Hi Petra,

Yes, I get palpatations. I get them a lot. I started noticing them when I was 37. I'm now 55, they are still with me. Sometimes I feel them more than other times, but they are always there, every day. Sometimes a lot, sometimes not. I went through all the tests, Stress Test, Holter, blood work, echo-cardiogram. Nothing came out of any of it other than to say everything is normal. My Dr. tried BP meds which helped a little but they were still there. I don't like them, but after all these years I have decided to just ignore them. I know they are there, My DR. knows they are there. I can live with them.

I'm sure this does not help you at all, just know that you are not alone.

Hi Sooey, thanks for the reply. I am sorry you have them too, they are a pain. I am 43 and also started getting them around 37 or 38. They stopped for a few years, and then came back. Maybe it's something hormonal. I am going to increase my calcium/magnesium dosage and see if that helps.

Petra, I've had palpitations for years and have been thoroughly checked by a cardiologist. He said everything is fine- not to worry about them. Mine come and go, too, and I don't pay any attention to them now.

Gmom, thanks for the reply. I checked various medical websites and it sure seems like lots of people have them. I am going to try to ignore them too, that's probably much healthier than worrying.

Petra, I get palpitations when I have indigestion. I take Ranitidine (generic for Zantac). It sounds as though you've explored any heart problems very thoroughly. It is upsetting to feel those thumps.

Helen

Petra, how's your thyroid? They can be a common symptom of often overlooked mild hyperactive thyroid...your blood levels can be at the uppish end of normal, but if your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) hasn't been measured, thyroid disease can be easily missed. (i.e., no measurable TSH but high end of normal other thyroid levels = malfunctioning thyroid) A cardiologist completely missed that with my sis-in-law, an endocrinologist solved the problem immediately. Only other symptoms were irregular periods that seemed age appropriate, mild anxiety, weight easier to maintain - she wasn't having to be as careful not to put on unwanted pounds.

Helen, yes, the doc was able to catch them on the EKG and I guess based on what they look like, the docs can determine if they are benign. I used to have indigestion, but strangely, since cutting out all caffeine, it seems to have disappeared. You might consider trying deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). It has the stuff that can increase your BP removed. It coats your digestive tract and really helps, and no side effects at all.

Mor, I'll ask the doc about that. My thyroid levels have always been normal, but I guess based on what you wrote, there can still be a problem. Come to think of it, I've lost a few pounds without trying, so I'll definitely check with him when I next go in.

By the way, I read that iron deficiency can be yet another cause of palpiations, even if it isn't full-blown anemia. Fatigue and shortness of breath are other symptoms. Apparently, lots of women have this because of heavy menstruation.

I have them too. I'm 49 yrs old. Also taking synthroid for hypothyroidism. I've had palpitations for years. Heard it's also a symptom of perimenapause. I'm there too. Ain't life grand?

Wow, the more I read about them, the more I realize how widespread they are. It seems lots and lots of people have them. Would be nice to have a cure or at least effective treatments, instead of docs insisting there's nothing to worry about, and putting people on anti-depressives. :o]

Yes, what Shaun said. You're probably heading into menopause. I remember feeling like my heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest. Scared me to death. And this was a few years before they discovered the menopause connection. But it turns out that I was fine, palpitations are quite common in many women of our age. As long as you've been checked out by a doctor and he/she says you're fine, you're fine. :o)

Karen

I have palpitations, too but I have premature atria contractions which are benign. I did have an episode of PVC's....premature ventricular contractions that were caused by the medication Hytrin. My doc didn't believe me but since I was working in an urgent care clinic at the time I was able to capture the PVC's on an ECG moniter. I showed him and then quit the medicine and they went away.
I have noticed that my palpitations are related to caffeine and alcohol intake and since I quit both I am symptom free.
Also, what is your stress level? Amother factor to consider.

Could be Perimenopause/Menopause, I am also more forgetful, occasional sleep problems, etc. But those symptoms are much easier to deal with than the stupid palpitations. I think I'd even take severe hot flashes over palps, heh.

This happened to me, too, and it's interesting to note that I was also, and still am (horrid hot flashes) going through menopause. However, my cure was most unusual. When my old boss retired, the palpitations went away! At the time I was having palpitations, a nurse friend said, "Look around, see what's going on in your life." She was right. This time of life is very stressful and full of changes. For instance: your kids go off to college and you no longer feel needed; your husband has an affair; your parents are aging and need more of your time; you look in the mirror and those fine lines are now a permanent part of the landscape; you're no longer a svelte size 10; you're bored with your dead-end job. After years of sacrificing and doing for your family, you're tired and now you ask, "What about ME?"

So is it any wonder we have palpitations? I'll bet none of us realize the toll that years of giving to others and suppressing our own needs takes on us. It has to come out somewhere.

