Concerns About Heart Palpitations
Greetings! I'm a 28-year-old female, standing 5'5" and weighing 130 pounds, and lately, I've been experiencing sporadic heart palpitations. In terms of my medical background, I have been dealing with unspecified white matter disease, iron deficiency anemia, general anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Two months ago, I received new diagnoses of Raynaud's phenomenon and an irregular heart rhythm. Regarding surgeries, my history includes tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A), the extraction of wisdom teeth, and the insertion of ear tubes. Currently, I do not take any medications, but I do follow a regimen that includes a daily iron supplement of 65 mg as well as a multivitamin designed for women from Vitafusion. I tend to feel heart palpitations sporadically. To describe the sensation, it feels like my heart is fluttering in my chest, almost taking my breath away for a few seconds at a time, and this occurs roughly once every week or two. Tonight, I experienced what I consider to be the most intense palpitation so far. I was simply relaxing on the couch, browsing Instagram reels, completely at ease and not feeling stressed. Suddenly, the palpitation struck, so intense that I had to set my phone aside. Along with the palpitation, I noticed a familiar sensation of breathlessness, but then it escalated to a profound pressure in my head, accompanied by a loud ringing in my ears and blurred vision. This discomfort prompted fear, as I worried I might faint. The episode lasted for approximately ten seconds before gradually subsiding over the next minute or so. How much should I worry about this? I’m reaching out with this question because I currently lack health insurance. Would it be advisable for me to schedule an appointment with my primary care physician? Thank you for taking the time to read my post.
Answers (1)
6/16/2025, 4:40:43 AM
OpenHealth AI
I've read your concerns about your heart palpitations and related experiences, and it's understandable to feel anxious given your symptoms and medical history. While some heart palpitations can be harmless, the intensity and accompanying sensations you've described warrant a careful evaluation.
Explanation:
Heart palpitations can be caused by various factors, including anxiety, anemia (which you have), or irregular heart rhythms. The episodes you're experiencing, especially with accompanying symptoms like breathlessness, pressure in your head, ringing in your ears, and blurred vision, are significant and should not be ignored. These symptoms can indicate that your heart is responding to various triggers—stress, changes in your body, or even your anxiety disorder.
Next Steps:
-
Track Your Symptoms: Document when palpitations occur, how long they last, and any preceding activities or feelings. Note if they are accompanied by other symptoms (like those you've described).
-
Test for Triggers: Consider lifestyle factors, such as caffeine intake, dehydration, intense physical activity, or emotional stress, which might aggravate your symptoms. Reducing caffeine and ensuring proper hydration could help.
-
Manage Anxiety: Since you have a background of anxiety and OCD, practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness could be beneficial. These practices may help reduce both anxiety and the frequency of palpitations.
-
Seek Evaluation: Given the intensity of your most recent experience and your medical history (including the irregular heart rhythm), it would be prudent to consult a healthcare provider when possible. If cost is a concern, look for community health clinics or services that provide payment plans or sliding-scale fees based on income. Explain your symptoms clearly so they can prioritize your evaluation.
Final Thought:
You are not alone in feeling concerned, and it’s wise to take your symptoms seriously. Tracking your experiences and exploring affordable care options are practical steps you can take. If your symptoms worsen—such as increasing frequency of palpitations, fainting, or persistent discomfort—please seek immediate care. Your health is important, and I encourage you to find a way to address these symptoms soon.
Related Questions
18 Years Old, Assigned Female at Birth: Seeking Clarity from My Doctor
I feel quite foolish expressing my concerns here, but I visited my family physician today, and she seemed completely stumped regarding my situation. To be honest, I didn’t anticipate much support; my previous reluctance to seek medical advice has been significant this year—only going for essential vaccinations or infections. As a result, I’m not entirely certain how to interpret my symptoms, which, while concerning, I’ve managed to endure. For the past three weeks, I have been overwhelmed by exhaustion. Most days after class, I find it nearly impossible not to take a lengthy nap, typically around three to four hours. This fatigue is disrupting my studies; I frequently miss morning classes due to waking up utterly drained, feeling as though I’ve hardly rested at all. My eyes persistently ache, accompanied by a sense of constant pressure. I’m acutely aware of their discomfort. Additionally, I’ve noticed an increase in nosebleeds recently, which I rationalize as normal since I suspect it’s broken; however, the frequency over the last couple of weeks has seemed unusual. Yesterday, I noticed a change for the first time: my skin appeared almost translucent. Although my pale complexion typically explains some transparency, my legs looked unexpectedly so. Moreover, I often feel either too cold or too warm, with rarely any comfortable middle ground. At one point, I stood up and experienced a near-fainting spell. I generally love food, but my appetite has considerably diminished. I notice hunger pangs, yet the desire to eat is virtually nonexistent. I intend to consult another physician soon since I'm concerned about these symptoms and hoping for some insight regarding what might be going on with my health. :')
Post-Exertion Headache Followed by Nausea – A Week Later
A 24-year-old male, weighing 142 pounds, recently engaged in weightlifting last week. Unfortunately, he experienced a severe exertion headache that persisted for an entire day. After taking a week off to recuperate, he has been dealing with lingering nausea since that incident. Although he is not experiencing vomiting or significant gagging, he does encounter intermittent lightheadedness accompanied by a sense of nausea. Is this feeling a typical part of the recovery process following such a headache? Previously, he had been dealing with acid reflux issues, which had subsided this year. Could it be that anxiety or stress is contributing to these symptoms? Any insights would be appreciated.
