irregular heartbeat

[momteach]

I am 34 years old, 5'4" 117 pounds, no smoking, no alcohol, always been active and healthy, I drink 1 cup of coffee a day, no other caffeine.  I have 3 children my youngest is 2 1/2 and about 11 months after having the last one I began having an irregular heartbeat. Sometimes once or twice a day and other times 20-30 times a day.  With my first two children I had hyperthyroidism after both children and have a very fast resting heart rate (130 bpm) and was put on beta blockers until my thyroid resumed normal function.  At that time (8 years ago) I also had a stress test and echo and all was normal, other than the crazy fast heart rate.  The irregular heart rate started again 11 months after my last child who is now 2 1/2. I thought maybe the thyroid was resurfacing again.  I had all of the blood tests, thyroid scans, sonograms, saw an endocronolgist and all levels were perfectly normal.  I also have frequent dizzy spells and have lost a lot of balance, so I was then referred to a neurologist for further testing, vitamin B levels were checked, MRI, all was good on that front.  I was diagnosed with anxiety problems as well during all of this, I believe the anxiety is due to these constant abnormal heartbeats, not the other way around!  I have had EKG's all normal, I wore a holter monitor for 24 hours and it caught 6 PVC's and some PAC's, but the cardiologist who reviewed it said all was normal??  I am SO frustrated, there are no answers for what this is caused by, I can not excercise because the minute my heart rate gets elevated it starts to beat irregularly and it scares me so much.  I am looking for some insight on if anyone has had a similar story, I thought maybe female hormone issues could be causing some of this?  I checked with my OB/GYN and she said no, its anxiety.  But I can't understand this, when I am trying to exercise why would I have anxiety? Any suggestions would be helpful, thank you.

[Madge270]

I wish I had as few irregular heartbeats a day as you do. I was diagnosed with them a year ago and average 8500 a day. And I'm doing okay. I just try to ignore them as best I can, by keeping busy. I'm unable to take beta blockers, but my doctor says I don't really need them if I don't have a lot of discomfort.  I have some, but nothing I can't handle.  I have had stress/anxiety issues for years and take a small nightly dose of clonazepam (similar to Xanax) to help me sleep. I started that long before the arrhythmias started, though.  

My cardiologist said my echocardiogram showed my heart was fine and that these won't shorten my life, maybe just be a bit bothersome.  Please just put yourself in the hands of a good doctor and try not to worry. I'll bet you'll be fine.

[momteach]

Thanks for your comments, I know what you are saying, once they start for the day it creates a"bad day" right away.  I don't know if my panic brings on more?  It is the most horrible feeling, like one day my heart will just stop.  I just want to be able to exercise, and I can not, they are so much worse when I even walk fast.  Yet I can do hours of heavy yard work and not have one?  I am terrified of plane rides, you would think that would bring them on, although I have never had one on a plane ride? I just can't seem to figure out the cycle of these episodes.  Thanks for taking the time to respond, I am really starting to believe it all starts with hormones and then anxiety creates more.  

[rilesnic]

Sounds very similar to my story.  Mine started about a year after the birth of my 2nd child.  I get my thyroid checked at least twice a year, always normal.  I am 38, 5'2", and the heaviest I have ever been without being pregnant is 104 pounds.  I cannot gain weight for anything.  I lose it fast though.  Any stress makes me lose weight.  All my heart tests come back "normal" except my PAC's and tachycardia have shown up on EKG's and holter monitoring.  My cardio says my size has a lot to do with why I feel them.  My heart palps cause me terrible anxiety and panic. I also suffer from dizziness and true vertigo..which causes a very out of control feeling and causes more anxiety.  My daughter is almost 17 now and it has been such a scary time dealing with these.  I know they are "benign," but that's not much comfort when I'm feeling them. When my heart starts to speed up is mostly when I feel the PAC's.  I do not drink alcohol, caffeine, or eat chocolate.  I stay away from fried foods, msg, and most fast foods, because all of the above seem to trigger my palps. I do take a beta blocker (atenolol 12.5mg QHS), but I still get the palps.  I believe hormones play a role as they also seem to get worse closer to that time and sometimes during that time.  I am taking one day at a time, and I know when I wake up if it's going to be a good heart day or a bad heart day.  I do get up and move around when I start feeling them and that seems to help some by keeping my mind off of them.  I hope you start feeling better soon.  Keep us posted.  Best to you!