Hormones Causing Arrythmia?

[dcmom]

I have been having PAC's since 12/01.  They began while I was taking Allegra-D, but did not stop when the medication was stopped after only about 8 pills.  I have seen my PCP and a Cardiologist who did blood tests for anemia,electrolytes and thyroid - all were normal.  A 24 hr. Holter monitor and an echocardiogram documented the PAC's at 1100+ per 24 hrs, plus a few PVC's, but showed no other abnormality.  I do not smoke or drink alcohol, and have cut out caffeine with no effect.  I also have some chest discomfort akin to muscle soreness that the drs. do not feel is heart related (it is not affected by exertion/rest).  Absent any other cause, the drs. attribute the PAC's to hormonal changes of pre-menopause.  My OB/GYN put me on birth control pills (Mircette) to regulate hormone levels, also with no effect so far.  Can hormones really cause PAC's?  How about lack of sleep?  I fall asleep fine, but have been unable to stay asleep through the night for several years, and this is the only other cause I can think of.  I am an otherwise healthy 40 year old woman with no family history of heart problems of any kind.  What else can I do to determine the cause and fix my PAC's?  Thank you for your help.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear dcmom,
Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are early atrial beats that originate from cells (foci) in atrium other than the pacemaker cells.  Recently it has been demonstrated that these foci are generally around the pulmonary veins.  They may be increased by pseudoephedrine which is in Allegra-D but that effect should stop after the drug wears off.  It is unknown if menopause increases PACs but it may be possible.  Stress (perhaps from lack of sleep) and caffeine do tend to increase PACs and PVCs.

The good news is that PACs are in general benign.  For some people however they are very troublesome and treatment is required.  The first line therapy is of course avoidance of triggers such as caffeine and lack of sleep.  If there are still significant problems then medications such as beta-blockers can be tried.  If these fail antiarrhythmic drugs such as flecanide may be effective.  Finally if drugs fail then an ablation procedure may be considered.  This is an outpatient procedure done by an cardiologist who specializes in heart rhythms (an electrophysiologist) and is effective in stopping PACs in the majority of cases.

[Linda123]

Hi there
I've had pvcs on & off since being a teenager and but when I hit 40 I started getting them at an unbearable level, I felt alive in my chest all the time even when pvcs were not occurring.  To cut a long story short just recently I had a hysterectomy and was put on HRT.  My pvcs have reduced dramatically and I once again feel normal in my chest.  My cardiologist did tell me that I had a focus in the heart but when I told this to my gynaecologist she said something like  "we all have focuses in our hearts and that a muscle in our stomach supresses them from being active whilst we are producing estrogen.  I always know when I am presented with a lady who is experiencing emotional problems and palpitations that her estrogen levels are diminishing and that she is beginning or in menopause - palpitations are a major sign of menopause".  This was quite a revelation to me and I suspect must be true as I can only speak of my own experience where my palpitations whilst still occurring and troubling are NOTHING LIKE what they were before I was put on HRT.  I worry of course about being on HRT because of the breast cancer connection - but all I can say is that life is worth living again for me and therefore I try not to dwell on that connection.
Hope this is of help.
Best Wishes
Linda

[dcmom]

Hi, Linda.  It helps to know that I'm not alone!  I'm hoping the BC pills will have the same effect as your HRT.  Too early to tell as it's only been a week.  I'm glad you found some relief.  That feeling in your chest from the arrhythmia is awful.  Thanks for your support, and best wishes.  dcmom

[JerseyGirl]

It's been two years since I've began experiencing what I call heart palpations or flutters.  I've seen a cardiologist on the recommendation from my Ob/Gyn.  I had and EKG and an Echo Stress test which all came back fine.  At first I wasn't sure why I was having the flutters/palpations.  At the time, my Mother was just diagnosed with Bladder Cancer and I thought it could be stress related.  But I did notice the palpations only became present from the time I ovulated until the end of my next period.  Now at 42 years old, my periods are irregular at times and it's at those times I can experience the palpations for weeks on end.  I'm not one for taking medication if it's not necessary, but it is a scary feeling not knowing if this could be a severe problem or not.  We've just discovered that my Father has had a silent heart attack in the past and also has an aortic anyerism (sp?).  It makes me wonder if something of the same could happen to me.  But the bottom line in my opinion is it is definetly hormone related.  My next step is to see the cariologist again to do further heart studies.  

[dcmom]

Thanks for your comments.  The timing is the same for me - the palpitations either start or get much worse at ovulation through the end of the next period.  No one tells you all this stuff happens at 40!  Good luck to you.

