Palpitations - skipping beats
 

Haven't been around this forum in a few months, quit my job and temporarily moved to my sister's in Miami in order to try and sort my PCS out in a warmer climate (I'm from Alaska).

So far I can definitely tell that many of my symptoms are related to my vision issues, which I'm now trying to address with help from a Behavioral Optometrist who has experience with concussion patients.

Now to the issue of palpitations - I've had what I've been calling "irregular heartbeats" for a few years now, sometimes it feels like my heart is fluttering, lately it feels like a pause in heart beats and then a forceful beat. Usually one, sometimes two in a row.
Went to a cardiologist for this over two years ago (after the concussion) and he said not to worry about it too much, take some magnesium and keep an eye on it.

Fast forward about three weeks ago - had these palpitations for about 30 minutes straight, two days later - about 3 hours. No other symptoms other than obvious anxiety about it. By the time I decided to go to an emergency clinic my heart calmed down and EKG/exam was normal.

Was referred to a cardiologist who suggested dehydration after another normal EKG (which I thought was weird since I didn't have any other symptoms of dehydration). Also did a stress test (normal) and an Echo (waiting for results this week).

Wore a monitor for a day and obviously my heart didn't have any issues that day. Then after taking back the monitor had palpitations for about 6 hours at night.

Been trying to stay hydrated with Gatorade and coconut water, haven't had any issues until last night when palpitations came back and lasted maybe 40 minutes. So I don't think it's dehydration.

Blood test came back today and everything is normal except for high cholesterol (high "bad" cholesterol and low "good" cholesterol).

Have an appointment this week with the cardiologist but I'm guessing he's not going to tell me much.

Problem for me is that I've been trying to keep up with cardio (Buffalo protocol) and obviously have to stop for a few days after each episode since I'm not sure what's causing this.

Wondering if anyone in the PCS community had this issue.

P.S. I doubt this is anxiety related.

It might be interesting to get a Withings system so you can track heart rate. Amazon.com : Withings Pulse Ox Blue :
Not as good as a Halter monitor but cheap and easy to use 24/7. It would just track pulse rate and SpO2.

When you have palpitations, have you checked your pulse rate or just observed the sensation of palpitations ?

I have an ectopic beat as well. It's not a problem - I've had plenty of tests to rule out any issues. I just have to let my anaesthetist know whenever I have surgery. My youngest son also has it. Hopefully you'll be able to get to the bottom of it.

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Mark, thanks, yeah I was able to check my BP and HR during the last event and BP/HR were all normal. (124/72 and 67 bpm).
I also just got a portable BP monitor and have a chest strap type HR monitor that I've been using for my workouts. Also got the SpO2 finger-type monitor so will be able to see if anything is out of the ordinary.

After the dehydration theory failed, my doc is now blaming it on anxiety, which I don't really agree with since I've been dealing with anxiety/panic attacks for over three years now so I think I know what it feels like, besides I've been doing really well after quitting work in the last few months, if anything my anxiety is almost non-existent now.

Mairi, thanks for giving the actual name of the condition, at least I'll be able to read more about it, since my doc doesn't really tell me much.
I'm sure it's probably nothing to worry about, but so I was told after getting my concussion and made it worse by not taking it seriously, so now I'm not taking chances, or at least trying not to.

Do you get the prolonged (several hours) events? Or just for a few seconds a day?