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Skipped beats
I'm 34, male, 190 lbs, 6' 2", excercise a lot, don't smoke, hardly drink, no know family history of heart problems. Two weeks ago, after a paticularly exhausting basketball game, my heart was pounding harder than normal. I rested. Later I noticed significant skipping in my pulse, and a weird feeling in my chest and throat. Let it go, slept, next day I felt okay. The day after the skipping returned. Went to urgent care (ekg, bloodwork all normal.) Sent home, told to go to ER if it persists. Scared, I went to the ER. More tests all negative - except my CK was elevated (not sure if MB or MM or total CK) so they asked if I excercised alot recently. I said yes, so I guess that was normal. Put on heart monitor for about 5 hours. They noticed about 6 skips in that stretch, though it was probably more. Didnt seem to worry them. Sent me home, scheduled a holter monitor and appointment with my doc. Saw the doc, he examined me and we could not reproduce the skips, even after exercise. I told him I'd been drinking a lot more coffee than usual and he nodded and added that nearly half the people in the US have some sort of arrythmia. (he was more skeptical of it being my heart because a year ago I went through a whole battery of test for unexplained chest pains - ekg, stress tests, bloodwork, echo - all negative. What they did find was a hiatal hernia.)
I did the holter and have another appointment with the doc. The skipping continues, though not constantly. Oops, just had one. Feels funny in my throat too. Like an esophogas spasm. I've read about the vagus nerve being tied to both the stomach and heart and one affecting the other. Wondering about that.
My fear is that there will be no explanation. After my tests last year I was put on Effexor and Nexium, which did seem to help. Now I have this skipping thing and I'm really worried, like everyone is that has it. Have to see about the holter results, not expecting much. I hear arrythmias are benign and normal enough but that doesnt really help. The doc said to keep exercising, and I'm trying to but I'm scared. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions? (Xanax helps the worrying, just not the symptoms.)
I did the holter and have another appointment with the doc. The skipping continues, though not constantly. Oops, just had one. Feels funny in my throat too. Like an esophogas spasm. I've read about the vagus nerve being tied to both the stomach and heart and one affecting the other. Wondering about that.
My fear is that there will be no explanation. After my tests last year I was put on Effexor and Nexium, which did seem to help. Now I have this skipping thing and I'm really worried, like everyone is that has it. Have to see about the holter results, not expecting much. I hear arrythmias are benign and normal enough but that doesnt really help. The doc said to keep exercising, and I'm trying to but I'm scared. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions? (Xanax helps the worrying, just not the symptoms.)
I have the skipped heart beats.. prob about 2 yrs now.. mine are like I go a month and nothing, then ill go 4 or 5 days in a row and have them maybe 5 times a hour. I have had all the test done as well, many ekg's echo, stress test, and xrays of my heart.
I hate them, but as im seeing many of us have skipped heart beats.... i cant see what else it would be cuz its like a thump, then a tiny odd feeling kinda warm but not really, then it goes back to normal beating...... it is beyond scary.. they gave me nasty anxiety issues for a yr straight I was at the ER almost 2 times a month in fear of my life. They put me on lorazapem which worked wonders. I have learned that "its not my heart" as many docs tell me. But my goodness when your heart skipps beats and the anxiety attacks I had, trust me as you all know that is scary and made me go into many attacks.. I would stay in my bed all day afraid to walk around. it was horrible... so anxiety plays a nasty part in skipped heart beats, chest pains and so on... pray for you all and pray that we all get this under control... I am here if anyone wants to talk or go over what they have experienced.
I hate them, but as im seeing many of us have skipped heart beats.... i cant see what else it would be cuz its like a thump, then a tiny odd feeling kinda warm but not really, then it goes back to normal beating...... it is beyond scary.. they gave me nasty anxiety issues for a yr straight I was at the ER almost 2 times a month in fear of my life. They put me on lorazapem which worked wonders. I have learned that "its not my heart" as many docs tell me. But my goodness when your heart skipps beats and the anxiety attacks I had, trust me as you all know that is scary and made me go into many attacks.. I would stay in my bed all day afraid to walk around. it was horrible... so anxiety plays a nasty part in skipped heart beats, chest pains and so on... pray for you all and pray that we all get this under control... I am here if anyone wants to talk or go over what they have experienced.
I also had an echo a little over two years ago. My cardiologist recently told me that it's unlikely that the heart structure has done any significant changing in that amount of time - it just doesn't happen that fast. So I would imagine the same would hold true for yours. If it was good then, it's probably still good now.
