Me too. . I'm skipping. .

Dear Dr. McWilliams,

There seems to be a bunch of us on here that deal with skipping hearts, myself included.  

Here's my story.  Have had skipping since late 1991 when we went through a serious stressful time (job loss, move 4 times, 5 kids, husbands health declined).  I have dealt with these things since that time and recently the skipping has come back to haunt me.  I have noticed that it happens after I eat alot.  Then I tense up because it is happening and probably cause it to happen worse.  Went to the doctor (cardiologist) for answers and help.  This is what she told me. . .I can feel your heart doing PAC's constantly but it is nothing to worry about (I love that phrase. . .easy for her to say).  She wants me to take some kind of Maalox before eating because she said gas can cause the skipping to happen. . .I would LOVE your input on this one.  I have had echo's, holters, stress test, even a cath and there are no blockages-all come back normal with PAC's PVC's.  The only thing that didn't come back normal was the ekg.  It said Long QT wave and abnormal ST waves on one but then not on another ekg ??  The doctor said 1.  the machine is wrong  2.  if it is right, it can be caused by an electrolite imbalance.  Your input also ??  She put me on Zebeta and Norvasc.  I have noticed that now my heart rate is in the mid 50's to low 60's. . .too much medicine ??

I took all this information to my GP also and he said something totally different. . AAAGGGHHH !  I know medicine isn't an exact science but I would love for my 2 doctors to agree on something. .

So, here you are, the tie breaker. . .what is your input ??

Thanks. . .skippy

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I hear patients say that their PAC/PVCs are worse after eating but have never read it.  It might have something to do with the autonomic nervous system changes with digestion but it is hard to say.  I would only be speculating.  I have not read that antiacids help palpitations and personally do not know of any treatment that works with everyone and most treatments (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers) do not help most people very much.  Some people respond very well to medications.

I do not put a lot of faith in EKG machine interpretations in EKGs, especially when it comes to QTc interval.  Without seeing the EKG the best thing I can say is trust your doctor or get a second opinion.

I am not as concerned about heart rate as I am about symptoms.  If you feel ok with heart rates in the range, that is fine.  If you feel worse since starting the medications it might be worth backing down on the medications.
I hope this helps.  thanks for posting.

[worriedMom57]

The only symptom I have other than the skipping is when I bend over, I get REALLY dizzy. . .almost to the point of fainting.  Told this to the doctor and she said probably (and again, I love that word) viral or something to do with my ears and balance.  

Wow, do I wish this was a black and white thing instead of always a grey area. . .guess we skippys will just have to live with this. . .frustrated, you bet I am.  I can't even return to work because of this. . .I'm so afraid of something happening at work and when your heart is skipping, its hard to concentrate and do well on your job.

Thanks. . .

[worriedMom57]

I'm only on 2.5 mg. of each Norvasc and Zebeta once a day. . .doesn't seem like too high of dosage though. . .

[Snickydoo]

Boy you hit the nail right on the head! I too have been suffering with PAC's for two months now, non-stop, happens about every beat then goes to every 3-5 seconds everyday. If you can't occupy your brain 24/7 it drives you crazy! I too have been told two different things by my Cardiologist and my GP. My GP put me on Lexapro to help with depression/anxiety as it has changed my "quality of life". They tried CardizemLA (made things worse) and also Propranolol (made things worse) as well. They tell me the best thing to do is try not to "stress" over this and ignore them. So, I opted to not take any meds for awhile and see what that does. I too feel it more after I eat or drink something. I get a gurgly feeling also in the center of my chest and an acid reflux type of feeling also. I had all tests done as well, and all came back normal even though it feels completely NOT NORMAL. Please TRY not to worry, and know that there are a lot of people out there going through this same thing!!!! Hopefully more research will be done to help people with us skippers!!! :)

[pamelasmc]

research "orthostatic intolerance". I've only just signed on here and haven't seen it mentioned yet.
Good luck
Pam

[Fran71]

Oh gosh, yes, my PVCs get so much worse after eating!!! If I take a beta blocker right before the meal, the change is astounding...My PVCs go hand in hand with sinus tachy, maybe that's why they respond to the BB.

[sandi875th]

Ok I'm no doctor and call me stupid but I just joined and I'm all confused on the pac's, pvc's, gp's, bb's etc..whats all these stand for?

[mouimet]

Hi, I am new.
I have been having heart arrhythmia for a few months now. sometime it is scary because my heart goes crazy:
It skips beats and beats strong to almost make me jump and then I get heart palpitation/ fast beating; 100 beats per minute at rest. This for about half an hour at the least.
I end up being tired and with a chest pain . This has been more frequent lately especially after I have a certain food like Chinese, Thai food. Has anyone noticed a food correlation (although I read it could not be) I really think that certain food (I am thinking with MSG or something like that) can trigger or make things worse.
I also take multi vitamins like prenatal vitamins and mothers milk herbal supplement because I am nursing.
The cardiologist could not find anything abnormal with my heart. But I am still suffering from heart arrhythmia/ palpitation.

ANY HELP WOULD BE WELCOME

THANK YOU

[worriedMom57]

MSG is probably the problem. . .I have heard people say that it actually causes heart attack like symptoms in some people. . .maybe skip food with that in it and see what happens. . .also, I would be VERY careful with suppliments. . .especially if you are nursing as some maybe passed on to the baby. . .just a thought. . .

[tomslik190]

My PVCs have nearly disappeared since I started taking a high-quality Co-Q10 supplement, 200 mg daily.  My heart still feels like it's pumping wrong and I feel like I'm going to pass out all of the time, but at least the PVCs are history.

[Barbmag]

Can I ask what brand of Co-Q10 you are taking? I take 100mg and did not know whether to increase the dosage or not....I try to get info online about supplements and some sites suggest that if you take more than 90mg, you should discuss it w/your doctor. My doctor knows nothing about supplements!!! :)

[tomslik190]

I'm taking CoQ10 200 mg from Medi-Plex.  www.medi-plex.com.  I was taking 120 mg Q sorb from Puritans pride but it didn't help.  I'm 6'2", 205  so maybe I need 200 mg.

[Barbmag]

Thank you..I will ck it out!!

[Sculpey5]

Hi,
I have suffered with skipped beats, pvcs,pacs, etc etc for 4 years or so.  After having all of the normal cardio tests - echo, ekg, stress, halter  - they couldn't find anything wrong, of course.    Anyway - after many many readings and posts here and research - I have discovered there definately are triggers.    Certain foods (bananas, peanuts), because they are high in potassium which is a direct pipeline to the heart.   spicey foods will kick it off.   Changing weather pressures will kick it off.  If it's warm and then suddenly turns cold or stormy.  I tried taking calcium supplements for osteopenia and oh my gosh! - my heart raced and jumped and spattered - it was awful.   I hope this helps.  I (as a fellow sufferer) wish everyone here good luck and steady rhythms!

[sandi875th]

I tend to be low of potassium so have to eat a banana daily. I have all the wierd heart beats, fast beating and I mean fast up to 150 bpm. I do have MVP and that is the culprit I hear. Are you saying spicy foods can trigger  the palpations etc.?? I eat spicy foods daily. Also any time I over do the salt I can look forward to a weird heart day. I just started reading so am behind here. What is it that banana's can trigger??