Fast heart rate and skipped beats

[Joybell]

I have been diagnosed with Lone Afib (3 episodes in 2 years)
I recently have been having 'missed beats' whereby I feel like my heart has stopped, it then takes off fast for about 6-7 beats. This can happen two or three times in a row. I get chest discomfort afterwards. I also have a feeling of fullness in the middle of my chest. I have had a stress echo and the result of that was negative with no apparent structural heart disease.I am 65, female, reasonably fit, working full time. I live 9on my own and this is worrying me a lot. Should I be concerned. My cardiologist thinks I am worrying over nothing and gets impatient with me. Thanks for any advice. Joy

[Momto3]

Many of us on this forum totally understand your concerns and frustrations. When our hearts beat in a "different" fashion, it certainly raises an eyebrow, or two.  It's great news that your echo indicated a structurally normal heart.  Hooray for that!  As for the extra beats, they can produce a myriad of symptoms that are not quite as easy to brush off.  Other than watching your caffeine intake, my only suggestion would be to find a more sympathetic physician.  There are tons of great doctors out there, and I know you can find one that is more willing to try and work with you to try and reduce your fears and/or discomfort.  

I have a fabulous physician and I can't imagine not being able to talk to her. She has worked "miracles" with me and I thoroughly trust her. Please take care of yourself and consider finding a doctor who will work with you.  If you are near Cleveland, you can find a LOT of great docs : )

Connie
P.S.  Good luck.

[upbeat63]

I'm looking forward to living as long as I am supposed to, longer than average would be good! Heart of an athlete right!?

I did have a great night last night, my regular bigeminy PVCs took a break and I was able to count over one hundred beats with no PVCs AT ALL. Of course as soon as I sat up it returned to bigeminy, but what a glorious break.

I'm determined to live through them all. (and try meds when I absolutely can't tolerate them anymore, which isn't here yet)!

Hang in there everyone.

[tickertock]

i was diagnosed with mild MVP when i was 18 myself, now 40, i see in a well known cardiolgist in Florida myself (DR. James Ling)he says i have no MVP now, the criteria for true MVP has changed over the years, like many here i have suffered from tachycardia and pvcs most of my life.

i understand that palpitations are rarely ever a sign of significant heart disease and that most persons that complain of them usually live alonger than average lifespan.(like your nickname)

[Seasheller]

I've had a "flip-floppy" heart for years now (and I'm still living) I was in my 30's and I am 72 now. I was told many years ago that I had mitral valve prolapse, for which I took pre-meds before dental procedures. Just last year my cardiologist here in Fla. (and he is a very good one) told me that I don't have MVP. Go figure. I have had many different scary symptoms with my heartbeat, but I learned that quite often it is mind over matter. The more concerned and upset you get over "symptoms" the worse it gets. If something happens to distract your thoughts about yourself, suddenly those terrible symptoms go away. I know, I've been there and done that!!

[momof6]

Hi schlop,
Sorry to hear of your anxiety over your pvcs and mvp.Ive had pvcs and other flip-flops that are pretty scarey for years now.Try not to read to much on internet,sometimes we read something into our symptoms or diagnosis that isnt the same.Ive taken Lorpressor which is a beta blocker for nine years now.I have had the dosage increased a little over the years but I do think that when I get little burst of what every arrythmia I get it keeps it short.I was really scared at first to take it.I had never taken heart meds. before and was scared it would stop the heart.It actually gave me a calming feeling in the chest. When my pvs are acting up my heart feels agitated and I get worked up and focused on them then Ill get tons of them.I do pretty good on ignoring the everyday pvc, but when I get the really irregular beat that lasts for a few seconds and feels different then your plain pvc its hard to just ignore and go on with my business.My kids are growing up seeing mom totally shut down when I get those scarey ones,cant even fix dinner as my anxiety will make me sick to my stomach.So now I just get mad at these,Im glad those episodes are not an everyday occurance.And we want more children,am I to let this control my life?I had a episode while out shopping with my 12yr old daughter and twoyr old,now Im nerveous to be out alone.I thought gee do I drive us all to a hospital or drive across several cities to get home!Guess what we made it home.I cant let this control me.Im so sick of it!!!!!When the doctors say everybody has these pvcs but not everybody feels them I have a hard time believing this! Its like going thru labor and never feeling one pain!I find that hard to believe.I hope you get relief from your pvcs and from what I hear mvp is very common in women,and even sometimes over diagnosed,have a good talk with your doctor and dont leave his office till your totally comfortable!write down all your questions before you go so you dont forget any of them.Best Wishes
Anyone~Do you think if someone is having short burst of afib. they really need to be on rat poisson,Im mean coumidin?I thought it was only needed for longer sustained afibs.If any one could answer this I would be greatful!!Hang in there everyone!and God Bless~momof6

