irregular beats

Four years ago I was diagnosed with pvc's and mvp, I stoppped drinking caffeine and that seemed to work. No more palpatations. Last year it started again, after seeing a doctor he put me on toprol 50mg. I am a 45 y.o female about 30 pounds overweight but very active. I started having palpatations again and not feeling very well, like walking up hill constantly. Going through the process of elimination I had to wear a oxygen and pulse detector overnight, which revealed , to me , why I was not feeling well. My pulse would go down to 35 then back up to 72 about every minute and a half. I have been taking my pulse constantly since then and it is still doing the same thing. I don't feel this is normal. I called the nurse and have stopped taking the toprol but are still bouncing up and down with my pulse. I don't know if there is a name for this problem or even if it is a problem , if you have any information that may help me to better understand my situation it would be appreciated.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Louise,

It is possible you have a condition called sinus node dysfunction (SND).  This is a condition where the heart alternates between slow and fast heart rates.  It would be atypical to occur in someone your age but not impossible.  Did the oxygen monitor show any drops?  These type symptoms could also be due to sleep apnea.  
I would suggest asking your doctor about wearing a loop monitor.  This device monitors your heart rate and when you have symptoms you can press a button to record the heart rate and rhythm at the time.  It can be very useful in diagnosing heart rhythm disturbances such as sinus node dysfunction.

[Buddy]

I was having it so bad there would be a long episodes of skips on every other beat every day. I figured like so many what I was eating had something to do with it. I suspected salt, so I restricted my diet this past week to Kashi puffed cereal, skim milk, fruit and raw veggies without dressing. I noticed no more skips every other beat (this had me feeling faint even to walk). While searching the internet for info on salt I stumbled onto something much more interesting. MSG is not just in Accent Seasoning, but it is practically in everything we eat daily, from crackers to soda pop, and manufacturers have disquised the name. 50 percent of the population are affected by MSG and the Gov't does little about it. Check out http://www.msgmyth.com/ to get enlightened on how big business is killing us softly.

-buddy

[heather]

I have had the same symptoms as Louise.  I too am on Toprol-100mg and it seems to help however, I still get sick.  The palpitaitons feel like you heart is going to go through your chest.  I get nauseated, dizzy and sweaty with these spells.  Is that what you go through also Louise?  I have had tilt table test and am in the works to get another test and a stress test to see exactly what is going on.  I odn't seem to have problems during the night, is that when you have your problem?  Mine is usually during the day/night before bed.  I never get woke up y it.  About 5 years ago I had a pacemaker put in because my heart was quitting.  The symptoms I am having are the same except my heart is not quitting because I now have a pecemaker.
Heather

[Louise]

I was told by a general practician that I am worrying too much which is making the situation worse. My sister died of a heart attack at age 46, I am now 45, I know my body and know what symtoms (symptoms) I am feeling. I have also been doing some serious snoring according to my husband and kids and that started when my palpatations became more pronounced. When I am over tired they get real bad and when I seem to have plenty of rest they are minimal. I do notice that when I have something sweet , that within 10 to 15 minutes palpatations start. Who knows whats going on??