my 21 year old healthy son has started getting palpitations, shortness of breath lasting about 15 seconds. almost always at night in sleep, or at night watching TV. episodes in last 6 weeks. ekg, echo and holter monitor all negative. he doesnt drink or smoke or do drugs,. he is not over weight, doesnt excercize much. normal kid otherwise. all blood work all normal. dr s prescribing beta blockers, but we looking for a 2nd opinion before starting any meds. thoughts?
Hello! Thank you for your asking on Chat Doctor! I read your question carefully and understand your concern. I would like to explain that as long as all his performed cardiac tests result normal, we can exclude any cardiac related disorder, causing this clinical scenario. Anxiety (panic attacks)can be a cause of this symptomatology. Thyroid hormone imbalance could also mimic these symptoms. As you refer, these episodes usually occur at night during sleeping, so a sleep disorder with autonomic reaction (like nightmares), can't be excluded. I recommend performing some lab tests like: a complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver function tests, blood electrolytes to exclude a possible metabolic disorder related to his symptoms. A polysomnography may be necessary to exclude a possible sleep disorder. If all the above tests result normal, Chat Doctor.  Hope to have been of help! Best wishes, 