Advice needed re: Ectopic heartbeats

[Chrisinthesun10]

I'm a 24 year old English man, who underwent corrective surgery for Tetrology of Fallots aged 2 and a half. Since my surgery I've had no problems, and am a keen runner, and served in the   army whilst at Uni.

This May, I was just coming to the end of a year travelling in Australia, when, two days before i was due to come home I noticed some strange heartbeats, which were later diagnosed as ectopic beats. I initially got myself checked out at Cairns hospital in Australia, at which point I was very anxious, and was getting  3-4 a minute for about an hour, whilst they monitored me, and I calmed down.
I visited my Cardiologist in London immediately upon arriving home - and which point I was getting on average 20-30 of these beats a day. He listened to my chest, during which time, again, I had no ectopic beats. Having been my cardiologist since my surgery he did not even request an ECG, saying that as far as he was concerned there was nothing to worry about, and he felt that these beats were unconnected with my surgery. I had a 24hr holter monitor test 1 month later, & the results were returned to him - I was told by his secretary that he had reviewed the tape and there was nothing to worry about.

My question is, now, 7 months or so later I'm still getting 20 or so of these beats a day - I tend to notice them more immediately after exercising, or when I shift positions/sit-down etc.. Some days I will hardly notice any, other days I will notice more.

Are these something I should be concerned about? - I have no other symptoms such as dizzines, but am concerned

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear Chris,

You describe experiencing ectopic beats which were diagnosed recently in a hospital. These ectopic beats may be originating from the top chamber (atria) or the lower chamber (ventricle), it is not clear to me. In patients with  structurally normal hearts ectopic beats are not suggestive of increased risk. In patients such as yourself who have undergone corrective surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot, ectopic beats are common. They are seen in 10% of patients just by electrocardiogram (ECG), during an exercise test 40% of patients may have them and during a 24-hour holter monitor test  40 to 60% of patients may be diagnosed with ventricular ectopic beats. It is possible that the recent onset of these ectopic beats may represent a change in the function of your heart and could suggest increased risk. I would recommend seeing a doctor who specializes in adults with congenital heart disease. He or she may want to obtain an echocardiogram (ultrasound) to further evaluate the valves and chambers of the heart for any significant abnormalities.


Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE

[dustmonjo]

are those percentages regarding the general populous or just heart patients with that condition?

[karie]

Is cogential used when the patient is known to have been born with symptoms or progression shows this .
I was a premature baby born with 2 seperate heart murmurs that are reviewed yearly, Told by tests it is MVP and the symptoms as with pvc's increase with time. At 34 and a very healthy lifestyle feel concerned. When do we start medication ? Some doctors have said to wait since long use is actually less beneficial unless crucial. If a baby is tole not to worry innocent heart murmurs at birth do they always prgress ? Just wanted to learn and share here..........

[Jackspratz66]

A related discussion, Irregular heart beats, accompanying symtoms? was started.