Aware of Heart Beat

[Jean27]

I am having a problem that no Doctor can give me an answer for. I am always aware of my heart beat. It started 3 years ago when I was getting episodes of a fast heart beat. I went for EVERY heart test ( more than once) and was told my heart was fine. I gave up caffiene, I dont smoke and Im only 30 120lbs, thyroid came back fine also. I continued to have episodes where my heart would get fast and because there was no medical reason I bagan to become very aware and focused on my heart. Now I can feel it all the time. I always feel like my chect is moving. If I am sitting on the couch watching TV I will feel like my heart is fast but if I actually time it it is only around 72 BPM. I dont like to exercise because my heart rate goes up and I dont like the feeling. Also when I go up a flight of stairs I can really feel it beating is this noraml?
My question is do you know what I could be feeling all the time? Maybe there is some test I missed. I heard of something called cardiophobia where you become afraid of your own beating heart. Do you know anything about this I have not been able to find any info on it at all.
The only thing they found on my Echo was Trace Mitral Regurgitation but without prolapse. They said this is very common and not causing the fast rates. What do you think?  
Also do you know of any test to see if it is linked to a stomach problem? It gets worse when I am hormonal also.  I appreciate any info you can give because this problem is really interfering with my life. Thanks so much

[Mr. Know it all]

90% of the population is deficent in magnesium and potasium, too much salt and calcium(such as Tums, rolaids) can hinder its absorbtion, It may take upto a month to replenish the bodies supply of these vital minerals.  It should take a few days to work.  Solaray Magnesium and Potassium w/bromelain is good. Try to use the best and most easily absorbed type you can get your hands on. Magnesium and potassium regulate the bodies electrical activities, when levels of these minerals get too low, pvc's, muscle twitched, eye twitches, bone pain, etc. Your heart may feel like its beating hard, which it is for 5 or 10 min. before it calms down.  
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[judycop]

A related discussion, Strrong Heart Beat was started.

[Jean27]

I have also read about dysautonomia but can not find a DR near me that even knows what it is never mind how to treat it. Can you tell me what kind of meds that helped you and also are you still aware of your heart beating? I think I have the digestion thing also because after eating I always feel worse, like I could feel my heart beat in my stomach is that what you feel after you eat ? I would appreciate any more info you can give me Thnaks so much Jean:)

[Bri-Guy75]

I am a 26 year old male diagnosed with Very minimal Mitral Valve prolapse.  When I was a sophomore in college, I began to have PVC's that were very bothersome.  After 6 mos. of suffering through this I sought medical help.  After several holters, Echos, etc.  I was told it was benign and not to worry.  Well, that was reassuring, but didn't help the symptoms.  After years of research on MVP, I came across what is called MVP syndrome.  MVP syndrome is what actually causes the symptoms associated with MVP.  There have been large, multi-center studies showing that MVP syndrome has no correlation with the severity of regurgitation or prolapse.  The etiology behind it is not well understood...HOWEVER, there is help!!  After being diagnosed with MVP syndrome (before which I thought I was going crazy) and finally, properly treated, things have gotten much better.  The symptoms of MVP syndrome, which include awareness of one's heartbeat, are due to whats called "dysautonomia."  This, in basic terms,is an over-active autonomic nervous system.  I can not only feel my heart beat, but I can feel myself digest food.  Medications have helped tremendously.  The key is to talk to your doctor.  My internist had never heard of MVP syndrome, it was a cardiologist in the northern part of wisconsin who diagnosed my condition, solely because he had done a fellowship at the MVP center in Alabama.

[ssgeren]

I am now recovering from valve replacement, 4 weeks.  What I would like to know is the doctor has told me to be very careful of the sternum.  It takes a long time to heal.  What are the things to watch out for?  I'am planning to go back to work in March 24th, in a very busy Dental Office where I run all day long.

[Mr. Know it all]

Dear Heather, pvc's, twitching, leg cramps, stomach acid...all typical signs of a magnesium deficieny//Magnesium glycinate will cure all your symptoms in about 1 week.  Take it with Potassium and co-enzyme Q-10
Good luck

[heather22]

I have for years been misdiagnosed with some type of heart disease.  First, about 10 years ago I was hospitalized because it was suspected that I had had a heart attack.  That episode resulted in a diagnosis of MVP, with no medication prescribed (after a 3 day stay in CCU).  About 3 years ago, I was sent for a heart cath, which showed that my heart doesn't pump as it should. I was taken off all medication a year later, with my heart doctor saying that the problem is not my heart, but my stomach and prescribed prilosec.  The last couple of months I have been experiencing an awareness of my heart beat, especially when lying down on my side, almost as if it could beat out of my side.  I have also been experiencing severe leg cramps.  About 4 months ago, my left eye started twitching.  My family doctor thought it was nerves and prescribed a mild dose of zoloft.  The twitching has continued.  I went to an eye surgeon, who is going to inject my eye today to numb the nerve to stop the twitching.  My main concern now is the severe leg cramps.  Does anyone have any advise?  I have a doctor's appointment 2/27 and would like to know what to ask.  Help!!  The leg cramps are very painful!

