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Are my arrhythmias dangerous?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
I have been keeping an eye on your postings as well Heartfull and visit here each and every day...Blessings
My symptoms and diagnosis are very similar to Laurie's. I've been diagnosed with mild MVP and experience very frequent PVC's which intensify around the week of my period. My cardiologist has tested my glucose levels to see if that may be the cause, but after suffering from this for two years now, I am almost completely convinced that mine must be hormone related. The first time I experienced very frequent PVC's was when I became pregnant with my first child and the doctor immediately dismissed them as hormone related. They disappeared for years and now have returned (and I am definitely not pregnant!) I am 37 years old and wonder if I am experiencing hormonal changes due to the onset of perimenopause which is causing the PVC's. I am seriously considering trying birth control pills to see if they will regulate my hormone levels and hopefully reduce my PVC's. I wonder if anyone else out there has tried this.
My pvc's and pac's are definetly related to hormones although the doctors say no. I get them when I am ovulating and then really bad the 36 hours before i get my period. I am on digoxin now and that has helped quiet them some. Not as strong so not as annoying.
I noticed your comment which prompted me to ask you a few questions. Do you also suffer from atrial fibrillation? Do you have low blood sugar? I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia when I was pregnant with my first child, and I do notice the pvc's pac's can be worse when I haven't eaten. Sugar will also aggravate them. There seems to be many similarities with people and these symptoms on this bb. I wonder if we all have some syndrome they haven't yet formally diagnosed. Just wondering, the good news is we are all still alive to post about them still :) Any input would be appreciated!
The arrythmias I been having started in 1993. In first in 1993, I started getting a racing heart one day. It started racing one day and slowed down after a couple of hours, but did the same thing everyday after. The second came in 1997, I felt like a weird beating or flutter in my chest, then it is either beating slow, or fast but not regular, like all the beats are fast and in a row, but not a normal rythm, then I cough or do something with a quick motion to correct the beat, ( but mostly out of panic) ( sometimes at this point I feel woozy)
It goes from the weird beating, to a normal but fast beating, then back down to the normal rate, then this event is over. Sometimes when it kicks in to the normal but fast beating, I get a hot flushed feeling. That event scares me more than I can say. In 1997 when I first started getting this, it would happen once every couple of months, but now a couple times a month. I just had this,30 minutes ago and when this event happens it leaves my hands legs shaking from fright. The third in 1998, one day my heart would not stop racing, and I was feeling all these flutters and extra or strong beats. This started in the morning, and I couldnt go from the couch to the chair, with out my heart taking off. That night I finally saw a doctor in the er and then a cardiologist, and had all the tests, and now been taking toprol since 1999. But still have all these arrythmias. The doctor has never told me what it could be, because we never been able to catch it on the monitors. But even though I never know when it might happen, I notice a kind of pattern. About a week to two weeks after my last period, and two weeks later when the next one is due. I dont want to play doctor with myself, and I dont know what a fib or the symptons are, but I think maybe it might be that or something ventricular? I think if it was ventricular after all this time and being so far I correct it by coughing I dont and hope it is not that. If anyone can give me any info, or has any ideas about any of these seperate arrythmias, or has them also, PLEASE write your comments here. Thanks.
It goes from the weird beating, to a normal but fast beating, then back down to the normal rate, then this event is over. Sometimes when it kicks in to the normal but fast beating, I get a hot flushed feeling. That event scares me more than I can say. In 1997 when I first started getting this, it would happen once every couple of months, but now a couple times a month. I just had this,30 minutes ago and when this event happens it leaves my hands legs shaking from fright. The third in 1998, one day my heart would not stop racing, and I was feeling all these flutters and extra or strong beats. This started in the morning, and I couldnt go from the couch to the chair, with out my heart taking off. That night I finally saw a doctor in the er and then a cardiologist, and had all the tests, and now been taking toprol since 1999. But still have all these arrythmias. The doctor has never told me what it could be, because we never been able to catch it on the monitors. But even though I never know when it might happen, I notice a kind of pattern. About a week to two weeks after my last period, and two weeks later when the next one is due. I dont want to play doctor with myself, and I dont know what a fib or the symptons are, but I think maybe it might be that or something ventricular? I think if it was ventricular after all this time and being so far I correct it by coughing I dont and hope it is not that. If anyone can give me any info, or has any ideas about any of these seperate arrythmias, or has them also, PLEASE write your comments here. Thanks.
