Palpitation is there any cure???????

[DENISE]

I am 48 years old. I exercise 4 days a week, which includes cardo and weight traning. I have begun to miss periods and right after my period I experence heart palpitation. They last up to 3 days and they scare me so much. I'm am confused weather I should see a Cardiologist or a Gynecologist. I do not experence the palpitation on a regular basis only when my body seems to be going through hormone changes. Is there any thing I can do to stop these palitation??? Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thank You Denise

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Denise,  



There does seem to be a correlation between hormonal changes and palpitations.  It may be you are starting menopause.  I would suggest seeing a gynecologist first.  Horomone replacement therapy may "cure" the palpitations.

[ChrisMcG]

I am not in perimenopause myself(yet), but I find a strong connection between arrythmias and the point of my cycle I am in (mine tend to be worse during my period, and begin to improve afterward).  Don't worry!  My understanding is that it is really pretty common with this lovely "stage of life" we females go through.  Sounds like you could really benefit from low dose BC or hormone replacement.  Meanwhile, try not to worry and eat those fruits and veggies.  Maybe a magnesium supplement (to feel like you are doing something!)  A cardiologist may make you feel better, but unless you have other symptoms (like chest pain, faintness) you are probably A-okay (just uncomfortable).  Hang in there! As you can guess, the fear and anxiety definitely make them worse.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Thanks for your encouraging comments.

[martie]

I think you would find the previous postings under Q:Palpatations-Joanie 10/16/99 Quite interesting. The doctor responses were quite different especially about hormone replacement therapy. I too have been having problems with my menstrual cycle for the past few months accompanied by very frequent pvc's for several weeks at a time. I know that the palpitations are hormonal related. It seems logical to me. I find comfort in your response to the possibility (probability) that menopause and palpitations are related. Even when I was younger I had an increase in pvc's three days before my periods.Once the period started I was fine till the next month.Thank you so much for seeing the "connection". Thank you for being here.

[Pisme]

My OB tells me that PVC's are not a part of menopause, however, I truly believe they are hormonal....I get alot of them also right before my period and during...and then they calm down after that...I am 46 and don't feel that I am too close to menopause, however, I do think there is a connection....OB's don't know everything I'm convinced...Maybe there's just not been enough research on it yet for them to be convinced, but I know my body better than a dr does.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

There is not a consensus in the medical community concerning this topic and I have always made clear this is only my opinion.  However, in many many patients I have talked with this is a recurring topic of concern.  More research needs to be done in this area.

[DENISE]

Thank you CCF Cardio MD, Chrise, Martie and Pisme for all your advice. But there's a problem here and I can't understand that known one knows how to put these palpitation to rest! There has to be some kind treatment that will stop them. It sounds to me that many women are having a problem with palipitions and in 1999 there is no real help except cut you caffeine out of your diet. Well I can tell you that doesn't work. Any help out there from natural sources that anyone have tried???? I hate to seem so negitive but it irritates me that we can do all these wonderful things in surgery relating to the heart but have no remedy for palpitation!! I would appreciate any other help you could suggest!

Denise

[martie]

Denise, I feel just as frustrated as you. For several days I finally had some relief from thes pvc's and then today I got more runs of them than I ever had. I'm having double beats instead of single ones for hours at a time. My doctor is on vacation but when he gets back I'm really pushing him for better answers and/or treatments. I'm on a low dose of a beta-blocker. He won't increase it. I'm having problems with my menstrual cycle.He won't look into it. He insists there is no blood test to check for perimenopause. Since june my heart feels horrible. I use NO caffeine, not even decaffinated beverages. I don't remember what chocolate tastes like. I don't know when the last time was that I had an alcoholic beverage.I have tried every relaxation technique known to man. I tried bananas, magnesium, B vitamins, Fish oil supplements--yuk, vitamin E, calcium and forget it. It is all getting flushed down the toilet! Except of course the bananas! Live with this? I tried, I gave it my best shot.I didn't just stop using caffeine in June. I had trouble with pvc's off and on for ten years so I have been totally off caffeine for that long. I never was this bad. I can go out and do things while suffering with these things but what about the words "enjoying myself"? I've also been to a psychologist to try and deal with living with pvc's. She has been suggesting that I go to a cardiologist because she doesn't feel that my problem is stress related! I'm not whining and I'm not over-reacting. I'm an intelligent, rational human being with a physical problem that I want taken care of.I have no major stresses in my life, I'm not having any panick or anxiety problems. I just want rational answers. I think the next thing to try is a nice big glass of ICED TEA with CAFFEINE and a big chocolate bar!

and then maybe tonight a big mug of crisp cold Genny!or two! If I am going to suffer this much without those things I might as well indulge. Then I'll go to the emergency room and scream for a crash cart!!!!Good luck to us all.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Someone needs to invent decaf chocolate!

