heart skips and pounds heart when i change body positions and when i try to pass gas

[blake093]

I know this may seem like a strange and weird thing and I've had a heart arrythmia for a while now and been seeing a cardiologist for a few months now had a tilt table an echo. Holster monitor and 30 day monitor and my doctor just told me I had a minor heart arrythmia  and I would grow out of it

But this may seem weird and out there but every time I either stand up from sitting and then lay down my heart skips and when I'm on the toilet pushing all my muscles to go to the bathroom I feel like my heart pause and start pounding really heart and skip and pause ..  well tonight while I was pushing after I pushed I felt my heart skip and pause for q good 3 seconds and the when ur came back it was pounding like someone just scares the crap out of me and then it skipped and paused for 3 seconds and did the same thing and after about 5 minutes of that it returned to normal this also happens when I run up the stairs real quick or pick up something heavy while weightlifting

[mdnc]

I've been diagnosed with paroxysmal afib and my Cardiologist and GP think Ablation is the way to go.  I'm 55,  a runner since I was 12, and pretty health conscious - a non-red meat eater since I was 17,  a few marathons but mostly a 35 mile a week runner, a gym rat  etc.  Quite frankly I'm scared to death by this.  I was on Flecanide for a few weeks and I had such a bad reaction that my GP sent me to another Cardio guy for an evaluation.  The new guy was all about the Ablation procedure and sent me to a Radio cardiologist for an evaluation.  He agreed that given my issues and age that the ablation was the way to go.  Still I'm worried about the whole thing.  I haven't been in a hospital since I was six and yeah ,I'm just a scared little princess, but this whole thing is just freaking me out.  Will I be able to go back to my normal life?  Can I get off these awful meds - at least the rhythm control stuff?  Can I someday go back to being a happy 35 mile a week runner?  What's the whole procedure like?  Will life ever be normal again?

Some of the stuff I've read about the procedure scares me to death.  I live in Raleigh , NC so we have great medical facilities and my cardio guy is top notch.  I guess I just need some reassurance and need to know what to expect.  Thanks so much for your help!

[MichelleP_3811]

Sounds like it could be some sort of bigeminy.  Try coughing when it occurs and see if you can break the pattern.   I know you mention that you weight lift but do you also do cardio, if not it might be a good idea to start to get some cardio in.  It could very well help you to tolerate what is occurring a bit better.  If you heart is healthy what you are feeling ls likely not dangerous, however if you are having difficulty functioning you can go back to your doctor and maybe try beta blockers or something to see if it helps.  So follow up with them again if you are very concerned but unfortunately even though some of this hurts and is disconcerting to us we do have to learn to live with it to some degree and take steps to try and lessen our triggers.

[blake093]

It doesn't beat fast its like thump_____thump_________thump_________thump

And it gets hard to breathe and the heartbeats are so forceful that my vision flutters with each thump and I get a headache

[MichelleP_3811]

It still sounds like some sort of vagal response is causing your heart to speed up.  I would watch if you have any stomach issues like indigestion or acid reflux.  It can make these kinds of things worse.  But in general try to not worry too much.  What you are feeling has been deemed not dangerous to you by your doctor so try to not stress too much when you feel something as that will just make it worse.  Try to also drink lots of water and see if that helps alleviate your issue some.  But again, it sounds like you just have a sensitive heart so just try and find ways to avoid triggering the reaction if you can but if not try to not stress too much.  If things progress or get worse go back to your doctor for a follow up or go and seek a second opinion.  Take care.

[blake093]

You see that's the thing I do eat fiber I don't have to push very hard to get my heart to skip it also happens a lot when i change positions

[MichelleP_3811]

It sounds like you are having a vagal response.  The process of straining is actually the mechanism that is used to help people stop their arrhythmia especially in cases of tachycardia.  You however appear to be triggering some ectopic beats by doing so.  I would suggest trying to get more fiber in your diet so you don't need to strain so much to go to the bathroom as well try to breath deeply when exerting yourself like when you go up the stairs and you will likely see relief from your symptoms.  In general though what you are experiencing in a healthy heart is nothing to be too concerned about.  It can be disconcerting to feel your heart jumping around a bit but you aren't in any danger from it.  Just try to watch your stress, stomach issues and keep a healthy lifestyle and you should be fine.  And then just keep an eye on your symptoms and if things get worse go back and see the doctor.  Take care.

[blake093]

I'm 19  5'11 220 lbs. Non smoker and passed my stress test