I just read another response on these arrhythmias, there seems to be an awful lot of common symptoms with them. I am still maintaining this is some disorder that doctor's have not yet put together. How many of you suffer mvp, psvt, atrial fib along with these arrhythmias? How many of you have low blood sugar? How many are worse at period time <women only>? How many of you have anxiety disorder/panic attacks, etc? How many have any type of blood pressure probs? Whether paroxymal or just elevated hypertension? After eating a large meal you feel them, diet high in sugar, these also point to a blood sugar problem. I do know...with my first attack of atrial fibrillation <the ONLY one I went to ER for> they did bloodwork, my glucose came up at 180 which is way high. Alcohol IS a trigger for this problem and the pac,pvc's, BUT NOT THE CAUSE. Stress is a trigger BUT NOT THE CAUSE. There are several "triggers" as we all know but in my opinion, they can't find the cause because they haven't yet diagnosed the disorder. There are just WAY too many of us out there with the same symptoms and it's too coincidental I think. Give me your opinions, I welcome the input.
Laurie
Laurie
I posted a comment last night about 12:30a.m. About a half hour before that I had the arrythmia that scares the hek out of me. I described it above. At 12:00p.m. today I had it again. Weird twelve hours later. Being it is saturday, and even though I have had this thing alot in the pass, it seems to be more frequent now, I tried to call my cardio, but the office was closed. The cardio taking calls, called me back about 3:00p.m. and he really doesn't know my problems. I have never been to him. But from what I describe about this thing, he said it sounds like maybe supra ventricular tachcardia. But this is only over the phone. He asked if I have had an echo, I have, also if I have mvp. I was told by my doctor, that by the echo , I dont. My sister has, she also has wpw. From 1985 her problems really began, she was on a ton of med. Shes a rn in the recovery room, and all the meds. she was on would knock down an elephant. In 1996 one night she passed out, ended up in the er and then at the hospital. They did an ablation a couple days later. I cant believe all the problems she had, for that amount of time, and it totally cured her. My nephew one day heart rate just flew. He had a monitor and was recorded one day at 245 while on a med. He had an ablation (he''s 15) an had an accesory pathway in the same place as my sister. They are aunt and nephew, he's cured also. My mothers heart rate the same thing. She is 73 now and has been on inderal since she was about 43. But me and my sisters problems are worse than my mothers. She seems to be fine on the inderal all this time. These things are so complex to diagnosed and treat, it seems that way to me.
It either sounds like PSVT or Atrial Fib neither of which are life threatening. When you have Atrial fibrillation it can beat real fast or not so fast but it flutters like crazy, feels like there is a bird loose in your chest. A quick cough or movement will sometimes restore it, and you can go in and out of that rhythm. If you aren't getting dizzy/passing out, don't worry but if you do then get it checked immediately.
If anyone would like to correspond about being anxious and helpless about irregular beats, please e-mail me ***@**** I am female, 38 and very paranoid. These irregular beats rule my life even though some days I may only get one or two. I had an ablation for racing heart four years ago, now fortunately I only have irregular beats from time to time, some feel like a flutter others thud, some pause for what feels like forever. My knees go weak and I get nauseous immediately, I am always waiting for the next funny beats. Of course the Drs say do not worry they will not kill you. Trisha
I noticed when I do get this episode that scares me, it starts out with a slight flutter, then I feel the pulse in my neck, and my heart is either beating real slow, or last night and today when I got this, it was beating fast but not in a normal rythym. Sinus tachcardia is a fast beat, but in normal rythym. This was like my heart all of a sudden went out of normal rythm and threw some beats very fast and all together. It is almost like it is beating fine, then all of a sudden it goes out of sinc, then if I cough, that kicks it into a normal beating. Even though I had this many times in the past, and had the holter and event monitors, nothing was ever recorded. But now it seems like it is happening more, this week I want to see if I can get one or both of the monitors. I hate the holter monitor. Being that it is uncomfortable, and hard to sleep with the electrodes and monitor hanging down. I always feel Im going to pull the electrodes off by accident. I just hope after all this time I can finally get all my symptons recorded, and hopefully get treatment that might be more helpful.
I'm sorry but it really annoys me when Drs say: don't worry, they won't kill you, but there is no active research into this area.
acne won't kill you but there is plenty of research into curing this conditon
ditto for irritable bowel syndrome
athletes foot
wrinkles!
Sorry, its been a really bad PVC month.
acne won't kill you but there is plenty of research into curing this conditon
ditto for irritable bowel syndrome
athletes foot
wrinkles!
Sorry, its been a really bad PVC month.