[H. Schwab]

Dear Martie,



I have had PVCs for the past four years.  They began when I was

40.  At first I thought it was because of a stressful year, but

I have yet to get rid of them.  They don't bother everyday, but

the fact that I can get them anytime is unnerving.  I also asked

my doctor if maybe perimenopause could have started these things,

but he didn't seem to think so.  I'm not so sure.  I want to think that there is a definite reason why I get these sporadic

thumps (you know the kind I mean), when all the tests have shown

a normal heart.  One of my doctors mentioned accessory pathways

that form in the heart for unknown reasons.  Maybe that's what it

is.  In any case, if you want to e-mail me, my address is

***@****.  Thanks.

[H. Schwab]

Dear Martie,



I have had PVCs for the past four years.  They began when I turned 40.  At first I thought that they were due to eating habits or maybe a stressful year, but I have yet to get rid of

them.  My doctor does not seem to think that they are related to

perimenopause - although my periods are sometimes wacky.  In any

case, although they are not a daily occurence, it's unnerving to

know they could "strike" at any time - you know the kind of thumps I mean.  In my case, stress does seem to bring them on

sometimes.  If you'd like to e-mail me, you can reach me at

***@****.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

There are several treatment options for palpitations.  Beta-blockers are a medical approach and they do work but are also associated with side-effects.  HRT may be useful for perimenopausal women.  If the PVCs are coming from only one or two areas of the heart they can be ablated.

[martie]

I thought ablation only works for or is used for certain arrythmias like tachycardia and isn't useful in treating pvc's.I don't think I would even take the risk of ablation for skipped beats, even though I hate having them. Isn't ablation more dangerous than beta-blockers for treatment of pvc's? And isn't ablation unsuccessful with pvc's? Thank you for your time.

[DENISE]

I am the one who origially asked the question about heart palpitaions. I have taken the advice of the Doctor and I am seeing a Cardiologist the 9th of November. I have had these palpitaions for the past 9 days and last night I a woke at 4AM and they didn't go away untill 11AM. There starting to scare me. Don't know what to expect when I get in to see the doctor. Could you tell me what will go on at the first visit???

Thanks,

Denise

[Susan]

To Martie



I thought exactly as you did about an ablation - I wasn't

going to have one .  However, I hated taking medicine all

the time and it didn't always work.  Finally, I had the

ablation the end of April and I really feel that the effects

of beta blockers over the long haul are far more dangerous

than the ablation was.  Of course you have to have great

confindence in your Dr.  The ablation didn't give me

wonderful results at first - but now I feel terrific.  Any

questions about the procedure, just ask and I can give you

the patient version.



Keep the faith!

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Denise - he/she will probably take a complet history and do a physical exam.  The tests will depend on the results of this but will probably include an ECG and some blood work.  A Holter monitor test and stress test are other possible options.

[Susan]

Denise,





This time last year I was having those horrible palpitations

and felt so darn frustrated and helpless.  



Finally after seeing many Drs., I went to a cardiologist

who specializes in the electrical system of the heart.

He was able to ease my mind and worked with me until we

found the solution to my problem.  Hopefully, the Dr. you

see tomorrow will have some answers for you.  



Please post what happens at your appt.

[Susan]

Denise,





This time last year I was having those horrible palpitations

and felt so darn frustrated and helpless.  



Finally after seeing many Drs., I went to a cardiologist

who specializes in the electrical system of the heart.

He was able to ease my mind and worked with me until we

found the solution to my problem.  Hopefully, the Dr. you

see tomorrow will have some answers for you.  



Please post what happens at your appt.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

This type of cardiologist is called an electrophysiologist.

[DENISE]

Susan,

I went to my appointment and the Dr. gave me on EKG right in the office. I was lucky because they were able to catch the palpitation on the EKG. Next I went and had blood work, there testing Estrogens, Thyroid and a Basic Chemistry Profile.

Then yesterday I went for a Isotope Stress Test, taking 60 pictures of my heart and also a tredmill test using an IV and injecting isotopes into my arm. My heart rate reached 149 and then they injected me with another isotope and than I rested about 10 minutes and they took another 60 pictures of my heart after exercise. The test took around 3 hours. I'm glad its all over and the results will be read Nov. 23rd. I'm hoping its not my heart but I will accept what ever is given to me and do what ever it takes to treat it.