[itsa4847]

i too have the pac/pvc's i have had them now about 3 to 4 years where in the last 2 year's they had gotten to the point where sitting in the chair the whole chair would shake with a pvc so...my cardiologist put me on toperal about a year ago.  then in jan i had an eposide that i had to get a ambulance i had chest pain (angina) and was admitted and had a heart cath.  i have coronary artery spasms in one artery (which also has a slight blockage, not enough to stent).  so i was put on imdur, norvasc and keep the toporal.  in the mean time things were going slow i was still getting the spasms but nitro would take them away.  i also was suffering with bouts of blood in urine (which has nothing to do with heart) but getting ready for a cystoscope. But wed had another attack at work and nitro didn't work so had to go in ambulance and i just got out sat.  now they changed my meds kept me on the imdur and changed the norvasc to cardiezm (spell) and addded another drug for sensitivity to spasms and cut torperal in half.  so i don't know what is going on now....i go back to the card. may 17th keeping notes till then. but my gut tells me there is someting else going on with the heart. i wonder if the blockage could have gotten worse?  anyone have these problems i sure would like to hear from you. new jersey girl i hope things are well with your mom (do you mind me asking what was her symptoms)  that is what i was having cystoscope for but at the hospital they checked my urine and no blood.  i had a bad infection at the time when haveing the blood so iam hoping that is the end of that.  well have it rechecked in a month. if anyone has cornary artery spasms i would like to hear from you too. iam going crazy i can't keep this up this way. And the dr. says just a matter of getting the right meds.

[Aussiemom]

Hi DCMOM.  i was really interested to read your (and others) input.  i was diagnosed with frequent PVC (11,ooo+ in 24hrs)in Oct.2000, (i was then 34 yrs old) after a long search (about 20 months!)to find a Doctor who would take me seriously that something was strange and different with my heart beat (my original Dr tried to tell me that my palps, dizzyness, SOB was just parent-fatigue/"toddler-itis" - i no longer go to him!!). I have wondered for ages if there is a hormonal link with some people's PVCs, as no specialists that i have seen, or info i have read seem to be able to list known reasons why these wretched things start in otherwise normal healthy hearts.  i reckon that i can pinpoint fairly accurately, that my PVCs started towards the end of 18 months of pretty full-on breastfeeding (when my oestrogen levels would have been quite low).  From reading other info, i have been wondering if low calcium and magnesium levels could have contributed, but oestrogen is very interesting, as on other posting sites i have read of a few other women experiencing their first bouts of PVC etc. after pregnancy, and NOW, ...i read of other women with differing oestogen levels experiencing differing PAC/PVC- I WONDER WHY THERE IS SEEMINGLY NO RESEARCH ON THIS STUFF??!! Also alot of males have reported experiencing their first bouts (or worsening bouts) of PAC/PVC after a big weight loss (which i think could also mean that their relative eostogen ratio would drop). Does anyone out there wanna do a research paper?!!
BTW, how are you going these days DCMOM?

[dcmom]

Hi, Aussiemom.  You are absolutely right that someone should do a research project on this hormone thing!  I'm sure there are lots more of us out there being told we're just stressed/tired/nearing menopause!  My cardiologist told me that he's never seen the hormonal link written up in any medical book, but he has seen a number of otherwise healthy women come in with PAC's/PVC's right around early 40's, with no previous history of heart problems, so there has to be a link.  The birth control pill therapy may be working - I had to switch from Mircette to Loestrin this week due to breakthrough bleeding and abdominal pain on Mircette.  I feel much better on the Loestrin and the PAC's seem to be much less noticeable on it as well.  Too early to tell, though, as it's only been 2 weeks.  Did you ever get rid of your symptoms, Aussiemom?  And if so, how? And if not, what do you do to cope with them? Thanks for your comments!  Best wishes, dcmom

[dodgybeats]

I would also like to add that after suffering from almost intolerable amounts of Pvcs/pacs, I seem to have gotten some relief from BC pills.  the beasts are still there but I now often have days when they are absent all together, whereas before I would get hundreds per day, every single day without fail.  My Dr thinks hormone connection is very real and he sees this often in his cardiology practise.  Tachycardias and hormone levels have been researched, but as yet no studies have been done into premature beats hormone profiles. hope someone does one soon!

[GAMom]

Reading your stories has definitely helped me to put my problem into perspective.  I've had an occasional palpitation over the years--always attributed them to "hormones"  A few months ago I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and start on RX Diavan.  Almost immediately I noticed an increase in the palpitations anywhere from five to twenty a day off and on.  The Dr. said that this was not a noted side effect of that drug but happily changed my med to Lotensin.  Its only been a few days, but I'm still having the palpitations.  I am under stress --who isn't but am still puzzled by the connection to the palpitations to the RX for my blood pressure (if any)  I am 49 and still have regular periods but also know perimenopause is upon me.  Still tryint to figure all this out!

