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Heart flutterings, flip-flop feelings???

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Posted 3/12/2007 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Frar, no that doesnt sound goofy at all! I do the same thing. I just feel compelled to cough when I get those flutterings. And usually it does seem to calm them down a bit. When I first started having them, I had never read or heard about coughing, it was just something that I did on my own..it was almost like a reflex.

Posted 3/13/2007 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Crazy! I do the same thing with the coughing. I have had stress tests, EKG's, and even a holter monitor, which is like a little box that does a 24 hour ekg on me...all "normal abnormalities" PVC's and PAC's. And I can usually remember that, but I had a REALLY big one the other day, sort of out of the blue, and now I can not seem to settle my mind, having a very elevated anxiety episode since Saturday, I am pretty sure entirely due to this one or two second occurance. Why can't I seem to remember and accept the rational explanations for these things ALL the time? Also, that weird feeling you get when you have them, I was told is pretty specific to anxiety sufferers. Other people get those all the time and don't notice or care. But us anxious send out a big adrenaline rush when we feel them. Which then leads to more of them.

I find mine go away when I am taking a good cal/mag supplement and getting regular exercise, not necessarily cardio, but anything, pilates, yoga, etc.

This was a great reminder for me! Thanks to everyone that posted!
Posted 3/13/2007 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I wanted to mention as well...I have this book, "Peace From Nervous Suffering" by Claire Weeks MD, and in it, there is a section about flutterings. She states that even indigestion( wind around the heart) can cause these flutterings. So maybe sometimes it is gas or such that causes the heart to beat alittle off at times. I do notice sometimes that when I get these flutterings if I burp they will settle down alittle. Probably sounds weird I know, but it goes with what this Dr is saying...that indigestion creates wind around the heart. All I know is I HATE it when those things happen, they are scarey.

In His Grip,

Dawn

Posted 3/13/2007 5:50 PM (GMT 0)

Hello,

I also have been suffering from this chest fluttering. I also have panic attacks. I think I have had this fluttering since I was a teen.  It goes away and then it comes back. There was a time when I didn't have it for years and then it came back in the recent months. It's scary when it's happening. The more anxious I get the more fluttering happens. It doesn't hurt but it bothers me a lot! I have had EKGs done (many in fact)-all turned out to be normal.  Although I'd like to see a cardiologist for a second opinion and get more tests done.  I was told that GERD (gastroesophagael reflux disease acid reflux) is related to fluttering.   Take care.

Posted 3/17/2007 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to have found this thread.   I too have "flip-flops", where my heart feels like it gets off beat for a few seconds or so. (Ka-thump-a-thump-thump). It can happen when I'm feeling completely peaceful.  I just had an ECG and a 24 Holter done last week, so I'm waiting on the results, but I feel much better having read all the responses here.  I haven't had a panic attack in 12 years, and only feel anxious in specific situations, so I don't feel like my heart flip is related to my anxiety.  ( I get a different feeling altogether when I'm anxious)- At the same time, it hasn't really worried me much, just is kind of annoying & I'd prefer not to have it.  Good to hear that it's likely nothing to worry about.

My grandmother did have some kind of Afibrillation or Arrythmia that she had to have her heart shocked "back into rhythm", but she was also an alcoholic, which can cause heart issues like that, so I'm not too concerned about having the same issue.

Thanks to all for sharing.  Next time I feel a flip, I'll just imagine a butterfly is emerging from it's cocoon!! :)

 

Posted 3/19/2007 10:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Something has cropped up which might be of interest to people on this thread.....

I asked on here about a throat problem (tickly cough) and apparently the sphincter at the bottom of your oesophagus can fail to close properly properly. This causes heartburn and throat irritation amongst other things. It can also produce a fluttering feeling in the middle of your torso as the sphincter flaps round trying to close.

I'd occasionally had these 'flip flop' feelings which I assumed were PVCs, but had noticed they seemed to coincide with indigestion (lower body, not chest pain!) and apparently there is a family history of acid reflux problems, so I'm now wondering if this is in fact the reason.

If you've had similar experiences, despite a healthy heart, maybe the sensation isn't coming from your heart afterall? From what I can tell, acid reflux (like PVCs) is harmless and treatable.
Posted 3/19/2007 2:11 PM (GMT 0)

Chris711,

 That fluttering feeling you are talking about with this Indigestion, does it feel like it is occuring around the end of your sternum??? Like at the top of your belly? Not exactly in the middle, upper chest. It is just so weird, sometimes I do have a hard time telling whether or not it is coming from my chest( like right in the middle) or whether it is coming from farther down, more in the upper belly area.

Posted 3/19/2007 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm not so sure myself. I'm told the acid reflux fluttering will be level with the base of your sternum, like you say.

