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What Causes Fluttering Sensation In The Chest Area?

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Posted on Fri, 14 Oct 2016
Question: I want to know the following: I went to my cardiologist, who is not so certain that my flutters are coming from the heart. My resting heart, ekg, echo pulse, BP are all normal. He mentioned there are lots of nerves in the chest that can cause flutters. I seem to have the flutters now only when I am walking. He is ordering a treadmill stress just to be certain, but was not pushing it. The only new medicine I am taking is a PPI. My flutters, honestly began after a 3 months battle with GERD - Is it possible the vagus nerve is the cause of all of this. I am not SOB, dizzy, I just have these flutters, which do feel like an irregular heartbeat, when walking. As soon as I stand still or sit down, the palpitations stop. If it were anxiety, wouldn't it be all the time? I just had bloodwork and the only deficiency is Vitamin D level went down from 28 to 22 ( I have been at 22 before)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to a cardiac arrhythmia.

A thyroid hormone imbalance (considering the fact that you are taking Synthroid) or anxiety could also trigger this clinical situation.

For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends during a prolonged period and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia
- complete blood count for possible anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible hormonal imbalance
- blood electrolytes for possible electrolyte imbalance.

Regarding your Vitamin D levels, they do not seem to be related to your symptomatology, especially considering the fact that you have been before on these levels.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (12 minutes later)
Hello

I do appreciate your input - I did all of the above tests, which were considered normal. I am wondering, since I have developed GERD, I have not been eating/drinking properly, could dehydration, or vitamin deficiency play a role in this too - My cardiooligist stated that I have a normal sinus rhythem on all the tests
Thank you - I do notice that when under stress/anxiety it does feel worse.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information.

If you already have performed an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter) and it has resulted normal, then you do not need to perform it.

As all your cardiac tests have shown a normal heart rhythm and a normal heart structure and function (including heart rhythm), then you have nothing to worry about, as your symptoms are not related to any cardiac disorders.

Dehydration and malnutrition can lead to electrolyte imbalance, which are very important for a normal heart function.

From the other hand low levels of vitamin D can influence on your electrolyte levels causing ectopic heart beats and palpitations.

In such case, it is necessary taking vitamin D supplements for a short period.

A balanced diet and a good hydration is also necessary for a normal heart function.

Hope to have been helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Fluttering Sensation In The Chest Area?

Brief Answer: I would recommend as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to a cardiac arrhythmia. A thyroid hormone imbalance (considering the fact that you are taking Synthroid) or anxiety could also trigger this clinical situation. For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests: - an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends during a prolonged period and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia - complete blood count for possible anemia - thyroid hormone levels for possible hormonal imbalance - blood electrolytes for possible electrolyte imbalance. Regarding your Vitamin D levels, they do not seem to be related to your symptomatology, especially considering the fact that you have been before on these levels. You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri