Different types of irregular heart beats

[bundleblocker]

This is not really a question, just an example of how we have to be proactive about our symptoms.

I asked my internist about my irregular heart beats. He did a stress test which was normal and then I wore the holter monitor for a coupled of days.

While wearing the holter, I had what I felt was PVCs, but I did NOT have the type of irregular heart beats that had been bothering bothered me for several months and which were getting more frequent and lasting longer.

I was referred to a cardiologist who did a stress echo.

All tests were considered pretty normal; the cardiologist suggested beta blockers if I felt I needed them.

The weird type irregular heartbeats continued and got worse. Then one day I went to the ER and they were diagnosed as Afibs.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, keep asking questions, describe your symptoms, just be insistent if you do not feel you are getting the right diagnosis.

I have now been on  a beta blocker for a week, and feel ok.  Two incidents of Afibs, but the heart rate stayed fairly low no doubt due to the beta blocker

On Wednesday I go in for another stress/echo, just as as precaution, but the cardiologist has encouraged my running and sees no problem with my running a marathon next month.

Keeping fingers crossed!

[pickyhealth]

I am so pleased to see your comment here. I am not supposed to have anything other than pvc. I have always had a "gut" feeling that this is incorrect. I have been on Toprol XL for about two years. Starting out at 25 mg now up to 75mg. My heart rate even with this drug is about 110 up to 130. Prior to it it remained around 160 and higher sitting still and resting. If you can say you are resting with the rate like this.

I wondered if anyone can offer some advice on this. If all I have is this PVC, then why would my cardiologist tell me I can't do anything that increases my heart rate to the point of feeling faint or blacking out. I realize, that blacking out and fainting are dangerous but, I really cannot do anything..... Prior to this I was very active. Excersized daily, hiking, walking, a do everything myself type person. I noticed this palpatation when I had trouble making it to the top of my stairs without feeling faint. Well then, I blacked out and fell down the stairs. I went to my nurse practitioner who refered me to this cardiologist. I have had numerous tests and the cardiologist treats me like I've got CHF, which runs in my family on both sides.

He says not to do anything cardio including exersize, regular things that increase my heartrate, or anything. Well, that's just about everything. I can't do anything including walking across a room or even cleaning my house without dramatically increasing my rate. It's ridiculous.

I have always been told and taught that a muscle will heal itself. I also am under the impression that pvc's aren't even treated unless they disrupts your lifestyle. Which obviously it does disrupt mine.

I have discussed this with him in detail, he has simply dismissed it along with taking me off the Toprol due to the severe side effects I've experienced.
Now, 45 pounds heavier, not getting younger at 39, my heart rate remains about 100 to 120 most of the time. However, I have developed tremors which has been diagnosed with no known cause, I have severe problems concentrating (I believe this to be because of the toprol), I cough a lot at night or when I lie down, I have a serious impairment with "fine motor skills", such as picking up objects and using them like pens, (I do crafts, and that is difficult with a detailed project), I actually dropped an entire bowl full of vegtables when trying to cook dinner and I even have problems with my speech.

I am frustrated and want off this Toprol, and want the ability to exersize again or at least do normal activities,  and I want a more precise diagnosis. My cardiologist said I showed no Heart disease.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, I feel like I've just been dismissed and shoved in a corner...........due to my age and persistance.

[bundleblocker]

Well, I was reluctant about the beta blockers too. But because of my age, 72, and the fact that the heart beat was so rapid when in AF, he was worried about a clot forming which could cause a stroke.

[Soopster]

Thank you for the post. I'm currently having a lot of PAC's and I'm always concerned that they may turn into afib. It helps to know your symptoms.

My cardiologist always told me that a beta blocker could cause more problems than the PAC's/PVC's themselves so I always say no to it. They are bothersome but haven't driven me bonkers yet.

Good luck with the stress/echo.

[bundleblocker]

My heart rate increases so much I can't count the beats. And the beats are weak and seem incomplete. Then every few seconds there is a pause or what feels like a double beat.

Kind of hard to describe, but very uncomfortable and makes me light-headed.

[Soopster]

What did the afib feel like? Did your heart rate increase?