Like a Heartbeat

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My heart seems to be beating really quickly. I'm not sure if it's always been like this. But now I have actually recieved SURPRISED COMMENT on how fast my heart beats, I'm sitting here in my office, getting the FEAR as I can FEEL my heart pounding.

So, qn. Who else has a fast heartbeat? What does it mean? Help!

And if we don't want to talk health, talk about the band WIRE.

― Sarah, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

My fear has even led to me buying WHOLEMEAL BREAD and WHOLEMEAL PASTA. I am sure this makes my fried egg sandwiches healthy.

― Sarah, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Oh god, I've given you the fear now. Sorry.

― Richard Tunnicliffe, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Don't panic! I once had a similar problem thanks to my crazy caffeine intake. I'm okay now, although I do recall being given some medication for the problem.

― Paul Strange, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't know, I've been worriedly picking apart my diet and alcohol intake and calling myself stupid for worrying - geez, I'm 20 - and I don't always eat horrifically... possibly I do too much caffiene but surely that wouldn't make me feel anything like this...

― Sarah, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

too much VENTOLIN!!!! go grab a ciggie and a cuppa and you'll be fine in the morning.

― Geoff, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Too much caffeine can indeed lead to heart palpitations. Do you feel lightheaded, too?

― Paul Strange, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I've been feeling light headed and strange for the past two weeks and sometimes I've been a bit unsteady on my feet. I think I've always had a quick pulse rate. Is this normal, can you slow it down?

― Sarah, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Tsk. You are so obviously in lurve. What I (and quite likely each and every one of us) want to know is... WHO WITH?

― Madchen, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I am Mr Caffeine Bomb and also have TWO HEARTS like Dr Who but I still don't get this. So I think Madchen is right and it's WUV.

― Tom, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Wuv leads to wholemeal bread??

Not sure if it's worth it. Now I understand what people meant when they said they suffered for lurrrrve.

― Sarah, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i myself am afflicted with an odd, sometimes rapid, sometimes ALARMINGLY rapid heartbeat. and have been ever since i was a wee lad. all the doctors can tell me is that it wont kill me and it doesnt really *hurt* per se, but it does take the wind out of me. i talked with a female co-worker a few years back who has something similar which *was* diagnosed, but apparently those of us with penises develop this incredibly rarely (aren't i speshul?) so perhaps the reason why it went undiagnosed? but, lack of med. insurance = never followed up on. be careful.

― jess, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I have extreme low bloodpressure. My doctor urges me to take medication. I rather not. Today I fainted nearly twice.

― nathalie, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Sheesh, I don't even HAVE a doctor and don't know where to start finding one! RAH me...

Right now I am getting the fear at the thought of cutting down on the ALCOHOL.

― Sarah, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Tom -- Dr. Who had two hearts? Are you sure you're not thinking of Dr. No, who had one heart, but on the wrong side of his chest? And whose enemies would thus plot to kill him by stabbing him through the heart or shooting him through the heart and would thus always fail, and apparently never decide that maybe they should just up their firepower or aim for the head or at least try some sort of different tack?

I don't know anything about Dr. Who, so if he really had two hearts, then nevermind.

― Nitsuh, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Tom's right about Dr Who. What about Scaramanga - didn't he have *three*? Or was that nipples?

― Michael Jones, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Doctor definitely had two hearts and a respiratory bypass system. Some unfortunate writer apparently thought that the latter would allow him to survive in airless environments for longer periods of time rather than the much more obvious conclusion that if his nose and mouth are blocked, he can breathe through his ass. Why do people not follow the tenets of logic?

I like the idea of Sarah coming down with a case of wuv.

― Dan Perry, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It fills me with horror fear and dread Dan.

― Tom, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I thought it was Mr Spock who had two hearts?

― DG, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There should be more WUV, dammit. And I think the responsible party for turning young Sarah's head should admit it. :-)

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I get this too Sarah, I have no idea what causes it (not wuv, as far as I know) and choose to go down the more male-oriented route of completely ignoring it and hoping it will go away.

― Ally C, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism?) can, I believe, cause a rapid heartbeat, and are very treatable. It's worth looking into, anyway.

(Stress, caffeine, lack of sleep, illness, etc. can of course also contribute or cause a rapid beat, too.)

― Phil, Monday, 24 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I have a relitively fast heartbeat, never take caffeine and am not usually that stressed. I often ascribe my invunerability to it. Beat fast, die young.

― Pete, Tuesday, 25 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Mr Spock - one heart, green blud. According to the standard reference works, "A Vulcan's heart is where a human liver is." Also, "The intensity of the Vulcan sun caused the Vulcans to evolve a secondary eyelid to protect the retina."