I couldnt say it better! Your right, when someone has to deal with these stinking symptons, on a daily basis, it really starts to where the patience thin. My things started in October 1993. I keep thinking back to the 80's. Then I was in my 20's, and was working at that time in a conference center. I moved these huge and very heavey conference chairs and tables, ususally myself. Break down and set up coffee breaks, and just alot of cleaning, vacumming ect. I started there in 1983, I was 22, and left in 1989. I keep saying to myself, how did I do all that? Then it was nothing, I know it was probably good exercise. I ate alot then and stayed thin. My point is I wonder how and why did all this start? Maybe from 1989 - 1993 maybe beacause I was not getting that type of exercise anymore? Is it genetics, my mother has a fast rate when she was 17, it went away but came back in her 30's. My sister ditto, but after about 12 years, she has an ablation, my nephew too, they are fine now. I think its a combo of alot of things. Hormones yes, and I think it was just in me to come out at a certain age, from my family history. Who knows.
The thing is , I had the fast rate since 1993, and never saw a doctor about it until I had no choice in 1998, when this one day it would not slow down. Then that day the fluttering( I guess PVC's) and everything else started. Since that day in the E.R. and a cardiologist I still see every couple of months, I still don't no anymore what is going on then I did that day before I went to the E.R. I take Toprol and there are days I feel alright and then there are days I have all or some symptons, and I feel I forgot to take the med. I never forget to take it. I hear it too, don't worry, not serious, yet I have something which I haven't been able to catch on a monitor, the doctor says well I have to see it on the monitor. I understand that, but thats why I don't understand how they can say all this, don't worry, ect. if there is something there they haven't seen yet on a monitor. I know Toprol is not a cure all, but it is aggravating when you take the med. faithfully and you feel some days like it doesn't work. Maybe Toprol does that.
The thing is , I had the fast rate since 1993, and never saw a doctor about it until I had no choice in 1998, when this one day it would not slow down. Then that day the fluttering( I guess PVC's) and everything else started. Since that day in the E.R. and a cardiologist I still see every couple of months, I still don't no anymore what is going on then I did that day before I went to the E.R. I take Toprol and there are days I feel alright and then there are days I have all or some symptons, and I feel I forgot to take the med. I never forget to take it. I hear it too, don't worry, not serious, yet I have something which I haven't been able to catch on a monitor, the doctor says well I have to see it on the monitor. I understand that, but thats why I don't understand how they can say all this, don't worry, ect. if there is something there they haven't seen yet on a monitor. I know Toprol is not a cure all, but it is aggravating when you take the med. faithfully and you feel some days like it doesn't work. Maybe Toprol does that.
Hello everyone... I also just discovered this site and see it's benefits. History: I'm a 27 yr. old male, 5' 1", 195lbs, fit and exercise 4-6X/week, jog and weight train, boxing, cycle ect... no previous history of any heart related issues... 3 Years agao at 24 yrs. old I was resting on my sofa and experienced 3-4 skipped beats in a row (now I know what a skipped beat is and the sensation) and got really scared thinking I was having a heart attack and was dying (sound extreme, but never experienced any heart related issues) this really scared me! Saw a cardiologist, did a dozen ECG's, stress test, holster monitor, checked twice and told that I was "healthy as a horse". After that first episode, it occured once a day, once a month, once every two months, sometimes twice a month. A year ago with economic and social stress enduced I started noticing chest pain, more skipped beats and went for another opinion. Did the ECG 10x, stress test, V-Max Stress test for athletes (you run really hard on the treadmill and high grade for 12 minutes), Echo Cardiogram, 24HR holter showed 1 skipped beat in 24HRS... Doc said I was in "Very" good health and guaranteed I would never die of a heart attack or heart related symptom. Conclusions: I agree with everyone that it's scary, sometimes painful (weather or not your imagining it!) and interfers with your lifestyle. It makes you wonder why you and the rest of the world is so healthy... POINT: Stress and Anxiety is your worst enemy!, Don't drink any alcohol, Don't drink any Coffee, try to eliminate adding any salt to your foods (natural occuring salts should be enough), Stay away from fast foods and dinning out! THE BEST THING IS SLEEP AND REST. I found exercise always sets a good rythm. Keep your exercise moderate to your condition, age and lifestyle, eat 6 meals/day eating less, have your potassium and magnesium (florida avocado and oranges, banana's). You can also use the Hawthorn Berry Extract (droplet form) from your local health food store and the Horse Tail herb tea once a day! I think it sucks that it's happened to myself and you guys but we can now only live with it! Apologies for choppy story and spelling, just typing my thoughts away... Exercise, Eat Right, Love Yourslef, Rest, Don't Worry (I know I worry alot),Believe in GOD (If your religeous) and try to live the best life you can, hopefully in the next one you'll be a beautiful, rich, and healthy movie star... but for now make the best quality of life you can, unfortunatley we're human and not all answers and reason are know, maybe if we're around in the 2030 they'll be able to grow a new heart in test tube and transplant it as easy as putting on your shoes... Apologize for all the philosophy but you guys know I mean well. Comments or chat: alex_dolgonos***@**** Be well!!!
