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

Heart Problem or Something Else?

Must Read
What happens during a heart attack? Get heart attack facts here....
What causes a heart attack? Are women more likely than men to have a heart attack? We review the risk factors and causes of heart attack here....
Can you identify early signs and symptoms of a heart attack? Are women heart attack symptoms different than men? Click here to learn when to seek help....
I am a 29 year old female smoker. About a year ago I was having frequent heart palpitations and went to the ER to find out I had PVC's. While they were monitoring my heart I happen to take a deep breath. When I did, my heart rate got up to 145 and I almost passed out, though they didn't seem concerned. A couple months later I started having very bad dizzy spells with resulted in another trip to the ER. They done an EKG, outlining of the heart and brain, but found nothing and sent me home with a prescription for Antivert. Now, I have been having these episodes where I will suddenly get a lot of pressure in my head, shortness of breath, and I also have the urge to cough. When I do, it is a dry cough and it seems like as soon as I do my heart starts to thud to where I can hear it beating and I almost blackout, though I never have. It only lasts about a minute and I am fine. I have also noticed this happens the most in the mornings before I even wake up, this is what causes me to awaken a great deal of the time though it has happened in the evening before. I also have severe heartburn 5 to 6 days a week and have thought before I may have a hiatal hernia. I don't know if it is related but thought it could be relevant. Any help is definitely appreciated. Thanks!
Did you find this post helpful?
|

replied March 22nd, 2012
Coughing during an episode of palpations is normal, it’s your body’s own way of trying to restore some order to your heart, almost like a natural jolt if you like.

If you are fainting during these palpations it might be worth having a tilt-table test, to see if the cause of your fainting is cardiac in nature.

Are you standing for long periods of time before the palpations/faint??
|
Did you find this post helpful?

replied March 22nd, 2012
No. Not usually. Like I said, it is usually in the mornings before I even wake up. This is what usually awakens me. I have never really fainted, only started to blackout after the coughing episode, thudding heartbeat and head pressure.
|
Did you find this post helpful?

replied March 23rd, 2012
If it is happening at night they could try a 24 hour heart monitor. You wear it for 24 hours going about your day as normal and they will be able to see if the cause is cardiac.
|
Did you find this post helpful?