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Strong, frequent irregular heartbeats

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October 2nd, 2010
I'm 16 years old, healthy, athletic, and alcohol/tobacco/drug-free.

For the past two weeks I have been having trouble with my heart. I am a competitive swimmer, and I swim about 2 hours a day, sometimes 4 if I have morning practice.

The first time I realized something was wrong, it was when I was swimming a few laps in the pool for warm-up during afternoon practice, and after about 4 lengths, my heart seemed to roll around in my chest, like my heartbeat was caught on something, especially on my intake of breath, and made me gasp for ait. That continued for about three or four breaths, and went away. My heart rate was a little high for about another minute or two and then completely settled down. I told my coach about this, and she said that I might have been a little stressed lately and I should take the practice easy for the day.

After that one day, my heart didn't seem to have any issues and I continued swimming my practices, and all my swim meets went great, with best times and no particular effect at all. But at one swim meet, probably about a week after the first episode, I was getting ready for my race, and moments before the race began, I inhaled, and my heart "flopped" again, but this time it was only for a split second. That race went fine, and I didn't particularly have any problems breathing or swimming. Since it was coming to a point where the issue was occurring during my races, I decided to talk to someone about it. As it happens, my swim team captain's father AND mother are both surgeons, and good family friends, so I told her father about my problem. He said my symptoms sounded like an irregular heartbeat, like a "fish flopping around" in my chest, and that was EXACTLY what it felt like. He told me that it is probably nothing serious, that I should just get more rest and drink LOTS of water (I'm somewhat prone to dehydration).

Now the irregular heartbeats happen almost all the time during practice, always during the short quick sprint sets that we do, and my heart beat is much stronger and faster than it used to be. My heart rate is usually very quick at slowing down after a few sprints, but now it continues to beat so hard that my chest feels like its being stepped on by someone's foot and makes it hard to get a full breath.

I would really like to know what the causes might be for this, and if I can prevent it from happening.

Thanks
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southjerseyengineer
replied October 4th, 2010
heartbeats
I highly recommend you see a major medical center cardiac doctor for a full work-up, as there are many serious issues this could be. Most of these serious issues can be fixed if you see such a doc before a serious heart "event" occurs, so make the appointment now.
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pete81241
replied October 5th, 2010
Extremely eHealthy
hi
i'm 69 years old now but i had that trouble when i was young and more physicaly active. it drove me crazy as i thought there was a major problem. none was ever found. i even had a catheterization test to look at my arteries. i have my own theory as to what it was. when you take a really deep breath the expansion causes more physical contact with the heart muscle and it causes the heart to beat prematurely and give you that weird feeling. since theres a lot more blood and pressure from the exercise you feel it more than when youre more idle. for your own piece of mind i would ask for a stress test. you will run hard while a cardiogram is made. they should be able to prevoke the palpitation and the docs can analyze the problem. chances are its nothing serious but it would be good to know that for sure.....best of luck....pete
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LouTheMetalhead
replied October 6th, 2010
Experienced User
I have been dealing with some strange heart beats too... not really the flopping around that you talk about.. but it gets so loud and sharp that i can see my chest/stomach moving up an down with every beat and hear it in my ears, keeps me up some nights... ive been to the docs and he gave me an ECG and said everything is fine.. and its probably just stress and anxiety... also thr anxiety of it happening again can bring it on. anxiety and stress are powerful and can make your body do some weird things. i hope all goes well for you
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kaestkat000
replied October 7th, 2010
Thank you for the replies Smile I've come to realize that all of this could be sleep related... I managed to sleep 7 hours today, and although I had a swim meet today and I could feel my heart trying to do the "flopping" after my races, they were not as pronounced and did not make me feel as bad as it usually does. As for the stress and anxiety, I think I have an all-right life, mostly stress free and normal, with time to myself for relaxation once in a while. But I agree with you, LouTheMetalhead, I can also see my chest moving up and down with every beat. Sometimes even when I am completely relaxed and idle, if I put my hand lightly on my chest/upper abdomen, I can feel my heart beat quite strongly.
Now I WOULD get all of this checked out, but as it happens, my mother is an easily stressed out/worried person, and she has high blood pressure, and I'm just afraid that if I tell her about this she will go overboard and stress herself out. I probably should think about getting an appointment soon though. I'm sure it doesn't help the situation if I'm worried about this the whole time.
Again, thank you for your inputs, they relieve me a little Smile
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toyamuraki
replied October 14th, 2010
i think this can help

TRANS-RESVERATROL:

Over 4000 years ago, the ancient medicinal book of the Hindus described fermented juice of red grapes (darakchasava) as cardiotonic. The bible described grape juice or red wine as a “gift of god.” Recent studies show that the skin of the grapefruit is concentrated with the substance called “Trans-Resveratrol”. This substance a phytoalexin found in the skin of grapes which shields one from infection and heart disease.

According to the Yale University Department of Vascular Surgery, It makes arteries stronger, smoother, and more relaxed! Stops the arteries from forming bumps that cause thickening and hardening of the artery walls. Relaxes blood vessels, instantly. Blocks unhealthy build-up in the blood vessels. Prevents LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and turning to plaque. Resveratrol is also shown to reduce fatty lesions and inflammation in the heart and liver by 62%. Plus, you get protection from one of today’s most menacing health threats: high glucose and insulin levels.
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LouTheMetalhead
replied October 18th, 2010
Experienced User
I say make the appointment and tell your mom its something simple like a check up.. just so she doesnt worry. I really need to do the same, I just woke up with the intense beating and no matter what i did i could not get my mind off it... thinking about it and worrying makes it even worse, and your right about the sleep thing... i havent had a regular sleep schedule in over a year, and ive been drinking almost every day so its taking its toll on me... Im glad to hear your doing better.. i hope i can do the same. stay straight.. im realizing now that although hanging out and drinking is fun.. its not fun for long and really messes your system up!
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LouTheMetalhead
replied October 18th, 2010
Experienced User
Wow... after drinking a tall glass of water, reading your post and replying, my pulse is back to normal, and i feel alright.... lol... lets hope it stays that way so i can finally get a good night sleep.
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kaestkat000
replied October 19th, 2010
Wow that grape thing is interesting! Thanks for the tip, I might start eating grapes more...

I have an idea for you. Instead of drinking regular alcohol, try drinking red wine? Haha, if grapes are the "gift of god" might as well put them to good use! Wink of course, drinking none at all would really be the best option lol
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