If the skips are just single skips, not a string of them in a row, odds are excellent that your condition would be very boring to most people in the medical field.
Your best bet is to do a few things - if you're still worried, tell that to a doctor. The doctor may be able to explain things again in a way that puts you at ease, or possibly run more tests (but that probably won't be necessary). Next - settle in to the idea that you may be stuck with these things on and off for the coming decades. They happen in normal people who lead normal lives and they don't present an increased chance of your premature death. It'll take awhile, but you can desensitize yourself. Lastly, figure out what triggers you might have and try to eliminate or minimize those. They might be food or beverages, stress, anxiousness. As I understand it, Xanax has a very short half life, meaning it only helps for a few hours before it's flushed from your body. If stress is the trigger, it's something that builds up over time - a quick fix of Xanax won't really help that. Something with a longer half life might help keep the stress and worry away for longer stretches. But having other methods for coping with stress should be a part of your regular regimen.
If the skips are just single skips, not a string of them in a row, odds are excellent that your condition would be very boring to most people in the medical field.
Your best bet is to do a few things - if you're still worried, tell that to a doctor. The doctor may be able to explain things again in a way that puts you at ease, or possibly run more tests (but that probably won't be necessary). Next - settle in to the idea that you may be stuck with these things on and off for the coming decades. They happen in normal people who lead normal lives and they don't present an increased chance of your premature death. It'll take awhile, but you can desensitize yourself. Lastly, figure out what triggers you might have and try to eliminate or minimize those. They might be food or beverages, stress, anxiousness. As I understand it, Xanax has a very short half life, meaning it only helps for a few hours before it's flushed from your body. If stress is the trigger, it's something that builds up over time - a quick fix of Xanax won't really help that. Something with a longer half life might help keep the stress and worry away for longer stretches. But having other methods for coping with stress should be a part of your regular regimen.
Little update: still having occasional skips. So I guess they are not going away. Ha, ha on me.
Had a 24hr Holter done (normal results) and this morning a Stress Test. Evidently I passed that with flying colors; it took a while to get my rate up to 167 so I had to work. (I guess if you exercise a lot it takes a bit longer to get to the target rate.) Felt fine afterwards, though later I had some skips. Which is the same after I play basketball or run a few miles. Later on I'll get skips for a while and then things seem to smooth out.
Also, there seems to be a direct correlation to skipping episodes occurring after I eat too much food.
Wondering if it would be worth getting an echo done as well? Had one done 2 years ago, which was normal. My worry is, this thing i have seems to hide when tests are being accomplished, and if I had an echo done, my heart would be fine for the test and it would be of no benefit. On the other hand, I guess I should be grateful the tests aren't picking up anything major. Not really sure what to think.
Any ideas?
Had a 24hr Holter done (normal results) and this morning a Stress Test. Evidently I passed that with flying colors; it took a while to get my rate up to 167 so I had to work. (I guess if you exercise a lot it takes a bit longer to get to the target rate.) Felt fine afterwards, though later I had some skips. Which is the same after I play basketball or run a few miles. Later on I'll get skips for a while and then things seem to smooth out.
Also, there seems to be a direct correlation to skipping episodes occurring after I eat too much food.
Wondering if it would be worth getting an echo done as well? Had one done 2 years ago, which was normal. My worry is, this thing i have seems to hide when tests are being accomplished, and if I had an echo done, my heart would be fine for the test and it would be of no benefit. On the other hand, I guess I should be grateful the tests aren't picking up anything major. Not really sure what to think.
Any ideas?
I describe clusters like that as well...when you have PVC's every 2nd or 3rd or 4th beat, etc that last from minutes to hours on end!!! Mine mainly are like that..I can go for a few hours without any and then all of a sudden for no apparent reason (that I can figure out) I will get 'runs' or 'clusters'....makes me nuts. Then my adrenalin shoots up and from there, I am a mess. I try to just ignore them as best I can but that is so hard, even after all these years.
Thanks to everyone for their posts...it's been great.
Thanks to everyone for their posts...it's been great.
I have those horrid PVC's too and they scare me silly. I also have a hiatal hernia, and I noticed that even if I eat a little, the flutters will begin and drinking lots of water really flares them up. Before they start, I get this feeling in my tummy like it is dropping, then they start, I also feel them in my throat and takes my breath away. I have not had them in clusters or anything, mine are usually single and do not last long, but, for me, one is too much.
