Heart pause

[js29]

I'm a 27 year old female and  2 years ago I was told that I had benign PVC's.  That was diagnosed after an event moniter and echocardiogram.  Both my GP and cardiologist said everything is fine I'm young, and to just get over it.  I experienced the skipping beat feeling where there would be a real quick heatbeat a pause and then a hard beat.  Doc said it was actually an extra beat, not a skipping beat.  I've carried on for 2 years with these stupid irregularities and just tried to ignore them.  I do take xanax when they are really bad to calm me down.  This morning I experienced a new sensation that felt like my heart just paused.  I was laying in bed and noticed that every few seconds I felt like everything stopped for a second.  The most noticable thing was that I felt like sound went away during that second.  I keep a fan on in my room, and it sounded like it faded for a moment.  I naturally started to feel my pulse, which felt slow, but not abnormally slow for being at rest.  I noticed when I felt that fading sensation, my pulse felt like it stopped. There was no follow up hard beat or a flipflopping sensation, just a pause.   Any thoughts?

[achillea]

Your heart is not really pausing.  You most likely have a common conditon called Premature Ventricular Contractions, and only reading about it will help you understand what is going on and why it is not dangerous.  Many of us here have the same thing and suffer anxiety or panic because of it.

So TAKE your medication.  It will help you way more than a glass of hot milk or a  rubdown with lavender.

Then, if you are serious about dealing with your panic, you will need to see a counselor or psychiatrist.  They can actually help you with that  part of the problem.

[bub1013]

Hello. I have heart pausing. I got this heart pausing after a chronic anxiety
attack. I have chronic anxiety and panic attacks just about all my life. Been to the hospital and ekg came out fine and the doctor said that the anxiety is what caused the heart pausing. If I took my med for anxiety.  Maybe this would of not happen.  Now I'm stuck with this heart pausing. Sometimes it does it when I'm talking. I drink warm to hot milk to calm me. And I rub lavender lotion all over my body to calm my mind and body. And it helps the shakes and stops the heart pausing. For a while. Burning a lavender candle helps. This heart pausing is not a fun feeling. Its a scary feeling.  

[RNRita]

Yes, you can talk freely here.  I have had them for 31 years and STILL am not used to them.  I STILL can't figure out what is causing them.  I know some things, but geesh...by now I should be better.  About two days ago, I had a few after not having any for a long time.  Yesterday, a few more than the day before.  Today I am having them constantly from the time I realized I was awake.  I have to go to work today and I'm sure I'm taking them along.  I hope they don't ask to share my lunch cuz that will REALLY tick me off.  Anyway, nothing, absolutely NOTHING has been different.  There go my newest theories.

[js29]

Thanks - it helps to know their are others experiencing the same thing.  No one around me understands.  I have extra anxiety about it because the Cardiologist basically blew me off because I was a young female.  He did the echo during my eight month of pregnancy to humor me because he said that would be when my heart would be at the most risk.  My GP wanted to have a stress test done, but the Cardiologist said it was not necessary.  Going to another Cardiologist at this time is unfortunately not an option, so I always feel like there is something else wrong.  I'm glad I found this board so I can at least talk about my fears.  Thanks guys!

[SassyLassie]

I have experienced both types of the PVC's that you described, they are awful. I try to ignore them and sometimes I can, and others, if I am especially emotional, I can not. I would say since your cardiologist says all is well, to try to not worry, that is easier said than done, I know. I thought that once I got my echo and carotid scans back, I would stop worrying, well, I got them back, they were both great, but, I STILL worry and get scared, so, you are not alone. Also, anxiety about the darn things can bring them on too, they are oppurtunists, and I think the flutters take delight in coming when we are at our lowest.

We are here for you, so, keep us posted, it helps to know you are not alone in this so-called adventure.

Hugs
Susie

[Momto3]

Hi js29,

I'm not a doctor, but I've had PVCs for many years and sometimes they do feel a little different.  For me, I mostly get the "stopped" feeling, but other people describe more of the pause and THUMP that you desciribed in the first part of your post.

I'll bet you're just feeling a variation of the "stupid" PVCs : )

Did your doctor ever consider a beta blocker for you?  While they are not necessary for benign PVCs, some people find the medication reduces the frequency or decreases the intensity.  If you can manage without meds, better yet : )

Hope that helps a little.
connie

[ireneo]

PVC's are premature beats, an electrical signal that comes just a bit too soon. Often there is the compensatory pause before the heart goes back to its normal rhythm. A lot depends on where in the cycle the early beat hits. Some folks do feel the pause at times, may feel a fullness in the chest or throat, may get that head rush feeling (like when you stand up too quickly). There are a variety of sensations that come and go with PVC's. You may even be having some PVC's without any symptoms at all. Wouldn't it be nice if they were all that quiet?