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Suggest Treatment For Nausea And Electrical Charge Sensation In Chest
Question: Hello... I am a 65 yr old healthy female with no major health issues. The past two days I have had some strange incidents beginning with slight nausea, followed immediately by a 'rushing', kind of almost 'electrical charge' sensation in my chest that immediately goes downward throughout my body to my legs. It lasts only a minute or so but leaves me feeling slightly 'unwell' for an hour or so. Also, I have a feeling of anxiousness afterward.
Brief Answer:
Sounds like a heart arrhythmia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
It sounds like you might be having a heart arrhythmia or an abnormal heart rhythm.
An arrhythmia can occur if the electrical signals that control the heartbeat are delayed or blocked. This can happen if the special nerve cells that produce electrical signals don't work properly. It also can happen if the electrical signals don't travel normally through the heart.
An arrhythmia also can occur if another part of the heart starts to produce electrical signals. This adds to the signals from the special nerve cells and disrupts the normal heartbeat.
Smoking, heavy alcohol use, use of some drugs, use of some prescription or over-the-counter medicines, or too much caffeine or nicotine can lead to arrhythmias in some people.
Strong emotional stress or anger can make the heart work harder, raise blood pressure, and release stress hormones. Sometimes these reactions can lead to arrhythmias.
A heart attack or other condition that damages the heart's electrical system also can cause arrhythmias. Examples of such conditions include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland (too much or too little thyroid hormone produced), and rheumatic heart disease.
Congenital heart defects can cause some arrhythmias. The term "congenital” means the defect is present at birth.
Sometimes the cause of arrhythmias is unknown.
The sensation you are feeling is the heart going into an abnormal heart beat which starts with some chest discomfort or abnormal chest sensation. This is usually followed by an adrenaline rush or surge as your body try's to adapt to the abnormal heart rate. The adrenaline builds up, you get the feeling of nausea and probably some muscular contraction like someone scared you. During these times of adrenaline rush, you may also get short of breath or feel lightheaded. They only last for a couple second as your heart goes back to a normal rhythm.
I would recommend seeing a medical professional to get an EKG and routine screening blood work to make such there is no electrolyte abnormalities causing the abnormal heart rhythm. You will probably need additional testing on your heart such as an ultrasound or an event monitor which can watch your heart rhythm over an extended period of time.
There are many medications and other surgical options that are used to treat arrhythmias. It depends on the cause or type of arrhythmia.
Sounds like a heart arrhythmia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
It sounds like you might be having a heart arrhythmia or an abnormal heart rhythm.
An arrhythmia can occur if the electrical signals that control the heartbeat are delayed or blocked. This can happen if the special nerve cells that produce electrical signals don't work properly. It also can happen if the electrical signals don't travel normally through the heart.
An arrhythmia also can occur if another part of the heart starts to produce electrical signals. This adds to the signals from the special nerve cells and disrupts the normal heartbeat.
Smoking, heavy alcohol use, use of some drugs, use of some prescription or over-the-counter medicines, or too much caffeine or nicotine can lead to arrhythmias in some people.
Strong emotional stress or anger can make the heart work harder, raise blood pressure, and release stress hormones. Sometimes these reactions can lead to arrhythmias.
A heart attack or other condition that damages the heart's electrical system also can cause arrhythmias. Examples of such conditions include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland (too much or too little thyroid hormone produced), and rheumatic heart disease.
Congenital heart defects can cause some arrhythmias. The term "congenital” means the defect is present at birth.
Sometimes the cause of arrhythmias is unknown.
The sensation you are feeling is the heart going into an abnormal heart beat which starts with some chest discomfort or abnormal chest sensation. This is usually followed by an adrenaline rush or surge as your body try's to adapt to the abnormal heart rate. The adrenaline builds up, you get the feeling of nausea and probably some muscular contraction like someone scared you. During these times of adrenaline rush, you may also get short of breath or feel lightheaded. They only last for a couple second as your heart goes back to a normal rhythm.
I would recommend seeing a medical professional to get an EKG and routine screening blood work to make such there is no electrolyte abnormalities causing the abnormal heart rhythm. You will probably need additional testing on your heart such as an ultrasound or an event monitor which can watch your heart rhythm over an extended period of time.
There are many medications and other surgical options that are used to treat arrhythmias. It depends on the cause or type of arrhythmia.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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