[angelapple]

I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse when I was 33, now I'm 47.  I have noticed an increase in "extra-missed or whatever you call them beats" as I've gotten older.  I will tell you about a week before my period those skips are much worse than usual.  This week I was at work and all of a sudden they started missing like crazy.  I immediately panicked of course.  I took an indural which was prescribed to me last year to take if ever i needed too.  I don't like meds but this time there didn't seem to be much choice.  It slowed my heart rate down but the extra beats kept up for 3 more hours.  The next night I was woken out of my sleep at 2 a.m. No pain, no dizziness, just extra beats.  I had them til 8 a.m.  I went to my cardio dr.  who totally blew me off.  He told me extra beats are nothing to worry about, and to forget it.  I asked if hormones played a part, he said he didn't know and that it was irrelevant.  "They're just nothing don't worry about it". He did an EKG which was normal, but I wasn't having the extra beats at that time.  I was really scared and very anxious in his office.  He took my blood pressure and it was extremely high l80/ll0.  I weight l08, don't drink, smoke, or even drink coffee.  He wanted to do a stress test but obviously wouldn't with that kind of pressure.  He gave me BP med and i was going to take it, but I recently had surgery and was in the hospital for 3 days.  My bp was taken very often, it wasn't high then. I wonder maybe I was just extremely nervous and that;s what raised it?  I got my Period the next day.  Interesting isnt' it/

[angelapple]

Hi, just wondered, can you explain exactly what you're feeling with the PVC/PAC.  Mine actually feels like it misses, although dr told me it is actually a premature beat.  It almost feels like a vibration when it does that.  And did you ever have it for hours at a time.  Thanks for any info.

[Aussiemom]

Hi dcmom, Sorry –it’s taken me a while to get back to this!
In answer to your questions, ‘Yes’, i did manage to have an extended time last year (about 6 – 8 months) when my PVCs where less troublesome/symptomatic.  They were still there, but felt like they were less frequent and i didn’t have all the troublesome symptoms of SOB, dizziness, fatigue, that really bother me. I’m really not sure why the PVCs were less frequent and strong for that period of time (you know the difference between when your chest just feels like its missing beats often, versus the absolute thumping in your chest and having seemingly no rhythm for hours on end). Prior to this relatively symptom-free period of time, I know that i had been experiencing some fatigue, and in trying to help this had been pretty disciplined about taking some vits and minerals, which i continued until the end of the year (2001). They were "Swisse Calverv" tablets (containing lots of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and manganese); and "FAB" tablets (containing iron, B complex, and biotin (vit H)), both available in Australia, and i should imagine also in USA. However, i was also being treated for a suspected peptic ulcer at the time, and consequently cut-out coffee from my diet, and also tried a few different meds for the suspected ulcer. It could have been cutting out coffee, but I’m not normally a huge coffee consumer (would usually average 2/day plus perhaps a cola or two) and have found that either having coffee or not having coffee hasn’t made too much difference at other times during the last 3 yrs that i have had PVCs. It could have been the vits and minerals, as i ran out of them before Christmas 2001, and didn’t get around to getting them again for a couple of months, which "coincided" with my PVCs becoming much worse again. I say "coincided" because over the years i really haven’t found too much consistency between my symptoms and what i have ingested, or what has been going on around me!! I have now been taking the same vits & minerals again for about two weeks (although have change the dosage and added another for pre-pregnancy reasons!), and yet my PVCs have remained quite bothersome. Maybe i need to give it more time with the vits & mins.  I’ll keep you posted if you like?!

I do notice that sleep IS important (and you hear all the experts say that!), but for me, I’m not sure if sleep is the "chicken" or the "egg"!!  i.e.When i am really tired i notice that the PVCs are more frequent and forceful (and sometimes even feel a bit ‘fluttery’ then), however, at other times when i haven’t been that tired, i have been woken up in the middle of the night with extra slow heart beats and extra forceful "thumping" in my chest, resulting in ... you guessed it ... feeling extra tired for the period of time that this scenario was occurring!! Oh well, .. at least they are not life-threatening (and the longer that you have these things the more you allow yourself to actually BELIEVE that statement from the experts!). I am not, and never have been on meds for PVCs, and am glad of that as they can have some pretty nasty side effects (as you can read on some of the other postings) for something that is not life-threatening. Now that my electrocardiologist (an Aussie equivalent of an EP i think!) realises that i am having over 11, 000 of these PVCs a day, he has suggested an ablation, which i might consider in the future, but not now as i wish to fall pregnant again ASAP! ( Which of course, interestingly, means that i haven’t been on birth control pills for some time now, ahhh!).

So, for now i can live with it by:-
   - trying to get enough sleep (not always possible for a busy mum with a nocturnal 4 year old, and a shift-working, snoring husband!);
   - being a bit more gentle with myself, and setting limits with other people on days when i feel really symptomatic and awful (eg. "Nooo, ...today i can only do ONE thing at a time!);
   - allowing myself to get used to them and not feeling like i have to monitor or think about them all the time. This takes some time, and sometimes requesting more thorough investigations from your Dr helps – then you know what that strange arrhythmia and thumping ISN’T, which i believe is just as important as knowing what it is!!;
   - reading other people’s experiences of living with PAC/PVCs for very long periods of time (like 40-50 years plus!) and feeling assured that they ARE still really alive and kicking, and although might still be annoyed by PVCs every now and then, they are still enjoying life and activities;
   - and lastly, by humouring myself by postulating and planning a post grad research thesis on PAC/PVCs and hormonal influences!! Now, if i just wasn’t so tired ...