[schlop]

Hi Connie-

Thank you so much for your response.

I realize that if there was a real threat to my life, I would have been notified right away. Some of the info I researched on the Internet really alarmed me, such as during these bouts of irregular heart rhythm, sudden death has been known to occur and that a lot of times symptoms are just dismissed. My mind has just been getting the best of me. I realize I can't let this control my life-these episodes are just so terrifying.
I assumed something was wrong because of the way I have been feeling but when it is finally confirmed it is so unsettling. I am an, otherwise, healthy 32-year-old woman.

I just really don't want to take any medications, but it would be a great relief if I could find something to alleviate my symptoms.

The doctor I had for the last 31 years retired last November and this is the first time I was ever assessed by the doctor who took his place. I need to have faith in him.

I'll get through this. I have a wonderful husband who, thankfully, is so supportive and a strong faith. I'm sure you can relate, though, just the thought of something happening and not being around to care for your babies...

I really appreciate your reassurement.

[Momto3]

Sorry that you are going through the anxiety associated with pvcs and your recent diagnosis of MVP. Glad to hear you were able to get an appointment to speak directly to the doctor. It should help to alleviate your concerns.  I agree that being prescribed a new med for a new diagnosis (especially a heart med) is a bit unsettling. Seems that the doctor's office would have known you'd be alarmed, even if it is unnecessarily. While you wait for the appointment, enjoy the weekend and spend time with your family. I'm sure if the doctor was concerned, he would have suggested a follow up right there and then. Try to stay focused on other things and before you know it, you'll have the anwers you need.

I've had MVP/MR for many years. BTW, are you also taking antibiotics prior to dental procedures (that would suggest a leaky valve)?

Atenolol is a beta blocker and oftentimes prescribed to reduce/eliminate the effects of pvcs.  I mostly took propanolol (Inderal) for my pvcs, but did try atenolol on one occasion. I had some uncomfortable side effects and reverted to Inderal. A lot of people take atenolol for pvcs and find it very helpful. Good luck to you and keep us posted : )

Connie

[schlop]

hello everyone...
I am 32 years old. I exercise regularly. 5'9"-143 lbs. I have two small children (4 and 3).
My irregular heart rhythm began while I was in the hospital after having my second daughter. Two EKGs were done showing skipped beats. I had been taking some cold medicine during this time, which contained pseudoephedrine, which was thought to possibly contribute to my symptoms and that I should avoid this in the future. On discharge, they told me to follow up with my doctor, which I didn't do until three years later. Just recently my skipped beats have become more frequent. It seems to me to be happening more so around the time of my period and during ovulation. Although, it also happens during exercise and often while just lying in bed. I have had some pretty scary episodes accompanied by nausea and shortness of breath-I wonder if this is accelerated due to my being scared. Anyhow, I decided to have this follow up and last month I saw my doctor who ordered an echo and an event monitor. I just received a telephone call two days ago from a nurse at my doctor's office who said that I have MVP and that the doc wants to put me on atenolol. I know other people who have been diagnosed with MVP and they don't take anything for it-except an antibiotic before a dental procedure or surgery. I asked her if I would have to be on this forever, and she said she didn't know. I can't believe the doc didn't call me himself to explain why he wants to put me on a heart med. I called back and told her that I would not accept being put on a med until I came in and personally discussed this with the doc. I see him Monday. I have been a nervous wreck over the past couple of days. I read some info about MVP via Internet and have become more shaken up!! When I have these symptoms of skipped beats, they intensify because I tend to panic too! Does anyone have a suggestion to help me stay calm during these episodes. I also read up on atenolol-adverse reactions to this drug include heart failure and MI (heart attack) among others-these being the more severe. Why would I want to take a drug that could potentially cause heart failure or MI. Are any of you taking atenolol for MVP (mitral valve prolapase)? I welcome any suggestions. It really has helped me just to find this website and realize that I am not alone in this. I am so scared. It doesn't help that I haven't spoken directly to my doc yet.

