What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Fast Heart Beat?
Could it be possible that this is all in my head? My heart beat per minute is normal. When I breathe, I feel as though I don't have enough oxygen in my body for my comfort.
Need more investigations...
Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
You are too young to have Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) / a bit old to start Congenital her Disease…
CAD is uncommon in women of reproductive age...
Pain from the heart is oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate to shoulders and arms, associated with sweating and so on.
Your description is highly suggestive of Anxiety and/or Depression.. and your thoughts are appropriate.
Like physical problem, psychological problem could also be diagnosed by their symptoms and signs…
Still, as a safety measure and with a view to prevent future episodes, all attempts are made to exclude organic diseases, before attributing to anxiety.
EKG / HOLTER (24 to 48 hour ambulatory monitoring) / ECHOcardiogram / TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG) / LABORATORY work-up – may all be done for further assessment and assistance.
The treating doctor may suggest them depending on need, based on his assessment of the situation.
Be in touch with your doctor - it is a question of time and you will be well.
Medicine is well advanced nowadays – management is possible for almost all situations...
See a Cardiologist - rather to rule out rather than to rule in...
Also have an endoscopy to rule out problems of stomach and oesophagus...
Then see a Psychiatrist - for further assessment and assistance
The prognosis is generally excellent in such situations...
Take care
Good luck
Most unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The pills can have certain side effects, but not like this
Regards
Follow up and/or second opinion & tests
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back
Clinically, absence of proof is no proof of absence… Hence, investigations are done – specific to the situation. Only a Psychiatrist is entitled to make a direct diagnosis of Anxiety; we, physicians need tests to exclude organic diseases – because no curable condition should be missed.
Reaction to any illness is – Denial / depression / Realistic adaptation. And it changes with time, situation and experience and exposure. Past performance does not predict future performance perfectly… it is an useful clue, at the most
The most common causes of palpitation are – Anaemia / Anxiety / Alcohol / Tobacco (smoking) / Caffeine (too much tea, coffee, cola) / Fever / Infection / Pain / Stress / Thyroid / electrolytes / Medicines like Phenylephrine used for ‘cold’; Salbutamol used for asthma and so on. Rarely, abnormal nerve paths in the heart (bypass tracts) or disease of the conduction system may be responsible!
HOLTER (24 to 48 hour ambulatory monitoring) is done to analyse and plan for further management, if a routine ECG does not document it.
Many cases of palpitation are benign, especially when associated with normal ECHO and may not require treatment. Only if you also have symptoms like blurred vision, dizziness, loss of consciousness and so on along with this, you need urgent evaluation
A second opinion and investigations are often helpful in some cases…
Regards
How can I make or the heart palpitations go away? Or how can I reduce them?
management discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The pain in the back / forearm are likely to be muscular – spasm from posture. Not from this. Over The Counter Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs like Ibuprofen or naproxen often with muscle relaxants / anxiolytics / hot packs / rest to the part will be useful. X-ray of the spine may be useful, if it is severe or not responding
The pills can be stopped safely ... If in need, your Gynaecologist can suggest alternatives for the same indication.
Learn to ignore the palpitations, if everything else is normal. Learn to enjoy life – rapport with friends & family, park, beach, walking and so on help to relax and divert. Concentration in work takes away the focus from heart …
If bothering still, small dose of beta blockers (like Metoprolol) are generally given first – they have multiple effects and help anxiety, pressure, palpitation and so on.
If there are no clues and if the problem is bothering to the extent of interfering with life style, there are advanced techniques of investigations – Electro Physiological Studies (EPS) > it resembles angio – a catheter is put inside the heart / electrical activity recorded / stimulation and suppression tests are carried out / suitable medicine tested and so on. There are other advanced treatment modalities - like ablation (thermal or radio-frequency), which could be done during EPS. Though the test is the gold standard, it is INVASIVE and hence is not generally done unless there are compelling indications. This super-speciality expert is called ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGIST. The treating doctor may suggest them depending on need, based on his assessment of the situation.
Regards