I apologise for the long posting, but i figure that this might be of some help, or at least reassure you dcmom. It is a bit hard at first to get used to something new and strange happening in your heart!! All the best to you dcmom!

[Michmom]

I am a 38yr young woman with PAC's. I just got home from the hospital a few hours ago where the Dr's told me again that I have PAC's and that Im just going to have to live with it!  Thats not the answer that I wanted so I decided to get online to find some answers, its terrible that we suffer from this but it was great to hear stories of others and to know that Im not alone!  My PAC's just started summer of 2001 after numerous trips to the Dr.s office (they never seemed to happen when I was in his office) 1st trip to the hospital they didnt find anything but sent me home with a Holter monitor which I had to return after 24hrs it showed nothing then more time went by I had a Hystorectomy 10-2001 and in Nov. the PACs were back now my Dr. ordered an event monitor which I wore 24/7.  Finally the week before Christmas I went back to the hospital the Dr. on duty called the monitoring company and got all my recordings for that day (all 20 of them) He came back to me and said these are PAC's very normal everyone has them your fine go home.  I asked if I could walk or workout he said that was the best thing I could do. OK I started walking everyday I was feeling wonderful that was the best Christmas present my PAC's pretty much went away until tonight 5/16/02  THERE BACK in full force! I have to find a way to cope with this any suggestions?  Thanks for listening sorry this is so long it just felt good to tell someone else that knows what it feels like.

[angelapple]

Hi All,  Can someone please be more explicit about PVC/PAC and palps.  I'm wondering, is a palpitation when you feel your heartbeat in your chest and also feel it missing?  I'm not sure if that is a palp or PVC or PAC.  I had them 3 times this week, all lasting for hours.  Any help I would really appreciate.  THanks.

[dcmom]

Hi, Aussiemom.  I enjoyed your comments.  It sounds like you have a great attitude, which surely helps you cope with these miserable PVC's!  The vits& mins are a good idea.  I tried drinking Dasani water, which contains magnesium, potassium, etc. and thought I noticed a slight improvement.  Unfortunately I prefer Diet Coke!  Maybe I should try the pill form mins. for more of an effect.

I hope your pvc's have quieted down again.  I wonder what pregnancy hormones will do to them?  Hopefully kick your heart back into normal rhythm!  I also was hoping to be pregnant again, but since I've just hit 40 and am now on BC pills, I guess we'll be getting a dog instead of a little brother/sister!  I've been on the BC pills now for almost a full month, and I did notice quite an improvement on them.  At ovulation when the PAC's are usually the worst for days on end, I only had two days where they were really bad this month.  Sleep is the other interesting thing - I also have a snoring husband.  He's not a shift worker, but a night owl who falls asleep in front of the TV, then wakes me up by noisily coming to bed at 2 am!  Plus, my son has taken a liking to coming into our bed in the middle of the night (to protect us from dragons, he says), a habit which we are trying to break.  Coincidentally (?) I do seem to be sleeping better on the BC pills.  Perhaps hormones also contribute to insomnia?

You are right that if you can just learn to accept the PAC/PVC's, it does make it easier.  I'm finally trusting the doctor's reassurance that I'm not going to drop over dead from them, but it does take a while to get there.  And knowing that there are apparently lots of other women out there just like us helps a lot too.  

Please do keep me posted on how you're doing both with PVC's and pregnancy!  Good luck, and thanks again for your support!

[dcmom]

Hi, Michmom.  Have you seen your OB/GYN specifically about your PAC's, or have you been seeing the cardiologist/ER docs?  My experience with the cardiologist was that once he determined there was nothing wrong with my heart, he sent me on my way to "just live with it".  So I went to the OB/GYN, who was much more interested in finding the cause and eliminating the symptoms.  He also was very accepting of the hormone connection theory.  Did you have your ovaries removed as well when you had your hysterectomy?  I don't know how it all works, but I'm guessing that if you still have your ovaries, you would still ovulate, and maybe that is causing or contributing to your problem?  With me, ovulation made the PAC's become MUCH worse.  I have found a fair amount of relief from taking birth control pills.  This is the first month, so hopefully it will be even better next month.  I'd suggest seeing your OB/GYN and maybe he can determine if yours could also be hormone related and prescribe something to help.  Aussiemom also has some good suggestions in her 5/15 comment.

I had the same question you did about whether I could exercise, because I was afraid I would drop over if I did!  But I've started doing Nordic Track 3x per week, and it does help.  It is scary to start exercising when your heart is going nuts in your chest, but once you see that you reall don't have a heart attack from it, it feels good.

Good luck Michmom!  Please post again and let me know how you're doing!

[dcmom]

To answer your question, I believe that palpitation is the general term for abnormal rhythm of the heart, so a PVC or a PAC is a palpitation.  My doctor explained that with PVC's or PAC's, it is not actually the early beat you feel, but the one after.  Since there is a longer interval between the early beat and the next one, the heart fills with more blood than usual, making the next contraction more forceful, and that is what you feel.  Does that make sense?  It helped me to hear that explanation and understand exactly what was going on.

