielle ...

YEP, you are probably making a MOUNTAIN out of a 'mole hill'. Even NON-Heart Patients get extra beats from time to time.

Personally, for detecting Heart Rhythm issues, I prefer listening on a Stethoscope (which anyone can buy and use...in PRIVATE).

Triggers for Heart Rhythm issues include Caffeine, Nicoteine, STRESS, and (illegal) drugs, among others that I have forgotten. Low levels of magnesium and / or potassium may also be factors.

The Best Way to avoid irregular heart beats is to 'lighten up' and stay away from known triggers.

Relax, you are fine (most likely). See your Doc if it gets worse.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[francie12]

Della Anne-- Hi. I just wanted to tell you that I wore a heart monitor to work, and nobody even noticed. Mine was called a Holter, and I had to push a little button whenever I felt an extra beat. I was pushing away all morning and still nobody noticed! It turned out that I get around 2,000 PVCs a day, but having this many is not considered a problem of any kind. Just wanted to reassure you that this will probably turn out to be a non-event, just like mine did. All the best.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Danielle,

Great to see you again! Chicagoland "locals" plan to gather sometime after the New Year. Hope you can make it!

Sounds like you may be suffering from PAC's or PVC's. PAC's (Premature Atrial Contractions . PAC's firing from the ventrical chamber are more concerning than the atrial. At least that is what I have been told. See others are living with the condition (PVC's) just fine. Either way...I would get the monitor just for the DX. There is not much they can do for PAC's. Beta Blocker which is working for myself. I did forget to take it one day last week...and felt the extra beats. Otherwise...on the med, my heart is in 100% sinus consistantly. It was actually an accident. Beta blocker that is. Was prescribed for migraines and cured my PAC's! Have been taking Inderal LA since 00.

Take care and happy holidays!

 

[geebee]

Danielle,

Good to hear from you but sorry you are having problems. I think you should go ahead and get the monitor. Finding out what is really going on will either put you on a path to solve the problem or make you comfortable that it is nothing to worry about. Either way, you will solve the not knowing.

Not sure what the dress situation where you work but a high necked shirt or sweater and a jacket should hide the monitor if you want to keep it private. If someone does see and ask just tell them it is something you prefer not to discuss. Most people respect such an answer and it it make someone angry that you won't talk about it - their problem not yours.

Best of luck to you and I hope your holidays are perfect.

 

[Guest]

Heh ... I hear ya ... loud'n'clear on most comments you've made, della.

Every single freekin' time I go to see my cardiologist, the minute I get in the car to head home ... I start feeling "sharp pains". I've no idea why this happens, but within an hour or so, they are gone ... and I forget about 'em.

My guess ... you are experiencing the phenomenon of a "self fulfilling prophecy", in this case, brought on by the thoughts of your cardiologist. Even so, a heart monitor isn't a bad idea. I know I used to hate having to wear 'em to work, but sometimes, you can successfully hide them. Though, I remember one I had was bulky enough to look like a bomb. He he ... I was more concerned that people would think I was going to blow up the place than whether or not they knew it was for my heart .



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[tcopel]

I know this is a very important problem for you. Here is what I do when I feel " wishy washy" as you say. I break it down as simple as I can...
1) Is it important to find out if this is a problem or not---yes
2) Is it a financial problem---yes but what is the price of your sanity
3) Does it matter what people think--Not just no but HELL no.

Cardiac awareness is something we all have where we are tuned into the heart. It is natural and probably explains what your feeling. But how do you know unless you check it out. Sometimes paying for something that eventually turns out to be needless is fustrating but there is something to be said for peace of mind. Lastly, I too, suffer a bit from the "what do people think" thing so I understand. Thats why I said HELL NO, because it needs to be driven home that those people that your talking about really dont care and probably just want what is best for you.

Let us know what you think and what you've done. We all support you.