Weak feeling all the time, and can't feel a heart beat...

[danilee222]

Since about 3 years ago when I was 15, I havn't been able to feel my heart beat through my chest with my hand. I can feel a pulse sometimes but very slightly. I get really worried because my pulse rate per minute is half all of my friends the same age, I'm always active, exercising, horse riding, so shouldn't that make my heart beat more noticable? also, for the past week, I've started feeling very weak and almost sickly. I stayed off college today because i thought catching up on sleep would help but it's made me feel slightly worse. I dont want to tell anyone incase they think i'm exagerating.. what could it be? anything i should go to my doctor about or would i be wasting her time? i'm more worried about the heart issue, sometimes i get a really bad shortness of breath as if it jumped for a second. once to the point where i had to come home from school because i could hardly breath. worrying... help?

[Postdog]

There is only one thing you can do really, and that's see a doctor, maybe get some tests. Until that happens, you'll never really know.

I myself am at the other end of the age scale, smoked for thirty years, gave up in September but recently found myself very short of breath and couldn't understand why. I went to the doctor, had tests etc, and luckily for me it was just high blood pressure and being a bit overweight. Some pills for the blood pressure and a change in what I am eating, and I am a lot better. Anyway, the bottom line is just get yourself checked - if it is anything to worry about, at least you'll get treated for it.

[bensmum]

I think postdog is right - you should see a doctor just to put your mind at rest if nothing else. It's not unusual not being able to feel your heart through your chest and a low pulse is not necessarily something to worry about. Very fit people usually have slow resting pulses. Worrying about it can cause minor symptoms of panic which is perhaps why you experienced shortness of breath.
Your doctor should not make you feel as if you are wasting her time - make an appointment and I'm sure you will find that everything is completely normal.

[Panic Button]

It is very hard to feel your own heartbeat through your chest so stop worrying yourself unnecessarily.

I recently went to the Doc because of an occasional missed heartbeat, and he took me seriously. I had various tests, and they confirmed that I have what is called an ectopic heartbeat. However they basically patted me on the head, said it is quite common, doesn't require treatment, is not dangerous so I should ignore it.

The worst thing you can do is get yourself worked up, but not seek proffesional reassurance.

[Panic Button]

professional, sorry

[clare_1]

My heart beat is the same and resting is around 50 bpmin. This is a good thing though generally. I am a nurse and when working the other nurses compare their bp ad heart rate to mine as I am healthy and fit.

You should always get anything checked out with a doctor though. Regarding your weakness, you def should go to docs as there a number of things that could be causing it so the doctor will have to ask you lots of questions. I wouldnt worry though,we all feel rubbish sometimes whether its from eating bad food, not exercising, partying too hard etc