please help. palpatations pvcs

[kitkat5]

I am a 44 yr old female with a busy life (I am a daycare provider) I am concidered healthy outside of heart palpatations. i have had them since i was in early 20s I have had test done many times all neg yet I still have palpatations and skipped beats sometimes in a row. 3 weeks ago I had a very scary happening I was just sitting down after daycare was over and my heart went into some fluttering thing, it did it for about 30 seconds. i felt it and could see it move under the breast. is this a sign of v tech?I am very scared and worried,I went to the doctor the next day and she assured me it was nothing to worrie about unless it keeps happenning often.I am still so worried and it is really taking a tow on my work, family life. has anyone  there ever had this happen to them? i would be very grateful to hear from others on this matter. i might add in closing that when i had this happen i had no chest pain or light headedness. also i am not on any meds at this time.

[jkh]

I'm glad I found this message board, I've responded to a similar one, but it seems to have run its course.  I've had pacs/pvcs since my early twenties (I'm 53 now) and they are cyclical for me.  A few years ago they were so frequent, I had all the tests, holter monitor, etc.  And the same answers--nothing life-threatening, learn to live with the annoyance, etc.  unless I want to go on a beta-blocker.  But to be honest, I think the beta-blocker might be more symptomatic.  And yes, I too get them for long periods of time--four or five quick beats followed by a long pause, several times a minute for as long as 15 hours. (This last episode was just a few days ago.)  This may sound strange, but I've been able to see a pattern, when I have lower intestinal distress I have more pvcs.  And as for chocolate or too much sugar, I might as well forget it--I'm in for a long haul of irregular beats.  Anyone else notice that?

[janigirl]

Hello All,

I have been searching the internet for clues and stumbled across this discussion forum.  

Kitkat5,
Yes I have experienced a long period of PAC's.  A few days ago I experienced them for 12 hours.  It was like every other beat.  I was really freaked out after 3 hours and decided to take myself to the emergency room.  An EKG, blood tests, and two hours later the doc. said it was not uncommon and certainly not life threatening.  Just said to stay away from all stimulants.  Funny, cuz I don't drink caffeinated drinks since I first went to my family doctor and wore a halter monitor several months ago.  Of course the tests came out negative.  This episode was not the first prolonged episode I'd had.  I did have an episode that lasted about 4 hrs, but I managed to go to sleep and after waking, it was gone.

I am a 25 yr old female, exercise regularly, and try to eat a somewhat healthy diet.  I've been having PAC's for about 2 to 3 years now.  I am hypoglaucemic, so I thought maybe what triggered my prolonged episode of PAC's was the krispy kreme I had before going to my ultimate frisbee practice.

Toire,
I too find that exercising seem to almost regulate it or make it a little better.  I haven't dropped dead yet, but it is really scary when your heart beat is up after sprinting and you have a few PAC's.  In my trip to the emergency room the ER doc. gave me a number to an Electrocardist (whatever)  and mentioned beta-blockers.  What have you found out about those?

much appreciated,

janice

[Toire]

KitsKats/Everyone

I understand your plight.  I am 28 yr old female and have suffered from SVT since I was 8.  I can deal with it as it comes intermittently and I deal with the episodes without hospitalisation.  I have always suffered from PVCs/PACs but just recently I have started getting them in longer spells (about 4 skipped beats in a row. In fact last week I had a whole day of this followed by a very small SVT episode. PVCs/PACs are not violent thuds in the chest but feel like little half beats.  I have put this down to new job and stress also hormones (I notice alot of other fellow sufferers mention these).  The strangest thing is that if I walk around or sit up they seem to go. In fact exercise seems to be good for mine. I dont feel unwell with them just slightly anxious (which I don't think helps). I am not on medication (yet) but have been taking magnesium.  I am hoping these episodes will pass as its driving me crazy. I am going to see the cardiologist tomorrow so watch this space.  I am thinking about Beta Blockers but am not sure yet. Would be interested in peoples views on them for controlling the aforementioned.  I read about so many people trying to get off them.  Also my Cardiologist keeps talking about if I want children and Catheter Ablation.  Not sure I fancy that procedure right now.  Be interested in hearing peoples views on this process.

