Heart Fluttering

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jennyboog
jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
edited November 2016 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hey everyone! I don't come here as often as I use to but I always know where to come when I have questions or concerns. Does anyone else have "heart fluttering" since tx? I did AC and know that heart damage was inevitable. It's not a palpitation or racing heart beat, it's a "quiver or flutter sensation" that last for about 15-20 seconds then it's done. Been doing it for couple years now, might do it for a month on and off then stop for a few. Basically, comes and goes whenever, no particular activity causes it or stops it. I've worn a heart monitor and of course it didn't happen while I was wearing it :( Just curious has/is anyone else experiencing this and has anymore input.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited July 2019

    Jennyboog, have you had any "heart" tests? ECHO, ECG? Do you have a pre-existing heart problem? I have Aortic Stenosis and I get fluttering, they told me since radiation is on the my right side, heart won't be a problem. AS is a shrinking valve problem which requires valve replacement at some point.

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  • flaviarose
    flaviarose Member Posts: 442
    edited November 2015

    I had the fluttering sensation during chemo. I don't have it any more. I also had the monitor, and while it showed some skipping of beats it wasn't considered horrible or dangerous. I talked to my nutritionist and things I did on her recommendation were to take taurine, magnesium and maybe something else that I'm forgetting.

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited November 2015

    YES! I have the same thing happening to me too - sometimes it's a flutter and sometimes just one big thump - has been happening over the last couple of months. One new addition was occasional little flickers of pain - nothing too sharp but it got my attention. Like you I was confused because it doesn't have anything to do with activity - actually happens more often when I'm at rest (probably because I'm less distracted by any other sensations). Last month I had my PCP do an EKG but it was normal. I remember this happening during my chemo 9 years ago but I thought it had gone away - guess not. I always wondered why they didn't do a second MUGA scan after I got done with TAC to see what damage had been done - they must have figured it didn't matter :)

    So now I just ride them out - I can go weeks with nothing & then it happens several times in a day. My body continues to be a mystery to me...

    Julie

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited November 2015

    Hi jenny, i had the same thing, and it was always at rest. I saw a cardiologist who recommended an echo(EKGs are not diagnostic in many cases). anyway, all was ok, and I rarely get them anymore.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2015

    Thanks, glad I'm not alone with this but hate we're all having to deal with this. I've also wondered why they didn't repeat a muga after tx. I have had an EKG that said it was abnormal but when it was repeated it was fine. Thanks again for the input!

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  • Michele2013
    Michele2013 Member Posts: 350
    edited November 2015

    Hi Ladies,

    I had this, it's called PVC premature ventricular contraction. Chemo caused this and now my heart is weakened. Cardiologist said it can reverse itself, but this was a couple of years ago. Had another test and still the same.

    Michele

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited November 2015

    I have had PAC's (premature atrial contractions) for years now and well before any bc or tx. They are quite common and generally benign. My cardiologist , after a thorough examination, told me that unless I get other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, feeling faint, etc. to just ignore them. Once I quite worrying, they went away except for the odd day. It is odd that the day they are persistent I just cannot relate to any cause. And then they disappear again. They feel like a thump sometimes and fluttering other times. If you have been seen by a cardiologist, then try to not worry about them.

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited November 2015

    Just as an FYI, I had this many years ago when going through menopause. After a clean bill of health (EKG) from my PCP, she told me it is a fairly uncommon symptom but she has heard it several times in her career from women who were going through the change. It has something to do with the estrogen fluctuations. Not sure if this is relevant but thought I would mention it in case. Hope you find out what is happening!

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited November 2015

    Yes I have this more and more often and I did not have chemo

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2015

    Thanks for all the info ladies! Never thought about the ER thing just thought about chemo...but ER makes sense too. It's so scary when it happens, it's almost a sick feeling. My dad had a stroke at 38 and so that's always on my mind when it happens. Thanks again for always being there and understanding.


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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited November 2016

    Well folks, here I am again - same issue, different year! Finally got fed up with things & had my PCP do EKG/labs which came up normal - so I'm on to the next step which is wear a Holter monitor for the next 48 hours & keep a patient diary of the bumps, flutters & flashes. Which of course have not been happening since they put it on 4 hours ago. Being at work I am distracted much of the time, so looks like I'll be writing things down mostly during the long watches of the night when there's nothing else to listen to but my ticker!

    Will be checking back with you guys as things develop...

    Julie

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited November 2016

    Sugarplum, I'm so sorry you're wrestling with this issue again...still.

    The heart is an amazing organ. Although it has it's own natural cluster of cells that stimulate the heart to beat, each cell of cardiac muscle can generate its own electrical charge and stimulate a contraction of the heart. When the natural cluster of cells (the pacemaker of the heart that we're born with!), sends the signal, the heart contracts normally and in rhythm.

    There are times, though, when something stimulates other random cells send out an electrical signal and the heart will contract very early in the beating cycle. The heart feels like it leaps...and then there's a pause...and then a hard thumpy beat when the heart catches up and gets back into its rhythm. These are known as PVC's, or premature ventricular contractions. For a healthy heart, they can be caused by a lot of things. Caffeine, lack of sleep, menopause, STRESS. I once worked with a pilot who couldn't drink coffee because it would cause so many PVCs he would flunk his flight physical.

    Of course, hearts with issues, such as heart attacks, damage from some other illness or physiologic stress, or even genetic conditions, can go into nasty rhythms that can be lethal as well, which is why it's a good idea to get checked out. What happens a lot, though, is we get EKGs, labs, echocardiograms, stress tests, and Holter monitor studies...and nothing shows up.

    Many years ago I was having enormous work stress, not sleeping, and drinking enough coffee to float the Queen Mary every day. I began having uncomfortable PVCs and even hooked myself up to a monitor and recorded them. I showed my PCP and he got a stress test...all OK. He sent me to a cardiologist who carefully examined me and said everything's OK, get things settled down, learn Yoga and meditate, and you'll feel better. She was right.

    I sincerely hope this is your case, as well. Please keep us updated and good luck with the Holter. If there's something to catch, I hope it catches it clearly!

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  • Kath1228
    Kath1228 Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2016

    Hi Ladies,


    I have had this for years and years. I'm 52 and have probably had this happen off and on in spells for the last twenty years. I had it again from this past May through the end of July. Then it just stopped - like it always does - no rhyme or reason to it. I even went and saw a new cardiologist since I moved to a new state. And she said the same thing my cardiologist in New York said - it's just a few extra beats - nothing of concern. I didn't wear a hotter monitor this time but I did with the cardiologist in New York. They saw the extra beats - exactly when I indicated them - and they are not concerning. It seems to be a very common problem.

    I also noticed it mostly when at rest, sitting on the couch watching tv, etc...

    It is very disconcerting (the fluttering, skipped beats) but I'm glad to know it is not worrisome. Hopefully, yours is the same - it sounds very similar

    I did not have chemo.


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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited November 2016

    Thanks for all the feedback, guys - sbelizabeth, you hit my nail right on the head! Just got a call with my results which showed no abnormalities but occasional premature ventricular contractions - and Lord knows I certainly do suffer from lack of sleep, stress, estrogen deprivation, etc.

    Guess I'll chalk it up to yet another reality within my new normal - still discovering it after 10 years!

    Best to all - Julie



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