Mitral valve issues and shortness of breath

Can mitral valve stenosis, mitral insufficiency, or regurgitation cause that feeling of choking or constant shortness of breath?

Yeah, you could definitely be looking at that... honestly, if you've already got a valve issue and you're starting to feel symptoms of heart failure—like that feeling where you can't catch your breath or just feel totally winded—then you're probably getting pretty close to needing to see a cardiac surgeon.

How are you supposed to tell if those symptoms are actually coming from your mitral valve issues or if they're just part of a panic attack?
(The cardiologist said surgery isn't necessary right now)

If a cardiologist gave you their take after seeing those symptoms, there isn't much else to do than trust their expertise. It’s pretty hard to make any definitive calls like this on an online forum.
I mean, I really hope they based that opinion on some recent cardiac ultrasounds and maybe a chest RTG too—because honestly, you definitely should have had an ultrasound done by now!

Anyway... hmm... I don't know, I just really dislike it when people start throwing diagnoses around without a proper, thorough exam first.

Amanda Gomez47 said:How are you supposed to tell if those symptoms are actually coming from your mitral valve issues or if they're just part of a panic attack?
(The cardiologist said surgery isn't necessary right now)

When does this shortness of breath hit? Do you get that sensation where you just can't catch enough air—even when you're breathing deep? Does it get any better when you switch from sitting to standing?

Are you on any meds? If so, what's the cocktail?

Scott Allen10 said:If a cardiologist gave you their take after seeing those symptoms, there isn't much else to do than trust their expertise. It’s pretty hard to make any definitive calls like this on an online forum.
I mean, I really hope they based that opinion on some recent cardiac ultrasounds and maybe a chest RTG too—because honestly, you definitely should have had an ultrasound done by now!

Anyway... hmm... I don't know, I just really dislike it when people start throwing diagnoses around without a proper, thorough exam first.

Well, a chest RTG was done and everything looks fine there. They also did a cardiac ultrasound, which showed some mitral regurgitation—though it's listed as mild—and an enlarged left atrium. What’s really throwing me off is that the cardiologist says those symptoms (you know, the shortness of breath, the choking feeling, getting tired so fast) can't be caused by that mitral issue. But then I go online and read medical sites, even in English, and they say it absolutely *can* be related. They say it starts happening during activity and eventually shows up even while resting. So, what are you supposed to do?

Patrick Carter said:When does this shortness of breath hit? Do you get that sensation where you just can't catch enough air—even when you're breathing deep? Does it get any better when you switch from sitting to standing?

Are you on any meds? If so, what's the cocktail?

The choking sensation happens whether I'm resting or pushing myself. It feels like I'm totally out of oxygen, like I'm literally suffocating. And no, nothing helps—sitting, standing, lying down... nothing makes it better. It just passes whenever it feels like it.
Sometimes it hits me while I'm just sitting still (especially when I'm stressed), but lately, it's constant during activity. Even just walking triggers it. I run out of air immediately, and as soon as I start moving, the Extrasystolia SV kicks in. Between that and the lack of air, I sometimes feel pressure in my abdomen, and honestly, I just can't do anything anymore.
As for meds, I take Concor 1.25mg.
I also occasionally take Xanax or Ativan to help calm down.

Amanda Gomez47 said:The choking sensation happens whether I'm resting or pushing myself. It feels like I'm totally out of oxygen, like I'm literally suffocating. And no, nothing helps—sitting, standing, lying down... nothing makes it better. It just passes whenever it feels like it.
Sometimes it hits me while I'm just sitting still (especially when I'm stressed), but lately, it's constant during activity. Even just walking triggers it. I run out of air immediately, and as soon as I start moving, the Extrasystolia SV kicks in. Between that and the lack of air, I sometimes feel pressure in my abdomen, and honestly, I just can't do anything anymore.
As for meds, I take Concor 1.25mg.
I also occasionally take Xanax or Ativan to help calm down.

