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going to doctor...periods of several skipped beats
Hi,
I'm going tomorrow to the doctor (I wish it was today) this morning as usual in my normal rush I felt as if I was having several skipped beats. At one point I took my pulse (in my neck... it's very strong) and it happend around 5 times in a minute. I was reading you if you have more than 6 in a minute to call your doctor. I don't think it's necessary since I'm going tomorrow and I've felt this before. Any thoughts? I'm not sure what these pauses or skips that I"m feeling are but all I know is they make me nervous. I'm not sure if I should be worried or not. When I rest they go away but I can't be sedentary I have 3 little kids that keep me busy and I want to be. I like being on the go but now I feel like whatever is happening is holding me back.
I'm going tomorrow to the doctor (I wish it was today) this morning as usual in my normal rush I felt as if I was having several skipped beats. At one point I took my pulse (in my neck... it's very strong) and it happend around 5 times in a minute. I was reading you if you have more than 6 in a minute to call your doctor. I don't think it's necessary since I'm going tomorrow and I've felt this before. Any thoughts? I'm not sure what these pauses or skips that I"m feeling are but all I know is they make me nervous. I'm not sure if I should be worried or not. When I rest they go away but I can't be sedentary I have 3 little kids that keep me busy and I want to be. I like being on the go but now I feel like whatever is happening is holding me back.
Very well said. Good health to everyone and may we continue to encourage one another.
Hi there. I've read through your posts here and wanted to chime in. I agree with you that the "skipped" beats you are feeling are not something you need to rush to the doctor for today, if you are going tomorrow. When one begins to feel these things, it is very important to have them checked out to rule out Thyroid issues, heart abnormalities etc. But for many MANY of us what we find is that the "skipped beats" are what we call PVC's or PAC's. A PVC is a premature ventricular contraction (pac is a premature atrial contraction). It means that your bottom chambers (ventricles)squeeze earlier than normal which means that it takes an extra second or so for them to fill up with blood for the next pump. The filling is what you feel as a pause. In a structurally normal heart PVC's and PAC's are completely benign and do not lead to heart disease or heart failure. However, if there is an underlying thyroid condition or structural abnormality of the heart they can be a sign of something more serious. Usually though, they are just annoying and we all come here to help each other deal with their persistant nature.
So, go to your doctor, ask all of your questions and be sure to explain the situation regarding your mother. He/she will likely put you on a monitor for awhile, and may even order a stress test be done. This DOES NOT MEAN that the doctor thinks you are extremely ill, or even that he/she suspects heart damage or heart disease. What it means is that he/she is gathering data to determine the possible underlying cause of your arhythmia, and the best course of action to take in dealing with them. There is a VERY good chance that he/she will find that there is nothing wrong with you at all, but that the PVC's are noticeable for you. Believe it or not, though it is frustrating, this is a GOOD thing. At the same time, you may find that your thyroid is overactive. At which point, you will be given a little white pill to take daily, and your heart will dutifully slow down and stop bothering you.
My main statement here is BE CALM. Regardless of the cause, these "skipped beats" are not dangerous in and of themselves, and your doctor will help you discover a plan of action. Worrying will do nothing but make them worse, so relax and let us know how it goes at the doctor.
Good health to you.
So, go to your doctor, ask all of your questions and be sure to explain the situation regarding your mother. He/she will likely put you on a monitor for awhile, and may even order a stress test be done. This DOES NOT MEAN that the doctor thinks you are extremely ill, or even that he/she suspects heart damage or heart disease. What it means is that he/she is gathering data to determine the possible underlying cause of your arhythmia, and the best course of action to take in dealing with them. There is a VERY good chance that he/she will find that there is nothing wrong with you at all, but that the PVC's are noticeable for you. Believe it or not, though it is frustrating, this is a GOOD thing. At the same time, you may find that your thyroid is overactive. At which point, you will be given a little white pill to take daily, and your heart will dutifully slow down and stop bothering you.
My main statement here is BE CALM. Regardless of the cause, these "skipped beats" are not dangerous in and of themselves, and your doctor will help you discover a plan of action. Worrying will do nothing but make them worse, so relax and let us know how it goes at the doctor.
