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What Causes Heart Palpitations After Doing Normal Physical Activity?
Question: Hi, I am a 45 year old woman. Overweight, but not obese. I sit for a living, but walk when I can and climb stairs instead of the elevator - in other words I try to get some activity in where I can. Lately it seems even the slightest exertion seems to cause my heart to pound. Not just an accelerated heartbeat. It pounds. I am on medication that successfully treats high blood pressure for me. However, I am concerned about heart disease and am wondering if the pounding heartbeat is something I should be worried about in that 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 it is important performing a comprehensive differential diagnosis of different caused that may lead to your symptomatology:
1- lack of physical activity. You should know that when your body is not used to physical exercise, these symptoms are quite common.
2- Chronic anemia. A complete blood count is necessary to exclude this possibility
3- Possible heart failure. This is not a common cause at your age, but I would recommend performing a cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure. It is also necessary to examine your heart valves and exclude possible valvular dysfunction.
An ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring is necessary to examine your heart rhythm trends during a prolonged period and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.
If suspicions of possible coronary artery disease are raised, I would recommend performing a cardiac stress tests to investigate for this disorder.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
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 it is important performing a comprehensive differential diagnosis of different caused that may lead to your symptomatology:
1- lack of physical activity. You should know that when your body is not used to physical exercise, these symptoms are quite common.
2- Chronic anemia. A complete blood count is necessary to exclude this possibility
3- Possible heart failure. This is not a common cause at your age, but I would recommend performing a cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure. It is also necessary to examine your heart valves and exclude possible valvular dysfunction.
An ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring is necessary to examine your heart rhythm trends during a prolonged period and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.
If suspicions of possible coronary artery disease are raised, I would recommend performing a cardiac stress tests to investigate for this disorder.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response, it was very helpful. I appreciate knowing the possible concerns that I should look into. I will make an appointment to see my general practitioner.
Kind Regards,
XXXXXX
I do have one more comment, just to see if it's relevant. I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse 20 years ago. It is mild, and I very rarely experience any of the symptoms that I am aware of - which is a very quick, sharp stabbing feeling. Just so I go into my appointment feeling prepared, could this possibly be related to the MVP getting worse? I have not been regularly treated for it, nor have I ever taken medication for it.
Thank you again for your help.
XXXXX
Kind Regards,
XXXXXX
I do have one more comment, just to see if it's relevant. I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse 20 years ago. It is mild, and I very rarely experience any of the symptoms that I am aware of - which is a very quick, sharp stabbing feeling. Just so I go into my appointment feeling prepared, could this possibly be related to the MVP getting worse? I have not been regularly treated for it, nor have I ever taken medication for it.
Thank you again for your help.
XXXXX
Brief Answer:
MVP could lead to this symptomatology.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thank you for the additional information.
Yes, mitral valve prolapse can cause these symptoms. This is what I meant before when recommended cardiac ultrasound to examine your heart valves too.
Your symptomatology could be related to an aggravation of mitral valve prolapse.
I would be happy to review your cardiac test reports as soon as you can upload them for a second professional opinion.
You can ask me directly, at any time or upload your cardiac ultrasound report whenever you need, by clicking on the link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
MVP could lead to this symptomatology.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thank you for the additional information.
Yes, mitral valve prolapse can cause these symptoms. This is what I meant before when recommended cardiac ultrasound to examine your heart valves too.
Your symptomatology could be related to an aggravation of mitral valve prolapse.
I would be happy to review your cardiac test reports as soon as you can upload them for a second professional opinion.
You can ask me directly, at any time or upload your cardiac ultrasound report whenever you need, by clicking on the link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
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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