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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath, Arrhythmia And Tightness In Chest

Posted on Mon, 5 Jan 2015

Question: For the last week I have been feeling my heart skip a beat. It comes and goes and sometimes I get slightly short of breath. There is never more than 6/minute and I do not feel dizzy or faint. I did just move to XXXXXXX and am wondering if the altitude is causing it...I know these can be normal. But I am still worried.

Also there is not chest pain, however I do feel tightness in my chest at times, but never at the same time as my the skipped beats.

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cardiac arrhythmia

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
You have an irregular pulse/heart beat,which may be due to Atrial premature complexes(APC ),the most common arrhythmia .A very early APC may not conduct to the ventricle and can create a pulse irregularity that may be perceived as a pause or "dropped beat."
You need to undergo a 12 lead ECG recording with a rhythm strip (long lead II for one minute) as the initial investigation to diagnose the nature of arrhythmia.
Meanwhile you can avoid excessive tea,coffee or smoking ,if any.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (17 minutes later)

Ok. I figured I would need the EKG. The issue is that I just started a new job and do not have health insurance for another week or so. Is this a critical matter that I need to seek immediate attention to, or is it safe to wait until I have insurance?

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
seek immediate attention

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
EKG is a simple and inexpensive basic investigation these days. Since you find apical impulse as palpitation ,it is more likely premature beats either atrial or ventricular .

You may ignore insurance cover for this; any ER service will take out the EKG in no time.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (14 hours later)

So I went to the ER last night, had an ECG and chest xray done. The MD said that everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about. But I still feel these PAC's often. Should I really not worry? Also is it OK for me to go to the gym?

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need not worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

Premature atrial complexes (PACs) generally do not require any intervention/ treatment.

You need not worry. You can join your exercise program in the gym.

At best you can undergo 2-D Echocardiogram and a likely normal report will also allay your anxiety.

Drug treatment like Beta blockers may be tried but these agents may uncommonly exacerbate symptoms if AV block occurs with the PAC and irregularity of the pulse consequently becomes more profound.

Hence no therapy is recommended.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju