Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Erratic Heart Rhythm, Drop In Pressure, Chest Rattling, Pain Around Sternum, Difficulty In Sleeping On Front And Sides, No Digestive Problems. Prescribed Reflux Tablets. Suggestion?
Hello I am a 47 year old male. A couple of weeks ago after teaching a dance class (I am dancer/ teacher) I came home with an erratic heart rhythm and drops in pressure and was consigned to bed. Since then I have had an ecg , blood test and 24 heart monitor but they have all come back normal. Sometimes the pulse is normal and at others throughout the day it can become markedly erratic, chest rattling and localized pressure/ pain around the sternum which subsides with relaxation. When I am dancing or active all seems normal. I am also now having problems sleeping on my front and sides because of the pressure and change in pulse rate. I feel I may have pericarditis but my doctor, today seemed to have ruled this out and prescribed reflux tablets though I have no digestive problems that I am aware of. And advice would be helpful, many thanks,
Thu, 22 Aug 2013
Dear patient,
Thanks for your concerns. By your clinical description, one could suspect indeed an arrhythmia causing such symptoms; something that many physicians do not understand is that if the symptoms are sporadic, a Holter monitor is only a 24 hour window of opportunity to catch an arrhythmia; if we dont it does not mean it doesn't exist. A more prolonged method of monitoring such as an event monitor, can be indicated, which can be worn for 3-4 weeks and increase the chances of detection. If nothing is seen after such period of monitoring, particularly if you document symptoms and the EKG/ST segment analysis is normal, then other causes, such as anxiety, panic disorders, GI causes, etc could be pursued.
Truly yours,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
Thanks for your concerns. By your clinical description, one could suspect indeed an arrhythmia causing such symptoms; something that many physicians do not understand is that if the symptoms are sporadic, a Holter monitor is only a 24 hour window of opportunity to catch an arrhythmia; if we dont it does not mean it doesn't exist. A more prolonged method of monitoring such as an event monitor, can be indicated, which can be worn for 3-4 weeks and increase the chances of detection. If nothing is seen after such period of monitoring, particularly if you document symptoms and the EKG/ST segment analysis is normal, then other causes, such as anxiety, panic disorders, GI causes, etc could be pursued.
Truly yours,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Sinus rhythm
Loading Online Doctors....