So maybe this is a time in your life where you finally need to pay attention to a very special person--YOU!

Haha, too funny that they disappeared when your boss retired!! I guess maybe as we age, our bodies don't deal with stress as easily anymore, and it manifests via physical problems.

Yes, I had them day and night, went to the ER after several Dr, visits. Apparently it was like a panic attack, too bad the Dr. couldn't have told me what can happen to a woman going through menopause. Anyway, I had my heart checked while I was in the ER and it was fine, so now, if my heart starts racing, I can calm myself knowing I'm actually okay. Lynn

I had one last night -- it feels like a thump inside my chest, then a flutter, then I feel light-headed. I hadn't had any for a few years so it surprised me. I started drinking a little regular coffee in the mornings last week and I'm hoping there's no relationship................ the caffeine helps me focus MUCH better at work.

Has anyone heard of palpitations being related to a womans period...I had my first bout with these things about 2 yrs ago, saw the doctor, had the tests and was told to cut out caffiene etc...I did that and they got better, but lately
"their back".....I'm 40 , could it be hormonal?

Hi carol66,

Sure, hormones could be a factor. In fact, I'm sure of it. Other 'stuff' also, but hormones can trigger all sorts of things. It can also be stress...the stress of being 40...The stress of life! I have been noticing mine more and more of late. Sometime I can almost feel them 'grinding' in my chest. Feels strange. I'm now 56 and have been getting them since I was 37...that's a long time. I've learned to live with them...

I hope you feel better soon.

Sooey

I'm 49 and I've been having these bad for about a year now. Sometimes they keep me up all night as I can't sleep while they are going on. My sister got a prescription for "flexeril" for a stiff neck problem and I had an attack shortly after. Well, I got to thinking, a heart is a big muscle, hhmmmmmmm.....so, I asked her for one. It knocked me out! I didn't want to get up the next morning! A few days after that it did it again and I just cut off about 1/3 of one of the pills and it stopped my thumping heart and I slept good and it didn't affect me the next morning! I mentioned this to my Dr. today and she said flexeril was totally safe and non addictive! She wrote me out a prescription for it! She said to take 1/2 when I needed them.

Hi cotomax,

I've never heard of that. I'm glad you found something that works for you. Mine never keep me up at night. I might feel them when I go to bed but I try not to think about them. I guess mine are not as bad as yours.

Sooey

Well, I finally found out what was causing my palps. It was anemia. I've been taking iron supplements for several months and the palps are almost gone. A word of caution though, you should only take iron tabs if you are diagnosed as being anemic by a doc, taking iron tabs when not anemic is not a good idea.

Palpations are not normal at any age. If you must, switch doctors and get to the root of the problem.

I started getting palpations when I was in my 20's, I had all the tests only to find out my heart was fine, but they got so bad I heard them in my ears, so I went to the doctor and he put me on Endural which helped ALOT, eventually they went away. One day out of the blue they came back and I still get them now once in awhile, and I am almost 40. I am convienced they come from stress, so now when I get one I take 0.25 mg of Zanax and they go away. I was taking BP meds for about 4 months and they were intense while taking beta blockers, so I quit taking them (my BP is normal again) I am also a diabetic, and have asthma, but over all the Zanax does the trick and I usually only have to take 1-2. Meaning for one day and they are gone for awhile, so I keep a supply just in case. Its very annoying and drives me crazy sometimes. Just to be sure everything was ok, I just had a heart scan done and everything is fine in there!

I also have heart palpitations. The diagnosis was prolapse mitral valve - one in 8 women suffer from it. I do not need medication - just must ensure that I take a mega dose of penicillin (or alternative) prior to any form of surgery (including dental) and same dose after. This is to ensure that should the heart valve "slam" shut harder than normal during the procedure and blood spurt out that I do not get blood poisoning. It took many years to be properly diagnosed - and of course day after I went for test, a doctor who used to write for Toronto newspaper wrote an article about it in his weekly column. Murphy's Law. Also, the palpitations love to start at 4:00 a.m.

What I had was diagnosed as Paroxymal atrial tachycardia and it would come on unexpectedly and last for hours. It was a very rapid heartbeat--180 beats per minute. I almost always ended up in the ER where they kept me several hours and once over night. They give injections and IVs that finally stop it. It's a physical thing in the wiring of your heart. I finally had catheter ablation--the catheter is threaded throw a vein into your heart and they actually burn a extra something or other in there. It was miraculous because I got to the place I was afraid to leave town because this could happen anywhere, any place, any time. I got it once in Florida on the beach and I live in Texas. If that's what any of ya'll have, the cure was simple and painless. It was an overnight stay in the hosp., but it was the most liberating thing I've ever done for myself. Surely your doctor will speak of this I highly recommend this procedure. Miraculous!

