Heart Flutter Feeling

[sTeaLth 238]

Hello all!  About two weeks ago I had the most stressful 3-4 days of my life with a pretty big breakdown and stress overload. I feel that I dealt with it pretty well and moved past it. Some more things coming up to make sure it stays at bay and won't happen again are happening next week.

All that being said, about one week ago I started feeling a jolt when trying to rest that made me start wondering if it was heart related. I believe it was just nerves and stress as nothing ever came with it. After I stopped focusing on the jolting, which did leave afterward, I started having a chest flutter that almost feels like a little rumble right in the center of my chest at random times. Usually, it only happens a few times per day. Of course my mind also goes to my heart, which is a bit concerning. I know I have had this before but usually it resolves totally after one day or so. I also have a horrible cold for about a week now too and I am not entirely convinced that it isn't just my lungs doing something weird each time I feel it. I wear an apple watch and often keep an eye on my heart rate just to see where I'm at in overall health. It never seems to spike or drop when this happens. I don't ever feel light headed, sweaty, dizzy, short of breath, or anything else that usually accompanies heart related events.

So my reason for posting, while also just to say all this out loud and help me think, is to see what you guys think from an outside perspective. The fact that the details of what is happening already changed in a week makes me think this is likely just me focusing way too much on my body and not actually having an issues. I know stress can cause all kinds of stuff and that is something I have definitely had a lot of the last few weeks. I don't like going to doctors for nothing and this feels kind of like nothing. Since it is potentially my heart though, it makes me wonder if I shouldn't go check just in case? I'm not sure what to do but I know that going to a doctor will cause more anxiety as well. Thoughts?

[sTeaLth 238]

Well, I went to a quick care. BP was perfect. EKG is clear. They are pretty sure it’s just stress but referred me to cardiology to possibly wear a heart monitor for a few weeks just in case they missed anything. I feel fine outside of random flutters a few times a day. Blood was drawn to look for Kidney or liver issues. So far, so good. Probably nothing but I’ll know more down the road. 

[Ironman 198]

15 hours ago, sTeaLth said:

Well, I went to a quick care. BP was perfect. EKG is clear. They are pretty sure it’s just stress but referred me to cardiology to possibly wear a heart monitor for a few weeks just in case they missed anything. I feel fine outside of random flutters a few times a day. Blood was drawn to look for Kidney or liver issues. So far, so good. Probably nothing but I’ll know more down the road. 

Stress will do this.  The heart palpitations, but moreso the thinking.  It's all tied.  

You aren't alone; it's not an easy time.  As I have had to figure it out...we have to watch what we worry about.  If something isn't in our control, and there seems to be a lot in this area, we shouldn't be putting energy into it.  Filter things down to what we can control, and we are good.

[sTeaLth 238]

My blood work came back this morning all normal. Now it is up to me if I want to go to a cardiologist to make sure. The PA I talked to even said, "if you want to". I will see how far out the apt is and if this disappears before then, I think I can let it rest.

[sTeaLth 238]

Since the EKG came back clear, I have not felt a single flutter. That was about 24 hours ago. My heart has felt like it is beating harder or maybe slightly faster than it should be for the situation... but I think I am truly overthinking it. Every moment my mind is free it checks my heart passively. So I believe naturally I will be feeling it and thinking it is beating too hard. Even in this, my anxiety slightly moves to other things. The flutter has been all but confirmed to be nothing... so the rate has increased. Anxiety is a silly beast.

[Ironman 198]

 

On 5/7/2025 at 1:04 PM, sTeaLth said:

My blood work came back this morning all normal. Now it is up to me if I want to go to a cardiologist to make sure. The PA I talked to even said, "if you want to". I will see how far out the apt is and if this disappears before then, I think I can let it rest.

Good news, man!  Yeah - he gave you the OPTION.  You don't have to worry.

