Marked sinus arrythmia

[oneil420]

After a 30 day event monitor for palpitations i was told that i had marked sinus arrythmia. Although no actual palps were caught on the event recorder, the dr told me that my symptoms correltated with the marked sinus arrythmia. I was told that normaly sinus arrtyhmia has no symtpoms but that i had "marked" sinus arrythmia and that the variance between my inhale/exhale was great enough to cause symptoms. Have you(or anyone out there) ever heard of sinus arrythmia causing symptoms? The palps really dont bother me much anymore but i am still interested in recieving a proper diagonses. I use are world famous Veterans hospitals were it is real easy to get pushed to the side. I know that without the Ecgs you cant say much but does this sound logical to you? If so what is the standard treatment (if any) for marked sinus arryhtmia considering symptoms are present? should i ask to see a EP? I do apologize for all of you who have been trying to get your questions in considering this is my second post but i cant find anything on marked sinus arrythmia( causing symptoms) on the net or at the library so this is my best option, thank you in advance....ONeil

[Cleveland Clinic]

oneil,

Sinus arrythmia is a normal finding and refers to the changes of variability of hear rate with respiration. In some, this variability is enough that the changes can be felt. Over the course of a day the variabilty can cahnge.  WIth a negative cardiac evaluation and this particular rhythm I wouldnt pursue any further cardiac evaluation. A  general cardiologist can follow you for preventive checkups and there is no treatment since it is not an abnormal rythm. good luck

[CollegeGirl143]

sinus arrhythmia is normal and can even indicate a healthy heart. in lamens terms it means that your heart beats faster when you inhale,and slower when you exhale. Marked means that your variant is greater than most, and sometimes it feels like a palpatation because on exhale it takes a little longer to get a beat. Im not sure what you could do as for treatment, maybe take a beta blocker to reduce the feeling you get from the delayed beats when you exhale, but i think its probably more of a nuesance that a problem.. hope that helps! feel better

[Abeybaby]

I wish i had your problem... sinus arrythmia is absolutely no problem whatsoever especially within a normal cardiac evaluation ...

Goodluck-

[Rachel's mom]

I just finished a 4 week monitor for a sinus tachycardia that I have been getting during my period for the past 7 month...it happens with every cycle and it happens in the middle of the night and wakes me up...my heart rate gets up to 150-160...I was prescribed a beta blocker called atenonol 25mgs...I am nervous to take it...the cardiologist understands and suggest I just take it during my period for 5 days and stop then start again next month on my period...is this safe?????  I thought it was dangerous to stop and start beta blockers....I am tempted to just go without which he said i could but didn't understand why i would when he could help me with meds...I have lived with my skipping beats since i was 20 and i know i can handle this too since it happens once a month...but i have the meds and it would be nice to not dread this event every month...any help would be great...thanks everybody...im 42 by the way and he obviously thinks this is hormonally related...anyone else have anything similar??  Thank again, Judianne

[tickertock]

I take atenolol 100mg daily in divided doses mainly for sinus tach and PVCs. I have never had a real bad attack of tachy while on the atenolol and a big plus, the  PVCs are almost non existent, even when nervous or scared my heartrate rarely gets above 100, yet it still responds like how it should to exercise but is not exaggerated like before.

If your cardio has advised on how to try the atenolol and 25mg atenolol is not that big of a dose as i understand, i would at least give it try I've been on it for 3 years now without any problems whatsoever though we are all different and respond differently, at least you are under the doctor's recommendations. I'm a male so I can't say my tachycardia or PVcs are hormonal. I've had this affliction all my life, though my cardiac evaluations are always essentially normal and I've had lots of them in my 41, nearly 42 years. Good luck , you might just find the relief you're looking for.

[CollegeGirl143]

my doctor gave me 25mg of toprol to take just as needed so im pretty sure there arent adverse affects to taking them speratically. i was nervous about it too and he told me beta blockers are very safe and well tolerated. he also told me that they'll give a dose of beta blockers to presidents and politicians before they make speaches to keep their heart rates down if they're nervous, i dunno why but i found that comforting! hope this helps.

[oneil420]

First things first this was only a possible cause of my palpitations not a true diagnoses, i was just asking the doc if he ever heard of marked sinus arrythmia causing symptoms since i couldnt find anything in my library on it. It has been no walk in the park, I do have SVT but my palps dont correlate with it. I was in a bad place for along time and have just recently started to "adjust" to my new lifestyle, so if you want it it yours, oneil

[CollegeGirl143]

i had svt too.. it stinks i kno.. do you know what type you have? have u ever considered RF ablation? i did it and lemme tell u, it was WELL worth it

[megz22]

Hi

I've had palps for nearly two years, and just need some advice. What are you supposed to do if you know there's absolutley nothing wrong with your heart, you keep away from caffeine and alcohol, you still do exrecise and try and enjoy life, you try meditation, and you still continue to get palps??