I figured you were posting about this because of those uncomfortable heart palpitations and that choking sensation. It sounds like psychosomatic symptoms triggered by anxiety and panic attacks—for me personally, the extrasystoles were one of the worst parts (assuming, of course, that you've cleared everything with your doctor to rule out any physical issues).

Kenneth Jackson30 said:I figured you were posting about this because of those uncomfortable heart palpitations and that choking sensation. It sounds like psychosomatic symptoms triggered by anxiety and panic attacks—for me personally, the extrasystoles were one of the worst parts (assuming, of course, that you've cleared everything with your doctor to rule out any physical issues).

I still have a few more tests to run just to be absolutely sure there isn't a physical cause. Honestly, I'd much rather it be psychosomatic than some actual physical illness—at least that's harmless, even if it feels terrible.
As far as the extrasystoles go, part of them are probably caused by my mitral insufficiency.
Since you've dealt with this too, let me ask you something: if this were just from panic attacks, why does it happen every single time I exert myself? Even with the smallest movement—like walking fast, climbing stairs, bending over, or even just picking up a chair—it hits me instantly. The shortness of breath, the fatigue, the extrasystoles... it's constant. Is that kind of reaction typical for panic attacks?

I’ve been wondering about something else. Since asbestos exposure can cause fatigue and shortness of breath during physical activity, is it actually possible to spot signs of it on a standard RTG, or do you need some kind of specialized scan?

Amanda Gomez47 said:I’ve been wondering about something else. Since asbestos exposure can cause fatigue and shortness of breath during physical activity, is it actually possible to spot signs of it on a standard RTG, or do you need some kind of specialized scan?

You can catch signs of asbestosis on a regular X-ray, sure, but a CT scan is much more reliable for seeing what's actually happening.
Keep in mind, asbestosis can be present without showing any outward symptoms at all—though when things do kick in, you're looking at coughing and that classic "shortness of breath" issue.

Amanda Gomez47 said:I still have a few more tests to run just to be absolutely sure there isn't a physical cause. Honestly, I'd much rather it be psychosomatic than some actual physical illness—at least that's harmless, even if it feels terrible.
As far as the extrasystoles go, part of them are probably caused by my mitral insufficiency.
Since you've dealt with this too, let me ask you something: if this were just from panic attacks, why does it happen every single time I exert myself? Even with the smallest movement—like walking fast, climbing stairs, bending over, or even just picking up a chair—it hits me instantly. The shortness of breath, the fatigue, the extrasystoles... it's constant. Is that kind of reaction typical for panic attacks?

That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?

Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.

But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.

When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.

Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?

Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?

Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).

Patrick Carter said:You can catch signs of asbestosis on a regular X-ray, sure, but a CT scan is much more reliable for seeing what's actually happening.
Keep in mind, asbestosis can be present without showing any outward symptoms at all—though when things do kick in, you're looking at coughing and that classic "shortness of breath" issue.

I’ve got an appointment scheduled with a pulmonologist soon, and I'll be doing a spirometry test too.
I already had my RTG done, and the report says my lungs look fine. Now, I’m definitely no medical expert when it comes to reading scans, but how can everything be "okay" if the left side doesn't match the right? To me, it looks like there's this faint shadow on the left lung near the edge, cut off at a sharp angle, while the right side looks more rounded. Maybe I should have another radiologist take a second look at the image just to be safe.

Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?

Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.

But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.

When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.

Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?

Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?

Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).

So, I started taking Concor about a week or two ago, but honestly, these issues didn't start with the medication. They actually began about two months back. Since then, everything has just been getting worse and worse. Over the last few days, I’ve hit a wall—I can barely get anything done. I can't even increase my dosage because my heart rate drops way too low. What am I supposed to do?

Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?

Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.

But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.

When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.

Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?

Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?

Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).

I actually went through all those tests just last month. My bloodwork came back perfect—blood sugar, iron levels, everything was right where it should be. Even my EKG looked totally fine. Everything seems solid on paper!

Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?

Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.

But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.

When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.

Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?

Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?

Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).

I haven't been officially diagnosed with angina yet, but I'll be getting a coronary angiography done pretty soon.
I’m not really feeling any sharp pain, honestly. It feels more like this heavy pressure in my chest every once in a while.

Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?

Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.

But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.

When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.

Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?

Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?

Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).

My blood pressure is all over the place. It swings from high to low in waves. Right now, it’s sitting at 135/65. My pulse can drop down to 53, but it usually hangs around 60—maybe a little higher—mostly because this Concor keeps it low. I have to be careful with the dosage, though; if I take too much, it drops my heart rate way too far.

Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?

Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.

But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.

When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.

Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?

Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?

Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).

That’s actually what I was afraid of. Part of me wishes it were just a panic attack, you know? At least those are benign. But right now, I can’t do anything. Even lifting a chair leaves me gasping for air and dealing with Extrasystolia SV. It happens when I'm resting sometimes, sure, but it always hits me during physical activity.
As for sleep, I'm fine. Just one pillow and I'm good.

Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?

Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.

But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.

When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.

Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?

Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?

Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).

Man, I’ve already switched doctors twice. One of them basically told me it was all in my head! And I read somewhere—I think it was in the info for Rytmonorm, but I can't be certain—that you aren't supposed to stop these medications abruptly. Apparently, you have to taper off slowly to avoid things getting worse. But my cardiologist just cuts one off and starts another. Does that count as tapering? I honestly don't know.
Thanks for the heads-up on the nuclear stress test. I haven't heard of that one before, so I'll look into it.

Amanda Gomez47 said:I’ve got an appointment scheduled with a pulmonologist soon, and I'll be doing a spirometry test too.
I already had my RTG done, and the report says my lungs look fine. Now, I’m definitely no medical expert when it comes to reading scans, but how can everything be "okay" if the left side doesn't match the right? To me, it looks like there's this faint shadow on the left lung near the edge, cut off at a sharp angle, while the right side looks more rounded. Maybe I should have another radiologist take a second look at the image just to be safe.

The left side isn't supposed to be a mirror image of the right because you've got the heart shadow shifting things over to the left. There really isn't any point in hunting down a second radiologist just for a lung RTG. If the doctor wrote that it's clear, then it's clear.

I'm curious, though—what makes you suspect asbestosis? Do you happen to live near an old industrial plant or something like a local steel mill?...

As for the scintigraphy, you don't need to worry about that since they routinely measure heart volumes (both stroke and cardiac output) along with the ejection fraction (EF) that Patrick Carter was talking about during an ultrasound.

That chest pressure you're feeling is a classic symptom of coronary artery disease. That angiogram you've been scheduled for is going to give you the definitive answer on whether that's what's going on. You definitely want to get it done, especially since it's better safe than sorry...

Look, I know this might sound a bit out there, but those heart palpitations—that feeling of your heart skipping a beat—are tied directly to your temperament and where you're at emotionally. That's what triggered the anxiety in the first place, which then spiraled into these physical symptoms caused by psychological stress. It might sound a little cliché, but honestly, once you start building up some emotional resilience, those skips will either vanish or become barely noticeable. Believe me, I’m telling you this from experience—I went through the exact same cycle of everything you're describing right now.

Yeah, honestly, there's a real chance those symptoms you're feeling are just psychosomatic...

Scott Allen10 said:The left side isn't supposed to be a mirror image of the right because you've got the heart shadow shifting things over to the left. There really isn't any point in hunting down a second radiologist just for a lung RTG. If the doctor wrote that it's clear, then it's clear.

I'm curious, though—what makes you suspect asbestosis? Do you happen to live near an old industrial plant or something like a local steel mill?...

As for the scintigraphy, you don't need to worry about that since they routinely measure heart volumes (both stroke and cardiac output) along with the ejection fraction (EF) that Patrick Carter was talking about during an ultrasound.

That chest pressure you're feeling is a classic symptom of coronary artery disease. That angiogram you've been scheduled for is going to give you the definitive answer on whether that's what's going on. You definitely want to get it done, especially since it's better safe than sorry...