― Andrew L, Tuesday, 25 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

two years pass...

I've been having heart palpitations with increasing frequency in the last few months, and a whole bunch of them today. I had to leave work because it was making me all angsted out and shit, which doubtlessly isn't helping matters any. God, I'm getting old.

Chances are it's something stress-related. I've been getting all sorts of illnesses these last few years with stress and anxiety vectors. Doubtlessly my job will kill me. Or the pizza.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Tuesday, 25 November 2003 23:40 (twenty-two years ago)

The doctor says I should visit him while the palpitations are happening so they can be monitored. Perhaps tomorrow.

No Mayer/Voigt concert for me tonight, sad to say.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Tuesday, 25 November 2003 23:41 (twenty-two years ago)

gee, so, uh, what're you gonna do with that ticket?

i mean... yikes, feel better michael. i'm going to hang out with that friendster of mine that i think you need to get with. i'll tell him you say hello!

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 00:58 (twenty-two years ago)

What do heart palpitations feel like, Michael?

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 01:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Like my heart is trying to float out of my body.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 01:05 (twenty-two years ago)

*hugs* Jesus, Daddino! Off to the doc, at once. I'll be hoping for the best....

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 01:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Are you taking any meds for your condition, Daddino?

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 01:08 (twenty-two years ago)

No meds at the moment. Haven't seen a doctor about it yet; my general practitioner says to visit him tomorrow if it still happens.

Meds would be nice, at least comprared to the possibility that they'll need to cut open my chest to stop this thing.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 01:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Hi Michael ,
I have had those symptoms since I was about twenty. when I was about 40 or so I was having more than 15 attacks per day. I can tell you I had a very hard time for awhile. I'm not that much of a coffee drinker. I remember a few years back, I was just out shopping with my sister. She was in trying some dresses on and I had a beaut of an attack and had to get out of the store. I thought I was going to die right there. T.G. I got the medication that I need. It has really helped me.
Good luck Michael.

― Gale, Wednesday, 26 November 2003 01:46 (twenty-two years ago)

something similar happened to me for a 2-week period about a month ago. suddenly, it felt like my heart was relaxing almost reversing bloodflow - it's not pleasant, it's like an internal faint and it freaked me out & made me tense (sort of what's going on? - and what can I do about it? when will it strike next?). invariably it would happen at work just when I didn't need to be distracted.

I began to suspect a food item (a frozen pot pie that I'd recently started eating regularly) and since I've cut it out, it seems to have gone away. at the same time, lack of sleep + stress (+ caffeine) seemed to exacerbate it (I had my worse day after a late-night early-morning). however, there was no telling when it would strike - interestingly, physical activity seemed to regulate it: it was more likely to happen when sat at my desk.

just passing this along in case it's relevant or helps.

one thing I DID do - was take it as a wake-up call that I needed to take it easy and not stress so much (I know: easier said than done). but magically I managed to switch off some of the stress. dunno how... just applied some of that crazed determination to lightening up and not being so crazed...

my attitude was - hey if I'm going to kill myself thru stress I may as well try to have a bit more fun - smile internally instead of choke up on the importance of every detail of my work. as for perceived work enemies, fuck em - who gives a shit? I'm just not going to tangle - (thinks: have a good day!)

― Incog, Wednesday, 26 November 2003 16:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Stress? Yes, I've had quite a bit. Friday I got so angry at the extra work XXXX XXXX was blithely piling on me that I calmly got up out of my seat, went to the stairwell and kicked the wall about twenty times. Thank God for my Doc Martens. I still ended up having to work a total of six hours on the weekend.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Good luck, Mike. I once had to wear a portable ECG thingy for 24 hours - like a hefty walkman. It was all good, it turned out, and I hope your results are good too.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 22:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, I went to the doctor and after he hooked me up to the EKG, he said the printout showed an "extra heartbeat" of twelve-thirteen beats. Plus my blood pressure was "a little high" (a few years ago, I was told it was "a little low"). He said it's probably nothing serious, but he took my blood for testing (probably to see if I have anemia) and wants me to get an echocardiogram (probably to check I've got any heart defects).

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 22:54 (twenty-two years ago)

two weeks pass...

I had the echocardiogram and I got to see my heart's innards and hear the weird and disconcerting wooshing and splashing of blood inside, He said he didn't see any worrying defects or irregularities. "This means whatever you have is in all likelihood is a nuisance -- if that -- and not a problem."