That said, you asked what it feels like.  I have mostly PAC's, and I describe it like a "flipping" feeling in my chest.  It is almost like my heart is bumping up against the front wall of my chest.  Hope that helps.  Good luck to you!

[njmom]

All of the comments that I've read have been quite interesting.  I don't know if my palpitations are PAC's or PVC's or anything else for that matter.  I just had an episode and was quite concerned.  My question is do any of your palpitations feel like your heart is beating very quickly?  I am 33 and I take Norvasc and Toprol for high BP (hereditary) and was a little late in taking it this morning and this was the worse episode I've ever had.  Of course, these palpitations all started when I lost 15 pounds and have been going to the gym religiously for a year.  Now that I am the fittest and smallest I've been as an adult pre and post-pregnancy, why wouldn't they start?  Thanks in advance for any information you can provide about your experience.

[bronny]

Hi all,
I am so glad I hvae found a site where so many of you (us) are having the same sort of symptoms..not glad we all have symptoms, but you know what I mean. My odd beats started about 4 months ago, I'm 45 and perimenopausal.  I think there is a definite link between hormone levels and these symptoms.  I remember my Mum having the same at about 45 or so.  I had an ECG and it showed that the blips were happening every 6 beats or so.  GP told me not to worry, but of course I do.  It is uncomfortable, it is a damn nuisance and I want to take something now! and get rid of it.  I am taking Atenolol as I had atrial fib about 6 years ago and have an erratic beat without it.  However, the blips are worse in the run up to a periods and get less toward the end.  I am off to GP tomorrow to ask for HRT.  It is scary and I wonder when I would need to be getting concerned, as in, is it worse the more blips you have, what is a safe number, if any.  Anyone else have them all day for days on end, and the beat feeling like it's in your throat?
take care
bronny

[Michmom]

Thanks for writing, my episodes started almost 1 year ago I never had them before then.  Looking back maybe I was under SOME stress but who isnt?  I had my hystorectomy in Oct. they did leave my ovaries.  I wore an event monitor for 6wks finally the week before Christmas when I went to the ER for the 4th time in just 5mos all the ekg readings were normal the Dr. called the monitoring company and got all 12 of my readings for that day (thats all that I recorded there were lots more) he came back to my room and said these are PAC's they are non-life threatening everyone has them he said he has them the nurse said she had had them when she was in nursing school.  Well that made me feel a little better but I still had lots of ?s but no one to answer them. Oh yea,the DR did say the best thing I could do is exercise that it would help the PACs so the next day I started walking again (I had stopped because I thought it might be bad) I've been walking just about every day since I think it has helped as far as getting healthier.  I havnt had any big episodes like 12-01 until 5-16 I really thought I had gotten rid of the big ones so now that sense of security is gone and you wait for it to happen again.. All the times Ive had PACs I seem to make it worse by having panic attacks I get all worked up and sometimes feel like I cant breathe  2mos ago I convinced my family DR that I couldnt breathe so he sent me to a pulmanoligist then that DR sent me for a stress test (that was normal) then I had a pulmanary fuction test which did show a slight asthma problem, but I only had these breathing problems when I either had a PAC or thinking about having one, (the mind is a powerful thing!) SORRY to keep going on   To answer your other ? I havnt talked to anyone about the hormones yet. I did see my obgyn 4wks after my surgery and I did have the monitor on then she asked what it was for but didnt have any input.  I am going to a cardiologist 6/10/02 I was hoping to get more answers then . thank you for writing and listening to my long sob story I know there are a lot of people worse off then me but its still nerve racking! Im so glad I found this forum. Thanks Again!! may all your days be PAC/PVC free!

[angelapple]

Thanks for your answer back.  Your explanation does help, a lot.
I feel like my heart is flipping also.  Almost like a vibration, when it catches up with the beat.  I have an event monitor on right now.  I'll have it for 2 weeks.  I know this sounds silly, but in a way I hope I get the palps and in a big way I hope I don't if you know what I mean.  I would love for them to see exactly what this is doing but on the other hand it's just so scary.  It absolutely is horrible waiting for it to happen again.  I must say I feel an occasional extra beat about every other day.  When I'm getting my period, I feel it often here and there through the day, but what happened 2 weeks ago for 3 different days having it for hours really scared the death out of me.  That is an anxiety/panic causing thing.  I must say I was feeling anxious (butterflies in my stomach) for days before the first big episode started.  The panic came after it started.  Hopefully they find just what all of you have and I learn to deal with it.  THanks again.  Let me know how you are.

