Atrial flutter in a young man with a highly competitive and stressful occupation
- Department of Cardiology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London SW10 9NH, UK
- SW Dubrey, 16 Twilley Street, Earlsfield, London SW18 4NS, UK
- Accepted 21 July 1998
A previously fit 41-year-old man presented in March 1997 with palpitations and shortness of breath. Initial symptoms consisted of paroxysmal palpitations occurring after exercising; however, over the course of 6 months, he became aware that his pulse was consistently irregular and that even mild exertion made him short of breath. The patient was on no medicines. Coffee, tea and caffeine-containing beverages were only consumed in moderation. He was a life-long non-smoker and consumed approximately 5 units of alcohol per week. His occupation was competitive with a mentally stressful environment; he found his performance was helped by the use of a dietary supplement. Examination was unremarkable apart from an irregularity of the arterial pulse. The patient appeared euthyroid and was normotensive (blood pressure 110/700 mmHg) with …