Good health to you.
I handle it as best as I can. Some days I try not to think about it at all and put it out of my head because it can be overwhelming. I could go on and on about her health problems but it's so complicated. To see anyone else you would think she looks healthy and basically she feels good she just takes A LOT of medicine. Goiters are nodules on the thyroid they usually are just benign growths but sometimes they can produce thyroid hormone so it made her thyroid go crazy. Like I said she never went to the doctor so who knows how long it was happening. Eventually she had heart failure which weakened her heart. She has a low ejection fraction which means her heart isn't strong. For instance when I was telling her about taking my pulse in my neck she was saying she can't feel hers... I think that's because her heart isn't strong. I tried finding her pulse and I couldn't but she felt mine and was like wow that must be because of my low ejection fraction. She couldn't believe how strong my pulse was. That must be good I guess my heart is strong. I just need the rhythm to be better. It has been so much for her it's heartbreaking to see one person go through as much as she has but she stays busy and distracted. She comes to my house quite a bit because of all the action going on here with the kids.
I don't know what "goiters" are...sorry. I'm pretty much ignorant when it comes to major stuff about your thyroid. I just know the basics because I have a couple of friends who have thyroid issues. So, not to beat a dead horse, because she ignored her symptoms her heart was weakened? I would think that would take a number of years...well gosh, I guess you did say she didn't go to the doctors for a long time. I am SOOO sorry. I pray she gets better and soon. That seems like a lot on one person. How are YOU doing, regarding your Mom's health? Try to stay positive so it doesn't effect you anymore then it has.
My mom just never went to the doctor for 65 yrs unless she absolutely had too.. anyway she new her blood pressure and pulse was somewhat fast and it was never confirmed until she had heart failure and they realized her thyroid was in MAJOR overdrive which is why as soon as my pulse was faster than usual I went it to my endo. She has 6 goiters that functioned on top of her thyroid. It was such a shame because her heart was weaked as a result. Then the next year she found out about the breast cancer. It was just awful. We have some of the same doctors and my GP thinks I'm more sensitive to all of my health issues because of watching her experience.
Hello, how long have you been experincing them like this? Mine come and go. In the beginning they were bad, probably 10 an hour for the first few months. The last few months they have been much better, but then I will have a few days when I consider them bad, like a few every hour or so. It's hard to keep count sometimes :-) I am still trying to figure out a way to put them out of my mind. You are so right, it's nearly impossible. Ugh, just had one just now, and it felt like it was in my throat a little. I can tell they are supressed somewhat (I am on medication for them) but they still feel really REALLY dreadful. Like any minute.....
I will keep you in prayer as you have had a rough time lately. I am so sorry to hear this, but you sound like a strong person!
Oh, it sounds like it just may be thyroid related then...along w/the tons of stress you have been experiencing. Everyone keeps telling me that stress/anxiety will do it to you and I believe them. But when you are getting the skipped beats, nothing is really comforting, you know what I mean. I meant to say in my earlier post that the "hard" beats don't really concern me as much because they don't feel as bad as the actual skipped ones. So you don't really feel much, you just notice it when you feel your pulse? Let me tell you how blessed you are :-) Gosh, I wish I could just feel mine when I was taking my pulse.....that would mean that's the only time you are aware of anything correct?
Just curious, what kind of symptoms was your mom experincing AND ignoring? I do know that thyroid issues will make your heart palpitate and I don't know how anyone can ignore those-ugh. I hope her spirits are up, even though it's got to be hard. I am learning how your mind plays such a major role in your health and day to day living. When I am feeling really bad, like today and pretty much all of last week, my palps seem to be more frequent.
Acutally, doctors can tell a lot by listening to your heart. Of course you want to get it checked out further, but that is why GP's and other docs besides Cardio. listen to your heart when you go to their office. They can tell by listening sometimes if you have a murmur of mitral valve prolapse, skipped beats even. Of course there is an exception to every rule-just FYI.
Be blessed.
