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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Irregular Heart Beat In The Elderly?

I have an irregular heart beat I amm 77 yrs old female I have had a stress test n was told everything is ok I do take bp med my bp seems to be pretty good n my pulse rate seems ok but I can feel my heart skipping beats n seems like sometimes it is working hard
Thu, 13 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi
Thanks for posting on HCM
Irregular heart beat occurs when the electrical impulses that coordinate your heartbeats don't work properly, causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.Possible causes of irregular beats may include:
-Blocked arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease)
-High blood pressure
-Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
-Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
-Smoking
-Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine
-Drug abuse
-Stress
-Certain medications and supplements, including over-the-counter cold and allergy drugs and nutritional supplements
-Diabetes
-Scarring of heart tissue from a prior heart attack
-Changes to your heart's structure, such as from cardiomyopathy
With all these possible causes, only a keen examination can help identify the cause.A normal stress test may eliminate heart related problems but there exist many other causes not directly related to your heart.I will however advise you see your Cardiologist for examination and investigation.You may need tests like ECG, Holter monitor, Event monitor, Echocardiogram, Electrophysiological testing and mapping.
I will advise you try the following as well:
*Eat heart-healthy foods
*Exercise regularly
*Avoid smoking
*Maintain a healthy weight
*Keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control
*Drink alcohol in moderation
*Regular checks by your Doctor
Hope this will help
Best regards
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What Causes Irregular Heart Beat In The Elderly?

Hi Thanks for posting on HCM Irregular heart beat occurs when the electrical impulses that coordinate your heartbeats don t work properly, causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.Possible causes of irregular beats may include: -Blocked arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease) -High blood pressure -Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) -Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) -Smoking -Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine -Drug abuse -Stress -Certain medications and supplements, including over-the-counter cold and allergy drugs and nutritional supplements -Diabetes -Scarring of heart tissue from a prior heart attack -Changes to your heart s structure, such as from cardiomyopathy With all these possible causes, only a keen examination can help identify the cause.A normal stress test may eliminate heart related problems but there exist many other causes not directly related to your heart.I will however advise you see your Cardiologist for examination and investigation.You may need tests like ECG, Holter monitor, Event monitor, Echocardiogram, Electrophysiological testing and mapping. I will advise you try the following as well: *Eat heart-healthy foods *Exercise regularly *Avoid smoking *Maintain a healthy weight *Keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control *Drink alcohol in moderation *Regular checks by your Doctor Hope this will help Best regards