[Mr. Know it all]

Just a comment on potassium and magnesium tests, the results are often misleading since serum levels and intracelluar levels of these minerals may be different.  a simple blood test that shows normal canbe misleading, since these mineral act intracelluar. Only a handful of doctors know about testing these vital nitrients using that intracelluar method, since only a handful of labs in the US offer it to doctors.  Also keep in mind that doctors work for pharmacutecl corps and would prescribe beta-blockers and others before controling pvc's from its real cause, lack of magnesium and potasium.  
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[Mr. Know it all]

Seems you are deficent in Magnesium, After you take the proper amount of magnesium and potasium your heart will calm down, beat regularly and purr like a fine new car

[chrisr]

I am also constantly aware of my heart beat with periodic PVCs but this was after triple bypass and Aortic valve replacement 20 months ago. Beta blockers showed the heart rate but significantly
increased the PVCs. All tests indicated everthing OK except for slight tricuspid regurgitation. Sometime ago someone on this site
mentioned good results with Coenzyme Q10. Has anyone used this and what are the results?

[Jean27]

That is very interesting I have read about magnesium can you suggest a good amount and brand? Thanks so much

[lally]

Hi jean27

When I read about your problem with you feeling your heartbeat most of the time, I had to write and tell you, I have been there and know what your going through.  I am 40 now, but at 19 I started to experience the fast beat sensation and it did interfere with my life to the extent that I didn't want to do activites and I even started to experience panic attacks because of it.  I got the EKG (normal).  The potassium check (normal).  The Thyroid was checked (normal).  The Echocardiogram showed--maybe a Mitral Prolapse (this was in 1979) but probably just very slight mitral regurg.  They started me on 100mg of Lopressor and an antidepressant to help with the obsessive thought thing (celexa 20mg/day) and this made the problem go away completely.  The thing is when I weaned my self off of the Lopressor a few years ago I started to have those old sensations of pounding fast heartbeat, went back on it again and everything is fine. I still take the beta blocker to this day and have zero problems.

Hope this helps.  Take care.

[itsa48]

you just have to time it!  i have been trying for 3 weeks and got up sun am turned the computer on at 8am and clicked on post question and got in.  Keep trying.

as to the above heart beats i too started with that very same problem!  that is when i went on the toperal xl took care of the problem.  but then i ended up with more problems and i personally beleive that that was the begining of my problems.  and yes when you lie down and its quiet you tend to be more aware!

[Scottie]

hey Joe ..I'm in the UK and I've had the same problem as you ....every time I try to post a question ..it it obviously too late ..yet sometimes I'm trying just after midnight in the US...anyone got any ideas ?
Scottie

[car]

Joe, I live in Calgary, Alberta and I can post between the hours of 7:00 - 7:15 a.m.   You just have to hit it at the right minute.  Keep trying!  I finally got through.

[pikamom]

I had the same problem, it took me a week before I had a chance to post my question. Just keep trying and one day it will happen! This is a great board... like the doctor said- we can find reassurance with each other knowing we aren't alone with our heart symptoms. I too am aware of my heartbeat in the evenings when I lay on my side on the couch watching tv. It's very strong and it feels abnormal, I started noticing it at the same time my attacks of tachycardia/angina started. I don't know if it's the same as before or that I just notice it now becasue I've been having a heart problem and am very tuned in to it. Like you, I wish I could stop being aware of it. But now that I've "aquired" a cardiologist and heart medicine, it's hard not to think of it. Try to be reassured with what your doctor says...you've had the tests and your heart is ok. By the way, which tests did you have?

[joeg]

Hello,

Sorry that this message is not related to this thread.  I have
tried 6 days in a row to post a message to this board, but every
time I got a message said the limit is reached.  I tried at midnight and in the morning.  I live in the
west coast.  Does anyone know when this board is open for new messages every day?  Is anybody who is kind enough to help me post a message to this board? I can forward my message.  I'm really eager to hear doc's opinion on my case.

Thanks a lot!

Joe

[mrsoco]

For the past year and a half I feel a strong heart beat (although at normal rate) every time I lie down.  This began one year after dx and tx for Pulmonary Embolism--actually began when I stopped taking Coumadin a year after dx. All tests are negative for any problem and Md's tell me there is no physical reason. I also feel this pounding sensation and fatigue in an abnormally strong way with exercise such as aerobics and/or xcountry skiing which I do on a regular basis.  I am a 63 year old mental health therapist in good health. I am having trouble believing the symptoms are psychosomatic but no matter the reason, I do find reassurance that all tests are negative. Symptoms are very annoying but it is mind over matter not to focus on them or let them intefere with your life if physical problems are ruled out. There are too many other interesting things in life to focus on than just the body. Good luck.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear jean,
For unknown reasons some individuals are more aware of their heartbeats that others.  It sounds like you are doing the right things in terms of diet and stress reductions.  The assurance you can get from others here in this forum is also a big help.

If I were to approach this from a medication standpoint I would probably try a combination of beta-blockers and a seratonin reuptake inhibitor.  Your family practice doctor could start either of these drugs if he/she thought it was indicated.