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An update to all - I posted when I was just over 3 weeks, and I am now in my 12th week of pregnancy. The heart rate has normalized to about 80 - 85 in most circ_mstances. I still experience occasional palpitations and pounding, but the chest pain and shortness of breath is mostly gone. I have been on a holter for almost 30 days, and though it did catch the flutters, nothing appears to be abnormal. I'm hoping to continue feeling better, and hope you all experience relief as well! Just wanted to let you know things did improve over time.

Hi all. I'm 22 weeks and have been having rapid heart beat, shortness of breath and occasional dizziness. I had a couple EKGs, bloodwork, heart ultrasound and had to wear a heart monitor and everything came back okay. I'm 24 & at times (usually after I eat or when I lay down) my heart rate goes up. A few weeks ago, it was 140 and it lasted for 4hrs. That's what drove me to the doctors. My blood pressure has been fine. My heart just feels like it's going to pound out of my chest and I have a lot of trouble breathing. The doctors told me no caffiene (which I NEVER have). They said it comes w/the territory of being pregnant but they are still monitoring me because they said there is a possibility it could get worse the futher along I get. So my advice to everyone, even if you read these posts and see how many others have these problems, go to the doctor... get it checked out because you just never know. : )

I posted awhile back, around 11 weeks pg I think, and I don't have the buzzing shaky feelings anymore. I am at 22 weeks now and I think it was related to not getting enough rest, I wasn't slowing down, and the busy days were the worst. So now I take it easy and nap, and things are much better now...

Hi everyone. I am 23 weeks and I have the same problem. although I only notice when I am laying down. Try not to worry the doc told me its a lot of how u r positioned and how hard your body is working with the blood supply to the baby. Good luck.

Hi everyone. I posted here when i was around 10 weeks or so now i am 15 weeks. I have still been having the high heart rate and all the same symptoms. I went to a cardiologist who said my heart was fine but they did blood work and it turns out i have hyperthyroidism. Have any of you been checked for that? If its left untreated it can cause problems for the mother and baby. so maybe you should get checked just in case. I go to the endocronologist tomorrow and i am hoping and praying he says everything will be fine. i'll keep you all posted.

annon--do you know what tests the doctor did for hyperthyroidism? What medication do you have to take? I'm really glad you got an answer!

Yes!! I have this as well...I will be 12 weeks on Tuesday, Oct. 3rd, and I have been experiencing exactly what you have. So you're not alone. If it continues, my doctor wants me to go to the hospital and have some tests run.

I'm 39 and 12 weeks pregnant with my second child in 12 years. I have been experiencing palpitation marathons; my heart skip beats and pound rapidly for hours. However, I had a previous history of thyroid goiter and wasn't surprised when an endocrinologist diagnosed me with hyperthyroid 3 weeks ago. I'm uncomfortable and plan to keep my doctors on their Ps and Qs until baby is born.

Has anyone been prescribed medication for palpitations? My palpitations are severe, but my heart rate slows right down and blood pressure drops when it is happening. It goes on for hours!!!!!!! At 36 weeks, and after all the tests my cadiologist has suggested a low dose of 'Minax' (Metoprolol). I am well aware that he has prescribed it, not because the condition is dangerous, but because of the stress it is causing me. I am really worried about taking a beta blocker, but also worried about how these palpitations and drop in blood pressure effect blood flow to the uterus............. Anyone got any knowledge about this?

Donna--I've heard mixed things. My perinatologist said a beta blocker is totally fine during pregnancy and not to give it a second thought. My OB did say though, that you don't want it to lower your blood pressure too much, or then not enough oxygen might be in your system. The peri disagreed though. I think the bottom line is probably how MUCH your blood pressure is really lowered. I've heard though, that there is really no harm in the racing heartbeat and palpitations, either to you or the baby, (even though BELIEVE ME, I know how annoying/upsetting it is) unless there is actually something changing in your heart, which an echocardiogram would show you. That was a long answer to a short question, i hope that made sense! Good luck to you, you dont have much longer to go. I'm jealous! Wendy

Hello to all. I am so glad to find this website. I just got home from 2 days in hospital because of this problem. ER dr thought I had a pulmonary embolism. After 6 different dr's conferred, they ran an echo, did bloodwork for thyroid, sugar et al. I was on a monitor on the cardiac floor. They ran a ct scan and found no blood clots. Now they are saying it is sinus tachycardia. I had same symptoms as all of you...after dinner pulse shot up to 120 , had shortness of breath and pounding in my ears.I am 23 weeks pregnant with twins and I asked if the pregnancy could be doing this. It was a lot of drama. Now I am on limited activity and am out of work. I wish I found this website before I went to the ER. Cardiologist is not anxious to prescribe meds because beta blockers will affect the babies. I will just live with it. I am worn out but happy that this is common in pregnancy. Thanks to all!

Colleen--wow, i'm sorry you had to go thru all that! I'm glad they didn't find anything to worry about. Cutting down on activity definitely helps. I'll notice my heartrate going really high just doing errands or making the bed (which is why my house is now a total mess!). I'm about 2 weeks ahead of you, with twins too. Good luck with everything! Wendy

WB. Yeah thanks. It was only through reading about Beta Blockers that I read they are not normally prescribed if your heart rate and blood pressure are low. I filled the script but made a conscious choice not to take them as I recorded a pulse of 50 bpm one night during a long episode of palpitations. Yes - not long to go!!! After a month of symptoms I keep telling myself I can bear it and get through it. Good luck to all who are going through this. My heart goes out to you. Pardon the pun!!!

Hi yes this happened to me many times with my first PG. I could be calm and just walking and all of a sudden it was like I could feel my heart throbbing!!! I never found out the cause but what helped me was thinking everything is ok... then where ever I was just laying on my left side and taking some deep breaths... My baby was very healthy and a boy!!!!! I hope this helps... PS.. I was also thin when I started the Pregnancy and the demands on your body are so much.. it could have been a sign to slow things down even though you were just lying down maybe you had done to much before taking a break... Any way I hope this helps you a little.. Many blessings marie

HI everyone. I can't tell you how much this has helped. I am almost 7 weeks pregnant and I started having a racing heart last week. I went to my general practioner and my pulse was high so she asked me to do a few knee bends and it went up to 150. Since then I have had a ekg, an echocardiogram, numberous blood work and an ultrasound to check for blood clots. Everything has come back great. I am scheduled to have a tilt test next week to check if the tachycardia is postion related. My heart rate resting is now usually 84-95. And if I am doing any sort of housework or movement is slightly goes over 100. Since all this I have been having horrible panic attacks. I am barely sleeping or eating. I feel like whenever I am still I can feel my heart and It is making me crazy. This is my fourth pregnancy and I'm wondering how I will make it through. All of your stories have helped relieve some of my anxiety so thank you for sharing. God Bless

Oh my goodness this is like a giant relief! Last night I was laying in bed, and suddenly my heart started beating EXTREMELY fast. All I was doing was laying down! I got up to use the restroom, and noticed that my whole body seemed to have this outrageous pulse. I have extremely bad panic attacks and anxiety, so of course I was struck with a panic attack from it. But it's great to know that I'm not the only one! I was so worried! And to top it all off, I woke up with a head cold today, so it's extremely hard to breathe! Ah!