heart flutters

[chthompson]

Still waiting for test results from 24 hour halter test,but was wondering if anyone else feels more flutters when they are in different positions?I have noticed if I slouch I seem to have more of them.I also have trouble sleeping on my sides now.Does anyone have any input?thanks

[ptadvoc8]

I find position definitely makes a difference in my ectopics and the wrong position at the wrong time can even start me off on a run of SVT -- and changing to the right position at the right time will cause them to abate, including stopping my SVT. For me, lying on my right side, sitting hunched over (as in front of the computer!),  bending over to pick something up and raising my arms while turning my head to the left, can all set me off sometimes. But then changing position will usually help make them stop.

I have read various explanations for why this happens, but am not sure if there is any consensus among specialists. One theory is that changing positions changes pressure and/or flow in the heart and triggers palpitations either by altered pressure or flow to the heart as a whole, or by altering pressure or flow on certain structures (like valves or veins) which react by "firing" abnormally or redirecting the normal signals "out of sequence". Another theory is that changing position changes blood pressure over the entire body and this change in BP causes a reaction through the nervous system and/or biochemicals which then precipitates palpitations. There are others who speculate that somehow changing positions affects the vagus and/or other nerves that then cause the palpitations -- a lot gets blamed on the vagus nerve. And finally, I have read that the palpitations felt in certain positions are reactions of the heart to changes in pressure and position of other organs, such as the colon and stomach (not directly in the heart itself), that bring on the palpitations.

Whatever the reason, after all these years of it, I actually find myself going about my day sometimes moving and sleeping in particular ways -- including picking things up off the floor with my toes when possible to avoid setting off a run of SVT and learning to sleep on my back instead of my side to avoid those pesky PVCs..

[itdood]

absolutely I get this.  I can make them go away by stretching.  Back in January I got my worst ever bout with them, as they happened primarily when I laid down and interfered with my sleep.  Worse on my left side.  Standing up made them go away.  it's been a tough ride this year trying to get these under control.

I remember once, placing my left elbow on a desk as though to rest my head on my hand.  I started getting PVCs.  I kept my elbow there in amazement.  As long as I kept pressure there I felt the skips.  Lifted my elbow, they went away, put my elbow down, they came back.  Moved around and it stopped, never did happen again