Very Slow Heartbeat & Irregular Rhythm

Hello,

I wonder if you can kindly help me.

I have been having heart problems for 3 years now.

I was having severe palpitations and I could hear my heart beat in the back of my head and I had to go to the emergency room several times.

I was given 25 mg. Metoprolol Tartrate for my heart and blood pressure, 0.5 mg Ativan and 50 mg Trazodone for my anxiety.

Over the past 3 years, my palpitations have been under control.

However, over the past few weeks I've been having NEW symptoms.

I've been experiencing hard, odd and throbbing/pulsing beats from time to time.

I bought a new blood pressure machine to see if my blood pressure was under control, and the new machine showed that I was also having irregular heartbeat rhythms.

I went to see my primary care physician on Tuesday, July 26th, and he gave me a referral to see a cardiologist.

However, the cardiologist didn't have an appointment available until 2 weeks from now.

This morning, when I took my blood pressure again, it not only showed an irregular heartbeat rhythm...but also a heart rate of 38.

I decided to walk on a treadmill since I thought that may help.

I walked for 1 hour at a slow pace. I was wearing a heart rate monitor while walking.

While walking, I noticed that on several occasions my heart rate dropped to 54, 53, and 55 before jumping back up to 114 and 115.

After I stopped walking, I decided to continue to wear the heart rate monitor for about an hour in the house in order to observe my heart rate.

I noticed that on many occasions, my heart rate dropped to between 41 and 48 and on one occasion it fell to 38 beats per minute.

Moreover, each time that happened, my heart would remain at this low rate for one or two minutes before jumping up to the 70s or 90s.

I can't really tell if I'm having any symptoms since over the past 3 years, I have always been feeling dizzy, feeling like I may pass out, feeling odd heartbeats and feeling tired.

3 years ago, the doctors did an ultrasound of my heart and a stress test and they couldn't find anything very unusual aside from mitral valve prolapse.

The event recorder showed that I was experiencing many extra beats, premature ventricular contractions, etc. but the doctor said it was nothing dangerous.

They also did MRIs and CT scans of my brain 3 years ago and couldn't find anything.

So I've been living with the dizziness, feeling like I may pass out, etc. for 3 years. It is a miserable life but I've had to live with these symptoms.

However, over the past few weeks that my heart has become worse, all of these symptoms have also gotten worse.

Does anyone know have any idea as to what is going on with my heart?

I'm very worried and don't know what to do.

The cardiologist's appointment isn't until 2 weeks from now. And all medical offices are closed since it's the weekend.

Any advise would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you for your time and kind assistance.

Tom

Tom, home heart rate monitors are not always accurate.
With that said, I too am on Metroproplol. My heart rate at times, usually when I first wake up, or am at rest, is as low as 46-47. Metroproplol is supposed to slow your heart rate. Why your HR spikes to 114 is not something I can explain.

I've also had PVCs. My understanding is that unless your PVCs are exceeding 10,000 a day, as measured by a 24 hour holter monitor, then they are usually not dangerous,

If this is really bothering you, even of its just from a mental standpoint, causing you anxiety (which itself can cause irregular heart rates), then u should try to find another Cardiologist who can see you sooner, and if that's not possible, then go to the emergency room, and tell them you want to be evaluated by a cardiologist, not a general ER doc.

TomLA, I have the same symptoms. Two weeks ago my pulse bpm dropped suddenly to the 30's and 40's and once as low as 20. I freaked and went to my doctor who sent me immediately to a cardiologist. After tests found my Ejection Flow was only 30 percent, I'm scheduled for a catherization in two weeks.

What have you found out?