Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Mild MVP, Chest Pain And Pressure, Feeling Of Heartbeat Stopping, More PVCs. Any Help?
Question: Ok here it goes. I'm a 34 year old woman with mild MVP. Just started back to college so feeling a bit overwhelmed (could be anxiety) but lately I have been having some chest issues. I was getting sharp chest pains but discovered it was most likely my daily milk consumption that I started three weeks ago after not drinking it for two years. But it's the two other incidents that happened that I'm concerned about. Both awoke me from sleep. First night I awoke with a small isolated pressure that was directly between my breasts middle of chest. Lasted about 10 seconds and stopped. Last night was the worse. I awoke to a horrible sinking feeling in my chest (which I've had before during pvc's) but this one jolted me straight up. Felt like my heart beat stopped or was in serious afib. I sat up took a XXXXXXX breath and started coughing to make it stop. Lately I have been socially smoking much more ( 2 packs a week) and have had one to two beers a night. I'm glad the gas or sharp pains in left side of chest have stopped but not sure if they all tie in together. I've also had to sleep on the couch lately cause my bed is too uncomfortable so I haven't been sleeping as well. I wake up several times a night. Also last night after my sinking heart incident I woke up and went to the bathroom and my female cycle began. I've noticed more pvc's before my cycle. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm scared to sleep now :( only thing else I can think to add is I do have Starbucks nearly everyday but I always get small decaf soy mochas. I never drink caffeine.
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The symptoms you had are likely to be due to a cardiac problem or hormonal imbalance. Smoking cigarettes and alcohol use can aggravate such symptoms.
Occasional episodes of palpitations, irregular heart beats and bouts of breathlessness in an individual that do not recur or cause severe problems can be due to normal variations of the body or due to anxiety.
In your case, if it was a single episode and has not recurred again, then there is no need to be worried. In case if the symptoms are recurrent, the cause needs to be identified.
The cause of your symptoms could be due to :-
1. cardiac causes (Hypertension, arrhythmias)
2. lung related issues (exercise induced asthma, etc).
3. Hyperthyroidism
4. Anemia
Hence you would benefit by consulting your primary doctor and getting evaluated with a few tests as mentioned below-
1. Complete blood counts
2. ECG in all leads with a rhythm strip in lead 2
3. Lipid profile , Blood sugar (Fasting and Post prandial), HBAIC,
4. Thyroid function tests
5. Chem 14 panel
In case the above tests indicate any abnormality, further tests need to be done which include:-
1. Holter monitor
2. Echocardiography
3. Chest Xray
4. Lung function tests
5. Tread mill test
It is important to rule out the exact cause after physical examination and above mentioned investigations.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Thanks for posting your query.
The symptoms you had are likely to be due to a cardiac problem or hormonal imbalance. Smoking cigarettes and alcohol use can aggravate such symptoms.
Occasional episodes of palpitations, irregular heart beats and bouts of breathlessness in an individual that do not recur or cause severe problems can be due to normal variations of the body or due to anxiety.
In your case, if it was a single episode and has not recurred again, then there is no need to be worried. In case if the symptoms are recurrent, the cause needs to be identified.
The cause of your symptoms could be due to :-
1. cardiac causes (Hypertension, arrhythmias)
2. lung related issues (exercise induced asthma, etc).
3. Hyperthyroidism
4. Anemia
Hence you would benefit by consulting your primary doctor and getting evaluated with a few tests as mentioned below-
1. Complete blood counts
2. ECG in all leads with a rhythm strip in lead 2
3. Lipid profile , Blood sugar (Fasting and Post prandial), HBAIC,
4. Thyroid function tests
5. Chem 14 panel
In case the above tests indicate any abnormality, further tests need to be done which include:-
1. Holter monitor
2. Echocardiography
3. Chest Xray
4. Lung function tests
5. Tread mill test
It is important to rule out the exact cause after physical examination and above mentioned investigations.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your response. I did where a holter monitor before and had if I remember correctly, in a 24 hour period: 100 pac's and around 60 pvc's. I may have it reversed. Whichever one is more XXXXXXX is the one I had more of. I had a full blood work up done 6 months ago and everything was great. Cholesterol was 130. I take magnesium everyday so it was really good. Im 5'6" and weigh 130 lbs. I have noticed one thing, anytime my adrenaline kicks in my heartbeat will skip. Ive also noticed lately that I have to continually snack or my blood sugar drops around 4:30. My husband and I are quitting smoking on the 1st and I'd like to start exercising but I'm terrified to get my heart rate up cause thats when it skips. Do you think I'm in danger of a serious cardiac issue in the near future? My father died of heart disease at 76. No other heart conditions in family. Mother is in great health at 72 except for high blood pressure which runs on her side. However mine is almost always 100/64.
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
A rush of adrenaline is always associated with an increase in heart rate. Your symptoms could be related to anxiety too.
Since the holter monitor showed PVC's and PAC's, regular monitoring by a cardiologist is needed every six months so that any serious issues can be detected early.
Do continue with your healthy life style and try some XXXXXXX breathing and yoga to relax yourself. You may also get an anti anxiety drug prescribed from your physician.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Thanks for writing again.
A rush of adrenaline is always associated with an increase in heart rate. Your symptoms could be related to anxiety too.
Since the holter monitor showed PVC's and PAC's, regular monitoring by a cardiologist is needed every six months so that any serious issues can be detected early.
Do continue with your healthy life style and try some XXXXXXX breathing and yoga to relax yourself. You may also get an anti anxiety drug prescribed from your physician.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
