The Student Room Group

Racing heart and shaking hands

Ok, obviously I know that an internet forum is by no means the place where I should seek medical advice, however I'm just asking in case someone has had something similar, or they might know what could be causing this.

Basically for the past few months my heart has suddenly started racing really fast for short periods, even when I'm doing nothing at all. I don't get really breathless, its just like when you get a shock or you're frightened. My hands and occasionally arms have also started trembling for short periods.

The past week these symptoms seems to have increased. Also, although I don't think its related, my eye has been twitching since last wednesday :mad:

Do you think there is something wrong? Or should I not worry about it?

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Reply 1
Im no doctor or anything, but it might be caused by stress and/or anxiety. Are you going through or about to experience a stressful thing, like going to uni or possibly exam results? A racing heart is sometimes a sign of a panic attack, although panic attacks usually have breathlessness with it. If it is a panic attack then its probably not serious, although seeing a doctor would be the best thing to do. Panic attacks can last between a few minutes to up to an hour, from what I hear, and although they may seem scary, are nothing to worry about. Just lie down and take deep breaths. Try and talk to someone or something to take your mind off it. Best thing to do IMO is to go see a doctor just incase its something more serious. hth :smile:
Reply 2
It sounds like your in love....
But seriously, the hand think sounds similar to something i have in my feet, but that is due to partial frostbite of 3 of my toes, so i would assume its not the same cause as that (they also do a whole stinging thing two), but if you get the two symptoms in unison it would make me think of a restrictive circulatory syndrome - not that i'm a medical prof or anything, but if it keeps going maybe think about having a chat to your doc, or maybe there is some sort of online medical forum you could try....
Reply 3
Lol, I wish I was in love!

Yeah I think I'll have a little chat with the doctor. I've got to go anyway for some more pills, so might as well make the appointment a bit earlier and ask him then.

I can't say things have been more stressful than usual. I'm already at uni, just finished second year, had my results and did ok so thats not bothering me. I am actually on a STEP placement at the moment though, so I'm working full time which I am not used to. So whether it has anything to do with that perhaps? I'm not used to the early starts yet, I know that for sure.

Ooh, the frostbite sounds nasty :eek: But its definitely not from that! What you mentioned about restrictive circulatory syndrome is interesting tho. I have no idea what that is but I do know that my circulation is not wonderful - when its cold my hands and feet don't warm up in the slightest I have to massage them all the time, and my feet often go a bit of a greeny colour :s:

hmm... :dontknow:
Reply 4
I got them symptoms when I had a panic attack :frown: To be honest I think you should go to the doctor, that way you can get a proper diagnosis or maybe have some tests? I had to wear a heart monitor for a while to make sure it wasn't my heart (I'm not trying to frighten you hunny) but it's best to get it checked out!

Good luck hun and I hope you're feeling better soon! :hugs:
Reply 5
* gemchicken
I got them symptoms when I had a panic attack :frown: To be honest I think you should go to the doctor, that way you can get a proper diagnosis or maybe have some tests? I had to wear a heart monitor for a while to make sure it wasn't my heart (I'm not trying to frighten you hunny) but it's best to get it checked out!

Good luck hun and I hope you're feeling better soon! :hugs:


Aww thanks :smile: :hugs:

Ooh scary! Well I'm gonna go on friday so hopefully might know a bit more then.

Did I read somewhere ur at northumbria gemchicken? Or am I getting u totally confused with someone else?!

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Reply 6
BombShell
Ok, obviously I know that an internet forum is by no means the place where I should seek medical advice, however I'm just asking in case someone has had something similar, or they might know what could be causing this.

Basically for the past few months my heart has suddenly started racing really fast for short periods, even when I'm doing nothing at all. I don't get really breathless, its just like when you get a shock or you're frightened. My hands and occasionally arms have also started trembling for short periods.

The past week these symptoms seems to have increased. Also, although I don't think its related, my eye has been twitching since last wednesday :mad:

Do you think there is something wrong? Or should I not worry about it?

X


If in doubt, go see a doctor. Maybe it is nothing but if you have a hearth problem it is vital that you get propper treatment for it. Talk to your doctor.
Reply 7
BombShell
Aww thanks :smile: :hugs:

Ooh scary! Well I'm gonna go on friday so hopefully might know a bit more then.

Did I read somewhere ur at northumbria gemchicken? Or am I getting u totally confused with someone else?!

x


Aww I'm sure you'll be ok :hugs: Once you know whats wrong you'll be less worried :smile:

Yup I am at Northumbria, going into my final year in September...then the scary big wide world! :afraid:
Reply 8
Yeah I start final year in September too *gulps* I'm terrified of the real world!

