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Heart Palpitations, Pounding, Skipping Beats, Breathing Difficulty, Heart Related Or Anxiety ?
I have asked my doctor several times about my heart palpitations, pounding, skips and sensations where it feels like I may have stopped breathing momentarily. He has told me on several different occasions this is just anxiety . I have had an EKG twice in the last few years. I feel like there is more going on here. Do I need to get a referral for my insurance before I can consult a specialty physician? I am 23 and obese , I have been regularly attending a gym since the beginning of the year and I am slowly loosing the weight. I do not smoke or drink or do any sort of drugs. I do eat healthy with a few occasional relapses with not so healthy food choices. I do have a high stress lifestyle but I feel my symptoms in connection with family history are worth truly looking into before starting our family.
Mon, 14 May 2012
Hello and welcome to Healthcaremagic.com.
EKGs (electrocardiogram) show what is happening at that particular moment in time. They can also show any damage or arrhythmias that your heart is experiencing. It is like a snapshot of your heart's rhythm. If you weren't experiencing your heart palpitations, pounding, skips or other sensations at that moment in time, it is unlikely that the EKG would show any abnormalities.
Usually, insurance companies insist on referrals to specialty physicians. I advise talking with your family physician again expressing your concerns. Ask for a referral, or request a cardiac stress test, or perhaps a holter monitor to rule out anxiety as the primary cause of your symptoms.
I commend you on your commitment to becoming healthier. Diet and exercise do make a difference in heart health. I hope I have adequately answered your questions. Feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have.
Be well,
Dr. Kimberly
EKGs (electrocardiogram) show what is happening at that particular moment in time. They can also show any damage or arrhythmias that your heart is experiencing. It is like a snapshot of your heart's rhythm. If you weren't experiencing your heart palpitations, pounding, skips or other sensations at that moment in time, it is unlikely that the EKG would show any abnormalities.
Usually, insurance companies insist on referrals to specialty physicians. I advise talking with your family physician again expressing your concerns. Ask for a referral, or request a cardiac stress test, or perhaps a holter monitor to rule out anxiety as the primary cause of your symptoms.
I commend you on your commitment to becoming healthier. Diet and exercise do make a difference in heart health. I hope I have adequately answered your questions. Feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have.
Be well,
Dr. Kimberly
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