Scared and confused about heart palpitations

I am a 20 year old male. I have had a very active lifestyle, for years, I was always lifting weights hard, not doing much cardio, but do about a mile before each work out now. I started getting heart palpitations in high school after takin supplements such as nitric oxide, creatine. I had been checked countless times for the past 3 or 4 years. Recently, I was told they are PAC's and PVC's. After all this time, they finally tell me? Pathetic. So, I have had all the testing, the monitors, the elctrocardiogram, tredmill run, etc. The cardiologists all tell me nothing is wrong with my heart. I don't believe them, I feel like dying from it all the time, I feel them everyday! I still work out and train, as I am a Pro Wrestler! They really feel as though they effect my life big time and hold me down both mentally and physically. I was recently prescribed Metaprolol beta blocker. I just feel unsure about taking a medicine for heart beat, I am afraid to start taking it! I just need answers from someone or anyone that can help me once and for all. By the way, I also try to take care of myself, such as never drinking or smoking. I also don't consume caffeine! Thank you and my god bless the one who helps!

[donna4140]

I feel for one your too young to have heart issues.If you say the palpitations started after you started taking the nitric oxide and creatine I would stop taking them.I know that some foods can cause palpitations for me.So I try to avoid those things.Some supplements have done the same thing such as vit E supplements.I know what you mean when you say they hold you down because I was told I have a-fib which can keep me from doing things.I find that my nerves play a big role in palpitations too.If you constantly dwell on it they get worse.I was also put on metoprolol ,but stopped it because it made me too tired.Of course I think doctors just prescribe any meds, without finding out the real problem.Maybe you should try a different doctor,and dont stop till you get the answers you need! Have you had a echocardiogram? good luck donna

[Jerry_NJ]

I think trying a low dose Metoprolol is worth a try, say 50 mg a day or less, maybe 25 mg is something to suggest to your doctor.  Perhaps that is what has been prescribed.

Most people, I believe, get some benefits from a BB, but larger doses can cause unwanted low blood pressure (I assume you have normal BP).  

I am not a doctor, but I will defend them a bit here by saying they do the best they can given what we understand.  The medications we have, while imperfect, are better than what we had 50 years ago.  There are also interventions, such as ablation, that can be taken if the symptoms are particularly troubling.  I think it is "standard" to try to get the patient to "live with" the problem as long as it is minor and is not threatening to life. Beta blockers can help.  I take it myself for AFib, and I think in the dose level I've taken, up to 200 mg a day, it does cause fatigue and I think it may cause me some loss of sleep due to unpleasant dreams... not night mares, just troubling.

[MattB55]

I don't take any supplements! I guess maybe I should try a 25mg what they prescribed. This just feels too horrible, to be benign, like the doctors say. I've been to 4 different cardiologists!

[donna4140]

Are you suffering from anxiety issues.I know for myself anxiety can cause heart palpitations.I cant see why a young healthy person such as yourself would have to take metoprolol.I would try not to worry yourself sick that will just make things worse.

[dmacd74]

Matt, don't be afraid of the toprol.  I am on it and it really helps with my pvcs.  I have been known to have up to 17 thousand a day!, pacs also.  Ask your doctor if you can start off with a really small dose ( I cut a 25mg pill in half) and if that dose works, stay there.  If not, work your way up.  This drug has been around for years, it is safe and proven.  You might find that when the pvcs/pacs subside a little, so will your anxiety. Hang in there, write again, and know that you are healthy and will be ok.  We are here for you if you need us.

Debbie

[donna4140]

Do you mean metoprolol?I use to take it for afib but stopped it made me too tired.I may ask if I can try a smaller  dose.Ididnt think you could take smaller doses didnt think it would work then for tach.I have afib and told the other day I had supraventricular tach.donna

[MattB55]

Yea Anxiety does effect me, I am unsure about things in my life, where I will end up and such. So, I just started takin half the pill, it has lightened the palpitations alittle so far, but still ofcourse bothers me. Thanks for all the responses so far! Guess there are good people out there.

[1Stevieboy]

Hey Matt,  I feel for you pal.  I have had these things for going on 20 years myself.  I just posted a question about if skipped beats and gas are connected.  I have had anxiety for 16 years or so and have done a lot to try and cut down on it.  No caffiene, no chocolate and all that has helped a little.  Here recently I have made a connection that my heart skips when I have gas or vice versa.  Especially if I burp, my heart will skip as the gas is coming up my esophegus.  Strange I know, but watch for tell-tell signs of when your heart skips.  Maybe you can make some adjustments and get them to calm down.  I want to get on a beta blocker myself, but have always been afraid to.  Let us all know how yours is working.  Thanks,
                 Steve

[iamfaithful]

Matt, I used to be on metop. too and was actually on the .25 mg.  That is the lowest dosage they can give you from what I understand.  I truly undestand your pain about visitng different cardiologist.  I went to one and then ended up at another one and thought about going to a third :-)  I have been off the meds since Jan. of this year and can honestly say that it has been fine.  Now I still get the palps mainly due to hormones, but I also get them when I am really stressed, which happens to be now, which happens to coincide with my hormones acting up.  So I have been tempted to make an appointment w/my cardio or go to the ER.  But I know what they are going to say.  It is not easy believe they are benign because they certainly do NOT feel that way.  But after you have had all the test, sometimes twice, you have to learn to believe what the docotors say.

Anxiety is a BEAST all it's own.  I also have the lowest dose of Xanax, but I don't take it.  I just have it for emergency purposes :-)

Hang in there!

[MattB55]

Sorry to hear about your problems too. I know, its just so uncomfortable and scary, many times I've wanted to go to the ER as an "escape" feeling. As for the beta blocker, they have decreased them but still bad, mainly when im working out though. I guess the only thing left to do is just deal with it. Try to be the best I can and fight through the scary moments. As for the anxiety, I took a few diff meds, it seems like they never fully helped, but since about a month ago, I stopped effexor, and I have bad withdraw, horrible brain zap headaches everyday, but I hear other say it will last around 2 months. God Bless you all seriously, Thank you.

[oz7]

How do you do it? 17K a day?  Please tell me how do you cope? I would love to know your secret...on the toprol are you having far less?  Bless you!