I also noticed that if I sit slouched in a chair after eating, I will get them as it must push the tummy into the heart area, so, I have to sit very straight for awhile. Oh yes, lying down is another terrifying episode, if I am on my left side, they act up and then I break out into a sweat fearing the worst. It takes forever for me to calm down.
So, as you can see, you are not alone in this nightmare, you have lots of company. I will be getting a holtor monitor this Tuesday, and I am going to do all I can to make them act up so we can see where they are originating from, etc. It will be a relief to find out just what is going on, if anything, my echo was fine, so, this might be too.
Please keep us posted, we are all here for you.
Susie
Oh yes, mine started out of the blue when I was in my mid twenties, then, they left for quite a while, then, after my mother died, they really set in and I have been plagued with them ever since.
I also noticed that if I sit slouched in a chair after eating, I will get them as it must push the tummy into the heart area, so, I have to sit very straight for awhile. Oh yes, lying down is another terrifying episode, if I am on my left side, they act up and then I break out into a sweat fearing the worst. It takes forever for me to calm down.
So, as you can see, you are not alone in this nightmare, you have lots of company. I will be getting a holtor monitor this Tuesday, and I am going to do all I can to make them act up so we can see where they are originating from, etc. It will be a relief to find out just what is going on, if anything, my echo was fine, so, this might be too.
Please keep us posted, we are all here for you.
Susie
Oh yes, mine started out of the blue when I was in my mid twenties, then, they left for quite a while, then, after my mother died, they really set in and I have been plagued with them ever since.
I describe my clusters as comming every 3rd beat, then 7th beat, then maybe 20 beat for a few hours. I hate those. I can handle the quick flutters I feel everyday, but when they decide to keep up...it doesn't matter how many times I'm told I'll be okay, I just don't feel like I will.
Frenchie
Frenchie
That's how they always start for everyone - out of the blue, because before the day they started, we never had them. And when they do, it scares the heck out of you, because you don't know what it means, if you're going to die, etc. And there can be so many triggers and mitigating factors that it can be really hard to isolate what exactly is causing the issue, and sometimes, even when you think you have all your triggers down, you still get some.
It's way easier said than done, but try not to worry.
@oceanminded - I guess I should have included VT in my list as well. Triplet, SVT or VT. If it's SVT, your cardiologist will probably tell you what mine told me - they are not life threatening - you could go for days with that fast rhythm and not die. My cardio did not recommend that, but she said it would not have any permanent effects if I did.
It's way easier said than done, but try not to worry.
@oceanminded - I guess I should have included VT in my list as well. Triplet, SVT or VT. If it's SVT, your cardiologist will probably tell you what mine told me - they are not life threatening - you could go for days with that fast rhythm and not die. My cardio did not recommend that, but she said it would not have any permanent effects if I did.
Sure, I get clusters all the time! They drive my insane!! Years ago when they first started I thought I was going to go crazy. Over time, I understood that I could not do anything about it, and I have learned to try to ignore them the best I can. When they are real bad and my chest has a couple of hard pounds, I check my pulse every now and then to make sure I am still alive :o) I guess deep down I still might think there is something wrong with me, and my anxiety about the issue has been with me since they started. I guess I will just have to deal with them? Hope you get well!
Little update. Didnt have any yesterday. But I ate very little food. Today I ate a bit more and though it didnt seem like much I ate enough to where it feels like a little wants to come back up - probably the hiatal hernia or reflux. And low and behold on the drive home from my girlfriend's place I've had a few skips. Always that little clenching feeling in the throat too. Probably I will take some Xanax soon. I tell myself its not going to harm me, but dammit how did this happen out of the blue? That's just me whining. I'll deal with it, and yes I'll have to get the docs to run more tests for my peace of mind.
What do you mean by clusters? I get constant pvc's every third beat alot. beat,beat, pvc,beat,beat, pvc etc. The ones that scare me the most is when I have a pvc followed by three rapid beats. What is that called?
Clusters are the worst. This is something I just started experiencing a few months ago. Thankfully, after my holter and my doctors reassurance a week or so ago, they have settled down again. I only had 277 in 24 hours, BUT, they were in clusters so there were many hours with none. It is unbearable when they come every 2nd,4th, 10th, beat for a couple hours at a time.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in being frightened during the "cluster" episodes.
Frenchie
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in being frightened during the "cluster" episodes.
Frenchie
Do you ever get clusters of the skips and are yours PVC's?? I also get thousands most days, and 'clusters which are the things that cause a lot of anxiety, esp when they last for hours. As much as I try to remind myself that the cardiio tells me that they are 'benign' I just can't quite wrap my brain around that notion!! ;-)
Well, thanks for your posts and I hope you stay well!!
