I am a 19 year old girl. I have had frequent heartbeats, sometimes my heart beats hard only once, and then it continues to beat normally. This has happened to me for years but today it happened to me more often than usual. About 2 months ago I had a heart visit, the doctor told me that I have nothing, a valve when I get excited bends and causes these frequent heartbeats. I have been taking Zoloft (Sertraline) for 3 weeks for anxiety and I wanted to ask you if what the doctor told me is correct and for this strong beating I wanted to ask you if there is any problem that happened to my left arm and numbness.
So this can happen and mimic a heart attack with the left arm pain. Are u drinking energy drinks like rockstars monster etc? My 21 year old nephew was drinking them and fluid built around his heart. If in doubt its always best to avoid those with any heart condition Get Outlook for iOShttpsaka.mso0ukef
Hi there, thank you for sharing what youre experiencing its completely valid to have concerns, especially when it involves your heart. From what you described, it sounds like your doctor previously identified a benign valve issue that can cause occasional palpitations, especially when youre anxious or excited. This is not uncommon and can sometimes feel like your heart skips a beat or beats strongly just once. Now that youre taking Zoloft Sertraline for anxiety, its also important to know that some people may experience palpitations or mild changes in heart rhythm as a side effect, especially in the first few weeks of starting the medication. This can also be made worse by anxiety itself, which Zoloft is prescribed to help manage over time. However, the increase in frequency today, along with numbness in your left arm, should not be ignored. While it may still be anxietyrelated, left arm numbness and changes in heart rhythm can occasionally be signs of something more serious, even in young people. I recommend Contact your healthcare provider or psychiatrist who prescribed the Zoloft and report these new symptoms. Go to urgent care or the ER immediately if the irregular heartbeat continues, becomes rapid, you feel lightheaded, faint, short of breath, or have persistent numbness in your arm. In the meantime Try to avoid caffeine or energy drinks. Stay hydrated and try some slow, deep breathing exercises to help reduce anxiety. Dont stop your medication without speaking to your doctor first. Your symptoms deserve attention, and its always better to be safe when it comes to your heart. Take care, and please follow up with a professional as soon as possible. Kaeaiya T. Holmes M.S.N. R.N.
Did he mention mitral valve prolapse (MVP) which can be common in women? If you are having chest pain/rapid heart beats with pain/numbness extending to left arm I would talk with the doctor again or get a referral to cardiology. If you are having a panic attack worrying about the heart beat, you might get numbness/tingling in both hands/arms and not just left arm only.
You probably need to rediscuss the symptoms and your concerns. MVP is usually diagnosed after an ECHO but some doctors might feel comfortable listening to the click/snap when using a stethoscope.
Suggest getting an EKG.
When you are anxious you can be more sensitive to the normal sensations inside your body. Skipping a beat or having one hard beat then returning to normal is nothing to worry about. If you have chest pain with numbness in your left arm that lasts more than a few minutes you should call your doctor.
It sounds like the doctor diagnosed Mitral valve prolapse, which is a "floppy" valve. It can cause several annoying problems, one being irregular and fast heart beats. It can also be associated with anxiety. There are medications to treat this condition. They lessen the problems, but don't cure the defect. You should talk to your doctor about starting a Beta Blocker, and stopping the Zoloft.