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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Heart Flutters, Palpitations, Tightness In Chest, Chest Pressure, Cough, Dizziness, Anxiety. Am I Okay?

I ve been having heart flutters and palpitations for the past 5-6 weeks now. I ve had 2 particularly scary episodes that sent me to the ER. They did an EKG and blood work - no thyroid problems, heart looked fine except both ER visits my heart rate was 110-120. I feel a tightness in my chest and at the time, I was battling some sort of sinus infection/inflamation. My PCP has me on a 30 day monitor (I m on the 9th day). The heart rate was fine for the past 3 days (although still experience the chest pressure) and today it started back up again off and on this morning. I m so scared. I also feel the intermittent chest pressure along with a cough - and I have to constantly clear my throat as though there is a bit of mucous. It almost feels like it could be some sort of asthma attack (no wheezing though). My last ER follow up on 3/7 the doctor looked up my nose and saw the congestion. I was later prescribed antiobiotics (500 mg amoxicillan 2x/day for 7 days) and it seems to help the head pressure, dizziness I was also having. Could all this be brought on by seasonal allergies? BTW, I m 38, don t drink, don t smoke, I stopped coffee completely several weeks ago. The doctor initially thought I was suffering from anxiety attacks and prescriped meds for that - but its not anxiety, I was fine just 2 months ago. Please help! Is it allergies, is something wrong with my heart? I m afraid of some kind of adrenal cancer (the internet can be such a double edged sword - I end up reading all sorts of god awful scary things that could be wrong). I am trying to be patient with results of the 30 day monitor, but I can t help but to wonder if they would see any harmful conditions I m living with before the 30 days are over!
Tue, 19 Mar 2013
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Cardiologist 's  Response
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Relax! The description does not sound alarming!

Anxiety / Alcohol / Tobacco (smoking) / Caffeine (too much coffee, cola) are common causes.
Medicines may be responsible – like Phenylephrine used for ‘cold’ / Salbutamol, Salmeterol used for asthma and so on.
Illicit ‘drugs’ like Amphetamine are notorious to cause abnormal beats
At times, abnormal nerve paths in the heart (bypass tracts) are responsible!

We have to wait for the results of the event monitor.
ECHOcardiogram / TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG) / LABORATORY work-up – may all be necessary for further assessment and assistance.
The treating doctor may suggest them depending on need, based on his assessment of the situation.

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
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Have Heart Flutters, Palpitations, Tightness In Chest, Chest Pressure, Cough, Dizziness, Anxiety. Am I Okay?

Hi friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic Relax! The description does not sound alarming! Anxiety / Alcohol / Tobacco (smoking) / Caffeine (too much coffee, cola) are common causes. Medicines may be responsible – like Phenylephrine used for ‘cold’ / Salbutamol, Salmeterol used for asthma and so on. Illicit ‘drugs’ like Amphetamine are notorious to cause abnormal beats At times, abnormal nerve paths in the heart (bypass tracts) are responsible! We have to wait for the results of the event monitor. ECHOcardiogram / TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG) / LABORATORY work-up – may all be necessary for further assessment and assistance. The treating doctor may suggest them depending on need, based on his assessment of the situation. Take care Wishing speedy recovery God bless Good luck