Question:
Heart Palpitations
I am 7 months post op and have been experiencing heart palpitations for the last couple of weeks. Any suggestions as to what it could be? Is it normal? Has anyone else experienced it since surgery? — Sillyguts (posted on September 8, 2008)
September 8, 2008
I haven't had them since surgery, but no, it's not normal, although also
not an acute emergency. You may be dehydrated, make sure you're getting 64
ounces or more of fluids per day. You also may be deficient in Potassium,
which can cause heart arrhythmia. Another sign of Potassium deficiency is
leg/ankle cramps. You need to call your Doctor today and tell him/her.
— Gina S.
September 8, 2008
I agree, you need to call your doc TODAY! Any kind of heart palpitations
are not normal, you need to find out what is going on, that heart is too
important to mess with. You may find it is a simple fix, but you need to
know for sure! Good luck!
— Val_T
September 8, 2008
I'm 7 weeks out and have had them. But then I remembered! I'm a diabetic...
even though they told me that this surgery would "cure" diabetes
and I haven't ate a thing that should cause it - my levels are high for me
(running 185+) after eating and at other times. I haven't had these
problems for months previous to surgery and now I'm eating better and they
have started. I don't know if you are/were a diabetic, but if so you should
check your sugar levels.
— pattschiele
September 8, 2008
I have them sometimes (pre and post-op). Your heart is nothing to mess
around with. Talk to your PCP and get your blood pressure checked
regularly. Some medications (decongestants, etc.) can cause palpitations
for me.
— gonnadoit
September 8, 2008
Thyroid issues can cause heart palpitations. I have them due to mine.
Losing weight really messes with your thyroid so you may need to have your
levels checked. If your thyroid is high or low it can be regulated with a
simple daily pill. I've been on my pill for 10+ years due to low thyroid
function. Good luck!
— AprilJM
September 8, 2008
Contact your Cardoligest as your surgeon will not be able to help much. I
had them starting at 6 months and finally I passed out and fell through a
glass counter in a department store. I would up in the hospatil for 3
days. I was drinking plenty of water but my excersice and playing golf
outside caused me to deplete all my salt and I was very low on Blood
Pressure. They had to reduce the amount of Protien that I was eating, and
slow down my weight loss for a few weeks. Just don't mess around. Get a
heart specilest to check you out. They can puta 24 hour monitor on you and
check how you are doing for a few days. Better safe than sorry. Best of
success.
— William (Bill) wmil
September 8, 2008
Are you on any medications? Meds can cause side effects, can DEVELOP side
effects even after you've taken them for awhile. Your body went thru a
major change and perhaps your normal meds you're now getting side effects
from. Please please check with your doctor. I've had palpitations and I
know how disquieting it can be, believe me. Also, another possibility,
they can be caused by anxiety. Please see your physician and tell him what
you're experiencing. Hope you feel better!
— zieberrae
September 9, 2008
This is a symptom that you DO NOT want to ignore...make an appointment for
labs and tell the doc what the trouble is and get an emergency
appointment...Do not wait...On the light side...I get them from anemia and
magnesium deficiencies...Anemia is nothing to mess around with...it means
lack of oxygen to the heart and brain...and could lead to serious
problems...magnesium def causes muscles to contract and cramp...the heart
is a muscle! Again, nothing to ignore there either! So go in and find the
problem...Could be nothing more than upping vits or it coiuld be more
serious...but get it fixed now! Okay? OKAY! Go!
— .Anita R.
September 9, 2008
CONTACT YOUR CARDIOLOGIST!!!!
I had heart palps and contacted my WLS surgeon who couldnt diagnose the
problem... he tried, gave me different kinds of meds but he was way off
base....2 months later, I went into congenital heart failure!... Dont mess
around with it... it may be nothing (which I doubt)
— 502Laxi
September 9, 2008
Occasional palpitations are actually normal in some people. If you research
a little about palpitations, a lot of people have them without ever being
aware of them. That being said you need to make sure that they are normal
for YOU, see your doctor and he can run some tests to make sure your heart
is functioning as it should be. Also look at how much caffeine you consume
because this can also cause palpitations. I have had palpitations for years
and I know one of the things I do to make them worse is drink caffeine so I
just back off of that.
Good luck, Jackie
— RN2B2009
September 9, 2008
Hi Angie
I had the same thing after surgery and my potassium was really low. Heart
palpitations can be a sign of low potassium. You may want to go to your
doctor and have them check your potassium levels. Good luck ! Hope you are
feeling better soon!
— jann91
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