Well, thanks for your posts and I hope you stay well!!
Your situation is similar to mine. Were basically the same age living a pretty healthy and active lifestyle. My skipped beats started about three months ago. At first they were happening only once every few weeks. Unfortunately I have them now every day sometimes lasting most of the day. Luckily they subside before I go to bed. I too have done all the heart tests but now with the new increase of PVC's I'm scheduled for a new stress test. Mine seem to be aggravated by exercise or basically any increase in heart rate which ***** when you want to live an active life. Keep looking into the vagus nerve thing because I too believe it may have something to do with it. I also get that lump type feeling in my throat as well as constant belching when my PVC's are active. I also get a lot of acid buildup in my stomach. All we can do is keep searching for answers and hope and pray they may one day suddenly disappear.
I have delt with over 5000+ skips a day for years. Guess what! There is nothing worng with me. When I first started getting them like you, I thought the same thing you did, there must be something wrong with me!! The doctors are missing something, I need another test!! You will find out that there is nothing wrong with you, and the doctors 90% of the time can NOT give you a reason this is occuring. More than likely you will never know. With clear blood work, and clear echo your condtion is considered benign. There is nothing to worry about or anything they can do for you. Sure you can try a beta blocker, but dont de suprised when it does not fix the skips. Trust me I know, i've tried everything and then some!
Good luck
Jondsam (BSN)
Good luck
Jondsam (BSN)
Thank you for your responses. I see that I'm not alone in this - its scary for everyone, even though it seems most docs give the impression they are perplexed as to why we would be scared by something simple as having something irregular with our hearts.
My doc will not want to send me back to the cardiologist, I know it. But I will insist on another stress and echo. A person suddenly developing random skipped beats doesnt seem right to me. Its not anxiety - though that is a vicious circle. Skips cause anxiety, which probably causes more skips. Do I think this will kill me? No. But it is still worriesome.
Again, thank you for your comments. They say misery loves compay. How true is that? Which one of us gets out of this unscathed? Will keep you posted.
My doc will not want to send me back to the cardiologist, I know it. But I will insist on another stress and echo. A person suddenly developing random skipped beats doesnt seem right to me. Its not anxiety - though that is a vicious circle. Skips cause anxiety, which probably causes more skips. Do I think this will kill me? No. But it is still worriesome.
Again, thank you for your comments. They say misery loves compay. How true is that? Which one of us gets out of this unscathed? Will keep you posted.
I think if you read enough post on here, you will get the impression that there are a lot of us who have similar arrhythmias. I assume that you have a cardiologist and don't feel at all bad about asking as many questions of him as you can possibly think of. Plus, there is so much info here on the forums too and we are all here for you.
I am 62 and have had PVC's and PAC's for a long, long time...I get them every day,some days the clusters go on for hours. It is the most frustrating thing I have ever experienced. I take a beta blocker but that doesn't seem to help suppress them at all. I see my cardio (EP) at least once a yr, just to make sure that there are no changes to the heart structure. I have been told that I have an electrical prob and nothing else but these scare me and cause a lot of anxiety. Otherwise I am healthy and live a healthy lifestyle..try not to abuse my body and always have.
Well, keep in touch. I know you will get other replies and just try to read all that you can and be informed. I think you will find out that these palps are really nothing to cause a serious health issue but your doctor is the best one to ***** everything.
Stay well.....
I am 62 and have had PVC's and PAC's for a long, long time...I get them every day,some days the clusters go on for hours. It is the most frustrating thing I have ever experienced. I take a beta blocker but that doesn't seem to help suppress them at all. I see my cardio (EP) at least once a yr, just to make sure that there are no changes to the heart structure. I have been told that I have an electrical prob and nothing else but these scare me and cause a lot of anxiety. Otherwise I am healthy and live a healthy lifestyle..try not to abuse my body and always have.
Well, keep in touch. I know you will get other replies and just try to read all that you can and be informed. I think you will find out that these palps are really nothing to cause a serious health issue but your doctor is the best one to ***** everything.
Stay well.....
:::: Like an esophogas spasm. I've read about the vagus nerve being tied to both the stomach and heart and one affecting the other. Wondering about that.::::
You know I have given that some thought as well. I have Acid Reflux (Probally GERD) and have heard rumors about the stomach and heart affecting one another as well. Keep me posted on this.
You know I have given that some thought as well. I have Acid Reflux (Probally GERD) and have heard rumors about the stomach and heart affecting one another as well. Keep me posted on this.
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