Scott

[Lindsey]

Maybe Gayle can help me out here! Yesterday on our way home, Scott mentioned his left hand was numb from just sitting on the arm of his chair funny all day. At least 3 hours later we were sitting in the hot tub and he said his hand was still numb and I told him that's NOT from his desk chair. He laughed it off but I'm worried.

He does not like going to doctors. I've begged him to go for the past two years because he has weird heart issues. When he eats, and at other random times, his heart will speed up and beat hard. You can see it beating right through his shirt. Sometimes, whatever he's doing, he'll just have to stop and grab his chest, and it goes back to normal after 10 seconds or so. He said he went to his old family doctor for it when he lived with his parents, and he had an ultrasound and nothing was wrong and it didn't happen while he was at the doctor so he just sent him on his way. I told him that's BS and there's definitely something wrong. He needs to be in charge of his own health! A 25 year old healthy person should not have problems like that. His heart should not be acting up to the extent that he has to stop what he's doing and just stand there in pain.

This morning his hand is STILL numb. I told him he had better call my doctor and try to get in as soon as he can. He refuses to go to emergency. He was joking about it and said oh, if he dies, the house will be paid off and I don't have to worry about that. I told him I don't think I could live without him and he needs to see a doctor now.

[Lindsey]

Just wanted to add I think he needs an ECG, and I've told him that a million times. I wish his other doctor would have actually listened to his concerns and did that for him, because it happens daily. He needs more tests than just an ultrasound.

[gja1000]

Hi Lindsay. I'm on my phone so I'll write more later. The numbness in the hand could be a nerve in the wrist or e en the neck. The heart issue is likely harmless. I'll explain what it might be when I am on my computer.

[Lindsey]

Thank you for calming me down Gayle!!!!!

[gja1000]

OK, first for the heart. Yes, he should go to the doctor to have the heart checked out, but it is likely bursts or runs of atrial tachycardia - which is completely harmless. Some people, even young people, have it. It just means that for whatever reason, the top part of the heart beats very fast for a few seconds. It is harmless, unless it starts beating fast and doesn't stop. Not stopping the fast beating can happen, but it usually only happens when you get much older. He could also be having some runs of fast beating of the lower part of his heart (ventricular tachycardia) but I don't think that is happening. If it were the lower part of the heart beating too fast, he would feel very light headed, and he might even pass out when it happens. That's why I think it is the top part of the heart beating too fast. If it happens all the time, then there is medication that can be taken to stop it. But it really is harmless (the top part) and usually if it doesn't bother the person when it happens, they don't treat it.

Now, if by chance it is the bottom part of the heart that is beating too fast (ventricular tachycardia), and the fast beats last several seconds, then that must be treated. That's why he should go to the doctor. They should have him wear a heart monitor for 24 hours, or a week, to record these occurrences and evaluate exactly what they are. The monitors are just little boxes worn around the neck (under the shirt) or carried in the pocket. There are wires that are attached to little stickies on the chest, and the monitor records every beat of the heart around the clock, so the doctor can tell what is causing the runs of tachycardia. My daughter has both upper and lower fast heart beats, but neither are bad enough to treat. She can feel them and she doesn't like it when they happen, but she's OK and doesn't need treatment.

The numbness in the hand could definitely be something related to using the computer and/or mouse. It could be a nerve entrapment in the wrist that is causing the numbness in the hand. As I mentioned earlier, it could also be a nerve in the neck that is causing numbness in the hand. That is sometimes caused by too much time in front of the computer too. In any case, it should be checked out by a doctor if it doesn't go away, or if it happens again.

[Lindsey]

Well, he has a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon. It might be nothing but I will feel so much better after he gets checked out. I hate seeing him in pain every day when his heart acts up like it does. And I hope the feeling returns to his hand! It will be good for him to just be checked in general too, since he hasn't been to a doctor in years and years.

[Lindsey]

Thank you Gayle!!! I am going to forward him that information.

My mom had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours after her mini stroke, and my dad had one for 48 hours after he passed out on the bus on a hockey trip for my brother when we were teenagers. I'm familiar with them! I think that's exactly what Scott needs.