Strong heart beat (not palpitations)

[coryp]

Hello all,

I am 5 weeks post op and most recently have had this very uncomfortable strong heart beat in my ears every night for the last 4 nights when I go to bed. It begins when I lay down usually on my sides (which puts pressure on the chest). When I sit up straight It is not detectable. It barely happens during the day. This has been causing great difficulty getting to sleep. My pulse rate has not been above 80bpm at anytime.

The only reason I can think of is that I had been taking Tylenol PM for about 10 days prior to this happening and wonder if that is the culprit (Benadryl withdrawl?)

Can anyone shed any light on this with similar experiences or ideas of what mught be the cause.

Sleepless in Ca

 

[Cris N]

Stronger heart

Stronger heart

I had the same situation in the hospital... doc said it's because the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump. He said it was a sign that the heart was getting stronger.

 

[TjCarpenter]

I had the same situation in the hospital... doc said it's because the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump. He said it was a sign that the heart was getting stronger.

The tylenol PM will dehydrate you and should not be used for prolonged period. JUST A SUGGESTION... I switched to "ambien" and sleep like a baby now... getting the recouprative rest I need without turning my body into the Sahara. You might wish to ask your doctor about it...

 

[CCRN]

I think I'm your buddy....

I think I'm your buddy....

Hello all,

I am 5 weeks post op and most recently have had this very uncomfortable strong heart beat in my ears every night for the last 4 nights when I go to bed. It begins when I lay down usually on my sides (which puts pressure on the chest). When I sit up straight It is not detectable. It barely happens during the day. This has been causing great difficulty getting to sleep. My pulse rate has not been above 80bpm at anytime.

The only reason I can think of is that I had been taking Tylenol PM for about 10 days prior to this happening and wonder if that is the culprit (Benadryl withdrawl?)

Can anyone shed any light on this with similar experiences or ideas of what mught be the cause.

Sleepless in Ca

I had surgery on June 7 and I also notice the weird heart beat thing. I asked my surgeon about it and he said "You just had surgery and you're more aware of you heartbeat now than before". (This coming from the man who explained to me the reason I had so much pain was because "I sawed through your sternum...you have a broken bone and that hurts" like I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT?) I pointed out to him my husband could also hear my heartbeat from about a foot away especially when I take a deep breath which has nothing to do with my being more aware of my heartbeat. He then did admit that it is not unusual for that to happen after valve replacement. It has to do with your heart readjusting to a more pliable valve is how I understood him. I also can feel my heartbeat in my neck and throat when I lie down. It was a bit worrisome until I took my blood pressure and it was fine. I also notice it when I first get up in the morning and it goes away during the day. I can bring the feeling back with a deep breath. I reported all this to the brilliant communicator (an overstated description of the man but he is a great surgeon) and he said the heartbeat of a person without valve replacement does the same thing with deep inspiration but is not as noticeable. Thanks for posting about this. It's nice to know you're not alone in the world, huh?

 

[perkicar]

Thumper

Thumper

I had surgery 9 weeks ago and have noticed it too. Sometimes my heart just feels like it's thumping (like in that commercial where the little boy tells his dad he hears thumpa thumpa thumpa). it seems like it could be heard across the room LOL.
I see Dr Griffin on Tuesday and will probably still ask him about it, but I like your docs explanation, Cory.

 

[Nancy]

Many people in past posts have mentioned this.

Could it possibly be that your heart has had to work very hard pushing against resistance, either stenosis and narrowing or backflow from regurg., and is used to that heavy pumping. In time, once it doesn't have to work so hard, it will return to normal musculature (remodel) and won't be pumping so hard?

Others have mentioned that it did go away in time, but it took about 6 months.