Are my arrhythmias dangerous?

[LaurieD]

I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and paroxymal hypertension in my twenties. I've always felt skipped beats to some degree. About three years ago I had onset of paroxymal atrial fibrillation, this was diagnosed in the emergency room. My heart rate was 153 bpm and irregular. I've had about twelve bouts of this atrial fibrillation since this time. It does seem to be triggered by stress, but no one can figure out the cause. Echos show a mild mitral valve prolapse, that's all. I started having many skipped beats around October last year. I went to the doctor, who put a holter monitor on. It showed approximately 680 skipped beats in the 24 hour period. She diagnosed this as PSVT. I then followed up with my cardiologist who did a thallium stress test, which revealed all was normal. He then put a holter monitor on last week. The computer print out said I had 1,127 narrow beats within the 24 hour period. I believe that, as my diary showed almost constant skipped beats. My cardiologist told me I was imagining them, that I had only truly had 14 skipped beats, and that the computer errored.He feels it's my esophagus causing this. If it was my esophagus, why would I feel skips in my pulse? Does any of this sound dangerous to you? I am currently on tenormin 25mg t.i.d. It doesn't seem to help this PSVT from occuring. The only two things I know is they are worse at period time, and they are worse depending on how I move (bending over can cause them to start) and once they start sometimes they just won't quit for awhile. Is there a cure for all of this? I am also wondering if these "narrow beats" which he also referred to as PAC's are to do with the atrium and maybe my heart is trying to convert into a-fib full time rather than paroxymal? Any info you can give me is much appreciated. Thanks.

[Victoria]

I have been keeping an eye on your postings as well Heartfull and visit here each and every day...Blessings

[jan]

I am wearing an event monitor to see if I have any arrhythmia other than tachycardia. I was wondering if anybody knows what, if anything, the tone means. Sometimes it is loud and shrill, other times it sounds like the battery is dying, and then at others it is neither.  Any clues?

[heartfull]

I am also wearing a monitor to catch v-tach. The tones are the movement, i believe. Try this out. Sit completely still and do a recording. Play it back and see if the tone is about the same level. You probably already know this but you dont have to call it in, just plug it back up and no one knows you plyed with it. You should hear the beats regaurdless of the tones, this is what shows up on the tape. Good luck.

[jan]

Hi Heartfull, thanks for the response. I had to chuckle when you said about nobody knowing we played with it.   :)  Anyway, I tried like you said and it remained the same, but then I danced with it recording (LOL) and it was still the same. I am wondering if it has anything to do with rhythm because when the beats are irregular the tone, sometimes, goes really sour. Also, it seems with the tachy it is shrill. What do you think?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Laurie,
It sounds like you are describing PACs and PVCs.  In general these type of arrhythmias are not dangerous.  There does seem to be an association with the menstral cycle as many posts here will attest.  I can't really comment on whether these are due to esophageal spasm or due to the heart without seeing the data.  Tenormin is a beta-blocker and is a good medication for these beats if needed. If you start having more atrial fibrillation a stronger medication may be needed.