Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

My heart was skipping beats and it was happening for a few hours. My doc suggested a cardiologist tomorrow or my primary this evening. My primary wouldn't do an EKG and I don't have a cardiologist so I went to the ER...I just didn't want to wait...it was happening that much
EKG came back normal. Has this happened to anyone else? I have a slight heart murmur to begin with so it's probably just getting worse being pg. I had the thing when I was pg with DD. It's just very scary.

Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

I have almost the same thing.. I suffer from PVC's which feel like a skipped beat but it's actually an extra beat. It is very scary! I've been to the cardiologist and after all the tests came back, he told me it was normal. Well, now that I'm pregnant, they are SOOOO bad!
I also suffer from anxiety attacks which don't help the situation.
My cardiologist told me that if they bothered me that much that I can go on a beta blocker.. They got so bad about 2 weeks ago that I ended up on a beta blocker called metoprolol. It did nothing for me :( so I came off of it. Im actually going back to the cardiologist tomorrow for another 24 hour heart monitor because he wants to see just how frequently I'm getting them.
For the most part, these palps are normal and are worse during pregnancy due to increase blood flow and increased hormone levels.
Good luck, hope you feel better soon!!!!

Re: Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

I developed a premature beat when pregnant with dd. It never went away. I can feel it and it makes me feel like I am having palpations or like my heart is racing. Luckily mine is benign and does not really cause any issues other then what I listed. But mine does show up on an EKG. I also had a stress test done and echo. Personally I would make an apt to see a cardiologist. They will prob put you on a 24hour monitor and will be able to get a better idea of what's going on. I was told to watch out for blue lips or fainting during episodes and if either occur to contact the cardiologist.

Re: Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

I do want to follow up with cardiologist...can anyone recommend one? I live in Suffolk and work in Nassau....thanks!

Re: Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

Donna Denier in Franklin Square, I took my mom to see her this year, wonderful bedside manner.



Dr. Denier

Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

Yes I've had heart palpitations and rapid heart rate for quite a few years now. I was actually taking a beta blocker for 4 years, but weaned off them before I became pregnant.

In my 1st trimester my palpitations got MUCH worse. I went to my cardiologist and he said all the extra progesterone is what causes it, and that it usually passes by the time you're in the 2nd trimester. I'm 14 and a half weeks now and I noticed it's much better but still happens sometimes.

I go to the best heart drs in pretty much the state. I go to St Francis Heart Hospital, and go to the Arrhythmia Center. There you have Dr Levine, Dr Hoch and Dr Greenburg. They're the best of the best, they even did my cardiac ablation a few years ago. Their number is (516) 562-6646. Good luck and feel better!

Re: Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

I go to Dr. Cokinos. Hes part of St. Francis Hospital but has an office in West Islip. Phone # is 631-669-2555.

Re: Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

this happened to me around 25w. I was having heart palps all day long. I got nervous and went to a walk in doctor, they did an ekg and saw some skipped beats. He didnt see any concern but I was too nervous so I went to a cardiologist to rule out anything. I got an echocardiogram and another ekg. Everything came back fine even though I was still having the palps. I did feel more at ease knowing that everything with my heart was ok. The cardi said that its completely normal for a pregnant woman to get heart palps. Our heart is beating much more harder later in pregnancy to supply blood for you AND the baby. Thankfully the palp stopped about a day or 2 later and they never came back ! Good luck !

Re: Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

Thank you all so much! I agree that its probably the extra progesterone and it would make sense...my nauseousness and tiredness is at a peak now I remember having this when pg with DD around 25 weeks or so (like another poster said) but I got really nervous when it started earlier this time. Anything with the heart is so scary

Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

I had that problem (not pregnancy related)...it freaked me out. there were times my heart seemed normal and then times it would skip beats and i could def notice it. I ended up seeing a really great cardiologist (Dr Marie Roethel in Lake Success). She did an ultrasound of my heart and said it was perfectly normal it was just a murmur that i have that comes and goes.

here is the dr's info if interested:
Dr Roethel

Message edited 7/24/2012 10:00:53 AM.

Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

my heart often skips a beat (even pre-pregnancy). I went to a cardiologist and got an EKG as well as a 24 hour monitoring thing and everything came back fine.

You should still get checked out, but don't stress - it's probably nothing.

I wish i still had my cardiologist's name but i totally can't remember it (only went there for this one test). Sorry.

Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

I get heart palpitations every now and then but my ob said it was pretty normal during pregnancy so not to worry. Why wouldn't your primary doctor do it???

Re: Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

Re: Had to go to the ER this evening (with question)

I see Dr. Michael Lee with the Suffolk Heart Group in Smithtown. I liked that he was very thorough and explained everything to me. I never felt rushed or a hypochondriac lol