Brief Answer:
Please Undergo Holter Monitoring and EPS test
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am,
Thanks for your query.
Firstly, in order to PINPOINT the exact cause of your problems; give you a SOUND professional advice; and, TRUE VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY, may I request you to kindly provide additional information as follows :-
# Whether palpitations occur- and stop- abruptly ? How long does an episode last?
# Due you have mental stress/chronic
anxiety or depression?
# Are you taking
Albuterol in tablet form at bedtime?
# Names of medication for GERD?
Nevertheless- pending receipt of additional information- the most possible causes of your symptoms are :-
* Electrical conduction defect in the heart (called Paroxysmal Supraventricular (Atrial)
Tachycardia) or a benign condition called
Mitral valve prolapse. It would therefore, be ideal if you can upload your ECG and Echo report.
To diagnose the type of electrical conduction defect, I will STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you undergo 24 hours Holter Monitoring, which will capture the episode and can then be analyzed by your cardiologist, who will then put you on appropriate anti-arrhythmic drug to prevent further episodes.
* Albuterol-induced : Albuterol, particularly if taken in tablet form at bedtime, is liable to cause palpitations + associated symptoms. In that case, you may stop the night dose of tablet (in case you are taking it), and instead, take it in inhaler form. Albuterol, in high doses, can also cause sweaty palms and tremors of fingers.
* Anxiety Depression (Neurotic Depression) which is characterized by disturbed sleep and early wakefulness. Acute Panic attacks can occur when awake. Incidentally, sweaty palms is a feature of anxiety.
If Holter test fails to reveal any abnormality of electrical conduction, Electro-Physiological Study (EPS) is the diagnostic test. If both tests are negative/inconclusive, long-term treatment with a combination of an anti-depressant + anti-anxiety drug, will show excellent results.
* Lastly, acidity is increased when the stomach is empty. Stomach is therefore liable to be empty at around 2AM. Increased acidity and irritable stomach tends irritate the base of the heart (base of the heart lies just above the stomach) and cause palpitations.
Consult your doctor/cardiologist and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he will agree with my opinion; order required tests, and- based on the reports- will arrive at a certain diagnosis and prescribe suitable treatment as advised.
Hope I have addressed to your concerns to your complete satisfaction and you find my response helpful and informative. I will be happy to answer further queries, if any.
Fond regards and have a nice day,
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention,
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