[dusty111]

I was diagnosed with PVCs several years ago. I went through several recurring episodes, and after investigation was told they could be due to a slight prolapse of my mitral valve. After understanding what was happening, I relaxed and the episodes were less frequent. I continued to monitor myself and found that any occurence was only during PMS. I thought it was due to the emotional stress that I felt at those times. But now that I'm 49 and quite sure I'm in peri-menopause, I'm having very frequent occurences again. But there seems to be a pattern with my monthly cycles, and I'm sure my hormones are surging and fluctuating. I am very interested to see that they are related to hormone levels. Dusty111

[angelapple]

I too am in perimenopause.  I've been for 5 years.  I also notice the extra beats during PMS much more.  The weird thing is I was diagnosed with Mitral valve prolapse 15 years ago and just went to a new cardio dr. and he did an echogram and told me my heart was perfectly normal. He said I did not have mvp and there was no sign of reguritation which I was also diagnosed with.  My question was why did I have 4 bouts of extra beats that lasted for hours within 6 days.  I was never so scared.  He told me hormones are a definite cause along with stress of course.  Hmmmm, it's a little disturbing not knowing for sure even though 2 other drs. did diagnose me with MVP.  Oh well I like this one's answer so I'm really going to try and just deal with the PVc's and hope they don't come to often.  Take care.

[red1221]

I started having PVC's in 1979 while I was getting ready to move to a new home.  So I guess you could say they were related to stress.  I also noticed them being very frequent about a week or so before my period but no Dr. ever said they were hormone related.  Now, 23 years later, after numerous tests, ECHO, Holter Monitor, Stress Test, being hospitalized for a week in 1982, been given tranquilizers and drugs like Quiniglute, Norpace and Lanoxin, which I had allergic reactions to, I'm doing nothing but learning to live with the PVC's.  That's not to say that I'm not still frightened when they're very frequent.  Although I do have periods when they're hardly noticeable, since I'm post-menopausal.  It's so comforting to know I'm not alone.

[debbiedeb]

hi everyone,
i am so glad to have found this forum, mainly because no one can really understand how awful palpitations are unless they have experienced them. i truly believe that there is a definite connection between changing hormones and increased palpitations.
i know when i was pregnant over 10 years ago i had no palpitations at all and after delivery, for the next 6 weeks i had terrible palpitations all day long. now i am 44 yrs old and think i may be entering into perimenopause and once again the palpitations are back in full force. the doctors say they have never heard of this but i read a very interesting book called the wisdom of menopause by christiane northrup and she makes mention of this connection. it is a very bothersome feeling . i probably have 2 days out of the month that i am not bothered by palpitations, the rest of the time i get them daily at different times of the day. stress definitely makes them worse. it makes things a little easier knowing i am not alone. thanks, deb

[riveaux]

Hi..
I'm a 50 yr old male in good shape - I swim, run, lift weights. I started having PACs last Fall during strenuous swim workouts,  never while running or lifting weights. I also noticed that lack of sleep or caffeine could bring them on. So, I backed off on the intensity of the workouts and I didn't get them during the workouts, but after the workouts, at 2 - 2:30 pm almost everyday they would kick up for 20 minutes and then go away. Did the whole exam / sonogram (heart structurally sound)/ treadmill test at the cardio doctor. PACs kicked in after the treadmill test: they always seem to happen after the exercise, while the heart is de-celerating. So, Doc prescribed Toprol. Knocked down the PACs and everything else in my life - energy. libido, etc. So I stopped the Toprol. I didn't recover my energy level and went to see my GP; did bloodwork and ==> low testosterone levels and borderline anemia. No unusual for a an old man like me. Perscribed testosterone gel and within a couple weeks felt much better and strangely the occurence of PACs went way down; didn't disappear, but did subside significantly. They still appear afternoons after a workout for 20 minutes or so and if I'm sleep deprived, but nothing like they used to be. So apparently there is a link between male hormonal levels and PACs.

Still bothersome, but much better. Doc has now perscribed Rhythmol but I am uncertain if I want to take this medication since I had such a bad experince with Toprol. Maybe I should just put up with them and stay away from caffeine and get enough sleep, etc.

[dusty111]

This hormone issue is very interesting, both in females and males. I read a posting on men in their mid to late twenties who were starting to experience palps. They talked about their intense exercise regimes, just wondering if there is any steroid use and if it's related. I'm trying to get hold of my old medical records to see when I was using birth control pills and if there was any relation to when I was first diagnosed. I'm just waiting for blood test results on my hormone and thyroid levels, ecg, holter monitor, etc. I really have no desire to go on any of the meds mentioned, I'm a firm believer in wholesome diet and herbal meds. Will look into it when I get my results. Take care.

[Michmom]

Hi!  I just wanted to let you know that I went to the cardiologist yesterday.  He said that nearly everyone has PAC's but most people dont feel them, they are not life threatening and do not lead to heart problems.  PAC's are not caused by stress but they are irratated by stress so we need to get rid of some stress in our lives!!  Or at least manage our stress better.  He did say it is a hormone thing not necesarily a female hormone just hormones!  He is going to do an echo-gram on friday just to make sure hes sure that all will look good Im all for making sure!  I think Im going to sign up for some stress managment classes it cant hurt.  I asked the Dr. if the PACs would ever just go away and he said yes that they do just stop as suddenly as they started so thats what Im hoping for!  I havent had any major episodes since 5/15/02.  Im tired of waiting for them to start again Im going to think possitive, keep exercising and eating better and more rest and live each day to the fullest in hopes that I will win this battle!  Think possitive the mind is a powerful thing! Take care, hoping all your days and nights are PAC/PVC,s FREE!

