AboutDavid Richardson Expertise Adult heart function and disease. Not very good about children lesss than 12. Hypertension is o.k. Heart rhythm a special interest.
Experience Certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Was chairman of division of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia. Am now mostly retired.
Organizations Fellow of American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology and member of American Physiological Society..
Publications Circulation, American Heart Journal, Hypertension.
Education/Credentials M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Residency training at Yale Uhniversity School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia.
Awards and Honors Gold Heartt Award from American Heart Association in 1995.
Question I am an 18 year old male and weigh about 151 pounds and am 6 feet tall. Recently in the past 6-7 months I have been experiencing a rapid heart rhythm and an irregular heavy heartbeat that is on and off and comes at random times. I have seen a local specialist who ran very few tests on me and immediately gave a beta blocker telling me, "it is probably just anxiety you just need to slow down." but I know it must be more. I am an anxious person, I am not going to lie but these attacks happen when I am perfectly fine in fact often when I am just relaxing or doing non-stressful activities.
The attacks consist of a fast rapid heart beat, about 140-160rpm and sometimes that corresponds with a very heavy rhythm that literally causes my whole body to jolt. I have been to the hospital in the past for this condition where they just give me some low dose aspirin and tell me to go home. I have had thyroid tests, EKGs, holter monitor, x-rays you name it I have done it but no one can figure it out. So now I need to figure a few things about this out from an expert such as yourself.
If I put my hand to my chest should I be able to feel my heart beat? And should I be seeing my chest move up and done as my heart beats? Also if you have any idea what this could be I would love to hear so I could talk it over with my doctor.
Thank you
Answer Dear Marcus,
If the fast heart beat comes on gradually, over a few minutes, and subsides gradually, it is a normal response to anxiety or anger, as is the heavy heart beat that causes you whole body to jolt. Epinephrine released by anxiety and anger makes the heart beat harder as well as faster. Yes, someone as thin as you should be able to easily feel his heart beat with hand on chest, and your heart will make your chest move up and down. Those are the normal result of your thinness. I think it's all normal for your thinness. The only possible exception would be a rare benign adrenal tumor called pheochromocytoma, which causes thinness and spells of rapid, hard heartbeat. But it should raise your blood pressure too, and cause feelings like anxiety. Take your blood pressure when your heart is beating fast and hard and report that to your doctor.
Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.