[MinnieM]

Thanks Mom,  Yes, Houston is home to Cooley and Debakey.  The Texas Med Center is where I have seen male docs.  I am in search of a good female one who can sort all this out for me as
"an infomed patient makes for a better patient".  I am not informed.  

I wish you the best in your move and glad you will still be seeing your wonderful female cardiologist.

Good Luck to you and thanks again.

[Momto3]

Hi there!

I am very lucky indeed. After seeing many doctors over the past 25 years, I found an exceptional physician.  Soon, I will be moving about 600 miles from my home town and I only agreed to the move once I knew I could continue to see my current EP : )

Try searching the Heart Rhythm Society's website at http://www.hrsonline.org/Default.asp (Heart Rhythm Society) to locate an EP near you. I'm sure there are a lot of great docs in Houston.  Isn't that where world famous Dr. Denton practices?  I wish you the best as you search for a doctor you are comfortabe with.  Finding the right doctor changed my life.  

Although I have a leaky mitral valve, it was the ectopics that were making me nuts! I've been on/off beta blockers and while they initially worked great, evntually, they didn't provide any relief.  What I found helpful was to take them on "as needed" basis. That worked for several more years.  It took a caring, patient and thorough doctor to convince me that the pvcs were not going to hurt me. Luckily, I did not have painful pvcs, but nevertheless I had thousands/day every day.

An echo in 2002 revealed a significant drop in my EF.  Doctors determined that the drop was a direct result of years of very frequent pvcs. Tried some meds, and eventually decided on ablations.  It took 2 procedures, but today I nearly pvc-free.  

I wish you the best of luck and hope tomorrow is a pvc-free day!
Have a great weekend!
connie

[dquenzer]

If you've only had 3 episodes in 2 years you are fortunate.

I can concur with the doctor that you should have a holter to find out if the runs are AFIB.  If they are and they convert on their own, you probably just need to monitor it to make sure it doesn't become more persistent.

As to the tightness of the chest it may be nerves.  I remember that when I was in AFIB I would feel rotten and really stressed at first.  After I knew what was happening I could relax some but it is nerve racking if you are symptomatic.

I had lone AFIB often twice a week, sometime for an hour sometimes for 2 days.  Meds helped for awhile, and then opted for ablation and it worked.  But honestly if I only had it as often as you had it I would not have had the ablation, nor would have I taken any meds.

My sister has it once in awhile and she just takes a beta blocker.

[MinnieM]

I envy you for having a great cardio doctor that performs miracles for you.  This is a rareity.
I am looking for a good one in Houston....(-:  Anyone know a Good One?

I also have those crazy flips and flutters and when this happens I do get dizzy.  But, I have had 2 Stress Echo's recently and both have differnt findings. One read by a female Echo doctor and the other read by a male echo doctor who totally disagreed with the female Echo doctors' findings.

I recenly also had a 30- day holter monitor that showed arterial Fibs in the upper chamber that a male doctor told me not to worry.  Easy for him to say after they missed an old heart attack and wondering what more they will miss.

I am on Plavix and wonder if it is similar to Coumadin.

Good Luck to you.

[Cleveland Clinic]

joybell,

thanks for the post.

Its probably worth making sure your palpitations are not caused by intermittant afib.  A holter or event monitor could accomplish this.
It would especially be important if you are not on coumadin as a primary mode of embolic protection.

good luck