Why does my heart pound like this?

[Michelle Allmon]

Sometimes when I'm just sitting down it starts pounding in my chest. I don't have any health problems. I grew up with kidney problems, so I've been examined by doctors a bazillion times. I feel fine. I eat okay. Etc. Do you guys ever feel your heart pound in your chest? Just wondering if that's "normal."

PS - It's not a new thing either, been going of for yearrrrrs. It's happening tonite, so it just occurred to me to ask.

[brad]

Similar complaints once led me to receive a diagnosis of anxiety with occasional panic attacks (which can cause the heart to race and skin to start sweating without any accompanying anxiety about a specific thing). Interestingly enough, that diagnosis from a medical doctor was itself enough to make them go away for several years.

I'd talk to a doctor about it... it could be virtually nothing like it was for me.

[Michelle Allmon]

Yeah, I guess I could do that. It's just this whole paying $$$ for a diagnosis of nothing and a prescription I'll never fill that keeps me away.

[Nikolai]

Only when I do something stupid.

[Michelle Allmon]

Originally Posted by Nikolai

Only when I do something stupid.

like what?

[Nikolai]

Drop my camera, apex-over steer, tell the girlfriend the wrong answer. You know, stupid things.

[Michelle Allmon]

Originally Posted by Nikolai

Drop my camera, apex-over steer, tell the girlfriend the wrong answer. You know, stupid things.

hahahahah! well, when i was younger i walked straight into a parking meter while scoping out a hottie across the street, maybe i broke it!

[AndrewCCM]

yep.. I saw my doc and after lots o' tests...I have a couple of prescriptions that work magic (of course, the first couple did just the opposite...long story).
I am SO MUCH MORE easy going these days. I thank God everyday for getting it under control. Saved much more than just my heart.

[SaundraU]

Yep me too but since I get an exam yearly I don't worry to much about it, I have low cholstrl, low BP, good lungs/heart, etc.

[fran reisner]

Michelle, is it pounding or fluttering? I was diagnosed a number of years ago with Mitral Valve Prolapse, the most common symptom for me being a quick fluttering sensation in my heart. Read more here http://www.medicinenet.com/mitral_va...se/article.htm

Interestingly I also suffered kidney problems when I was young, and had one removed when I was 16. Never related it to the heart thing.

Regardless, for your health and peace of mind, you really should have it checked out. You'll likely end up having to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours.

[Jay Henley]

A couple of months ago when I would go to bed, my heart was pounding so hard it would keep me from going to sleep. It was actually shaking the bed. I drink a lot of Dr. Peppers. I reduced those by 50% and quit drinking them in the evening and that seemed to do the trick for me. I also have quit smoking again. Amazing how much better I feel.

[CaptainTom]

I would get it checked out. It could be anxiety, or it could be something very serious.
I have had two failed procedures to correct my problem, and am on a medication that does a good job.

http://www.americanheart.org/present...?identifier=64

[suzyjazz]

I hope it's nothing serious.

Originally Posted by fran reisner

Michelle, is it pounding or fluttering? I was diagnosed a number of years ago with Mitral Valve Prolapse, the most common symptom for me being a quick fluttering sensation in my heart. Read more here http://www.medicinenet.com/mitral_va...se/article.htm

I get flutters sometimes. It started happening later in college. I have low blood pressure as well and my only known health issue is hypothyroidism (and bad allergies). I'll check out that article. It doesn't happen to me very often, though.

Quote from the article: "Affected family members are often tall, thin, with long arms and fingers, and straight backs. It is seen most commonly in women from 20 to 40 years old, but also occurs in men."

Interesting -- I'm tall, thin, and have long fingers. I'm 29. I had an EKG when I was 20 and they said I was fine.

[AndrewCCM]

Mine all started about 15yrs ago with what has become a very bad case of Sleep Apnea. Even after surgery, I still struggle with it. The CPAP machine fixed most of my problems.

As my Dr. told me, being strangled all night long for years isn't doing your heart any good. I went from waking up with a standing pulse rate of about 132 down to 78 or so these days. Can't believe I waited 15 yrs to get it under control. I am a new person...

Not saying this is your problem...but symptoms are similar...+ the fact that I would fall asleep driving, wake up 100 times a night, etc. etc. etc...

Apnea is very common and causes a lot more side effects than you might think.

I apologize for going off in this direction.. I hope you get it figured out.

Take care,

[Rox74]

I would DEFINITELY get it checked. When I was 19, I had the same problem, and ended up having a mini-stroke (I only feel effects from it when I'm really tired now). Go by the pharmacy the next time you are at the grocery store and check your blood pressure. Also, the next time it happens, check your pulse and see if it is stable or not. When that happened to me the first time, I checked my pulse and it was almost at 200 (no wonder I had a stroke, lol). I'm just saying, it may just be anxiety attacks (which mine are now considered to be) BUT if it's something more and you just ignore it, it could do some damage! It never hurts to have it checked. I would feel better knowing that I had it checked and it was nothing rather than not having it checked and have a heart attack!!