He wants me to use an event and echo recorder, which would be something along the lines of Martin's walkman-like device. It would help me record and transmit any heart palpitations I was feeling. I'd have to wear it for thirty days, though I wouldn't have to wear it every or all the time. I don't have to do this now, but I'll probably do this in January.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Thursday, 11 December 2003 22:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Bloody hell, I only had to keep mine on for a day! Good luck, Michael!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 11 December 2003 22:43 (twenty-two years ago)

michael! :(

well :) i suppose as it's turned out ok but BLIMEY! (= i missed this b4)

― mark s (mark s), Thursday, 11 December 2003 22:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Spooky! But glad to hear it is being looked at.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 11 December 2003 23:35 (twenty-two years ago)

three weeks pass...

Arrrrgh. I just got a letter from my doctor:

"Your recent lab tests of 11/26/03 showed elevated cholesterol. You should exercise and a low cholesterol diet should be practiced. Please return in 3 months for another test."

And that's ALL IT SAYS. Putting aside the fact that five-plus weeks is a hell of a wait for this kind of news, I'm pissed off that I'm not given any additional information, and I can't call my damn doctor because the office is closed right now. And I fucking called him about an unrelated matter today and this wasn't mentioned at all!

Arrgh. FUCK FUCK FUCK.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 00:20 (twenty-two years ago)

It sounds pretty minor stuff, Michael. Good luck with it, anyway.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 00:22 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd like to think it's minor, but this coupled with the heart palpitations and the ear problems that aren't going away, suddenly I see the rest of my life being an unstoppable series of health-related freak-outs.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 00:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Most of my mother's side of the family have heriditary high cholesterol and have zero symptoms. The main methods of dealing with it seem to be gentle exercise (walking and such) and eating less animal protein. Also excercise might be good for stress/general health?

― isadora (isadora), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 00:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Cut back on saturated fat.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 00:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Ear problems are related to high cholesterol?

― dean gulberry (deangulberry), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 00:37 (twenty-two years ago)

I wasn't implying they were related so much as it's just another bullshit thing for me to worry about.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 00:45 (twenty-two years ago)

This reminds me my heart probs seem to have died down somewhat in the last six months (despite the fact I still smoke). I always got paranoid the smoking did it but now i think it was stress.

I got told to get an ECG as I had a "clicking aorta" according to my GP (WTF!??!) but I never did get around to it as he said it was nothing serious (and I simply cant afford pathology/specialist work at the moment).

I really should get some other blood work done tho. mums been hassling me to get my cholesterol and hormone levels done for ages. Shes convinced I'm for the the early menopause. Yay! Just what I need :/

FWIW Michael the more you worry abt your heart the more it'll spaz out, in my experience. Catch 22 I know, but worth considering.

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 00:54 (twenty-two years ago)

four weeks pass...

Month one of my new active and cholesterol-free lifestyle has not been half-bad. I'm no longer tired at the end of even the most stress-free work days.

Still, I miss cheese.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 23:21 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

Hooray! Some good news! I had a new blood test taken, and according to the doctor, my total cholesterol level is 176, and my LDL cholesterol level is 108 -- according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, that's pretty damned good.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I shall celebrate by eating pizza.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:44 (twenty-one years ago)

That's great news! Congratulations...

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

Revive! I just got cholestrol results back (after my first ever test...I'm 31) and was told my total cholesterol is 244 (normal is below 200).

So they tell you to exercise, eat well. But I run about 4 or 5 hours / week, and I cook every night, mostly vegetarian, and eat junk food about once a month. Is it my unhealthy beer drinking? Should I worry? Anyone have tales to share?

― paulhw (paulhw), Tuesday, 27 September 2005 20:56 (twenty years ago)

Are you sure it's not a high hdl that's skewing the total? Maybe you're fine. I don't understand why they combine the good and bad cholesterol counts into one number. That seems dumb.
My husband reduced his cholesterol to below 200 without Lipitor. He takes the following:
Flaxseed powder in juice twice daily (looks like pondscum, but not bad)
Plant Stanol Ester-based margarine (Benecol or Take Control) instead of butter
Red Yeast Rice capsules two a day
Oatmeal every morning cooked with nonfat milk, eaten with nonfat yogurt.
As for the heart thing, I have benign episodes of tachycardia. P.A.T. (paroxysmal atrial tachycardia) It's scary but harmless. My heart always beats quickly, I've had lots of EKGs, the heart is fine. Some people just have a high idle, more adrenaline in the system, more panic attacks.
It's because we are the unacknowledged bastard children of blueblood royalty.

― Beth Parker (Beth Parker), Tuesday, 27 September 2005 23:32 (twenty years ago)

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