What Do My Lab Test Reports Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 20 Jul 2015

Question: Hello I had all cardiac testing done several months ago including holter monitor 48 hour, Echocardiogram, stress test and several ecgs. All tests showed structurally normal heart and some pacs approximately 400 over 48 hours and 15 pvcs. My cardiologists insists these are due to my anxiety. I had a loop monitor put on last week and got the results today which again showed a normal heart with some etopic beats die to anxiety and no symptom rhythm correlation. Over the past while I have been getting a symptom where out of nowhere I will get slow hard beats approximately 6 or 7 and then back to normal. It happens sometimes when I get up from a seated position. For example tonight I was watching television and got up from the couch and I could feel it even in my throat. My heart beat slowed down and I had pressure in my throat and 6 or 7 slow hard heart beats and them it went back up. It feels like the beats were approximately 55bpm. I have been having problems with my stomach and digestion also acid reflux. Can this be a Vagas nerve reaction causing the slow beats?

Answered by Dr. Rajesh Teli (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need to focus on acid reflux

Detailed Answer:
hello,Mr.XXXX,
I am Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD.
I have gone through your query.Thanks for using HCM.

Your extrasystoles are benign. Your heart has tendency for it .They are not serious at all. I am happy you have been completely evaluated for knowing its seriousness. So just don't worry about it.

I would like to know if you are on any medicine like beta blocker? if yes then it can explain low heart rate.

As far as I see your major issue is that of acid reflux. Sometime severe reflux producing oesphagal spasm can lead to vagal stimulation leading to low heart rate.
I suggest you to take PPI with anti reflux medicine. They are available over the counter so you can check with your pharmacist. Avoid spicy food, smoking and heavy meals.keep gap of 3 hrs between meal and sleep.

My best wiahes
Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rajesh Teli (56 minutes later)

Hi doctor thank you for your reply. I am not on any medication as my cardiologist insists that my heart is very healthy and I do not need medication. The slow heart rate is not constant. It is more episodal. For instance it does go up with movement or exercise. It's just that sometimes when I get up from a seated position the slow beats will happen. Also when I have a bowel movement

Answered by Dr. Rajesh Teli (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It should be normal variation

Detailed Answer:
hello,thanks for prompt reply.I agree with your cardiologist that you don't need any medicine for low heart rate.because you don't have any serious complaints on account of low heart rate ,apart from normal reports.Normal heart rate varies from 60 yo 100 per min.so just don't worry.If you are athelete or do regular exercise then you may have high vagal tone.so don't worry about it.As I mentioned earlier focus on Acid Reflux.
My best wishes, DT

Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rajesh Teli (12 hours later)

Doctor is it not dangerous for my heart to beat at 70-75 bpm and then get the slow hard beats at 50-55bpm. Then it goes back to normal. Can the acid reflux really be doing this? I mean the loop monitor was normal so why is this happening?

Answered by Dr. Rajesh Teli (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is not dangerous

Detailed Answer:
hello,I did mention that normally also there is variation of heart beats between 60 yo 100 BPM.this fluctuation is not serious ,therefore you need not worry.inspite od PPI group medicine and antireflux treatment if your symptoms persist then, you should go for upper GI endoscopy and not to worry about heart beats.your so many investigations for heart are normal.so relax and don't get panic about it.
My best wishes
Dr.Teli,Mf

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