Heart problems? | Arthritis Information

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Wednesday I was in the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. They diagnosed me with heart palpitations and premature cardiovascular contractions. Went to the GP today and I'm being referred to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram and I'll be wearing some monitor for about two weeks. The doc also did bloodwork to check my thyroid.

 
So, just wondering... has anyone else had heart issues with RA? Janie, didn't you have some type of infection?
Sorry to hear of your trouble  - hope it ends up being nothing serious.  Scary, I'm sure.   heart palpitations and pvc's are pretty normal...most of the time no cause is ever found and  no harm is being done.  Part of the problem is that once we become aware of them we tend to notice them a lot more.  I do notice that mine tend to be more active when I'm mixing caffeine and codeineHaven't had heart problems myself but did have a small stroke last year and was told that RA patients have a higher risk of vascular related disease, including heart.

The irony is that I was doing backstroke in the pool when it happened, and had only started exercising 18 months before because of a high cholesterol level (also told this is possibly due to the RA).  Not the best place to have a stroke - lucky it only affected one arm.

Is why we have to try to eat healthy & move about a bit - RA can affect all parts of our body.

Good luck with it Cathy, its scary when you first find out.

Well... you know I had/have rapid heart rate and now high blood pressure. I knew my heart would beat fast sometimes, but did not think much of it. I mean my heart was beating so fast... I could feel my teeth chatter against each other for every beat. Yep.
 
I hope nothing serious. Keep us posted.
 
Much hugs to you
When I had my total knee pre op physical a bundle branch block was picked up on EKG.  Was referred to a cardiologist, had every heart test known to man and a heart cath.  Final diagnosis was a cardiac RA nodule that's rubbing and causing an intermittent bundle branch block.  No meds, just yearly EKGs.  If I have any cardiac symptoms at all I'll be in the ER pronto.  LindyI have had confirmed sinus tach from a monitor in about 1996 and put on a beta blocker.  I stopped about two years ago when my desparate husband read that a beta blocker shouldn't be taken with thyroid medication.
 
Every so often it just takes off.  Sometimes its just a short little attack of irregularity in your heart, and every so often its bigger and it feels like my heart spasmed or "turned over" - that's what it feels like.
 
I have had the monitor at first for dx, two echos since, and one trip to ER while on the beta blockers.  Everything, as usual, was perfect. 
 
I had a very high CK at dx, which is not good. 
Mrs. A, that can be scary and I'm glad they're looking into it.  I know RA can put us at greater risk for heart issues, but so far my only issues started before RA.  Every couple of years, I get a few days of heart palps, just enough to see the cardio, wear the holter monitor, get an EKG, and have them find nothing.  It's not fun, but it's better to be sure.I had pericarditis about 12 years ago, way before my ra dx. It's inflammation of the sac that surrounds your heart. My dr prescribed a antibiotic and it went away and then a few months later I had it again. Haven't had any problems since. My dr said it was very unusual to have it twice but never did any tests or follow up on it. I wonder if maybe I had ra back then and just didn't know it because I always had problems with ankles, neck, arm, hip, etc but thought it was from over working. I had my own cleaning business and cleaned 8 houses. Hard work but paid well, I miss it. I am one of those strange peoples that like to clean. I no longer am able to do it too much and my dirty house drives me crazy. LOLHI Mrs A, no I didn't have an infection there, I had a chest infection and I am having blood pressure problems at present, I had a full cardio workup as I was having palpitations, thank God it was all normal.  Best of luck, I hope its nothing serious.  Hugs Janie. Dr discovered a new "click" [his description] in my heart recently.  Am wondering if it is the RA or just "old age", as I am 65 yrs young. are you taking prednisone?
  we have found at anything over 7.5 mg a day I get PVC's and palpitations.
 
 I have cardiomyopathy, and have to watch out for irregular heartbeat..
 
it could be the heat too.. and it could be completely UN related to RA..
Thanks, everyone, for your replies! :)
 
I didn't notice the heart thing any more yesterday and haven't noticed it this morning, so maybe it was just a fluke? I think I'm still going to see the cardio doc though, just to be on the safe side.
 
I restarted MTX on Monday and I've been taking 800mgs of ibuprofen each morning (about a week and a half now.) I think it's related to the MTX?? I dunno.
 
I haven't really ventured out, so heat wouldn't be a factor... I don't think. When the hips and knees give me trouble, I'm stuck upstairs.
 
My next RD appointment is July 1st and I'll be getting on a different RA med then. I'm definitely going to bring up the heart thing!
I am on beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers for a heart beat & rhythm that is constantly way to fast. It's called Atrial Fibrilation, it can be controlled with mediaction but can be very serious if you aren't on it. It's just a very fast and irregular heartbeat. I also have Crohn's disease along with the RA, so for me the diseases seems to effect everything.hi mrs A sorry to see your having heart problems..     Mrs. A...

I had a similar occurrence and was very frightened.
It occurred a few times.. after taking Ibuprophen.
I then switched to Aleve and the same thing happened.
I asked pharmacist and he said try tylenol arthritis... of course it didnt even touch me...
but it didnt do the racing thing to my heart.

I found this serrapeptase enzyme... suppose to be a more natural substitute for advil, etc..

It is a protein enzyme taken on empty stomach....It helped me and I swear I was in constant pain.

Just another thought to you. Run it by dr. I dont think it could hurt.
Your 800 mg IB???

My dr. will not let me take those anymore...

Just a thought to have you think of.

Take care.

Hope you feel better.


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