[jemm]

This is for everyone, but may especially relate to you Audra78....

I am also a pvc/pac/pat sufferer, so I understand and sympathise with all of you! What really bothered me was WHY do I have these scary rythm problems? I have not yet been 'officially' diagnosed with, but have learned of a condition called MVPS (Mitral valve prolapse syndrome). I am pretty certain I may well have this syndrome, but getting a diagnosis is another story!!

You can learn a lot about this at www.mitralvalveprolapse.com It appears that few doctors recognise or acknowledge, let alone treat this syndrome (not the 'physical' prolapse itself - but the 'syndrome' that MAY acompany it)! I hope this may help someone out there, or be of use to the doctors that frequent these pages!

Please feel free to email me to discuss further at ***@****

Regards, and good luck to all of you!
Jem.

[kitkat5]

HI TO EVERYONE.
FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLIES TO MY POST. IT HAS HELP SO MUCH KNOWING I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS AWFUL SCAREY PROBLEM. DODGYBEATS, WHEN YOU HAVE THE LONG FLUTTERS HOW DO THEY FEEL. MINE FEEL SO WIERD I WAS SCARED TO TAKE A BREATH, IT FELT LIKE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS MY HEART WENT CRAZY, I COULD SEE AND FEEL IT IN MY CHEST.I KNOW CAFFIENE DOES PLAY A BIG ROW IN HOW MY HEART BEATS, THE DAY I HAD THOSE LONG RUNS I WAS DRINKING SUNKIST SODA NOT KNOWING IT HAD CAFFIENE IN IT. LATER I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD AS MUCH CAFFIENE AS COKE, I ALSO DO THINK HORMONES HAVE ALOT TO DO WITH IT TOO. I GET MORE FREGRENT PVCS JUST BEFORE MY MONTHLY. DOES ANYONE ELSE GET THAT? I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR TEST AGAIN JUST FOR SOME PEACE OF MIND. WHAT SCARES ME IS YOU HERE ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE JUST DYING SUDDENLY OUT OF NO WHERE.I GUESS THE BEST WE CAN DO IS LIVE OUR LIVES AND LEAVE THE REST UP TO GOD.HOPE EVERYONE IS WELL AND GOD BLESS. AGAIN THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH

[dodgybeats]

I have had pacs/pvcs and rapid heart rate for about 6 years now (I am 30 now) and like you, I also get the disgusting 30-60 second fluttering - a pac now and then you can handle but fluttering for almost a minute is almost unbearable.  I have to say that for me, birth control pills have helped enormously, I'm not sure how, perhaps my oestrogen profile was abnormal and the pill has regulated it and perhaps you are peri-menopausal? My mother is 55 and going through menopause now.  When she was about 47 she started getting irregular beats for the first time in her life - they have settled now.  My cardiologist is convinced that hormones do play a part - of course men get the funky beats too but their triggers may be different - eg. alcohol or testosterone levels.  I have only had those minute long palpitations occassionally but if they occur more commonly I think I will go and get a event monitor - for at least a month.  I doubt its V-tach but I worry about A-fib.  My cardiologist told me that many pacs can trigger A-fib in susceptible individuals.  But if I was you the first thing I would do is get my hormones checked, there is some weak scientific data concerning female hormones and arrythmia (I am a scientist) but from my readings of the literature I think there is a genuine connection.  I have had the occassional minute longs palps for 6 years and I'm still here.....hope this helps.
Penelope.

[audrah78]

Hi, I am kinda new to all of this.  I have been haveing PVC's for about two years.  They have gotten increasingly worse in the past 4 months.  I am 23, a former runner and currently still a soccer player.  I used to be in top physical condition until about 2 years ago when I overcame a 5 1/2 year bout of annorexia and exercise addiction.  I am still very active, but don't do the 6 day a week 5 mile runs that i used to.  I stopped running as much this last year because I was diagnosed with severe chronic depression and the medication makes me really tired most days.  Unfortunately the medication that works the best also increases my heart rate which also increases my PVC's.  I am really scared.  I have been experiencing chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath.  My EKG is inconclusive and so is my chest xray.  I always have palps...that has always been normal to me.  A doctor once told me that I also have a mitral valve murmur.  I really want to exercise again, but my PVC's and dizziness increase with running...have you all had any similar experiences.  I haven't been to a cardiologist because I don't have insurance and can't afford to go.  any suggestions form the experts?

