forceful and painful heart beat

[floralsummer]

Hi, Doctor,

I am a 28 year old female.  Since the end of July last year, I have experienced this very forceful heart beat sensations, which I think are PVCs.  Sometimes, it is like a fluttering and sometimes it is like a down right hard beat.  It is not very frequent.  I won

[sunnygirl]

Hi Jeff, in addition to traditional cardiology treatments I have failed, I've tried numerous elimination diets, hormone replacement therapy, yoga, acupuncture, chinese medicine, antacids (the Mike Brewer treatment), thyroid supplemenation and many various supplements. It seems like I'm always getting my hopes up with some new therapy only to have them dashed again.I am even mindful of my posture and try to avoid quick moves that seem to bring them on. I've had them since age 9, am 41 now. Would like to read your story, please share.

[Jeff67]

Wow, do you sound like me! You are affected by all the same things as me and you are doing everything I am doing to try and control them.  I am 37 and have been going through this for 20 years.

[sunnygirl]

Just some comments on palpitations. I come here once in awhile and it is always the same, patients frightened out of their wits and medical science that just isn't advanced enough to help us. I have many different types of frightening palpitations and tachycardia. I never know when they are going to strike. I live in fear of them. My world has become so small. I hate things I used to love like snow storms for fear that I will have an attack and will be unable to get help. I hate to be on an airplane like someone mentioned on this board, or in the middle of the woods, or on a cruise ship or anywhere that I perceive help is far away. I am hypervigilant about medicines or foods that might trigger palps and sometimes am afraid to eat anything at all because everything seems to make them worse. I've had these palpitations for years and they are just getting worse. I have tried countless medical and alternative therapies for them. I am just about ready to give up. The doctors say, try to ignore them, they are probably benign. Easy for them to say, right? To be honest, I don't know how long I want to go on this way. It's too bad that all of the cardiologists poo poo the psychosocial aspects of palpitations, because I'll bet they lose more than a few to suicide. This is one problem that people just don't understand until they have walked a mile in PVC shoes.

PS: I hear Oprah is getting palpitations now, maybe she will help raise awareness.

[floralsummer]

Hi,

I noticed that fatigue could bring up more episodes.  Maybe, when we are tired or sick, we are more vulnerable to it.

[Barbarella]

Yes, being tired and fatigue whether physically or mentally brings them out.  Also sometimes after a heavy meal.

[floralsummer]

Hi,

You should definitely consult the doctors about your mom's situation.  If you want more information on PVCs, you can do a search with the key word "PVC" on this forum.  Good luck!

[Jeff67]

Do you all notice that when you get sick (even a minor cold or hayfever) that you get many more ectopics?

[Laurita]

Hello. I'm new at this, so please bear with me.  What are PVC'S?  I'm worried about my mom.  She's 69 yrs old, she suffered a mild infarction on April 1, 03.  She had a block artery and had a angioplasty done.  After all this time (and about two weeks ago) she complained about a sharp pain in her chest that lasted only a couple of seconds. I took her to her cardiologist who said (i'm translating from spanish) that it could have been a "premature" beat. Either way he made her have a Myocardial Perfusion SPECT study with Adenosine.  She says the pain hasn't come back since.  Bu I'm really, REALLY worried about this.  What do you thinK??  Thanks.

[Barbarella]

PVC's are "skipped beats" when your heart skipps a beat or beats.  Try to post your questions about your mom on "Post a question" (see above) maybe you are lucky and you can post the question (not full yet) and a Cardiologist will answer your questions.

Good luck!

[floralsummer]

It seems that you have similar sitution as mine. Do you feel the pain associated with the forceful heart beat? Yesterday I had one, which is really painful.


Are you under a lot of stress? If so, you may want to seek anti-anxiety treatment.  I have found that helps.

[Irochka]

I am so glad I found this forum. I too have very forcefull heart beat. I've been having them for the last several months.  I've been to several doctors and had pretty normal EKG, Echo, Holter, Blood Tests. The doctors just say that all you have is an incrased heart beat, nothing to worry about.  Well, I am worried about it, but I have noone to talk to about it.  Lately I've started feeling really light headed and dizzy.

[hapecamper]

I get pvc's and pac's had all the test done, all normal. When I get these episodes they can last from 1 to 6+ hrs getting them every beat to every other beat. I am not taking any meds Dr said it was up to me if I wanted to take them or put up with the beats. My heart rate also drops down in the 40-50 bpm which causes more palps.  They are getting worse when it slows down so much it's scary!! Had these for 27yrs but not the slowing of the HR. Went to the ER in Dec. then the dr said everything was fine. Does your Hr slow dwon when you get the pounding?