[traceyc]

This is SO enlightening to read about so many of us with the same thing!!! I too am convinced that there is a definite correlaton between hormones and the PVC's/PAC's. My question is: Why aren't more physicians at least EXPLORING the possibility of some connection here??? It's so frustrating to have the cardio tell you to talk to the gyno, and vice versa. I'm sure their thinking is that "It won't kill you, so forget about it". I even suggested that I might be experiencing some sort of "pre-menopausal" stuff (I'm 35---I know it's young, but my mom started in her late 30's) and was looked at as though I had 3 heads. Does anyone know of a cardiologist who supports this theory? I work for an airline and would be willing to travel. Thanks for any help with this, and especially for letting me know I'm not alone! Take care everyone!!!

[angelapple]

Hi all.  Last weekend I spent most of the time frightened by my extra beats again.  They're BACK.  I went to another cardio dr. on Monday.  She put me on an event monitor and thank goodness I started having an episode. At least someone can see what's going on.  The last halter, and event, and EKG were totally normal.  She told me they are PAC's and put me on toprol 25mg.  I'm really not a medicine person but I just could not mentally stand these damn things another day, so I took the meds and went to bed.  I must admit I havent' had an episode since Monday (don't want to jinx myself).  I do feel a little tired in the afternoon, though, but if this stuff works then I'll just have to deal with it.  She wanted me to have a blood test of thyroid and potassium.  She did mention many times these extra beats are caused by low potassium, also thyroid problem.  Sooooo I'll go tomorrow for the blood work.  I hate to admit it but I still am worried.  I'm afraid they'll start again.  I really hate living in fear and I think I just better try and get on with it.  Anxiety really stinks! Hope you guys are all well and feeling better.  THanks, Angela

[squeala7]

To all the women AND men who think there is a link between hormones and PVC's/PAC's...they are right. I have been doing research for over a year now - lots and lots of reading etc - they actually have detailed reasons why your heart skips around. I hope I can shed some light even though its not verbatim - they said that its the fluctuations in estrogen (and sometimes vs progesterone) that makes our vessels dialate and constrict - meaning estrogen, when its at it's height (OVULATION) is maxed out - its not the levels that affect us, (high levels are actually good for our bodies) its the sudden SURGE that makes our vessels contract and dialate - causing the heart to say "hey whats goin on" and it just reacts to it. Same with progesterone. Your levels of progesterone are low and then begin to kick in after ovulation - estrogen plummets because your period is beginning. This causes all sorts of surges..I can actually feel the surge - I get warm - not a hot flash - but I just feel 'Pms'y" if you will and then wham - the heart things - and I can tell a definate difference between regular pac's or pvcs that I have on normal days - (minor I feel) and the 'hormonal' ones as I call them. My husband and Drs think Im nuts - but there is a definate difference in the feeling - the ones between ovulation and through my period are very forceful, sometimes painful and feel like they have 'rushes' to them - very intense - they started after the birth of my first child - I always had 'normal' pvcs before that. But these scared me to death and are so strange - There is a good book out too I would recommend to everyone to read - its called "Screaming to be Heard, Hormonal changes that women suspect and Drs ignore" by Dr Vliet. Its very good - expensive - about $25 - but there is explanations on why we feel like we do and also many many other symptoms that I didnt realize I was having due to hormones, I wasnt paying attn to them because as many of you can agree w/me - the heart things are the most bothersome and the occasional migraine I had was NOTHING LOL! At any rate - there are many things in there and it tells you where your hormones should be at. I am going to take the saliva hormones tests / you have to pay for them yourselves - cuz Drs wont do them - but they can tell you LOADS!  My estrogen at ovulation was only 50. That is really low - where its supposed to be very high at ovulation - (150-300) so this may explain some of the problems. Thyroids also play a huge part and the normal blood tests you get with thyroid doesnt always tell you that you have a problem - it can fall within normal ranges and still have a disorder - there are additional 'super' thyroid blood tests that will tell further.

At any rate - I just wanted to shed some light on the hormonal issue - because I know for a FACT that mine are related - and they still scare the beans out of me cuz they are so strange over the regular pvcs that we get. I could mow the lawn during the first week after my period 4 times over and never have a problem - then I could take a simple walk around the block at ovulation and WHAM! I get these hard ones that almost take me to the ground! I thought I was having a heart attack in the middle of the block! Then they would subside and I would be fine. So it almost seems impossible that it couldnt be hormonally related.  Ive seen lots of stuff on the internet too - just do searches like "pvcs and hormones" or estrogen and heart- things like that - I can find them again if any of you would like them - you can email me at ***@****.

