Low Magnesium/Potassium levels

[Jackie1980]

I am writing this to let you guys know..(the ones out there who don't already) to get your electrolyte levels checked!! My potassium and magnesium levels were on the lower side( not even THAT low actually , just a little) and  I think this definetely contributed to the constant PVC's that I was getting for months. Yesterday I ended up in the ER for issues other than the heart. Pregnancy issues actually; and they found that my levels were low. So, I was given 40 meq of potassium and a bag of mag sulfate and let me tell you..I am feeling SO much better. it is crazy how much these levels affect your heart. I am hoping and praying that if I continue to take the K+ and magnesium supplements, that the PVC's will stay down to a minimum. So, some advice..Get your levels checked!!

[Jackie1980]

coconut water..hmm..I will look into that. Thanks :)

[banglamom]

I hope that is working for you.  Actually, try coconut water for you too.  It is GREAT on a stomach.  Living in the tropics, it was THE answer for all things tummy problems.  

My heart problems are pretty much NOT controllable.  I try to keep on my narrow balance of rhythms suppressed with meds to the point of NOT triggering my own rhythms at all.  I manage it most of the time.  I am about 85-90% paced.  A lot of the rest of that time, it is unmanageable runaway rhythms.  If it is TOO suppressed, I run into problems with a bp in the toilet.  I DO NOT go to the hospital.  I am a nurse- on the big gun cardiac floor.  I would much rather do onto others.  I dont want it done to me.  I just medicate it all myself and avoid the hospital.  My only ER trips have been me getting CAUGHT there... ie pass out at work.  Now, if it happens at work, I don't even let them check a rhythms strip because I don't want to be a pt.  Maybe you are braver than me.

Best of luck to YOU.  Take care of yourself.

[allaflutter1213]

Wow, you have alot to remember!
Fortunatley mine isn't that unmanageable, I went to see an EP who wanted me to start on Flecainide, so I read about it, nasty stuff to say the least, and decided not to take it at this point since they told me that my issues weren't 'life threatening".
I am learning to manage mine somewhat by what I put into my body.
I have quit smoking, stopped using caffeine, only an occasional glass of red wine, and I watch what I eat ande keep my GERD in check also. My issues with my heart seem to go hand in hand with my stonach issues.

I have had all the tests for both my heart and my stomach, EKG, stress test, heart catheter,  Holter monitor, upper GI, endoscopy, barium test, gastric emptying test.

My heart is fine the cardio said as far as heart disease, I do have a structural abnormality like my father, no biggie they said, my plumbing was just a bit different.
The Holter monitor showed PVC's, PAC's, and bigeminy.
The EKG showed the PVC's and bundle branch block.

I bouught the fish oil but I am hesitant to take it as I have read it can make you gassy, an gas seems to be one of the things that sets mine off.
I thought about doing the COQ10.
I also take a multi vitamin every day as well as consuming 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar with "the mother" in 8 ox of water every morning and afternoon and the juice of 1 lemon in 8 oz of water at night, all to get my body to be more alkaline than acidic, this does seem to help with my digestive woes a bit but I still have to watch what I eat, gone are the carefree days of just eating and not thinking about it.
Eating to me is now something that makes me aprehensive as it can trigger the GERD and bigeminy and when you have all that going on in your chest at the same time it isn't a pleasant feeling at all, that has sent me to the emergency room more than once.

Best of luck to you,
D

[banglamom]

It says right on the box that it has the K of 15 bananas.  I don't know if I can vouch for how much it helps, but maybe it makes it better than it would be otherwise.  Maybe that's the best I can hope for.  I take the fish oil and CoQ10- in case it will help.  I take the ace inhibitors to try to make my heart last.  I take the beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmics to try to control the problem.... and I watch the battery levels in my pacemaker to keep me alive.  Anything that MIGHT help... is worth a shot.  Also, I lived in Asia for years... so I LOVE coconut water.  I prefer it fresh from the coconut, but this is a good second.

[allaflutter1213]

I just looked at the coconut water on Amazon, I am thinking seriously about giving it a try!!!

[banglamom]

Try coconut water.  I haven't found anything else higher in K occuring naturally.  It's fairly low in calories, rich in lytes, and yummy.  I buy it by the case at Amazon.

[SassyLassie]

I can relate to the low Potassium level. About a year ago, I started having the PAC's and this time, they would not stop, so, I went to the ER, they drew some blood, and to make a long story short, it was discovered that my potassium was only one point from being too low, so, my doctor put me on a liquid potassium supplement, and it helped, in fact, as long as I drink fruit juices that are high in it, my palps are not as bad. I know electrolytes really play a big part in our arrhythmias.

[RNRita]

You're right about that!!!  I take supplements daily and feel somewhat better when I do.