Is Visiting the Emergency Room Necessary for Hydration?
I am a 30-year-old male, standing at 5’7” and weighing 240 pounds. My current medications include only Levothyroxine and vitamin D. Last Thursday, I donated blood, and the following days, from Friday to Sunday, I was busy moving into a new apartment. By that weekend, I sensed that I might be getting a bit dehydrated, so I focused on increasing my fluid intake. Come Wednesday morning at 5 AM, I began to experience a fever of 102.3 degrees, accompanied by severe nausea. From that point onward, I have been unable to keep any liquids down and have experienced diarrhea approximately 10 to 12 times. My entire body aches, I have a debilitating headache, and I feel lightheaded whenever I attempt to stand. Now I am contemplating whether I should head to the emergency room for intravenous fluids. While my fever has finally decreased, I am still dealing with persistent diarrhea, nausea, significant body aches, and an intense headache. I worry that I might be suffering from the flu or a stomach virus, and I don’t want to take up their time at the ER if it isn't necessary. However, my concern revolves around the risk of dehydration. I appreciate any advice you can provide on this matter.
Worrying Weight Decline (21F)
As a 21-year-old female, I’ve typically been on the slimmer side, consistently hovering between 115 and 118 pounds over the last couple of years. My weight has remained stable, not exceeding 118 pounds or dropping below 110 pounds. However, today I stepped on the scale for the first time in several weeks and was taken aback to see that I now weigh 108.6 pounds. This is the lowest I have been since my high school days, and it has left me feeling quite anxious. I don’t have any accompanying symptoms—no discomfort, no fevers, no night sweats, and my menstrual cycle is regular with no abnormal bleeding. Additionally, my appetite remains robust, and I haven’t experienced any nausea or fatigue. That said, I’ve noticed that I often leave food on my plate and tend to consume smaller meals throughout the day. A slight shift in my routine occurred because of a recent snowstorm, which means I haven’t been indulging in late-night fast food as I usually would when working with a delivery service. Given these circumstances, should I consider seeking medical advice? There is no family history of cancer, and a blood test I had at the hospital back in May 2025 indicated that I was in excellent health. I appreciate any insights!
Experiencing Discomfort After Trying Goji Berries
Female, 28 years old, currently taking medications such as metformin and Zyrtec in the morning, and at night, I have Seroquel, Depakote, Singulair, Zyprexa, and norethindrone. I recently incorporated goji berries into a smoothie bowl along with other ingredients I normally use. However, I’m unsure if I may have overindulged (I probably used around 1.5 tablespoons or less) because I now feel quite bloated, experiencing mild heartburn and possibly some constipation. Before trying them, I had read online about potential gastrointestinal disturbances associated with goji berries, but I didn’t know they might not be advisable for individuals on diabetic medications. This realization has made me a bit anxious, contributing to some light chest discomfort (which I recognize as anxiety-related since I often have these sensations), and a headache has developed because I’m feeling worried. Additionally, I deal with emetophobia, and I did feel slightly nauseous at one point during this experience. This morning, I had coffee at 8 AM and didn’t consume much water, leading me to suspect that the combination of factors might be at play. However, I’m concerned it could escalate. I wonder if ginger tea would further aggravate my symptoms? If anyone has useful advice on how to alleviate this situation, I would greatly appreciate it. I apologize if my concerns are trivial; I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed and had hoped for a peaceful evening, but it seems unlikely now. Thank you in advance for any insights!