Hormonal changes begin occuring as early as mid 30's - Im 37 / Im in perimenopause already and its obvious - drs will say - no no no - youc ant be. wrong - I am.  During my life, I went through a normal time, then turned 22 and wham - was hit with hormones that wouldnt stop for a year - everyday, every few beats - wierd. THen they just stopped - (we go through an adjustment time in our early 20's - same with men) and then I was fine - got prego at 32 and wham - afterwards - we also go through post pregnancy adjustment - 6 weeks after the birth of my baby - I ended up in the hospital with bygenimy - (sp?) a skipped hard beat every other beat - for hours - scared the beans out of me.  I too breastfed and it seemed after nursing for a year - thats when they started - I know vitamins and minerals play a serious role - Ill give my outline below in a moment - it has really helped me tons!  Dont let me forget the men - they also go through hormonal changes in their 20's - their testosterone decreases in vast amounts by the time they hit 40. They have done studies on treadmills - with people with ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart) and they injected them with testosterone during the exercise and lo and behold their hearts went to normal immediately. Testosterone plays a huge role as well. It builds muscles - it supplies oxygen to muscles (heart) and of course increases sex drive etc and all sorts of sexual hormone functions.  So men can be adversly affected as well. Men also go through a "menopause" type period around the same age women do - their androgens - male hormones take a huge dive - causing all sorts of symptoms just like women get - of course many men dont like to dwell on their symptoms - but if you notice your hubby getting grumpier as he gets older! HAHHA there is an explanation!

Sorry this is soooooo long! I also quick wanted to give my vitamin routine and it has taken me so long to get to this and I swear it helps a LOT. Mine have pretty much been cut in half with this regimine.  I take TOPROL, only 25 ml as a means to just relax the heart, lower my bp and heart rate - I cut the 50ml in half so I just take the min dose - this alone has helped incredibly - and there really is no side effects on the low dose - I absolutely feel the same except for the PVCS are better. I then take 2 50mg of CoQ10 everyday - this is an essential enzyme for your heart - when autopsies are performed on patients who died of cardiac failure - their CoQ10 enzyme was VERY LOW. We need this to survive - I know this enzyme has really helped my pvcs too - it takes about 6 weeks to finally kick in - I take a multi vit , additional magnesium (not everyday) and 6 Fish Oil Pills a day - 2 am, 2 afternoon and 2 pm - these have really helped! They are the omega 3's we americans dont get enough of. Our ratio of Omega 6's (the bad bad bad fat we eat) to our omega 3's (the good good fat we never get in fish) is 20 to 1 in america.  It should be no more than 3 to 1. Maybe why were having so many problems in america? OH yea! Anyway - this has helped a ton for me - I will be taking HRT for sure when I get to the appropriate age - my hormone levels are ok - its just the fluctuations that kill me -birth control pills can help too - I am goin to have another baby so I dont want to go that way yet...I have tried them tho - they seemed to help w/the big ones - but I had flutters and hot flashes - it really is a science and you playing guinea pig to figure out whats right for your body. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

[VALERIA]

Ditto! I couldn't have explained it better.
The exact same thing happens to me like like everyone who posted here , in this arrythmia/hormone column.
Two weeks before my period, right around ovualtion they get much worse, and right up until my period ends.
Then after my period, I can do whatever and no symptons or not much anyway.
But then as time goes by and I inch back towards the treaded ovulation, here we go again.
I'm 41, and my problems began in October 1993.
My heart started for the first time racing that day, and everyday since.
In 1998, I finally seen a cardiologist for the first time, and had all the tests and monitors, and told I'm healthy despite all these awful arrythmias.
Sinus Tachycardia is one of the arrythmias and probably Pac' or Pvc's.
I take Toprol 150mg daily since September, 1999. The pills are all 50mg, I take a pill and a half then about ten hours later the other pill and a half.
Works pretty good, but still can feel daily things with my heart, but better.
But if I fall behind in the doses, you do feel symptons, and if it is around that time of the month, sometimes I feel like I didn't take the medication at all, but after that time, sometimes I feel like I don't need the medication, I really believe hormones plays a huge part.

[TStarr]

First of all Hi to everyone. I am so glad I found this site I have been at my witts end with the Palps I've been having. To dcmom I would like to Thank you for the explanation you gave on PAC's, PVC's & Palps. I have read each & every post here today (even the long one's)& was really glad to read your posts. Also to Bronny I too am 45 yrs & believe myself to be perimenopausal even thou my Dr. disagrees I do at times have these all day long & feel like it is up in my throat. AT first I thought it was due to my smoking & I am sure it didn't help matters any then I quit smoking about a month ago and it seems the Palps. have gotten worse therefore I thought it was due to the stop smoking patch I wore for three weeks. Well I haven't worn a patch in almost two weeks & they are with me more than ever. I have read where most feel that it is Hormone & stress related I do feel like it may be for me as well. Also I really need to know from anyone does the Palps. make you feel like you can't catch your breath and it makes you cough. Again I know this could be from my smoking but it has gotten worse I don't cough up mucus it's more of a dry deep down cough. I will be going to the doctor next month so maybe he can tell me something I'm sure he will want me to go to a specialist & I guess I will but I sure don't want to start having to take any Meds. Hope to get a response and like many others sorry this is so long but being my first post I had alot to say.
Thank you all!!!