Medical Questions > Conditions and Diseases > Heart Disease and Heart Attack Forum

circulation problems and rapid heartbeat

Must Read

Heart Attack

What happens during a heart attack? Get heart attack facts here....

Related Topics

Circulation

s this just poor circulation?

Blood Circulation

picantel

December 20th, 2011

Hi. For the last few months especially when I lie down at night my heart starts beating really fast and my feet and hands get a numb or tingly sensation in them. My cholesterol is pretty terrible at 245/27 and my height is 6'3 and about 255 lbs which means I am overweight. I take my blood pressure every few days and is is fine at the low or low-medium threshhold. I do not smoke or drink but I love my diet coke even though I know I should stay away from it. I do have some shoulder pain although most of it originates from the upper left side of my back and I think there is just a strain or pull there. Am I developing the symptoms of an upcoming heart attack(an 41 now) or could this just be stress related. I have had alot of stress in my life but lately I have been much happier as our finances and lives are improving so I am not sure if that is the problem. Pretty much the circulation problems and rapid heartbeat are freaking me out though so I am not sure if that is helping. Thanks

Did you find this post helpful?

Albert Miller

replied December 23rd, 2011

When you say that "my heart starts beating really fast" it doesn't tell me how fast it is really going. It might be at a moderate rate and you have become aware of it. So you should time the rate a number of times by counting the beats for one minute. Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet could be due to hyperventilation (over-breathing), which may occur with stress, and would not necessarily relate to your heart rate.
You acknowledge that you are overweight and that your cholesterol is elevated, so you should do something about that. See a physician and get appropriate treatment for your cholesterol with diet and medication as necessary. And while you are at it, tell the doctor what your heart rates are when you lie down at night.
Proper treatment of your cholesterol and weight would significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack, though I should emphasize that there is nothing in your described symptoms that indicate "an upcoming heart attack."

CHEST PAIN: WHEN AND WHEN NOT TO WORRY by Albert J Miller MD

An easy-to-read book about the heart for lay persons. Available at major online book retailers and other fine bookstores.

Did you find this post helpful?


	Tags: heart, Heart Disease, Heart Attack, shoulder pain, Cholesterol, symptoms, beating, Stress, smoke, Diet

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Heart Disease and Heart Attack , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made.
This page was last updated on May 23, 2013.
© 2010 eHealthForum.com