Whatever it is, it only happens very occasionally, so I haven't really had a chance to work out where it comes from ...and I'm quite happy with things that way!
Posted 3/20/2007 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Wow I am very happy to have found this forum.  The advice you all have is very relieving.  I too have the heart flutterings.  I asked my doctor about them yesterday and she wasn't concerned.  Said it was probably anxiety.  I had an EKG with the first panic attack last year which I assumed to have been a heart attack and everything looked ok.  Silly me.  I am 24 and I notice a lot of people around age 23,24 on this board...makes me feel better :)  I will continue to read these boards for encouragement and hope.
Posted 3/20/2007 6:04 PM (GMT 0)

Hi there and welcome :-)   Do your flutterings ever last all day? Like come and go off and on all day long, and then some days you wont have any or very few of them? I mentioned mine to my dr. back in Jan. and he said the same thing " oh those are more related to anxiety and stress".

In His Grip,

Dawn

graham513 said...
Wow I am very happy to have found this forum.  The advice you all have is very relieving.  I too have the heart flutterings.  I asked my doctor about them yesterday and she wasn't concerned.  Said it was probably anxiety.  I had an EKG with the first panic attack last year which I assumed to have been a heart attack and everything looked ok.  Silly me.  I am 24 and I notice a lot of people around age 23,24 on this board...makes me feel better :)  I will continue to read these boards for encouragement and hope.

Posted 3/20/2007 7:15 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Dawn,

Actually my flutterings happen usually towards the end of my day.  They will usually start around 8:00 PM and will usually occur 4-6 times per night.  Once in a while one will happen during the day but almost always at night before bed.  They occur more often lately since I have been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately and get anxious when it gets close to bedtime.  But they have been happening since my first panic attack back in October. 

Graham

1ofhissheep said...

Hi there and welcome :-)   Do your flutterings ever last all day? Like come and go off and on all day long, and then some days you wont have any or very few of them? I mentioned mine to my dr. back in Jan. and he said the same thing " oh those are more related to anxiety and stress".

In His Grip,

Dawn

graham513 said...
Wow I am very happy to have found this forum.  The advice you all have is very relieving.  I too have the heart flutterings.  I asked my doctor about them yesterday and she wasn't concerned.  Said it was probably anxiety.  I had an EKG with the first panic attack last year which I assumed to have been a heart attack and everything looked ok.  Silly me.  I am 24 and I notice a lot of people around age 23,24 on this board...makes me feel better :)  I will continue to read these boards for encouragement and hope.


Posted 3/21/2007 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
My 2 cents..

Not to say what's already been said, but you should definatly push your doctor about this if it's something your worried about.

I had the heart flutter for a long time, was off an on. I wasn't honestly to worried about it because I've had it as long as I can remember.

A few years ago a developed gallstones and started having gallbladders attacks, but of course at first I didn't realize that was what it is.

When I finally broke down one night and went to the ER then thought I was having a heart attack and gave me an EKG and discovered I had an arrythmia.

The gallbladder thing wasn't picked up until another ER visit with another gallbladder attack =/

 

Posted 3/22/2007 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
So your on a heart medicine then to correct the arrythmia?

Brokyne said...
My 2 cents..

Not to say what's already been said, but you should definatly push your doctor about this if it's something your worried about.

I had the heart flutter for a long time, was off an on. I wasn't honestly to worried about it because I've had it as long as I can remember.

A few years ago a developed gallstones and started having gallbladders attacks, but of course at first I didn't realize that was what it is.

When I finally broke down one night and went to the ER then thought I was having a heart attack and gave me an EKG and discovered I had an arrythmia.

The gallbladder thing wasn't picked up until another ER visit with another gallbladder attack =/

Posted 3/22/2007 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have had this for a long time.  I had everything checked out and surprisingly, don't notice it as much since my cardiologist told me it was benign and not to worry.  Mine seemed to be worse with my menstrual cycles and also I had it almost constant when I was pregnant which tells me it might be hormonal in women.  I still get them, stop, take a deep breath and go on with my day.  I will admit I was  very anxious and stressed about it for many years.  Hang in there and it will all be OK!