[diannna]

i am 43 female, my heart races constantly, especially when I am resting in bed or siting on the couch. sometime my heart ppounds so fast it feels like it will jump out of my chest.Just quit smoiking for one month, maybe its withdrawl?????or premenopause?? doctors are offering any solutions. It really is a scary feeling. I think about dying or haveing a heartattack  my doctor said if ti happens while your resting it is benign...what can we all do about this it really is horrible

[kitkat5]

thanks so much for all your replies and help. it really does help alot knowing there are people out there with the same problems. i have had these things since i was 17 or so. and your all right, we are still here so it cant be that bad. i was just getting scared that it was a sign of v tech cause i never had such a long palpatation before, this one lasted for about 30-40 seconds. has anyone ever had a long run of strange beats? thanks for your replies

[squeala7]

A pat on the back to you Chrismcg!! Isn't that the truth? That we have a life-style threatening disease over a life threatening disease, and often its the lifestyle disease that ends up killing us! Ive had these stupid things in all forms as well, and Im 37. Mine got worse after I had a baby - I know hormones for me play a huge role - it's funny that you said you get all the different types - cuz I will tell my husband when it happens and I freak out "ooo that one was strange, that one felt different than the 'normal' ones" - do you find you are wishing you just had the "normal" pvcs again like when you were younger?? LOL I think as we get older, we get funkier ones - at any rate my husband thinks Im a quack about all the different feeling pvcs/pacs I get - he just says "you always say that , and its the same thing you described before".  THing is, someone who DOESNT have them, can in no way, know how it feels or know the panic it releases. Its like if we had kidney pain, we could say, oh that hurts - but it wouldnt scare you, when its your MAIN ORGAN, you tend to get a little upset over it.  Sometimes no matter what anyone, even drs tell you, you have to deal with it on you own - I have good months, and bad months - good days isolated with bad ones - and for awhile my attitude will get better, then I will cry. I just have chalked it up to its what God gave me to live with and I will.  It obviously hasnt killed me and it may indeed make me stronger as an elderly person.  What helps me is I try to look around and see that other people have things terribly worse than I ever will. I see handicapped, people that wont live another year, cancer etc etc etc - I guess if i had to choose - Ill keep my pvcs / its a nuisance like chris says - but it doesnt have to ruin our lives - its an ongoing battle so keep the 'attitude' up like chris says and the rest will ease into place...good luck!

[jazzy j]

I HAVE THAT HAPPEN ABOUT ONCE A WEEK OR SO, I HAVE TO TKE A DEEP BREATH TO GET IT TO STOP. I TOO HAVE FREQ PACS AND PVCS EVERY TEST POSS AND THEY TELL ME THE SAME THING, I KNOW HOW SCARY IT IS BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE ONLY HALF OF IT IS BEATING AND YOU MIGHT DIE, I WISH I COULD TELL YOU SOMETHING TO HELP YOU BUT I AM STILL BATTLEING AFTER 10YRS.  IT REALLY DOES HELP TO KNOW THERE ARE OTHERS EXPERIANCING THE SAME THING.. I WOULD BET YOU WERE VERY STRESSED OUT AND CALMING DOWN WHEN IT HAPPEND, RIGHT

[Squims]

I'm fairly new to these PVC's and PAC's and still get the 'Rabbit caught in headlights' feeling whenever they occur.  I must say that I do get comfort from reading posts of people that have endured these for many years.  

I'd be grateful to hear from anybody that whilst suffering from PVC's/PAC's has had an experience of a prolongued period of 'excessive' stress, and did the frequency of heart hiccups increase until whatever was causing the stress had passed?  I've noticed that when I have had a particularly stressful day or a hard couple of days the frequency of the skipped beats do increase.

