What causes a feeling of palpitations in the chest and head?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 25-year-old female weighing 127.9 pounds and standing 5 feet tall. Three months back, I went to the doctor with a thumping chest. I had a similar feeling in my head and ears, with a headache and tiredness. The Holter monitor results were normal. ECG and brain MRI were normal. All the blood results were normal except for iron, which was 13 g/dL. I started taking Maltofer. My symptoms went away, and I felt normal. Two months ago, all my symptoms returned. I did the blood tests again.

My iron level remained low, with a value of 19 g/dL. After that, an iron infusion was done. Stool examination and blood test were done. All the results came back normal. The FOBT test was positive. The doctor advised me to have a colonoscopy, though I seem to be normal. They told me that these symptoms will clear when the iron level becomes normal.

Now I am having heart palpitations, and I can feel them during the day and night in my chest and head. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, too. It disturbs my sleep, and all my symptoms are really noticeable when I am lying quietly in my bed. The doctor prescribed me Mirtazapine to have good sleep. I have not taken it. I need a second opinion.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

I think that you have iron-deficiency anemia (a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough iron to produce enough red blood cells). I strongly suspect that you have it.

Do a Holter monitoring test (a painless, non-invasive procedure that records the heart's electrical activity over a period of time) again while having palpitations. Please mention whether you get palpitations while doing exercise or while brisk walking. If you do not have it, then there is nothing to be worried about.

Do meditation and pranayama (a practice of breath regulation). Keep a diary and record your palpitations when you get them. Please mention the measures taken by you to reduce it. Please mention if you have proper sleep. Monitor hemoglobin levels every three months. Have iron-rich food.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.