irregular beats

[jimmyb]

I am a 47 year old man in overall good health. I eat well and exercise regularly. Cholesterol just slightly high (209). Ever since I was about 12, I have had extra systolic beats. This has caused a lot of anxiety, but I am getting better at controlling it. What is strange, for about a year I was getting non stop extra beats to the point where I just assumed they would never go away. Then all of a sudden they stopped. For about the last 6 months, I have had hardly any. Why would this happen? I have been diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve. Would this have any effect on extra beats? Also, I get mixed messages about treatment of the valve. I have read some doctors say it must eventually be replaced, others say if it's not leaking badly, no problem. One more question (sorry) I also very infrequently experience PSVT. It has only happened maybe 20 times in my life, but every time I exercise I am worried that it will happen. Is it anything to be concerned about? Just thinking it might happen scares me. It's crazy. Thanks for your time...this is a great site and is one reason I have been able to control a lot of my anxieties!

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Jimmyb,

Thanks for the post.

(1) "For about the last 6 months, I have had hardly any. Why would this happen?"

A: I don't know.  Some of these extra beats are driven by autonomic tone, which can change as you age.  Alternatively, your ability to perceive them may have lessened.

(2)"I have been diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve. Would this have any effect on extra beats?"

A: Probably not.  But this topic has never been studied.

(3)"Also, I get mixed messages about treatment of the valve."

A: You get mixed messages because the doctors are not adequately explaining the problem to you.  If the valve does not become obstructed or leaky, then it will not need to be replaced.  We certainly wouldn't replace it for cosmesis.

(4)"I also very infrequently experience PSVT ... I am worried that it will happen. Is it anything to be concerned about?"

A: If you are worried about it, and it prevents you from being active, then it needs to be addressed.

Good luck.

[jimmyb]

Re: PSVT...It has been addressed...I've worn a Holter, but it happens so infrequently I've never been able to catch it. It doesn't keep me from being active...I work out 6 days a week, but it does always sit in the back of my mind. Since I've had it for most my life, I assume it is not a big deal. But I'm just looking for more of an explanation as to why it happens, even though only maybe once every few years. Thanks.

[dquenzer]

Have the same thing.  Take beta-blocker, which works fine. Might try low dose for awhile.

[jimmyb]

Thanks...unfortunately, taking meds bothers me, also...and it happens so infrequently it is probably not worth it. But again, just the thought it might happen is enough to constantly stay in the back of my mind!

[Central Illinois 1001]

I am a 51 yr old male and since 1990 have had several million skipped beats.    This is an apparently benign condition.    

My condition went away in the summer of 1997 for a full three years.  Oh sure I had some skipped beats, but nothing like before.  Now the condition is back in full swing.  

I figure I just have to roll with the punches.  When it rains, it pours.  

After 13 years I am convinced that worrying about them or thinking about them can cause them.  For me the episodes are more frequent while lying down in bed reading.

[sheryl1945]

I get skipped beats when I bend over...have you ever heard of that?  I've had this condition for 9 years now and ekg's/echocardiograms show no heart damage.  However, I'm still terrified of it, even though the doctors says it won't kill me.

[Runman]

I'm a 57 yr.old male who has had skipped beats for 35 years.They come and go but recently have become more frequent...I'm also a
long distance runner who has particpated in numerous marathons..After my last marathon in February, about a week later, I had a serious bout of skips...almost all day for a week or two...My doctor sent me for all the usual tests - EKG, nuclear
photos, treadmill, echo, etc...also wore a monitor...the cardiologist says I'm fine, ignore it, drink more water and sports drinks, etc...also said I'm probably more sensitive than most to the skips which can make them worse...drives me crazy when I have bouts of these, like right now, but it seems there's nothing I can do about it....my resting heart rate is 46 due to exercise - could slow heart rate increase the propensity of skips?  Love this forum - makes me feel better ....

[Silverneo]

Im in the Military.  The Hm's (Core men) have not diagonsed me, but have told me that i have palpatitions.  This will eventually get me booted out of the military, but they should have found it before i joined.  
I have noticed the Rapid Heart Beats since i was a kid, but never thought it was Abnormal.  My heart beat is rather fast in the first place.  Any where from 95-120 at rest. When my episodes happen it beats as fast as 300beats per minute (noted by a doctor while it was happening)
These actually physicaly hender me.  I can not stand up.  I fall to my knees and can not move. I use "valscur" (spelling?) to calm my heart back down.  By sitting on my heels and hunching over with a deep breath and basically push it out. I was wondering if these can be potentialy deadly?  The stress from the military seems to have caused a few more problems also.  I get them while im sleeping.  I will wake up clutching my chest.  and just like after every episode i get to weak and tired, i fall asleep very soon afterwards.  I've had an EchoCardiogram, and Heart Event Monitor.  I have not been medicated.  I was wondering if it would be better to Medicate other than get the Sergury.  They also told me that these will wear out my heart rather quickly.  And that one day my heart will give out during an episode.  PLease tell me they were wrong.