You said it, a bad PVC month! Every month is starting to be for me I get hundreds a day! It affects my life big time! I am so sick of it I sometimes feel like ripping the damn defective thing out of my chest! Or smacking it so hard it stops! Any ideas how to minimize them?
Can someone who suffers from PVC's tell me what they are and feel like. I have had a couple of different arryhtmias for sometime now, and probably have them, but what do they feel like so I can get a idea.
Thanks.
Thanks.
I wanted to add to my above post, that this scary arrythmia I get is , it starts out I feel a slight flutter and just feel kind of weird, woozy in my head, I feel my pulse and its beating slow, I cough, in a few seconds it goes to a faster beat then to normal, then sometimes I feel like a hot flash, then it's over. Does that sound like a PVC? My cardiologist said he has to see it on a monitor, but it sounds like what I feel is my heart throws a few beats, I dont feel that, But then what Im feeling is the pause that follows them. Then sometimes I feel like a thump or one beat in my chest. Its like as soon as you feel it its over. I dont think that I could ever get that recorded with an event monitor, because that is too fast. But the holter monitor thats already on I would be able to record it. I would appreciate any information anyone has.
Thanks.
Thanks.
I'm so glad my search led me to this forum. I've been feeling so much anxiety about these episodes. I was thinking that all of a sudden, out of the blue, at 45 and very healthy, my heart was going crazy! I never would have imagined that it could be related to perimenopause!! As I read your comments, I realized that these episodes correspond to my cycle, lasting for an hour or more several times a day for about 3-4 days right before and during my cycle. I do feel occasional short spells during the month. My question to the women who have dealt with this is: When menopause finally ends, will this go away?? !!!
I really don't look forward to years of this, let alone the rest of my life. Does anyone know? And, is there any point at which you really should go in and have all the tests? We have a huge deductible and I just don't feel like plunking down $1000 to be told I'm just fine and it's all harmless!
I really don't look forward to years of this, let alone the rest of my life. Does anyone know? And, is there any point at which you really should go in and have all the tests? We have a huge deductible and I just don't feel like plunking down $1000 to be told I'm just fine and it's all harmless!
In answer to your questions in the above post, I have been diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (along with PVC's and mild MVP). When I wore an event monitor for a few weeks, I recorded one very short episode lasting about 10 seconds. Since then (about 18 months ago), I have had only a few episodes that felt like they may be a-fib that only lasted a few seconds. My main problem has been thousands of PVC's a day intensifying the week before and during my period. I have been having bad days lately and my chest and heart kind of ache at the end of the day as if my heart muscle is just tired out from beating so hard every few beats! It's so frustrating!
Also, as I mentioned, my doctor tested my glucose level and said he was testing for hypoglycemia which he thinks can contribute to more PVC's. I will get those results one week from today. It does sound like many of us women experience similar symptoms. I just wish we could get some answers or some treatment. In any case, I am thankful for the good days that I do have once in a while and just try to live life to the fullest. Good luck to you!
Also, as I mentioned, my doctor tested my glucose level and said he was testing for hypoglycemia which he thinks can contribute to more PVC's. I will get those results one week from today. It does sound like many of us women experience similar symptoms. I just wish we could get some answers or some treatment. In any case, I am thankful for the good days that I do have once in a while and just try to live life to the fullest. Good luck to you!
Please help me! Has anybody heard of this: when I bend over, my heart goes into an irregular beat - slow, fast, skipping. It stays in this mode til I straighten up and then it resumes normal beating. I've had 3 ekg's and an echocardiogram and they were all normal. This happens EVERY SINGLE TIME I bend over. Ever hear of this? Sometimes I think I'm going nuts I worry about it so much; however, I don't get short-winded, lightheaded, dizzy, nor do I have any pain. What the heck is this? Any information will be greatly appreciated!
sounds like vaso/vagal syndrome to me....
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