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Heartbeat goes wild when on right side . . .HELP !!!
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MedHelp Member's Question

Heartbeat goes wild when on right side . . .HELP !!!

by mickeysgirl61, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
When lying on my right side last night my heart beat went wild. Ran real fast and then wham,  skip-then just irratic (actually heard this with my stethscope).  Continued and scared me so I turned on my back and sat up.  This has happened 3 times before.  History-am in control diabetic, had a heart attack 2 years ago due to spasm-am on Zebeta and Norvasc, Starlix for diabetes and 2 baby aspirin.  The only difference of the day was I walked on a treadmill for about 15 minutes (trying to build up) and had some Diet Rite soda (no caffeine).  What would be causing this to happen??  I am wanting to get back to work but the fear of having my heart skipping all over the place scares me silly.  Yes, I have talked with my doctors about this. . had 3 (30 day) monitors and they essentially said, live with it (great help huh ??)  Now I am having a hard time sleeping for fear it will start up again.  Does fatigue cause these things ??  I don't smoke, drink, or use caffeine (some chocolate every few days)  Does anyone else have this problem and doctors, what am I to do about this ?  I am afraid that all the skipping will lead to a clot and cause another heart attack. . .am struggling to understand all of this. .what kind of treatment is there for this and what am I doing to cause this ?? Thanks !!!
Doctor's Answer

by Forum-M.D.-MJM, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
Hello,

Does fatigue cause these things ??

I would need to know the results of the monitors to say for sure.  It is probably PACs or PVCs, but cannot comment unless I know the results.

Fatigue can cause PAC/PVCs.

Does anyone else have this problem and doctors, what am I to do about this ?

It depends on what is causing the symptoms.  If it is PAC/PVCs, the standard treatment is counsel you about them first.  If you they continue to bother you, beta blockers may decrease the frequency or decrease the sensation.  If beta blockers do not help, dofetilide (Tikosyn) and Sotalol are two medications that may decrease their frequency, but I would only use them if your symptoms are severe.


I am afraid that all the skipping will lead to a clot and cause another heart attack. . .am struggling to understand all of this. .what kind of treatment is there for this and what am I doing to cause this ??

PACs/PVCs do not cause clots or strokes.  Anticoagulation is not recommended.  The above treatment is the standard of care.  Ablation is only considered if they extra beats cause severe symptoms and they come from the same location.

I hope this helps.  Thanks for posting.


Member Comments (11)

by ireneo, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
You didn't say how long the arrhythmia lasted. If the monitor picked up random PVC's then yes, the doctor would encourage you to ignore it. Many people have them and for the most part PVC's are harmless - annoying like the hiccups, but harmless. Some people try taking meds for them but too often the side-effects are more bothersome than the PVC's. Not a great trade-off. My own experience has been that fatigue, stress, certain cold meds will cause a temporary increase in my arrhthmias (I have PVCs. PAC's and PSVT). But I've had these for as long  as I can remember. I've adjusted quite well to these little quirks in my heart. Hope you had a better night last night.

by mickeysgirl61, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
To: ireneo
Hey there. . .thanks for writing back. . .sadly no, I didn't have a good nite last night. .. this is when it happened again.  It continued until I turned over on my back.  Tried laying on my right side again and it happened again so slept sitting up.  The three monitors were at seperate times during the two years since my spasm. . .they did pick up a few PVC's and states one time "arrythmia of unknown source" (I'm not spelling that right I'm sure)  Thre was some SVT but again the doctors said "not to worry". . tell you what. .. that is when I really start to worry !!!  

Does anyone else have to sit up right for awhile, then lay down on your back for a while THEN be able to turn on your side without problems ??  I didn't do that last night and probably should have. . .I usually read and settle down before laying down.  Wonder why this happens !!??

This stuff gets so frustrating. . .it's enough to have to deal with diabetes, now all of this. . .I started having skipping in 1991 after some tramatic happenings. .. they continued on and off now for years.  Had noticed that I was having them right before my artery spasmed. . .it was an EXTREMELY stressful day that day.

