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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Ectopic Heatbeat?
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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Ectopic Heatbeat?
by LizeeeH, Jun 16, 2004 12:00AM
Hi
Im a 46year old female and in tip-top shape. Whilst at the gym I was having an assessment when the trainer noticed my heartbeat was irrigular....to say I was panicking was an understatment! I saw my GP that afternoon and was sent to the hospital the next day for an ECG which confirmed I had "ectopic heartbeat" I was told to cut down on the coffee & alcohol, which I have done. What I want to know is how serious is this? and is it something that will gradually get worse? I only feel my heart "thumping" when Ive had alcohol and Im not breathless. What can cause this Ectopic heartbeat and should I be concerned? I had lots of blood tests, kidney, liver, cholesterol, thyroid and glucose all were fine but the glucose was only slightly high and I have to be re-tested for that. My dad had an irregular heartbeat but I dont think Ive had this for a long time as I had an op a couple of years ago and the anaesthetist gave me the all clear.I have a very social life so its hard to avoid alcohol totally but I only have a couple of glasses of wine....is that ok?
Thanks so much for your help.
Liz
Im a 46year old female and in tip-top shape. Whilst at the gym I was having an assessment when the trainer noticed my heartbeat was irrigular....to say I was panicking was an understatment! I saw my GP that afternoon and was sent to the hospital the next day for an ECG which confirmed I had "ectopic heartbeat" I was told to cut down on the coffee & alcohol, which I have done. What I want to know is how serious is this? and is it something that will gradually get worse? I only feel my heart "thumping" when Ive had alcohol and Im not breathless. What can cause this Ectopic heartbeat and should I be concerned? I had lots of blood tests, kidney, liver, cholesterol, thyroid and glucose all were fine but the glucose was only slightly high and I have to be re-tested for that. My dad had an irregular heartbeat but I dont think Ive had this for a long time as I had an op a couple of years ago and the anaesthetist gave me the all clear.I have a very social life so its hard to avoid alcohol totally but I only have a couple of glasses of wine....is that ok?
Thanks so much for your help.
Liz
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Jun 16, 2004 12:00AM
, Jun 16, 2004 12:00AM
lizee,
thanks for the post.
1) What I want to know is how serious is this? and is it something that will gradually get worse?
Without knowing exactly what rhythm you had its impossible to say. From what you describe, you most likely have extra pacs and pvcs which in the context of a normal heart would not portend many negative consequences. Alot of people suffer from palpitations from these heart beats. I would discuss the
I only have a couple of glasses of wine....is that ok?
Alcohol can precipitate abnormal heart rhythms. It depends on what you have. I would talk to your physician. Either way, moderation of alcohol intake is important for your overall health.
good luck
thanks for the post.
1) What I want to know is how serious is this? and is it something that will gradually get worse?
Without knowing exactly what rhythm you had its impossible to say. From what you describe, you most likely have extra pacs and pvcs which in the context of a normal heart would not portend many negative consequences. Alot of people suffer from palpitations from these heart beats. I would discuss the
I only have a couple of glasses of wine....is that ok?
Alcohol can precipitate abnormal heart rhythms. It depends on what you have. I would talk to your physician. Either way, moderation of alcohol intake is important for your overall health.
good luck
If anybody else has been diagnosed with Ectopic Heartbeat I would love to hear your comments.
Thanks
Liz
Thanks so much Pluto! Its nice to know Im not alone on this....it was such a shock for me because Im so fit and love all the physical sports etc. I know I was drinking too much alcohol and coffee! so I suppose in a way Ive been "shocked" into drinking in moderation......do all you other guys have a drink? The doc didnt say what type they were...just ectopic...Im going to see him soon so I'll ask. Thanks again.
I called the Electrophysiologists' office hoping that I could get a Holter Monitor installed today while they are so bad and all they would tell me is I have to make an appointment. It's the biggest mess to try to get something done anymore. I told the scheduler I need the monitor now, today, not sometime in the future. No, by the time they install the monitor I probably will not be having pvc's or a lot less of them.
Glenn
2. PAC's/PVC's are found more often in athletic or well conditioned people. Theory: larger hearts tend to create foci where extra beats may originate.
3. PAC's can develop into atrial fibrillation (mine did). Mine turned into paroxymal atrial fibrillation. A successful pulmonary vien ablation took care of the AFIB & most of the PAC's. That is why you should have tests to make sure that AFIB is ruled out. AFIB should be medically treated.
4. Most people have PAC's and PVC's to various degrees.
5. If you read the forum you will find that most on this forum either suffer from ectopics, tachycardias, atrial fibrillation. But if you can't feel them and are not annoyed by them, then I would forget about them. Actually by getting upset over this it actually exacerbates them. If you look at your situation you might find a stressor that "put you over the top". Ectopics are often signals that a lifestyle change may be appropriate.
6. Women often find that they have more ectopics during certain phases of life. I'm not a woman, but I would talk to a gynecologist about this.
Take care.
just wanted to say you certainly are not alone. Lots of people have ectopic beats! As many have pointed out, they are nearly always benign. Just see a cardiologist to rule out any heart abnormality - which I think is unlikely since you are in such a good shape - and then only resort to treatment if you develop symptoms. Symptoms and quality of life are generally the only concerns about ectopic beats.