Heart Fluttering

Updated on August 16, 2011
P.M. asks from Arvada, CO
15 answers

Hi moms. I've noticed my heart seems to be doing a weird "fluttering" thing the past few weeks. I have no other symptoms, it's just strange. I had a baby about 7 months ago and I have been (obviously!) under a lot of stress. I mentioned this to my mom and she said the same thing happened to her after she had a baby and not to worry... But she's also afraid of doctors. Not sure if I should worry about this? It feels like little fluttering and almost feels like a weird thing/bubble coming up in my throat (no it's not heartburn, I have acid reflux and know what this feels like) it's hard to describe. Anyone had this? Not sure what I should do.

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L.P.

answers from Pittsfield on

Could you be anemic? I have anemia and get palpitations when my iron level gets low.

3 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you checked out heart palpitations? They are generally not serious, mine were brought on by stress. Pretty much started during my divorce. They ended a couple summers ago when I finally sorted my life out. :)

3 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I get that from time to time. Often caused by stress, hormone changes and/or medication usually. A good article on it here:

"Since heart flutters can be caused by an increase in activity, such as exercise, they can also be stopped by a decrease in activity. When heart flutters occur, take the time to sit down and breathe deeply. Once they have stopped the person may continue with their activity, but slowing it down a little may be in order.

The best ways to make heart flutters rest is to eliminate stress, drink lots of water, breathe deeply and slowly, and take it easy. If the palpitations continue it may be necessary to see a healthcare physician for an assessment. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to stabilize the heart flutters so that the patient can maintain a normal life."

http://www.healthyheartexperts.com/heart-flutters-in-women/

2 moms found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

I get those sometimes too over the last ten years. They always happen when I am sitting or in bed.
I had to have open heart surgery because of a hole in my heart. I wore a heart monitor for a while, but they never happened while I had it on.
It's probably nothing to worry about but be sure to tell your doctor when you have a checkup. I would love to hear it if you get an answer.

2 moms found this helpful
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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I think you need to talk to your PCP. Might be Thyroid. I am on medication for hypothyroidism and have bouts of palpitations. Not saying that is what it is, just that it may be a sign something isn't quite right or balanced with your body.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.A.

answers from San Francisco on

i get heart palpitations. they are caused by stress and drinking too much caffein. My doctor told me to stay away from all caffein including chocolate, and put me on a whole bunch of supplements to build immune system etc so i didn't get as stressed. I did have an EKG which was normal. I have been off caffein (except for a little bit here and there) for almost 2 months and have not had one since then.... i used to get them pretty regularly. I would talk to your doctor because it might not be the normal palpitations, but also stay away from caffein and other stimulants and try to de-stress if possible... take a short break every day (even like 10 min walk around the block)...

1 mom found this helpful

T.C.

answers from Dallas on

It sounds like it could be a lot of other things, but it IS very common after you have a baby and can be completely normal. I've had it pretty bad before, and it was after having babies. Sometimes it'll do it during pregnancy. It ends up going away for me. I'm trying to remember what my mom told me to do...get enough sleep, drink lots of water, and take vitamins...I think that was it. I've had it pretty bad before where I was pretty sure I was going to die (hehe...it's just not the most comfortable feeling to feel it beat weird like that!), but it went away over time.

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

You need to get in to see your PCP and see if she wants to refer you to a cardiologist or another specialist. I'm surprised that you've let this go on for weeks if it seems to be heart related.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I have an irregular heart beat and when it flutters it is the oddest feeling. I say go to the doc and discuss it with them. It would not hurt to wear a monitor for a few days or weeks just to make sure there is nothing wrong with your heart. There are many medications out there that help regulate it if that is the diagnosis but it may damage the heart muscle if left untreated if it is heart related.

S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I had the same thing about 4 months ago, it would do the fluttering thing, and sometimes just a pain or weird feelings. I went to the doc and he ordered a 48 hour cardiac moniter. I went to the cardiologist office and they placed several of the patches on my chest and they were hooked up to a small moniter that recorded all my heart activity. it had a buttons on it where when i felt my heart going wonky i would scroll through and pick what it was....my doc said i had some PVC's, but nothing major. It could be the same for you or could be something more. I say better safe than sorry and you should talk to your doc, keep healthy for that precious baby!!

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T.W.

answers from Denver on

I get this every time I am pregnant so I am totally familiar with the feeling. I do tend to get it when I get my period or just anxious but not often. My guess is, you are just a bit overwhelmed (for obvious reasons). It will pass. If you are really worried, just have the doc check it out.

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R.P.

answers from Seattle on

You might want to talk to your doctor. Some women start having thyroid problems after having a baby. My best friend was great after her baby then one day at work she started having fluttering and we put her on a heart monitor and her heart rate was in the 180s at rest. Not good. She went to the doc and had to go through a bunch of blood test and they figured it was her thyroid finally.
Cut out caffeine and try and reduce stress to see if that helps also.
Good luck!

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S.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hi! I've had this come and go within the last several years and most recently had a bad case of it when I was preggo this last time. Just to be sure, they had me wear a Holter monitor and decided it was harmless PVCs (premature ventrical contractions?). It, of course, went away the day after I went to the doctor.
It would be a good thing to get it checked out. Beyond that, I've kind of figured out with the help of my doctor that it happens to me more when I'm low in iron, even if it's not showing up much on a test. After a few days of iron supplements mine goes away. I also think mine happens more during hormonal changes.
I'd go and get some peace of mind from the doctor. And, yes, it's probably stress related, so try to take some time for yourself, though I know how hard that can be! (I laughed when my doc said "sleep when baby sleeps" . . . "what about the other 2 kids?" I said!).
Good luck!

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J.W.

answers from Great Falls on

Are you sure it is a flutter of the heart? I thought that I had that after having my kids, but after time I figured out that it wasn't my heart but just my organs moving and rearranging with all the new space after giving birth. I know that sounds wierd, but think about it. After pregnancy and birth everything is stretched out and different. Everything has to rearrange and find its new space. These new sensations felt like little flutters, but it wasn't my heart. Just my 2 cents.

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N.R.

answers from Denver on

You seriously could just be dehydrated. For one you live at high altitude and we all know how that impacts us. Secondly, having a young one, you lose track of time and don't drink or eat what you should be eating/ drinking. Now after seeing posts here time after time, what we should all do is trust our inner judgement and seek medical advice instead of asking a bunch of women on a forum. I understand that medical advice costs money yet your children and you will be much better off with a calm happy mom knowing that she is healthy.

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