Oh, it sounds like it just may be thyroid related then...along w/the tons of stress you have been experiencing. Everyone keeps telling me that stress/anxiety will do it to you and I believe them. But when you are getting the skipped beats, nothing is really comforting, you know what I mean. I meant to say in my earlier post that the "hard" beats don't really concern me as much because they don't feel as bad as the actual skipped ones. So you don't really feel much, you just notice it when you feel your pulse? Let me tell you how blessed you are :-) Gosh, I wish I could just feel mine when I was taking my pulse.....that would mean that's the only time you are aware of anything correct?
Just curious, what kind of symptoms was your mom experincing AND ignoring? I do know that thyroid issues will make your heart palpitate and I don't know how anyone can ignore those-ugh. I hope her spirits are up, even though it's got to be hard. I am learning how your mind plays such a major role in your health and day to day living. When I am feeling really bad, like today and pretty much all of last week, my palps seem to be more frequent.
Acutally, doctors can tell a lot by listening to your heart. Of course you want to get it checked out further, but that is why GP's and other docs besides Cardio. listen to your heart when you go to their office. They can tell by listening sometimes if you have a murmur of mitral valve prolapse, skipped beats even. Of course there is an exception to every rule-just FYI.
Be blessed.
Hi, mine happen lots more than 5 times per minute, probably 10 times and I have had all the tests and there is nothing wrong, so I dont think the 6 times are anything to worry about, but you are sensible to get them checked out then your mind will be at rest, but its still very unpleasant, mine are better when I am busy, but when I sit down they are dreadful, unless its just that you notice them more when you are quiet.Its almost impossible to put them out of your mind because they are so noticeable, particularly in bed. Good luck.
I'm so confused at this point about what I read.. (PAC, PVC, ITS... etc). I don't know what I have. I went to my regular doctor 2 weeks ago and he listend to my heart but what can you tell by just listening and he said it sounded fine. I'm going to a cardiologist for my own peace of mind. I guess I don't necessarily feel anything except that when I'm running around my house doing normal activities sometimes I think I can feel the pause in my beat. I only noticed the pause by accident one day when I thought my pulse felt fast and I took it and there were these pauses??? I'm on synthroid for my thyroid so my doctor lowered the dose. Thyroid problems can be a big affendor for heart palps. I don't think it's any better... actually I feel worse knowing the pause is there. This past year was somewhat rough for me I had my 3rd baby which is hard and then I started having hearing loss which sent my in to a constant medical crisis mode. My hearing would fluctuate every 2 weeks and I had to have steriod shots, started diuretics and just TONS of doctors appts. Anyway, that sort of got me in this cycle of medical issues. Now that finally seems to have stopped thank goodness and my hearng is perfect. I'm not sure if I've gotten myself psyched into these medical problems. On a side note... my mom has major heart problems from her thyroid. She neglected problems and now she has a pace maker and a defibluator and she has breast cancer. Like I said it's been mentally a tough year. Thank goodness for a good husband and kids :)
Hi,
I have never heard that...if you have more then 6 in a minute. They told me if they were coming continuously or 4 or more together then to come in to the ER. What do your skipped beats feel like? I am asking because I have them also, and have had them for the past six months. I am having them this a.m. which I'm not happy about, but I have been thru all of the test, etc. My skipped beats feel like somersaults, a hard beat (those to bother me as much), sometimes I feel they take my breath away I get so scared. I am just trying to hang in there, but it's very hard. They make me extremely nervous and afraid. I hate the way I have allowed them to rule my every waking moment. Please don't let them do it you-YOU be in control of them if at all possible.
I really hope you feel better.
I have never heard that...if you have more then 6 in a minute. They told me if they were coming continuously or 4 or more together then to come in to the ER. What do your skipped beats feel like? I am asking because I have them also, and have had them for the past six months. I am having them this a.m. which I'm not happy about, but I have been thru all of the test, etc. My skipped beats feel like somersaults, a hard beat (those to bother me as much), sometimes I feel they take my breath away I get so scared. I am just trying to hang in there, but it's very hard. They make me extremely nervous and afraid. I hate the way I have allowed them to rule my every waking moment. Please don't let them do it you-YOU be in control of them if at all possible.
I really hope you feel better.
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