Well, looking forward to hearing from others . . .thanks all !!!

by cachargirl07, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
To: ireneo
I have had PVC's for over 10 years now. I am 27. I take Flecainide and Inderal daily and still have quite a few, especially around my menstrual cycle, when I am sleep deprived and stressed. I actually go threw the same thing. I have had to sleep a certain way for 10 years now. I cannot lay directly on my side or on my back flat. I have to be elevated or lay more on my stomach with my knee up. I asked my DR once about this, why it makes me have irratic PVC's when I lay certain ways. She said maybe it was that whatever "flap" on my heart that is causing the PVC's may get close to your chest cavity when I lay like that. I cannot lay on my side or I will have PVC's. As far as I know, it is normal.

by Al Dente, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
To: mickeysgirl61
Hi,

You might want to place a call to your cardiologist given your past history--with spasm and heart attack.

Painful beats is irritating to say the least--I know how you feel.  I feel just about every heart beat and they are rather painful.  This isn't an anxiety issue.  I too have a very strong throb when I lie flat, or on my left side.  Atenolol seems to help.

All of my valves have some regurgitation.  I visited my doc last week because my pulse was going pretty low.  He heard a distinct click with my mitral valve.  We feel there may be some valvular issues going on and my cardio is going to review this stuff.  I've grown quite fatigued over the last couple months.

I wish you good luck and hope your docs can help.

by bama jane, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
I get them on my left side and  have every night for a long time especially when first lieing down.  Try using three pillows to help prop you up some. I have slept that way for more nights than I can remember and sometimes sitting straight up.   The pillows help me, but I cannot sleep on my left side any more without having arrhythmia within a few minutes.
Hope this helps

by liamn56, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
I have the same thing happen to me. When I lay on my right side or on my stomach the heart rate will increase by about 15bpm, discomfort in the chest.  When I lay back on my back it will take up to about 30sec to beat normal.  I had a 24hr halter, even wrote everything that was happening and ghave the time that it happened so who ever read it would notice, nothing was said about this. But I had norhing but horrific experience with doctors here in Broward County Hospitals in Florida. Thank god I just got medicaid gold so I can see some real doctors.

All I asked was if there was an alternative to Coumadin.

The doctors reply was "Well, I'm putting you on BB and Coumadin and you can do what you like", and he walked out of the hospital room.

But then again I'm not 80yrs old and say O.K. doc. I like to ask questions since it is my health.

Take care all

by mickeysgirl61, Apr 12, 2007 12:00AM
To: liamn56
Hey there. . .Broward County. . .?  We're in Orange and having the same problem. . .I went to a cardio doctor to establish care since we just moved here. . .he asked why I left my original cardio doctor back home.  I told him that the doctor told me to find another physician because I wasn't following HIS treatment plan. . .red wine 5-6 oz. every night. . .I have never drank and never will.  The doctor here said, "Wow, I'd love this guy 'cause I LOVE to drink". . .sent a BIG red flag up for me.  Haven't found another doctor yet. . .I am hoping for a better night tonight.  I am going to sit up for awhile and then slowly lay down, get used to that then lay on my right side.  Wish me luck !!!

by blueydgypsy, Apr 25, 2007 12:00AM
Hi - I am in Pinellas County and have a set of Doctors who are awesome. You can always borrow mine :)

by mickeysgirl61, Apr 27, 2007 12:00AM
To: blue
Hey there blue. . .is Pinellas St. Pete ??  I would love to borrow your doctors. . .can't find one here !!!  You are so blessed to have good doctors. . .guess I'll have to keep looking.

by bighead25, May 18, 2007 12:00AM
    Im 28 and have been dealing with what I think are PVC for about 3-4 years. They seem to happen more at night when Im tired. They seem to increase when im laying on my LEFT side to the point I cant lay that way.  Then when i get the attack i start to have a panic attack which leads to all other sorts of problems (increased heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath).  Ive done the whole thing many times where i have fallen alseep sitting up  because thats seems to be the only thing that helps at the time.  
    Ive been to the DR 2-3 times and had all the test done like everyone else and their answers the same.  The only thing that I have found that helps me is taking Omeg 3 pills when i wake up in the morning and when i go to bed.  It seems to help reduce the attacks that i get (dont know if it has anything to do with the pills or not its prob just in my head that it helps but what ever works right?)

by GreenShepherd