Is an irregular pulse making me feel ill?

I’M 68 and haven’t been feeling so good lately. I can’t pinpoint what it is, but I have noticed my pulse is irregular recently. Could this be related?

WE CALL this an arrhythmia, a term used when the heart is beating irregularly, but it can also refer to a heartbeat that is too quick or too slow.

Your heart operates on an electrical circuit and anything that interferes with this can impact how the heart beats. It can speed it up, slow it down or make its beat erratic and irregular.

Let’s focus on what you perceive to potentially be an irregular beat making you feel unwell. Symptoms (over and above the sensation of an irregular heartbeat) can include dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia and it can have serious consequences such as stroke. It’s more common in men and its incidence increases with age. It effects seven in every 100 patients over the age of 65. Typically, if the pulse is chaotic, we refer to it as being irregularly irregular.

It is actually quite common to have an occasional irregular heartbeat. We call these ectopics — they are not sinister and tend to be isolated. Atrial fibrillation, on the other hand, can be sustained or intermittent.

The first step is to see your GP for a check-up and an ECG. Atrial fibrillation needs treatment so it’s imperative you see your GP to establish what is going on. I HAVE had diarrhoea for over three weeks. I’ve tried different remedies from the chemist and it’s still not shifting. I thought it was some bug but now I’m not so sure. I’m 52 and healthy otherwise, although I’ve lost a few kilograms on account of this. What should I do?

IHAVE a few basic principles where symptoms are concerned. First, if you have a simple symptom that lingers longer than three weeks, it’s time to get it checked out.

I’m referencing things such as coughs, rashes and aches and pains, so as you are past the three-week mark with the gut, it’s important to investigate further.

With regards to the advice you have been given, pharmacists are extremely well placed to manage symptoms like yours.

However, whether you see a pharmacist, nurse or GP, if you are back in front of the same person with the same symptoms and they are not offering any new insight or solution to your health problem, it’s time to seek help elsewhere.

It is also very important to consider your age. Doctors are prejudiced when you hit the half-century mark. This is because most medical mischief goes on in the 50-plus group. So for that reason you must take yourself to a GP.

Before your appointment, I would recommend that you collect a bowel movement sample (you can get a universal container from the pharmacy). Your doctor can then send this straight for analysis, thus speeding up the investigation.

The sample can be screened for all types of infection. Some doctors are also able to send it to screen for inflammation — we call this a faecal calprotectin test. We do it when we suspect inflammatory bowel disease.

Your GP needs to know all your symptoms, so don’t leave anything out for fear of embarrassment. How long has the diarrhoea been going on for and how many times does it happen a day? Is there any blood or mucous? What colour is it? What consistency? Does it have an offensive odour? Do you also have bad wind? How much weight have you lost? Have you had any stomach pain? Where have you travelled in the past six months? Are you fatigued? Detail any family history of digestive diseases, especially things like cancer.

Prime yourself for these questions and an internal examination. At the very least, expect to provide both bowel movement and blood tests, but equally expect a referral to a specialist if the doctor has any concerns.