Me too... just had some today, out of the blue... lasted for about 4-5 hours...coming and going. During this period my bpm varied between 80 and 160, but stayed more in the 120 range. All tests, EKG were ok and showed nothing suspicious. I've had the same thing about 3 months ago, and about 4 yrs ago. Panic also playes a role, everytime I get them, I panic and in the process I think i'm contributing to the rapid heartbeat unintenionally.
Will go for an echo and more tests next week... it got to the point where it started to bother me...emotionally. Hope that everyone on this forum is ok and found a way to deal with them or got rid of them completely, Good luck to all.

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd just add my post onto this one, since its so similar.
I'm used to occasional irregular heartbeats, usually from caffeine, hormone fluctutions, sleep apnea, or leaning over too much. But last week, I began having them 24 hours a day. I really believe its the Zoloft (SSRI) that I started a couple months ago. My doc says that is very rare, but I just really feel that its the Zoloft, so I'm weaning off it.
Taking more magnesium usually helps with my palpitations, but it doesn't seem to be working this time.
I had a big cardiac workup a few months ago and it was normal. I went to the doctor's yesterday, and he didn't even do an EKG, saying these are completely benign and I should ignore them. But how can I ignore 4-6 big punches per minute in my chest all the time? they take my breath away and make me cough.
I'm hopeful they will clear up when I come off the Zoloft. Unfortunately, I'll have to deal with depressive symptoms until I get on another drug.
Beta blockers are used for irregular heartbeats, which I'm on. But too high a dose of them can make you soooooo tired and listless.
cezarb........I'm the same. Even though I know my heart is fine, it seems like these irregular heartbeats set off alarms all through my body, and they can really freak me out.
Good luck to you too!

Nutrasweet has been inplicated in abnormal heart rhythms.

"Statement of H. J. Roberts, M.D. Concerning Cardiac and CHEST Complaints
Attributed to Aspartame (NUTRASWEET (R))

Many patients and correspondents have asked whether products containing
aspartame can cause or aggravate symptoms relating to the heart, blood
pressure and chest. Based on my experience, as detailed in multiple
publications and books (see below), the answer is YES.

Hundreds of such instances have been documented in my database of over 950
aspartame reactors. There was dramatic improvement after avoiding
aspartame, and a prompt and predictable recurrence of these problems when
the patient resumed aspartame products ... knowingly or inadvertently.

ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHM

More than 120 individuals experienced a detectable change in their
heart rate and rhythm after consuming aspartame - including gum and
products that did not contain caffeine. This included "fluttering",
(palpitations) and rapid heart action (tachycardia). A number had even
undergone heart monitoring (Holter testing) and other studies, especially
for the associated weakness and faint.

One patient developed a slow pulse and complete heart block within hours
after consuming an aspartame drink for the first time. His attack
spontaneously subsided within a day without a pacemaker; and there has
been no recurrence. "

A link that might be useful:

www.bio.net/bionet/mm/immuno/1997-April/010035.htm

Msg is also another trigger for palps. Mine were so bad there was never a time in the day that I DIDN'T have them, I had the Holter monitor and it showed every other beat PVSs for the entire time the moniter was on, had an echocardiagram and all the other tests and had to be put on a beta blocker. Sectral, to regulate the heart as it was dangerous at that level. I stayed on it for two years and then asked if I could try to wean off them and see what happens. In the meantime I figured out it could have been the Fosamax that triggered it. I had my son (scientist) look in to the that possibility. Sure enough, I was right so I stopped the Fosamax three months before starting to wean off. Long story short, no palps, no heart drug, I'm fine, I never get even one now. Thank God.

I had them for 4 months strait almost each night and for 8 months I had fatigue and lots of changing symptoms such as blurry vision, headache, stuffy nose, anxiety for not apparent reason, night sweating, laryngitis etc. I became depressed. I ended up in the emergency three times, and always the conclusion was the same - I was OK. I went through various tests and specialists and to make the long story short, each conclusion was that I was perfectly fine. My doctor diagnosed me with hidden depression out of exhaustion with which I disagreed totally. My husband noticed that each time I felt miserable, I had indigestion issues with lots of belching. I started simple cleansing program with Zand Candida Quick Cleanse Multi-Support Formula and probiotics (notice that it cannot be taken for a long time since one of the ingredients is Golden Seal which becomes toxic when taken for a long time). I felt much better after only one day. I never had the same issues since. I learned to manage them at the very beginning. I guess the very core reason is stress. Now I am determined to find out what causes the indigestion. I convinced my doctor to start some tests. Since only what I read online saved me, I wanted to share my story. It may help someone too or at least bring hope that you can find your own solution.

Good luck!