I had this picked up on an ECG a while back… Along with lots of other tests (echo cardiogram, exercise ECG, 24hr BP monitor, blood and urine) for a hypotension diagnosis. I finally went to see a cardiologist with loads of certificates on the wall. The diagnosis from him was that I had 'essential hypotension' and I simply needed to take BP pills. (I'm only 32, but hey, it's no biggie..).

"Do I need to take it easier when exercising?" I asked..
"No, it shouldn't be a problem" was the answer.

"But sometimes when I push myself really hard, or just at other random times, my heart beats a little bit funny, should I be concerned about this and take things easier?"…
"No, that happens in some people, I don't see anything to worry about" came the official reply.

Then this morning, while swimming my usual 2.4kms I felt breathless and weird, my heart was skipping about. I've since googled about this and found that apparently healthy fit people with underlying heart problems are more at risk of dying suddenly while swimming in particular…

I'm gonna get the usual 'Why are you asking this on an internet forum?', of course 🙂 , but the thing is I've already spent many 100's of $AU on going to the Doc's, having loads of tests and seeing various specialists, just to be told eventually "Take the tablets, you'll be fine".

The NHS, despite its failings, really is not a bad thing.

I'm gonna get the usual 'Why are you asking this on an internet forum?', of course , but the thing is I've already spent many 100's of $AU on going to the Doc's, having loads of tests and seeing various specialists, just to be told eventually "Take the tablets, you'll be fine".

So you've consulted the medics, and they've told you you're OK – which isn't what you want to hear, so you're coming on the forum in the hope we'll tell you something different??

A lot of people (me included) have occasional heart flutters.

You've had bloods, ECG, Echo etc – what else would you like them to do? Crack you open to take a look?

Forum diagnosis: You're going to DIE IMMINENTLY.

Print this out and take it to the hospital NOW, it should get you the REAL diagnosis, not the fake one they've been fobbing you off with all this time. 🙂

Well, when you say about young people dying when playing sport, it's usually a condition called HOCM. Having had an echo, that should have been ruled out so I wouldn't worry about that.

However, long QT syndrome (congenital most likely given your age) should be further investigated and followed up to be honest – presumably the cardiologist you saw is aware of this, so if nothing has been done, then perhaps it actually isn't prolonged?

BTW – hypotension is LOW blood pressure. It's possible to be that, but are you sure you don't mean hypertension (HIGH BP)?

DrP

Interestingly regarding HOCM – a lot of other countries have lower HOCM relate deaths in their professional sports people that we do…

The reason – they echo all youngsters contemplating professional sports and tell them they can't do it if HOCM is suspected…

DrP

Forum diagnosis: You're going to DIE IMMINENTLY.

Second opinion – I concur. Make a will immediately.

You're correct – it's Hypertension DrP, you've picked me up on my before dyslexia before 😉

Thanks for the feedback and the classic STW forum pithy comments 😉

I'm thinking I should probably stay away from coffee (just a hunch I've got), and avoid things like the masses of soy sauce I had with my sushi last night. I had to drink about 2 1/2 litres of water before going to bed due to so much salt intake – and I was still thirsy in the morning. I'm normally really careful with my salt intake, but occasionally I indulge. From what I can read on 'net, long QT arythmias can be associated with electrolyte imbalances.

Something to think about..

Thanks! 🙂

My dad was in for an ECG a few years ago and the doctor looking at the results has a concerned look on his face.

My dad asked "what is the matter? Is it a bad trace on the chart?"

To which the doctor replied "No….a bad trace is a straight line…."

Amused me a lot and shut my dad right up (for once)