Question:
Has anyone had heart palpitations and still had surgery?

I have been having heart palpitations frequently (7-8 episodes) per day for the last month. I do drink a lot of soda (caffeine)so I attribute the flip flops to that. I think I am really just worried about having a heart attack while in surgery...anyone have similar worry or symptoms??    — joni S. (posted on February 14, 2000)

February 14, 2000
Joni: I suddenly developed heart palpatations recently and went through the whole barage of heart tests. The cardiologist concluded that my heart was o.k. and told me to totally stop drinking caffeine and eating chocolate. I did that and have had no further heart palpitation episodes. Mine were so bad that my blood pressure dropped sharply causing me to nearly black out completely. I hope you try this and stop the caffeine. If it helps relieve the episodes, it would be safer for you to leave it off. I wonder if my weight suddenly got high enough that my body could no longer handle the caffein. Maybe after surgery and losing some weight, I can go back to some caffeine occasionally, who knows. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

February 16, 2000
If you are drinking a lot of caffiene, could be your palpitations are caused by that. Years ago, before I ever thought about weight loss surgery, I experienced palpitations that scared me to death. My heart was pounding up in my neck and I thought surely I would have a heart attack. I was referred to a heart specialist, and (long story short) through a process of elimination, it seemed I was drinking way too much coffee at work (my cup was never empty). So, the doctor said cut out drinks with caffiene (except maybe one or two a day) and chocolate (loaded with caffiene). That did the trick. No more palpitations. However, be safe. Check with the doctor.
   — MARY J.

February 20, 2000
Your post didn't say if you had any other symptoms with the palpitations but may I suggust that you research Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome and see if you fit the criteria for this disorder. I had palpitations for years, along with other symptoms and was found to have MVP syndrome. It is pretty common and not a serious disorder. Some sources I have read say that it is more of a problem with the central nervous system as opposed to a heart problem. The only precaution I have to take is to have a course of antibiotics prior to any surgery or dental extraction. I had an open RNY in October with no complications and haven't had palpitations for a long time. I also no longer drink pop or coffee, so that helps too.
   — Lois S.

September 9, 2000
I have been diagnosed with Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome and have had 2 heart surgeries in 1997. (Cathater Ablation) I currently take Rhythmol for my arrythmia. It will probably be a life long medication. My cardiologist did not like the idea very much that I was considering the WLS, but he did say it might help me. He did clear me to have the surgery and said I would do just fine. Alot of heart arrythmias are electrical problems in the heart, so usually surgeries are ok, they just have to monitor you more closely.
   — Michelle P.