But I'm not talking about where the heart sits—I mean the asymmetry is happening further down at the bottom.

Scott Allen10 said:The left side isn't supposed to be a mirror image of the right because you've got the heart shadow shifting things over to the left. There really isn't any point in hunting down a second radiologist just for a lung RTG. If the doctor wrote that it's clear, then it's clear.

I'm curious, though—what makes you suspect asbestosis? Do you happen to live near an old industrial plant or something like a local steel mill?...

As for the scintigraphy, you don't need to worry about that since they routinely measure heart volumes (both stroke and cardiac output) along with the ejection fraction (EF) that Patrick Carter was talking about during an ultrasound.

That chest pressure you're feeling is a classic symptom of coronary artery disease. That angiogram you've been scheduled for is going to give you the definitive answer on whether that's what's going on. You definitely want to get it done, especially since it's better safe than sorry...

It's because I read up on the symptoms of asbestosis, and honestly, they match mine pretty closely (the shortness of breath, the loss of appetite, all that). I live about ten miles away from any old factory, but I grew up surrounded by those old asbestos roofing materials and stuff. That's why I'm so concerned. Can you actually rely on an RTG alone to rule out this disease? I just want to know if I can rest easy or if I need to push for more intensive lung imaging.

Scott Allen10 said:The left side isn't supposed to be a mirror image of the right because you've got the heart shadow shifting things over to the left. There really isn't any point in hunting down a second radiologist just for a lung RTG. If the doctor wrote that it's clear, then it's clear.

I'm curious, though—what makes you suspect asbestosis? Do you happen to live near an old industrial plant or something like a local steel mill?...

As for the scintigraphy, you don't need to worry about that since they routinely measure heart volumes (both stroke and cardiac output) along with the ejection fraction (EF) that Patrick Carter was talking about during an ultrasound.

That chest pressure you're feeling is a classic symptom of coronary artery disease. That angiogram you've been scheduled for is going to give you the definitive answer on whether that's what's going on. You definitely want to get it done, especially since it's better safe than sorry...

Kenneth Jackson30 said:Look, I know this might sound a bit out there, but those heart palpitations—that feeling of your heart skipping a beat—are tied directly to your temperament and where you're at emotionally. That's what triggered the anxiety in the first place, which then spiraled into these physical symptoms caused by psychological stress. It might sound a little cliché, but honestly, once you start building up some emotional resilience, those skips will either vanish or become barely noticeable. Believe me, I’m telling you this from experience—I went through the exact same cycle of everything you're describing right now.

Alright, so you and Scott Allen10 are saying it's all psychosomatic. Honestly? I wish it were just my head playing tricks on me instead of something more serious. But something feels off. For the last three days, my Extrasystolia SV barely shows up when I'm just relaxing, but the second I start doing anything—even the easiest chores—the skipping starts immediately. Doesn't it make more sense that if it were purely psychological, it would happen just as much while resting as it does during activity? That's how I see it, anyway. I don't know.

Amanda Gomez47 said:Alright, so you and Scott Allen10 are saying it's all psychosomatic. Honestly? I wish it were just my head playing tricks on me instead of something more serious. But something feels off. For the last three days, my Extrasystolia SV barely shows up when I'm just relaxing, but the second I start doing anything—even the easiest chores—the skipping starts immediately. Doesn't it make more sense that if it were purely psychological, it would happen just as much while resting as it does during activity? That's how I see it, anyway. I don't know.

I had the exact same thought process and theory. There’s a subconscious component where your body essentially "thinks" it's under constant stress—basically, you've conditioned it to stay in that state—so at the slightest sudden movement or change in activity, the alarm system just trips. Your heart starts acting up without any obvious external trigger, which naturally leaves you feeling confused and a bit spooked. Of course, you absolutely need to get all the tests done through places like the Mayo Clinic to rule out any physical causes once and for all.