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Irregular Heartbeat

Discussion in 'Physical & Sexual Health' started by Messed Up, Feb 8, 2013.

  1. Messed Up

    Messed Up Guest

    I just got a call at work that my "heartbeat is irregular".

    I was so upset I started crying and left work two hours in. I’m so scared. Why would this happen? Okay, I don’t eat incredibly healthy but who does my age? I’m a good weight for someone my age and height (160lbs at 5’8 and a male 23 yr old). I go to the gym and I dance and do martial arts and lift weights. YES, I eat McDonald’s like twice or thrice a week. But why could my heartbeat be irregular?

    What are the indicators? How can I stop this? Repair this? Prevent this? What are the complications? Am I going to die?

    Could someone whose had a similar diagnosis shed some light? An expert, maybe (Kara)?

    I was so sad. I’ve thought of the song I’m playing at my funeral. HELP!
     
  2. falsereading

    falsereading Guest

    I believe it is more common than you think and most arrhythmia's are harmless. It could have been from birth and only just realised so if you have been fine for this long then try not to worry. I would not stress too much, just go to your doctors and they will probably refer you to a cardiologist who can give you specialist advice.
     
  3. Messed Up

    Messed Up Guest

    I really hope that’s an omen because you’re name is FalseReading. I pray it’s your namesake. LOL Oh God, I’m scared. Cardiologist sounds so... serious... o_o
     
  4. Tiny Catastrophe

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    Hey no need to panic. I was born with a heart condition that causes irregular heart beats. Just go to a cardiologist and get it checked out. It's not uncommon. And don't worry cardiologists are no big deal. I've been going since I was 2.
     
  5. Bolin

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    Irregular heartbeats can be scary. I had that problem when I had blood pressure problems when I was big. I don't think it's usually life-threatening, though, but it can be an indication that some lifestyle changes may be in order. Like, maybe cutting down McDonald's to twice or thrice a month instead of a week.
     
  6. GabrielTai

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    It's really probably not that bad. I've had an irregular heartbeat all my life. Its kind of like having bad vision or allergies or something like that. Every now and then, if I'm too overwhelmed with emotion, or pushing myself too hard, I get minor chest pains, but it's not too bad. My diet consists mostly of meat, cheese, and starch. So, not the healthiest eating habits, and I'm not particularly fond of exercising (unless its martial arts or hiking). I'm in pretty decent shape all considering. Doctors say stuff to you without really thinking about how much it might freak you out. My cardiologist told me that with my condition, eating the way I do would cut about 10 years off my life. So, if the average life expectancy of a person is 80-90 years, then I'll live to be between 70 and 80. That's still a long ass time.

    I doubt you'll have anything to worry about :slight_smile: But you should see a cardiologist, just in case, and do some independent research. And remember: It's not the number of years you have that determines if you had a good life. It's the stuff you do with those years and how much you enjoy it :slight_smile:
     
  7. photoguy93

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    Look at it this way - be glad you know! I have a congenital heart defect (that's fine, at the moment.. thank god! :slight_smile: ) but even though it is scary, I'm glad I know.

    What is your irregular heart beat? There are many, many different types. Maybe you are Tachycardic? (you run higher.) You could be low. You could have PVC's.

    Listen to your cardiologist. I found out about mine because I noticed my PVC's (oh, and a PVC is a little 'thud.' They are usually benign. SO many people can have them.)

    Please, don't sit back and stew. Go be proactive. Doctors are smart. Go to someone you trust and see what they want you to do. They might put you on an event monitor (unless you already did that. How did you find out, by the way?)

    Again, it is a very scary thing, but it's also something that NEEDS to be treated. If you treat it, you will be doing the best thing you can. Look at all these stories about people that have issues! I just saw a girl on "The Today Show" who said "well, when I was in my 20's, I found out I had a murmur. I was told to keep up on it. Well, 13 years later, I went back in...." Uhhh, hello. You have to be smart about it!
     
  8. Messed Up

    Messed Up Guest

    I found out because yesterday was my physical. And the doc called me back and said “Your heartbeat is irregular compared to your last heart check a couple years ago”.
     
  9. photoguy93

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    Well, since there's really no explanation, there's not a whole lot to grasp at. But please go and get this checked out. Do you have an appointment?
     
  10. Messed Up

    Messed Up Guest

    Thursday at 7am :s
     
  11. photoguy93

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    Ok, well, that's good. A lot of people have issues like this. You are not alone. Especially if you are young, there's a bunch of stuff that can happen. Best of luck - keep us posted!
     
  12. KaraBulut

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    Something that most people don't realize is that irregular heartbeat isn't always unusual or an indication of disease. Often, we discover that people have always had irregular heartbeat and it's only because we did a test that it's discovered.

    The thing that your doctor will determine is how often this is happening, what type of irregularity it is and what the possible cause might be.

    During finals, we see a lot of people coming in with complaints of palpitations and after assessing them, we determine that they've been operating on little sleep and a lot of soda and coffee. The prescription ends up being telling them to sleep and cut back on the caffeine.

    So, the important thing to determine is whether irregular heartbeat is the primary problem or just a symptom of something else. There will be some blood tests, possibly a urine test and some additional testing on your heart. After the tests are run, they'll have a better idea of whether this is just a random thing or whether there's something going on that needs to be treated.
     
    #12 KaraBulut, Feb 9, 2013
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2013
  13. photoguy93

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    Great things to say! :slight_smile:

    Also, our bodies all operate differently (no shit, haha.) But for real - everyone is different. I have a higher heart rate than most people. I run in the zone where all the "TV doctors" start worrying. But I've had it checked out time and time again, and all is well. It's just me! Oh, and forgot to add - there's so much out there. We have been conditioned to worry about so much. (Don't get me wrong - we need to be proactive and worry when needed. But sometimes, we need a chill pill!)

    Our bodies all react differently to many different things.