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Question:
Should my symptoms of heart thumping and dizziness be checked out before I see my doctor in 10 days?
I am 65. I do not smoke now. I did smoke cigs up to 50 yrs old. I am 198 in weight; walk, jog and swim for exercise as well as playing golf. I have a good diet, eating proper food, no added salt or sugar. I have arthritis in knee, hips and lower back and neck/shoulders. Gall bladder removed 2008. About 5 yrs ago while jogging, I got severe heart thumping and had to sit down until it stopped. As a result I had usual heart monitoring done yielding negative results. On a few occasions after I had similar heart thumping or palpitations, all kind of frightening but lasting only short time, and because of the ecg tests, I was not too worried. I had blood pressure checked regularly-normal for my age. . . . I stopped jogging and did "fast walking" instead. However today, Nov.7, after a hard day's work yesterday lifting lots of heavy items over about 6 hours, I set out for a game of golf. Suddenly the heart thumping started and lasted for about 4 hours. During the 11 holes of golf I managed to play, I also felt dizzy and a very slight headache, was frightened and fearful. My pulse was racing and I felt myself that it could be high blood pressure. Having returned to clubhouse, I sat down and rested for about 1/2 hour and gradually felt a little better. I eventually returned home, was able to eat well but felt very tired and chilly. I already had arranged for total check up on Nov 19 next when I hope to raise all these symptoms. However your views would be appreciated, and thanks.
submitted by John from Dublin, Ireland on 11/7/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiovascular surgeon, William E. Cohn, MD
Hi John. The symptoms you describe may be nothing, or may be due to a change in blood pressure or heart rate or rhythm associated with exertion. From the information you have provided, it is very difficult to say anything very definitive, but it doesn't sound too worrisome. You are smart to have it evaluated. I think you will be OK waiting until the 19th, but if the episodes occur more frequently, or become more severe, you should be seen sooner. I suspect your doctor will have you see a cardiologist, who will probably repeat some of the studies you underwent 5 years ago. Good luck.
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Updated November 2009