I've been on a beta blocker which hasn't really helped. I just want  to know how much of the palpiations are actually caused by anxiety and how much of it is just "there" and we cant really do anything about it?

What do people do when they start getting them? They're agonising. I can barely hold a conversation with someone when I get my "heart hiccups." I know that the best thing to do is to try and ignore them but this is proving near impossible.

Any advice anyone? Any natural remedies? Another beta blocker perhaps? Or no meds at all? I feel like I've tried everything and it really is upsetting me and hindering my enjoyment of life at the moment :-(

[woodruff]

If you go through the posts here, or do a search using terms like "pvcs," you'll see that what seems like a bazillion of us have had to deal with the very same issues.  I think the biggest problem is fright.  In my own case, I really am not sure whether the pvcs are the cause or the result of a burst of panic, because they seem to occur simultaneously.

However, once we have been reassured by our docs, often over and over again, that our  tests show that the odd beats are not dangerous, the next question is how to deal with them.

Some people do find that one beta blocker or another reduces the strength or perception of them, and sometimes the frequency, too.  Often, it requires a trial of several beta blockers.

If the fright over pvcs continues and becomes chronic, so that the poor patient spends more time listening to his/her heartbeat than enjoying life, then I believe it's time for psychological intervention.  Some people use a relatively short-acting anti-anxiety-drug, like xanax or klonopin, several times a day.  IMHO, this is sending boys to do a man's work.  I think if you're dealing with months of anxiety because of benign pvcs or palps, it makes sense to visit a good psychiatrist who is familiar with antidepressants.  In my experience, finding the right one really gets rid of the self-monitoring thing, and lets one move on.  Some people find that one SSRI seems to increase the odd beats, but some shrinks, like mine, are very up to date on the pharmacology of this class of drug, and will choose based on the patient's symptoms.

[fearfactor]

I am one of those people who nearly let palps ruin my life.  I went to a special clinic for people with health anxiety and, thank God, I am almost completely better now!  Yesterday, I had a couple palps within a minute or so of eachother which normally would have freaked me out but I just prayed, held on and felt better!  I am weaning off xanax right now (almost totally off it!  yay!  I'm 36 weeks pregnant and my goal is to be off completely before my baby's born to reduce her withdrawal risk) and am starting lexapro again.  I know palps are scary but you can overcome the fear with determination!  I was nearly a shut in for almost a year and am now living life again.  It can be done!

[megz22]

Hey, thanks for your post. You mentioned that some people try several beta blockers before finding one that might help. I am currently on atenolol, it's called "Noten" Are you aware of any other beta blockers out there?

I know I probably should just stay away from all meds but honestly it'd be nice to have a break from the palps and be able to concentrate on things like study etc. I'm in my honours year this year and dont have time for annoying paplitations!

Having said that I know I should probably learn how to deal with the anxiety better. I feel like I do meditation and it sort of decreases the pvcs but then they just come right back the next day with a vengenace. Very frustrating isn't it. Honestly I feel like I've got so many awesome things in my life and I wish so much that I could just concentrate on them without always having to factor in pvcs. It would be so nice to wake up in the morning and not have palps be the very first thing on my mind. It would be so nice to wake up and think "wow, what a beautiful day!" instead of "I wonder  how many palps I will get today and whether they will make me cry or not" :-(

Sorry I went on a bit there it just feels so good to vent. If anyone else has any similiar thoughts/feelings/experiences please share. I am so gald for this Forum! Take care everyone :-)

[woodruff]

"t would be so nice to wake up in the morning and not have palps be the very first thing on my mind."

Megzz, you're listening for your heartbeat, aren't you?  It's natural, and we all do it at first.  But, when that's the first thing you listen for at daybreak, I think it means it's time to get a bit of counseling.  Myself, I favor a psychiatrist, because, as an MD, he/she can prescribe medication.  However, some people get enough help from a counselor, who will try relaxation techniques and so on.  ACCEPTANCE of the palps will be large part of therapy.  This sort of thing is described in a rather cool old book titled 'Hope and Help for Your Nerves," by Claire Weekes.

To answer your questions about beta blockers, yeah, there are lots of them.  You should probably ask your doc about the current smorgasbord, and which of them would be best for you to try.  There is no reason to steer clear of medications, particularly when the palps are so troublesome in your life.

