Palpitations and getting pissed!!

I am a 31 year old femail who has been having heart palpitations for the past 3 weeks.  I have been reading many posts and they all mention palpitations with high pulse rate.  My normal rate is about 55 and remains that way during my palpitations.  I am sick and tired of sitting here and waiting for them to happen.  Today they were pretty much constant all day long.  
I recently wore a holter monitor but have no results yet.  Also the doctors gave me a beta-blocker (metoprolol) that I have decided NOT to take until I get more answers.  I am also worried it will drop my pulse rate to something too low and that will make me feel more sick.

HELP!!!

[NTB]

a thought: maybe your minerals like potassium and magnesium need bringing up to the right levels?

[madjlp]

Hi,

My resting rate is usually in the mid to high 50's (goes down to highs 40's if I lie down and 40 while I sleep) as well and I get big thudding palps from time to time with that low pulse rate (I have PACs and PVCs - I think you mean those as opposed to awareness of a normal heartbeat, but I have heartbeat awareness as well - so either way, I hear you).  It stinks.  If you want to do something "pro-active" while you wait for yoru Dr. check out the threads on Omega-3s - some people have had great success in reducing palps with them and even the FDA has confirmed that Omega-3s are palliative - basically there's no downside to taking them (they are an anitcoagulant - so if you have have blood clotting issue thats the one exception) and they might do the trick for you - just make sure you get a good brand - some are listed in the Omega-3 discussions.  Good luck with your results - hopefully they arrive soon.

[NTB]

Hi, I'm just curious if the irregularity only happens at certain heart rates? So maybe when the HR is really low, then the heart compensates by beating more strongly, and that's when you feel it?

I ask because I knew somebody whose heart would beat irregularly when she was under exertion (like walking up a hill) and her heart was beating really fast - but maybe it wasn't the speed that triggered the irregularity after all, but the strength of contraction.

[madjlp]

A mixed bag pulse rate wise....

I can tell you that I often (but not always) have PACs immediately after exertion if I stop quickly without a cool down.  I also get more skips (PACs and PVCs) after drinking alcohol or if my stomach is very full or if I'm very stressed out or if I have a cold/flu (sometimes) and in certain lying postures (esp if my stomach is full or I've had alcohol).  In terms of palpitations (heavy heartbeat awareness) I especially notice my heartbeat when I have a full stomach or if I eat a lot of sugar (regardless of heart rate) -- though I can tune into my pulse pretty much anytime anywhere. There are also some days when I have more PVCs or PACs without a readily apparent cause but I'd say that, generally, I have PACs and PVCs mixed in at different pulse rates from 50 all the way to 150 (on my last holter while I was sleeping with v. low heart rate I only had 2 skips while asleep - maybe that says something about low heart rates and exertional stimulus vis a vis ectopic beats).  I will say that when I get PACs and PVCs during a low heart rate period I often find them to be more uncomfortable and noticeable.  I hope at least some of this info is in the ballpark of your interest..

[gettingmad]

I am so thrilled that everyone wrote back!  This was my first attempt at reaching out for help.  I am still waiting to get to my doctor but I know that if there was anything serious the cardiologist was to have called by now.  

I plan to get some of the Omegas as I have heard the same things and that they can't hurt.  

As far as I have noticed my palpitations come no matter what my heart rate, although I have not exercised for a few weeks (actually since the palps started).  I do find it interesting that someone mentioned they feel them more when their heart rate is slow...that actually may be why I find them so troublesome.  When I am resting I notice them more.  Having said that they still come and it is SOOOOOOOOO obvious when they are there.

I think I am most worried that there is something serious wrong.  I really need to know.  I also want to know how this will affect my plans to start a family. =(

[jmcacdon]

I have been to a couple of cardiologists about my PVC's. Had all the tests. My current cardiologist says I have almost zero chance of having any kind of heart event.  That being said, I still have PVC's and they still make me crazy sometimes. I seem to have them more often after I eat or when in a sitting position.

According to my doc, the hardest part about having this condition is not worrying about it!  So, get all the test results and then listen to your doctor.  These are very, very common and mostly not a problem.

[jeanygirl]

Sounds like you are describing symptoms of Atrial Fribrillation (PVC'S and PAC'S); I have AFib and I do take Metoproplo which is the miracle controller of my heart jumping out of my chest, along with a med called Propafenone. Concern of dropping pulse is not unwarranted, but may be for naught. Doctors and you would keep eye on that.

[jeanygirl]

correction on spelling  ....   Atrial Fibrillation

[gettingmad]

Been to the doc's now and it seems that they are mostly PVCs and they only saw 1 PAC.  Makes me feel a bit better.  I am still not interested in taking the Metoprolol but may do it as my doc (acutally the nurse I see because my doc *****) asked me to try it for a month and see if it helps.  They don't see any cause for concern but they are still driving me nuts.  They seem to happen more in the evening.  Maybe it is because I am relaxing and notice them more but I still don't like it.

The real thing that bothers me is that they say that I probably always had them.  I don't see how that is at ALL possible.  How could anyone not notice these.  I am doing my best to ignore them but they still are suck and interruption.

Should I suck it up and give the Metoprolol a go??  I just don't want my heart rate to slow toooooo much.  On my holter monitor my lowest rate was 44 with an average of 57.  

The other thing is the chest pain.  They seem to not be bothered that I have and think it is some kinda of spasm that isn't an issue.  Again, it isn't constant but still bothersome.