Posted 5/3/2007 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
tongue  I went on the net because I have been having flutterings constantly for about a week now and on two occasions a racing heart with pulse at 117.  The racing heart lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and I try my little tricks to get rid of it.  Breathing slowly, ice on neck by jaw.  Either they work or it goes away by itself???  I happen to be in a hospital for a colonoscopy on Friday and when they gave me the ekg I was having flutterings and the nurse said "do you always have instances of pvc?"  Totally a gamble that they caught it.  I've been working like crazy getting ready for a summer away and I guess that's what has brought it on.  I have had tachycardia attacks where my pulse went up to 200.  I hated that and I hate these little ones.  Arms ache, neck aches and of course your insides feel mixed up.  It was very reassuring to me to read everyone's own experiences and the advice not to give it too much thought.  I too have had every test you can do on the heart and they all revealed nothing other than a mitral valve getting old which gives me a heart murmur but has nothing to do with the flutterings or racing.  Your taking the time to share has helped my peace of mind immensely.
Posted 5/3/2007 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
One thing you want to watch out for - local anesthetics sometimes contain a form of adrenaline that supposedly makes the drug more effective. For those of us with anxiety, it can be the catalyst for a panic attack. I had "the great mother of all panic attacks" a number of years ago when having a cyst removed at my doctors office. Interestingly, my heart rate dropped to about 40, but I was panicing in a big way inside!
He said to make sure and tell your doc before you have a local that you have a tendency to panic attacks.

I have a heart palpitations a lot. They're really annoying and seem to effect the rythmn of my breathing as well. But my doc listened to my heart and said he didn't hear any new noises - so now I try to ignore it and just let it flutter away. : )
Posted 5/3/2007 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I am thinking of making a drs. appointment and just going and having this checked. These things are soo scarey when they happen. It just feels as though my heart is beating irratically. I just have this fear of drs offices. It is weird...I used to be the exact opposite. I was ALWAYS running to the drs. for every little weird symptom. Now I HATE going, but maybe I would feel more relaxed about these things if I just went and got checked and got it over with. I guess the worse that could happen is he finds something and puts me on medicine. It is just hard sometimes to tell what is something that might be serious and what is something that is just another nervous symptom. I just pray I dont have an irregular heart beat that is serious.

 

Anyway...hope you all have a good day!

God bless

 

Dawn

Posted 10/23/2007 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
I get at that flipp flopp feeling in my chest but mine lasts 2 seconds than bam its gone leaving me in a cloud of worry!! i have severe anxiety and well that doesnt make it easier . do any of you have anxiety? If so what are ur syptoms ? i worry about my heart 24 hrs aday please i need releif lol
Posted 10/24/2007 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hello anxietyqueen. Welcome to healingwell. I copied this post to it's own post, in hopes of you getting more answers. I also gave my answer there. I do hope you will read it. Again, welcome to healingwell...I look forward to getting to know you better!
Posted 10/24/2007 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Anxiety Queen..........
Yes this is an older thread but I do know we have many new members that would have no doubt read this thread and your post ..........

Many older and useful threads are brought forward ...........for newer members........

YOU could also post a lil about yourself in the "Lets get to know everyone Better Thread" and then others will read that you are new .......need support and are asking a valid question

PLEASE do stay with us ........
Posted 10/24/2007 3:32 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome AnxietyQueen,

I am glad you found some info in this thread to help you out. I am sure you will find others that will share with you.  We have new members daily and many times they share symptoms.

Again a Warm welcome to you.

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 12/13/2007 2:45 PM (GMT 0)

It was great to read this thread.  I just came home after having had a flip-flop flutter and was really scared by it. sad   I have had them a few times and strangely enough I often belch afterwards.  I have never found anyone who understands what I am talking about but when I get wind it often happens.  It is as if the birb inside is pushing my heart and making it beat for a few seconds in an irregular way.  Then I panic when it happens and the adrenaline rushes through me and I just pray it stops.  When it passes I then birb quite strongly.  I can't tell if it is my heart or something else but it makes me feel awful.  I just don't know what to say to people when it happens because they notice something is bothering me.  Anyway, I will get it checked out but thanks for everyone's comments.

Posted 12/14/2007 4:29 AM (GMT 0)

lali,

Glad you were able to find comfort in this thread. You may just be having a belching episode but it is best to get a physical exam by your Doctor if this is new for you and you are concerned.

Welcome to Healing Well and keep on posting.

Kitt


Posted 12/14/2007 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW
I do hope you will stick around and get to know all the great ppl here
I know they have helped me theu many things .........

Yes I agree do get it checked out by the doc if concerened that much about it .......

Kitt knows what she is talking about ...........

STAY WITH US

Posted 7/6/2008 4:35 PM (GMT 0)

I get the same feeling.. It happens mostly at night when I’m in bed, but it can also happen anytime during the day.  I can be completely relaxed just watching TV when all of a sudden, my chest starts to feel tight and i feel like by heart is popping, as if a piece of it flopped open and air it blowing out of it! Picture a balloon losing all its air.. how it just starts to shrink and flop around. It’s a very weird feeling, i have to sit up and catch my breath. It last for about 5-10 sec. It’s hard to explain, but its not a racing heart feeling, its more like your heart is freaking out.  All my research is telling me that its anxiety and its all in my head. I have no anxiety trust me! I’m a happy person, so I don’t get it. But apparently that’s what it is. Dr. said to stop drinking soda, coffee and wine and it will go away.

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