Question:
Does anyone think heart flutters are serious enough to contact the surgeon about?

Ever since I got my date I have been having heart flutters off and on (mostly at night). It feels like a little birdie is flying around in my chest. I looked them up and all the sites I read said not to worry about it, but I'm not sure if I should mention it to my surgeon...1) what do you think?, and 2) did anyone else have this?    — sandieguy (posted on April 30, 2001)

April 29, 2001
I am pre-op as well, and have palpitations pretty regularly too. I am pretty certain that it is stress, but I plan to mention it to my doc when I go for my pre-op testing. Try not to stress and see if they calm down! I am sure you'll be fine! Good Luck and God Bless! Donna
   — Donna H.

April 29, 2001
PLEASE. mention it. its very important to tell your surgeon everything. especially anything having to do with your heart. better safe than sorry. hugs!!
   — JOSHNSUZIE

April 30, 2001
I had palpatations as well. But mine started after surgery. About 3 mos after surgery. Of course they come and go and wouldn't come when I went to the hosp or the doc about them. So I just deal. It is not a constant thing and when it would happen I would loose my breath. They don't happen as often now. Depends on how stressed I am and what's going on at the moment. Mine seem to happen the most when I am lying down. I would definately mention this to your doc or surgeon about it. Better safe than sorry
   — [Anonymous]

April 30, 2001
Always call your Doctor. It could indicate an underlying health problem for you.Here is a great tip, coming from a pre-op who has been thru this many times: Discontinue coffee, discontinue soda with caffeine, discontinue chocolate, discontine smoking, remember to stop 3 times a day just to close your eyes in a quiet area for a few minutes and think of a beautiful peaceful place, like a lake or the ocean. Play peaceful music. Try to pinpoint your stresses and eliminate them as part of your pre-op strength. Always contact your Doctor for a check up.
   — [Anonymous]

April 30, 2001
I also have palpatations of my heart. Im on synthroid and after surgery and the weight lost I was on too high a dose, the doctor had to reduce the dosage and I got better. But if its your nerves doing it you need to get the doctor to write you a prescrition for some medication to calm you down. I have also been told its not serious, but never the less its still a scary thing when your heart goes to hopping around like crazy, you think somethings wrong even if its not. Id rather it not do it thank you very much. But have yourself checked and get you something to help you through this time, its nerve racking even tho its a happy time for us after approval, the fighing with insurance and family or whatever is tough. Get you a nerve pill till everything settles down. It won't hurt. Take care. Margaret
   — Margaret S.

June 12, 2001
Simply put, YES, check it out with your doctor and a cardiologist if you have one. Its not the time to self-diagnose if your heart may in fact be involved. I know from my recent surgery (5/9) that flutters are more serious than athrymias and spent several more long days in ICU afterward surgery because of it. Don't mess around on this one. Get your doctor's advice. He will need to know and be certain so he can anticipate before hand what to expect when you are on the table.
   — Rita J.