Only asked cause I'm considering moving up there, and also Northumbria is one of my choices to do my MA at. Whats the uni like?
BombShell
Lol, I wish I was in love!
I do know that my circulation is not wonderful - when its cold my hands and feet don't warm up in the slightest I have to massage them all the time, and my feet often go a bit of a greeny colour :s:


I'm not a doctor (yet), but perhaps this has something to do with your cold feet:

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.asp?TopicID=383&AreaID=2597&LinkID=2003

Raynaud's disease is most common in young women and usually affects both hands. The toes are less often affected. In cold conditions, there is tingling, burning and numbness in the affected parts and the fingers are very pale from lack of blood.

As a slow flow of blood returns and oxygen is withdrawn from it, the characteristic purplish colour of deoxygenated blood (cyanosis) is seen. When the affected parts are warmed and the spasm of the blood vessels fades, the vessels open widely, allowing a flush of fresh blood to pass. In this stage, the fingers or toes become red.
Could it be due to poor blood circulation? (the trembling?)
Reply 11
Definitely go to the doc. My friend got a really really fast heartbeat one Christmas day for no reason, eventually went to hospital and if he hadn't he could have died! It turned out he has a mild heart condition. I'm not trying to worry you, it's not that serious and i'm sure you're fine but just check!

Cxx
Reply 12
Theres a name for this and I've forgotten whats its called, not much help there I know, but basically it is a condition and can be treated, so go see the doc and he'll sort it out.
Reply 13
BombShell
Yeah I start final year in September too *gulps* I'm terrified of the real world!

Only asked cause I'm considering moving up there, and also Northumbria is one of my choices to do my MA at. Whats the uni like?


Although Northumbria isn't classed as a 'Prestigious' Uni I love it! :biggrin: What MA are you doing? I think you should go for it, everyone is really friendly and the Uni is modern too :smile:

Awww you scared of the real world too....:hugs: me too, we'll face it together! :biggrin:

PM me if you want to know anything else about Northumbria Uni! I'd be happy to help! :biggrin:
Reply 14
imasillynarb
Theres a name for this and I've forgotten whats its called, not much help there I know, but basically it is a condition and can be treated, so go see the doc and he'll sort it out.


Do you mean Raynauds Disease (spelling?!) I know 2 people with that and they get shaky hands, but they also suffer from cold hands and numbness. I'm probably totally wrong here :blush:
Reply 15
jennablondebabe
Panic attacks are for those unable to deal with life, such as wimps...please get a grip, I mean really, there are people worse off than you!


What are you on about? Panic attacks are really not like that, you obviously don't understand at all :mad:
I get it too. I've had it basically continually for the last 4 weeks - kind of scary, but there's no way I'm going to the dr.s. Tell me what it is when you find out, I'd be interested to know.
Reply 17
LittleMinx
I get it too. I've had it basically continually for the last 4 weeks - kind of scary, but there's no way I'm going to the dr.s. Tell me what it is when you find out, I'd be interested to know.


Is it not best to get it checked out at the doctor for yourself hun, it would put your mind at rest :hugs:
Reply 18
Thanks for the input everyone, I'm booked in for friday so fingers crossed :smile:

I want to do an MA in Human Resource management. Its not definite as yet but if I do decide to Northumbria is one of the choices. Although its a new uni I always hear good things about it :biggrin:

Hopefully in Newcastle this weekend actually, I *love* the place! Gotta love the geordie men too... :wink:

And I'll let you know littleminx, but then I guess everyones different so it'd probably be best if you went yourself.

Rynaud's sounds pretty likely, thanks for that, its been bugging me!

x
Reply 19
BombShell
Thanks for the input everyone, I'm booked in for friday so fingers crossed :smile:

I want to do an MA in Human Resource management. Its not definite as yet but if I do decide to Northumbria is one of the choices. Although its a new uni I always hear good things about it :biggrin:

Hopefully in Newcastle this weekend actually, I *love* the place! Gotta love the geordie men too... :wink:

And I'll let you know littleminx, but then I guess everyones different so it'd probably be best if you went yourself.

Rynaud's sounds pretty likely, thanks for that, its been bugging me!

x


Aww I hope you get on ok with the doctors, it'll be a weight off your mind when you find out whats wrong :smile:

Ooooh I know some people that are doing the under grad degree in Human Resources! :smile: They had to choose a Psychology module, and so came into our lectures/workshops (I do Psychology) and although there wasn't many on the course they are all really friendly! :smile: Aww you'll have a ball at Northumbria, but if you're coming up this weekend just have a look around :smile:

Oh and yeah geordie men....mmm..so nice :wink:

Anyway good luck at the doctors, let me know how you get on! :biggrin:
Gem
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