Heart arrhythmia concerns.?

Question

All of a sudden a couple weeks ago, I noticed that it felt like my heart was beating abnormally. I wasn't sure what to think of it and kind of blew it off, but as I thought about it I noticed the feeling more and more often. At first it was just for a second or two and felt like my heart had skipped a beat or something (I had a heart murmur as a young child) The last few days however I have had episodes that will last for several minutes. I have checked my pulse with a blood pressure monitor during these episodes and found that in a matter of a second my pulse can go from normal to 193 beats per minute, stay at that rate for several minutes, then drop back to 91 beats per minute with no warning at all. I am experiencing shortness of breath during these episodes and a feeling like my chest is caving in (almost like I have a vacuum in my chest) I also noticed that my blood pressure will go to ridiculously high levels during this time and within a few minutes afterwards will return to a healthy level. There is a history of heart issues in my family, my mother is on medication to control her heartbeat. I assume that I have the same problem as her. I don't know much about it though, and this is kind of scaring me. I havn't had a chance to talk with her about it yet, what does this all sound like to you? I am a 19 year old male just for reference. Thank you very much for your help!

Answer 1

All those symptoms that you are talking about are the classic  symptoms of a person who is having heart trouble. I was born with a serious heart problem. I'm 20 (female) and have recently developed an arrhythmia. It's freaky. You should definately go see a specialist.    Just so you know, not all arrhythmias will cause your heart any damage.

Answer 2

Some heart arrrhythmia problems can be inherited. You are describing some form of tachycardia (heart rate  greater than 100). You need to see your family Dr   very soon. Your Dr. must do a ecg, bloodwork and order a 48hr.  Holter monitor.. A holter monitor is attatched to your chest with ecg electrodes.  It records your heart rthym for 48hrs. There is a "event" button that you have to press every time  you feel any disturbance (arrhythmia) or any of the symptoms you have mentioned in your posting. They give you a  diary to document your symptoms and what you were doing when the arrhythmia started. The diary is just as important as the monitor  in aiding your Dr to diagnose your problem.  You sound very symptomatic with this and it's very important that you see your Dr. very soon.  Once your Dr. has all this imformation he will decide where to proceed. It's very scary, I've been there  to. Best of luck, Donna.