Thanks for your concern

Denise

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[DENISE]

Well the results came in and my heart is just fine. All my test came back completely normal. Now what? Is it hormones? Haven't had a period in 46 days. Well anyway I was wondering if you had any other suggestions, since all my test were normal. Thanks for all your help!

Denise

[nikunjchauhan]

I am 45 years old and suffering from palpitation of hraet since

last 7 years, which normally starts whenever I am lying down doing nothing. My periods stopped when I was 37 years old.So far

no medicine is of any help.I am very emotional, whenever I am

mentally upset, then only palpitation starts. Is there any cure

for my condition?.Sometimes my get crossed while walkig, though

no palpitation at that time. My blood pressure remains low

60/110.

[jan]

I have recently been sick with the flu and am still not fully recovered. It has been 11 days of fever, coughing, congestion, etc. etc. My question though is about tachycardia. In the past couple of days I have developed a rapid heartrate that won't subside. It is scary and annoying. Is it dangerous? Is it flu related?  My doctor said it was related to a variety of medicines I was given during my flu; i.e.: Medrol dose pack, Z-pack, Benadryl, Robitussin, Zyrtec, etc.  I am off of everything for the past 48 hours but still have the rapid heart rate so it can't be the medicine.  Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks for your help.

[lori]

I had an echocardiogram done about 12 years ago and everything was normal. I'm experiencing abnormal heart beats that 3 doctors have told me are PAC's. Does anyone know if I should get another echo or should the one I had 12 years ago be good enough to rule out any heart problems?



Thanks!

[Nadine]

I am 36 years old and have suffered with chest pain and palpitations for many years. I was told I have mild aortic stenosis but this would not produce the symptoms I have.  I have had holter tests and echos and they never find anything out.



Over the last year I have had terrible palpitations in the days prior to my period, as a matter of fact I signed on today because  I just had a very rapid heartbeat, some sweating and then back to normal. I'm expecting my period in just a couple of days.

[Bev]

I am 44 and have had palpitations for about one year. They are worse at night when I am tryiny to sleep. I have had my blood tested the only thing they could find was my thyroid was a little off and so they put me on medicine which hasn't done a thing for me. They checked my urine, my stool, did an echo, did a Pap, and a Mammagram and still haven't found anything. It's encouraging to know I'm not alone but discouraging that knowone knows what causes it for sure are how to really treat it. Guess I'll just have to keep praying.

[maryann]

These palpitations have got to be hormonal!  I have seen two cardiologists in the last two years and holter, echo, stress and ecg are all normal.  I still feel very scared when they happen.  Is hormonal replacement worth a try? I am 42.  Has it helped anyone else?

[danielle]

I am a 21 year old female. I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder more than one year ago.  Along with this I was also experiencing Panic Attacks.  This all happened after I had a stressfull situation regarding my health.  I had a terrible allergic reaction to medication in which I went into anaphlactic shock.  I was prescribed zoloft and stayed on it for about 4 months.  All of my symptoms completely dissappeared.  I was without symptoms (my main symptom being palpitations) for one year.  Until recently I experience palpitations every day, about 3 or 4 times a day only lasting for a second or two. This has been going on for about two months now.  I am not anxious anymore, I have gotten over my fear of there always being something wrong with me.  To me these palpitations do not make any sense.  Is it possible that I am stressing my body so much to cause these palpitations so often without even knowing it?

[joel]

Im 41 yrs old and have been experiencing palpitations off and on for several years now. I have had all the tests done to see if i have heart problems but everything turned out ok.I have high blood pressure and he thinks the palpitations are caused by that and stress of my job. The palpatations are worse when i get hot and tired and worried! My face gets red and feels hot and im real lightheaded all the time. The palpitations last for more than a week each time i get them even though i havent had them for quite a while until this week. They feel like theyre right under my ribcage. Does this sound serious?

[Tony]

i am a 35 yr old male, and have been having heart palpitations on and off now for about 4 yrs.They go as fast as they come.sometimes i have them for 2 weeks then nothing for 8 months then they are back again.it is a very frightening feeling even if it is not serious.I have border line high blood pressure.150 ove 85.my doctore says not high enough for medication.I have been for stress tests,cariagram,ecco careagram,etc and everything is normal according to the doctors.They have gone away at times after i visit the doctor and he assures me that i am ok,so they try to associate it with stress.I belong to a gym and run 6 miles an hour on the tread mill for 45 minutes,and my doctor says if it was a heart problem i would have a heartattack on the machine.everyone says relax,but when you feel those flutters or full palpatations its hard to relax,if anything it stresses you even more,im not sure what to do at this point either.Any suggestions would be appreciated

[Diane]

Woah!  What I COULD say here!  But, I'll TRY and be good!



