PVC's and pulse rate

[sheplu]

I posted a question about PVC's the other day and got some nice replies.  I have another question.  I wanted to know if when you are having PVC's and PAC's is your pulse irregular.  I know this might sound stupid but I don't know if that happens to everyone.  The other question is how I can stop taking my pulse.  I think I'm becoming obsessed with this and I don't see the cardiologist until March 4th.  It's almost starting to control me and I'm getting nervous about going shopping, etc. afraid that my heart will start racing and I'll get bad skipped beats.  I know I'm being foolish but it is hard to stop.  I'm trying to relax and stop being so nervous before I drive my family crazy.  Also, if any of you have rapid heart rates, is there anything you can do to slow it down.  I am so glad I found this board because I realize I am not alone.  Thanks for listening to me.
Louise

[MacBella]

TThis may help you understand what is going on. My brother has frequent PVCs, from what I saw he has trigeminy and bigeminy. His heart has what he thought was racing, now we think it is palpitations causes by the PCV.
This explains why the pulse rate acts erratically, in fact it is not erratic at all. In the side-by-side analysis of the Heartrate on an ECG and the pulse rate on a hospital O2 it shows the pulse rate is approx. half the heart rate. It is explained here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LKg7d2gd-Q   Start around the 2-minute mark.

[Leslie613]

I do the exact same thing.  Ever since I was diagnosed with WPW two years ago I've started to obsessively feel my pulse, especially after I start having skipped beats.  I'm constantly afraid that I'm just going to go into cardiac arrest at any moment and die.  Jerzeegal's right, mindless distractions work:)  And if you're having a tachycardia, my cardiologist always told me to apply firm pressure to the carotid artery - carotid artery massage.  

Good luck and feel better!

[sheplu]

Thanks for answering.  I guess I said it wrong because my pulse isn't irregular but it beats then skips a beat.  It isn't fast then slow. Just skips beats.  Also thanks for giving me the tips on how to stop them.  I definitely will try them.  I can't wait until I go to the cardiologist to see if it's anything to worry about or not.  The funny thing is that I feel fine otherwise.  I'm also going to look at the anxiety forum.  Thanks again.
Louise

[WvMomof3]

WOW!!! When I seen your post...I was like...does he or she live inside my head...lol...I am so much like u...I keep a watch with me at all times and I am constantly taking my pulse...waiting for the next flutter...My resting pulse rate is usually around 84 to 91...and I don't seem to have the tachycardia problem unless I am exercising or if I have eaten something that drives it nuts...I am also afraid to go anywhere...I haven't been out but 1 time in the last month without my husband since I started feeling the flutters...the dr ran the standard tests...says my heart is fine and to LIVE LIFE...that is exactly what I want to do...can't they see that...but I am so scared that at any moment I am going to drop over dead...funny what our minds and anxiety can do to us...I am going for a second opinion tomorrow...May be silly to some...but it is something I feel like I have to do...God Bless U all and if u need to talk...I am here to listen...

[Jerzeegal]

Hi Louise,

The more you take your pulse and obsess over the PVCs the more likely they are to persist since stress and anxiety can trigger them. What I "try" to do is shift my focus to something else   turn on the tv   listen to my MP3 player  read..  don't get my wrong  I still go thru my obsessive moments.. just had one last night... I posted over in the anxiety forum since the pvcs bring anxiety and anxiety brings on pvcs I joined that forum as well.

Some things to do to try and break the palpitations and slow down your is to bear down like you are having a BM. You can also try throwing some cold water on your face. Oddly enough what worked for me in the past when I would ge tachycardia with them would be to make myself burp. :-)

As far as your pulse being irregular I don't consider mine irregular in the fact that it isn't erratic. I will just have maybe 3 beats  then a pause then a few more beats then a pause then a normal set of beats. Is that what you meant or did you mean fast then slow then fast?

The best thing you can do for yourself is carry on as normal. If you want or need to go then make yourself do. Don't let them take control of you.

Jerz