On 5/7/2025 at 5:39 PM, sTeaLth said:

Since the EKG came back clear, I have not felt a single flutter. That was about 24 hours ago. My heart has felt like it is beating harder or maybe slightly faster than it should be for the situation... but I think I am truly overthinking it. Every moment my mind is free it checks my heart passively. So I believe naturally I will be feeling it and thinking it is beating too hard. Even in this, my anxiety slightly moves to other things. The flutter has been all but confirmed to be nothing... so the rate has increased. Anxiety is a silly beast.

Anxiety will move around.  It can get to the point where you could have a panic attack....because you aren't panicking!  

[sTeaLth 238]

They persist a handful of times every day still. This morning they were totally absent until about 3pm. I was starting to be excited to move on. Then I felt a few dozen through the evening. Today was the first time I actually felt one while feeling my pulse. It definitely skipped a beat and then thumped harder. SO WEIRD. I’m ready for them to skedaddle.

[Ironman 198]

On 5/18/2025 at 1:31 AM, sTeaLth said:

They persist a handful of times every day still. This morning they were totally absent until about 3pm. I was starting to be excited to move on. Then I felt a few dozen through the evening. Today was the first time I actually felt one while feeling my pulse. It definitely skipped a beat and then thumped harder. SO WEIRD. I’m ready for them to skedaddle.

Be patient and try to relax.

[sTeaLth 238]

Thanks. I’ve been practicing deep breaths and relaxing throughout the day. My instances of it happening are far less frequent the last two days. Moving out I hope! 

[MARC 431]

My internal medicine physician told me that magnesium supplements may help. He said to stay away from caffeine, alcohol and keep well hydrated too. He also said lack of sleep and ongoing stress of course does not help either. 

[sTeaLth 238]

I wanted to update. This still persists a few times almost every day. Sometimes it’s 1-2 times. Other days it’s a dozen or so. Usually in the evening. So weird but nothing else is happening. Cardiology still hasn’t called me so I guess they really are not worried about my description. Still, I’m ready for them to disappear.
 

I drink lots of electrolytes and water during the day. I workout out several times per week. I’ve not slept great for a few months. I tend to stay up too late to rest enough. That may help. I gave up coffee for 3-4 days and it seemed to help, but not totally go away. I may try a solid effort to stop caffeine entirely for a month and focus on sleep and reduced stress. Hard as a father of three. 

[sTeaLth 238]

I did finally talk to a cardiologist office this morning and they are going to call me in a day or two to schedule an appointment. I did a follow up with a doctor today just to kind of see what their thoughts were since I hadn’t heard from the cardiologist.  They told me I definitely want to get checked out and do an echocardiogram and a halter monitor since my dad and grandpa had high blood pressure issues just to be certain of what’s happening. I’m not going to lie, it’s hard to relax about it.

[Ironman 198]

On 5/27/2025 at 5:12 PM, sTeaLth said:

I did finally talk to a cardiologist office this morning and they are going to call me in a day or two to schedule an appointment. I did a follow up with a doctor today just to kind of see what their thoughts were since I hadn’t heard from the cardiologist.  They told me I definitely want to get checked out and do an echocardiogram and a halter monitor since my dad and grandpa had high blood pressure issues just to be certain of what’s happening. I’m not going to lie, it’s hard to relax about it.

Uncertainty will add to anxiety.  At least they told you that they would start to monitor.  That's good news, Stealth!

[sTeaLth 238]

8 hours ago, Ironman said:

Uncertainty will add to anxiety.  At least they told you that they would start to monitor.  That's good news, Stealth!

Sadly, I'm worried that they will find something sinister.  The MD Live doctor I talked with the other day was horrible at bedside manner and said some pretty stupid things.  She told me that PVCs can be an indication of Heart Disease.  Why is that info you would ever hand out when it is such a common thing for all kinds of reasons!?  My maternal grandpa had an enlarged heart and part of me fears that they will find the same when they check things out.  Borrowing trouble, but it is my fears.

