What Causes Heart Palpitations, Extra Heart Beats And Trouble Breathing?

Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014

Question: Hello, my name is XXXXXXX my daughter is 21 weeks pregnant and has been having palpitation since she was 14 but she has just been diagnosed by holter monitor with VEB ans AEB and 1 mono and 1 poly couplet in a 24 hr period. She had 530 extra beats in the 24 hrs with an indication at times of breathlessness. She has to see a cardiologist but her GP wants her to see her Obstetrician first, he is away till the end of XXXXXXX I am very concerned because my son had VST and has a VSD and my other daughter IST. She had a scary episode which led to these tests. She rang me saying she was having trouble breathing. My daughter rushed her to the hospital and we could physically see 2 types of abnormal beats. I know pretty much what is normal due to my other 2 children. What could be causing this and would radio frequency ablation work for her as it did for my son, thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Hardik Thakker (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
BETA BLOCKERS, THRYOID LEVELS, EKG

Detailed Answer:

Dear XXXXXXX

Greetings from health care magic!!! I am Dr Thakker and shall be answering your question.

Can you please upload some EKG rhythm strips of the patient to help me see the rhythm.

I would like to know if :

There is a history of heart disorder in the family?

Is she on any medications currently?

Does she consume caffeine / stimulant drugs?

Does she consume alcohol?

The following are the possible causes for her rhythm disturbances:

Ventricular irritability due to hypoxia/ electrolyte abnormality.

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia

Atrial fibrillation

Congenital QT syndromes causing arrhthymia

HOCM

I would recommend to have thyroid levels checked and start a beta blocker like metoprolol to control the ectopics.

Please get back to me with answers to the above questions.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Thakker.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj