Increasing arrhythmia?

[Monkey142]

Hello,
I am just looking for information about this kind of situation and also hoping to get some ideas about what further to explore with my doctor.
In 2003 I had three separate incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning (problems with the apartment I was living in). From then on I was always able to feel my heartbeat.
About 3 weeks or so after the third incident, I started feeling an occasional skipped heartbeat. I went to my doctor. He said I have a low resting heart rate and that this meant that sometimes my heart would skip a beat and it was nothing to be concerned about. That stayed that until about 1 1/2 years ago. (At that time my resting heart rate was 60, now it is 75).
About 1 1/2 years ago it started happening more frequently, sometimes more than once in a day. Gradually I noticed that sometimes it seemed to skip two beats.
Months later I started also occasionally feeling a faster heart rate when I wasn't doing anything active. At this time I started also feeling a weird sort of vibrating feeling in my heart. Other times it would skip a beat or two and then pound hard for several beats. My doctor (a new one; I moved) said it sounded like nothing to worry about.
Well, it kept happening more and more and then a few months ago I also started noticing that it would skip two or three beats, it felt like, then pound hard and also do the weird vibrating thing.
Around that time I also started feeling an odd tight feeling in my chest. It makes me feel like I am short of breath when actually I am not. There is no faster heartbeat or fear with this, so it is not a panic attack.
For one month now I have been using an event monitor. I have managed to capture several skips, which are now happening many times a day. I have not yet managed to record the other things, except the tight feeling, during which I am told my heart rate is "just fine", and teh faster heart beat, which is just that, I am told (at one point it shot up spontaneously to 140 bpm).
I will be discussing this all with my doctor again next week. I do find it all somewhat alarming. I am hoping my doctor will feel I should be allowed to talk to a cardiologist.
Anyway, anyone have any input/insight on all this? Could it be related to those CO events? Should I be particularly concerned? I am alone a lot with a small child so I like to know I'm healthy...
Thanks and sorry for the long post!

[mariop]

Based on your symptoms I would think a Holter monitor would have been the proper monitor.  It records continuoulsy for 24-48 hours.  You may not be feeling everything that is happening in your heart, so I do not see why they gave you an event monitor.  Also,  If I were you I would even bypass the cardiologist and see an Electrophysiologist.  It takes a couple of months for an appointment, and they are the proper specialists to handle the heart's electrical problems.  If your insurance allows it, get on the phone now with an EP.

[Sweetwaterguy]

Just a follow up on my previous post.  The CO relationship intrigued me, and I did an internet search regarding long term effects of CO poisoning.  Apparently heart damage can be a side effect from significant exposure.  Fortunately, most sites suggest that the effects may not be permanent.  It is certainly a reason to continue to advocate for a consulation from a cardiologist.  

[Sweetwaterguy]

   After my successful ablation, I was concerned about occasional skipped or extra beats.  My cardiologist told me that everyone experiences this occasionally.  Most people don't notice. Those like me who have had heart issues often are very aware of what their heart is doing.  What your are experiencing may be entirely normal.  I cannot comment on"the tight feeling" other than to encourage you to persist in your communication with your doctor regarding these issues.  Having "peace of mind" is essential to maintaining good health.  And I hope you find the answers to allow you to feel comfortable.