[sTeaLth 238]

Cardiology office called today and by some miracle, got me in on June 5. Next apt was June 27 or into July. One week and then I’ll at least know if there is anything wrong or if it’s stress. 🙏🏻

[Ironman 198]

On 5/29/2025 at 10:09 AM, sTeaLth said:

Sadly, I'm worried that they will find something sinister.  The MD Live doctor I talked with the other day was horrible at bedside manner and said some pretty stupid things.  She told me that PVCs can be an indication of Heart Disease.  Why is that info you would ever hand out when it is such a common thing for all kinds of reasons!?  My maternal grandpa had an enlarged heart and part of me fears that they will find the same when they check things out.  Borrowing trouble, but it is my fears.

 

Yeah, doctors are rushed and can go in tangents.  Since the pandemic, it has been just weird.

On 5/29/2025 at 6:36 PM, sTeaLth said:

Cardiology office called today and by some miracle, got me in on June 5. Next apt was June 27 or into July. One week and then I’ll at least know if there is anything wrong or if it’s stress. 🙏🏻

That's good news.  Until then, try not to let things worry you.  You have a concrete date to go on.

[sTeaLth 238]

Going in the morning to meet with cardiologist. Hoping they just do everything they need to do so I don't have to wait much longer. This has reduced a ton over the last few weeks but not totally gone away. That gives me hope for it just being stress. Trying to relax as much as I can today as it is looming.

[sTeaLth 238]

Well, I’m already done which is pretty awesome. He is sending me a heart monitor in the mail to wear for two weeks and they will just look for any arrhythmia. He is not concerned whatsoever based on my description and said this is super common and that my stress and inhaler probably caused it to be more prominent where I’m feeling it, but it will likely disappear on its own. After the results of the heart monitor, if nothing is found then I’m free to go. If the heart monitor finds anything then they would do further testing. 99% chance I’m fine he said. 👏🏻🙌🏻🫶🏻

[Ironman 198]

On 6/5/2025 at 1:04 PM, sTeaLth said:

Well, I’m already done which is pretty awesome. He is sending me a heart monitor in the mail to wear for two weeks and they will just look for any arrhythmia. He is not concerned whatsoever based on my description and said this is super common and that my stress and inhaler probably caused it to be more prominent where I’m feeling it, but it will likely disappear on its own. After the results of the heart monitor, if nothing is found then I’m free to go. If the heart monitor finds anything then they would do further testing. 99% chance I’m fine he said. 👏🏻🙌🏻🫶🏻

I had a feeling that the'd say everything was okay.  Stress has a way of messing with our mind.  Keep us posted.

[sTeaLth 238]

Funniest thing is that is almost totally vanished already. I knew once I “believed”it was stress that it might go. 

[Ironman 198]

3 minutes ago, sTeaLth said:

Funniest thing is that is almost totally vanished already. I knew once I “believed”it was stress that it might go. 

The key is getting to know yourself so that when things like this come up, you'll know how to handle it next time.

[sTeaLth 238]

I sent in my heart monitor early last week and just got my call back from the Cardiologist today.  He reports "all is fortunately normal".  For those still dealing with this, I wanted to let you know that I was still having the skips while wearing the monitor a few times per day.  Usually when I first woke up in the mornings.  Still, it was normal.  I can rest easy and move on now.  Thanks for all the great words. of encouragement.

[Ironman 198]

Those skips were probably panic related.

It actually takes a panic attack to break us out of sleep mode.  We have to have something jar us out of hibernation!  The heart rate goes back up to get us going.  

That sounds encouraging.

On 7/8/2025 at 12:03 PM, sTeaLth said:

I sent in my heart monitor early last week and just got my call back from the Cardiologist today.  He reports "all is fortunately normal".  For those still dealing with this, I wanted to let you know that I was still having the skips while wearing the monitor a few times per day.  Usually when I first woke up in the mornings.  Still, it was normal.  I can rest easy and move on now.  Thanks for all the great words. of encouragement.