First of all, I just found this place, and I have to say, seems to me like the majority of "us" who are having these problems with pvc's - pac's - and all other heart rhythym problems, are offering MORE help and advice and knowledge than the good DOCTOR here!!!  What do you all think????



If this is suppose to be a place where a certified cardiac doctor resides, you sure wouldn't know it!!!  Sorry, I believe that had to be said!



I mean ... come on now, we need ANSWERS!  We need YOU, the good doctor, to go research, as WE have ... talk to other cardiologists ... tell them what you're hearing in here ... tell them what YOU'VE learned in here, from US the people who are suffering!  



Something HAS to be done for us .... or we'll just get together and start a riot!  No .. not really .. but hey .. you can put a man on the moon ...?????





OK .. now that I've sprouted off, and put in my 2 cents worth, I'll tell you about me:



I'm 48 .. have had pvc's and pac's with bouts of rapid heartbeat, for over 15 years.  They were minor at first, but have gotten worse over the years.... coming and going.



I have had ALL the tests!  I do have a slight case of Mitral Valve Prolapse, and a small amount of regurgitation ... and have tried several beta-blockers.  They don't help me, they only make me tired ... but I still have the symptoms.



I also notice lately, that I have them more steady, and much harder before my period.  I am now experiencing TERRIBLE pvc's and pac's ... and it's one week before I am due.  Hmmmm???

Is there any relation between the two?  Seems to me .... good doctor ... some heavy research is due in this area!  You need to inform your colleagues of this!



Am I angry?  Yes, you're da-- right I am ... and we all should be!  Come on ... we need answers, and we deserve them!



I have to go now ... but I will be back soon .... and I don't mind if I "ruffle" a few feathers ( the doctor's maybe?), if that's what has to be done, to get some results, then so be it!

Talk to you all soon!

Diane

[Laura]

I seen to share the same problem as you.  I have been through electorphysologic testing and at that time my heart did not do anything.  After the test, I continued to get palpitations again and I am begining to think they are hormone related.

[Blanche - [e-mail]]

From the list of entries this seems to be a big problem. I have suffered from palpitations and more since I was a child. I am almost 46. I have severe inhaled allergies as well as numerous food allergies and when I eat something I am allergic to my heart beat becomes irratic and rapid, I get shortness of breath and very light headed. I also suffer from severe migraines with vision aura that can last for several days, which is unusual and was getting worse. I was afraid I was heading for a stroke.  Since January I have been taking a medication that is a calcium channel blocker called Verapamil which has virtually eliminated most of my symptoms. It has slowed my rapid pulse as well as increased my lung capacity and I breathe much more easily. I started taking it for the severe migraines and pulsing I felt in my head. I still need to use imitrex or zomig two to three times a week but I was taking two to three tabs a day (or more) and often still not feeling relief. Also, I was diagnosed as magnesium deficient several years ago and take magnesium daily which is important.

[Judy]

I have recently developed severe heart palpitations which seem to last all day and into the night. The first day I experienced them I became very concerned and my husband took me to the emergency room.  I was told to stop drinking coffee and eating chocolate.  Since then I have done what they told me with no change.  To me they seem to be getting harder and lasting longer.  I have been taking hormone replacement therapy for 3 years because of a hysterectomy (I'm only 45 years young).  The hormone therapy does not seem to help.

[Liana Forman]

Hi, I was reading this forum for a few days already hoping to find an answer to my similar problem. For almost one year I have had  Palpitations, fatigue, chest pain almost every day... few times a day. Was 3 times at different cardiologists , they say "Nothing to worry about... mild form of MVP" I went through a number of tests from ECG, echo, stress, x-rays to halter monitor and no results.  Now I start getting pain in lower calfs,I heard it is dangerous but I do not even want to go to doctor, What for ??? I know the answer "You are OK, you need to stop worrying ". I am from Europe where I used to have different attitude from doctors, they are not as much  money driven as they are here in USA. May be the problem is insurance HMO that I have??? I am going to change my insurance to personal choice in January if I live up to it.

I am telling my husband that I have pain, he is saying "You imagining this pain, you worry about things too much". I am not imagining it , i have it!!!!

I do not care anymore, I live every day thinking that it might be the last. WHY? because I can not get proper medical help.



As for palpitation I am taking Valeriana Root Extract, it is drops that I am taking at night before I go to sleep. I am buying them at Excerd or CVS it is over the counter european medicine. It is really works for me as far as provides normal sleep. It does not cure the pain.



I am not crazy, I am 27 years old, 165cm, 135 lb, Colledge degree, Employed and working on  Degree in Programming.