[floralsummer]

Hi,

My HR does not slow down much when I get the sensation. The palpitaion I am referring to is not continous, it is like a sudden jumping of the heart or a very hard beat.  I think the continous pounding may not be the PVCs, sometimes I had them too.

[Jeff67]

Yes, my tests (multiple EKG's, echo's, stress tests, holters, and loop monitors) have all been essentially normal.  Tests have shown a few PVC'c and PAC's (many aberrantly conducted). I have tried various drugs (calcium channel blockers and beta blockers, but they all make my symptoms worse and have had side effects).  I am not currently on any drugs.  Over the many years I have worked out what has triggered the ectopics and tried to eliminate them.  For me, that is things like caffeine, alchohol, spices, stress, most medications, pollens, etc. I also find they are cyclic like a lot of other people that post here in that you have good periods and bad periods.  During the bad periods it is often hard to work out what triggers them, so during these times you just have to accept your heart is a bit irritable. Most people get PVC's and PAC's, but the majority of those that do are not aware of them. If you have a heightened awareness and are also highly analytical (like me), then you feel everything and then want to know what happened! It can eat at you I know, so I hope you can push through it.

[Christie2004]

Ask for a copy of the report itself.  If there were PVCs or PACs present, they would be so noted on the report.

[Jeff67]

I lived in the Bay Area for a couple of years. I went to the Stanford Medical Center Arrythmia Clinic.  I believe they have a very good reputation and I was happy with them.  Anyone else know about the reputation SMC has?

[WPWGuy]

I agree with Christie.  I suggest getting a copy of the EKG from your cardionet results for the exact day and time that you experienced these sensations.  

I also suggest that if you are afraid, and your doctor has not helped you, that you consider taking the EKG for a second opinion.

Dont worry and good luck.

[SARA-M]

I have the same problem together with a sensation of flutter, tightness and pain in the left side of my chest and back.
I have done 2 holter monitor tests, echo and stress thread mill.
Family doctor prescribed atenlol, cardiologist nothing.
25 mg atenlol put me to sleep. my average blood pressure is 110/70.

test shows:  2 hours of svt in 24 hours
             cardiac funtion reduced 20-30%
             probability of ischemia at high heart rate

I will be thankful if you can recommend a good EP in San Francisco area. My life has been disrupted for more than a year due to my symptoms and I dont know what to do.

[floralsummer]

Hi, Jeff

Thanks a lot for the comments. I think I am really lucky because people on this forum are so nice and supportive.
You said all your test came out normal, that sounds like similar to my situation.  Did your doctors find any PVCs or PACs?

[Jeff67]

Hi,

I have had ectopics for 20 years.  I have felt every sensation under the sun. Some are very painful and feel like a knife stab, so you are not alone.  My tests are all normal. I hope you can draw some comfort from the fact that I, and others, have lived with this for many years. I know it's disconcerting at times, so try identifying and eliminating the precipitating factors.  By the way, the sensations you describe can also be felt on APC's.

[Busy-Bee]

Well of course you are "aware" of the PVCs!  I've had them forceful enough to seem to almost rocket me out of my shoes!  That makes a person pretty darn "aware" alright.  If these continue, you might watch for a pattern- circumstances like cronic stress, caffine, hormonal time of the month,- ovulation even. Some palpitations are so soft you won't even notice them while others are very forceful.  They are pretty disturbing at first, but you get used to them after awhile.. kind of like having menstral cramps.. nobody likes them, but they aren't something to be frightened of.  There was a time when mine hurt also... kind of achy.  My cardiologist said it was just the musculature around the heart and not a problem. That doesn't mean yours are the same, just a possibility.
I had a real bad year with palpitations a few years ago while a dependant of active-duty military, so saw lots of doctors because you never see the same one twice!  I did run across some who blew me off and some who took it seriously.  If you aren't happy with how you doctor is doing, find someone who you feel confident in.  There are pleanty of them to choose from!

[floralsummer]

Thanks, gaspipe. Your comment makes me feel a lot better.  The ony puzzling thing is that my cardiologist even didn't mention the word "PVC".  She thinks I am just more aware of my heart beat than before.

[Gaspipe]

Hi rest assured you are not alone as I'am sure the doc will tell you . Pvc's are a day to day grind; waxing and waning; staying fit ;eating well ,staying hydrated and well rested all help. Make sure cardiac risk factors are monitored and controlled and above all keep a positve outlook!!As your own cardio told you ...you're OK. Good Luck Gaspipe   PS I like your nickname

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi,

Boy I can't answer that one.   There are people that feel every beat the have even though they are normal and people that don't notice that their heart rates are irregular and very fast.  I wish I could explain it but I can't.  The good news is that for people with heightened awareness of their heart beats have the same prognosis as those who do not.  Sorry I can't answer it any better than that....

Good luck