[rhythmAKL]

I am completely CONSUMED by my palps and arrhythmias.  I wake up thinking about them and never stop thinking about them during the day.  The meds are keeping them subdued, but I still feel my body and heart wanting to TAKE FLIGHT.  Still scary!  When I finally go to bed, I lay there waiting, and doze off eventually.  Then the next day, all over again.  IT seems like mine are worse in the early morning, very nervous feeling upon getting out of bed, and after I eat. They're never absent.  I have tried relaxed breathing techniques and seems like they are resistant to it and do what they want when they want.  I think acupuncture and chinese herbs were helping but I have stopped going since the expense is so high and insurance is still not helping pay for it.  If I am in need of psychiatric help, please help me know what they could do.  I am a mother of 4 children and single yet engaged.  My partner and I have been having problems lately.  I think I lack enough Joy in my life and to be honest, the arrhythmia's are stealing any joy that I desperately want to feel.  Here is what I have upcoming, I know that moving is very high on the list of major stressors, yet I am trying to buy a place and actually looking forward to the move if it happens....because it will be exercise and it will be a real distraction. I will love being in a new place!

I will be seeing my cardiologist in the morning, and have some questions, and feed back from the medicine he has me taking.  I hope he can reassure me the meds will not make me worse the longer I take them.  Have you ever heard of that happening?

Thanks and hope you all are feeling well as can be!! Think positive ~!

[stuey dunx]

I've had SVT for 27 years (started when 16) and have suffered with heart hiccups or runs of palpitations virtually every day (normally worse on holiday overseas as psychologically feel more vulnerable in a foreign country), I like a beer or 2 and have discovered through trial and error that certain substances are worse catalysts than others. The single worst substances for causing palpitations for me are as follows:

Tannins (high tannin red wine is a BIG no no)
MSG
Caffeine
Chocolate
alcohol (does however suppress it totally at the time, its the next day combined with the above that cause me extreme grief)

After all this time I am strongly considering an ablation as want to enjoy the rest of my life without the dread of palipations, anyone had an ablation? If so how was it?

Cheers

[RHYTHMRN]

Hi Stuey,

You have probobaly read some of my other posts.  I also had SVT since I was a young teen.(39 now) After being on beta blockers for 25 years and have my cardiologist urging me to have an ablation, I finally did.  First one was 4/06  didn't work.  Second was 6/06.  Have not had SVT since then and initially was taken off of beta blocker.  Started having major sinus tachy. (not SVT) and put back on Inderal.  Heartrate slowed down ok then started having PACS constantly (2/3 per minute 24/7). Only had maybe 5-6 per day before on a bad day - sometimes none at all prior to ablation.  That is where I am at 3 months after 2nd ablation.  Saw EP today , getting another cardionet monitor.  Still don't have any definite answers - why am I having so many now when I didn't have them prior to ablation, Can I ever get off of the Inderal or will my heartrate go in the 150's from just walking slowly, will these eventually subside if they are from irritation from the ablation?? I got a definite "I don't know"  Mind you I went to a well known, experienced EP from a leading major teaching hospital.  I do trust him and I think the fact of the matter is the heart is such a complex organ, who knows what happens when they burn and destroy heart tissue.  I guess if the electrical system was that easy to figure out this forum wouldn't exist because none of us would have to put up with these crazy beats.  Imagine the value in coming up with a cure-all for PACs and PVCs!! If the doc could tell me this is normal and within 6 months they will stop when the heart tissue is no longer irritated I would be ecstatic and could get through 3 more months.  I guess I kind of in limbo now thinking these could have been avoided if I didn't have the ablation and put up with episodes of SVT 4 times a year!!  This is only my experience and who knows, maybe they will go away.  I know that many people have had successful ablations - they are just not posting on heart forums, they are out enjoying their lives!!  I would just say make sure you get an experienced EP - mine has done thousands.  Good luck and I would be glad to reply if you have any other questions...

Fellow SVTer

[stuey dunx]

hi Rythmrn

Thanks for your reply, friend of mine recently had an ablation at 40 yrs old, went fine and has had no problems months later, however only has SVT for a couple of years - not 20+. My son has been complaining of something jumping in his chest so took him for an ecg and looks like he's got SVT also at 6 yrs old poor little lad. Hope they get to the bottom of your problem, the jury is out for me on whether I have an ablation, will think long and hard - more worried about my little one now.

thanks again

cheers

stuey

[RHYTHMRN]

Hi Stuey,
Sorry to hear you son may have the same problem.  Maybe there is a hereditary factor.  Take care and let us know how he is ....