The reason that I ask is that after I get married in three weeks I'm off abroad for the honeymoon.  Sounds great but my problem is that I'm recovering from a panic disorder that left me slightly agoraphobic for several years and I know that I'm in for an ordeal.  I'd like to try to get a handle on what to expect, which kind of links back to the last comment about not letting these attacks become too restrictive.  

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Palpitations:

Palpitation is the sensation of feeling your heart beat.
From what you have told me so far it is unclear whether or not you are experiencing a rhythm problem. If you have not already done so, having a holter monitor test along with an echocardiogram who be a good idea. A holter monitor is a device you wear for 24 to 48 hours which records the heart's electrical activity. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart to evaluate the valves and pumping function. I do not think you are experiencing V. tach (ventricular tachycardia). However these 2 tests are important in sorting out the issues.
You maybe able  to improve your symptoms with the following life style changes which include: avoiding smoking, caffeine, alcohol and stimulants such as those found in decongestants. Hope you feel better, follow up with your doctor soon.


Thanks for your question,



CCF-MD-KE

[CLM]

Please be reassured -- if you did not experience dizziness or pain, you are very likely a-okay.  Everyone's heart occasionally "flips out" and when you already have arhythmias you are predisposed to a bit more funky electrical activity going on.  I have had every possible awful, bizarre rhythm or lack of rhythm happen and I am still here.  I have "bzillions" of pvcs and/or pacs and occasionally, my heart just gets completely out of whack for a few seconds.  Freaky indeed, but it passes -- every time.  I, like you, do not get dizzy or feel pain.  I have had all the tests also because of the frequency with which this happens and all is well.  I have simply been told that if it bothers me too much, I can consider ablation or the more major anti-arrythmia drugs.  Hormones DO play a role, I am convinced, and I'll bet menopause will be tough.  But the bottom line here is that they are lifestyle threatening, not life threatening.  In the absence of other heart problems, the human heart is an amazing thing:  it can "correct" from even the most bizarre electrial mis-signals.  Don't let it run your life -- that is the "real" danger here.

[NSINC]

I use to occasionally have these episodes(about once every 2-3 months). The first time I experienced it was when I was about 11yrs. old. I had just finished swimming with some friends,and we were changing into our regular clothes,and all of a sudden I got this fast, hard thumping in my chest.This was especially frightening to me because I had three years before had open heart surgery to correct a congenital heart defect.Needless to say I thought death was iminate.When it was actually happening, other than the palpatations I felt okay.My doctor at the time did not seem to be too concerned it.These episodes did seem to gradually increase in frequency and symptomatic variety overtime however.Over the years I have had several heart surgeries to address different heart defects that were not apparent in earlier years.I was always told that the heart arrhythmias that I have had and still do experience are probably due to a combination of the structural problems I`ve had,and the heart surgery itself.However these problems can occur in people without any history of cardiac problems.

Most importantly however,I was always reassured that these arrhythmias were highly unlikely to kill me as long as my left ventricular function remained adequate.I can`t say I don`t have any worry about it now,but for the last few years I have not allowed it to dominate my life.I`m now 48yrs. old.

[Linda123]

Hi there Kit Kat
You sound very like me as regards your experiences with palpitations.  I have had palpitations on and off since being about 18 and I am now 46.  My palpitations became very troublesome and much more frequent about 3 or 4 years ago and I got to the stage where as I was frightened to go out in case an attack came on.
A year ago I had a hysterectomy and commenced HRT.  I can only say that I now feel SO MUCH BETTER in every way but the most important thing of all is that the palpitations, whilst still occuring, are nothing like as bothersome as they were before my operation and starting HRT.  My gynae tells me that palpitations are "a major symptom" of menopause due to diminishing estrogen levels and I can only think that people like us who already have trouble with palpitations are going to get them much worse come the menopause.  I know about all the controversy about HRT - and I worry about it - but all I can say is - my palpitations are now at a bearable level and life is worth living again and for me, HRT is worth the risk.
Hope this helps.
Best Wishes