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Change in Palpitation Frequency
I am a 40 year old female, generally healthy and have bicuspid aortic valve. My last echo, 2 yrs ago noted stage 1 regurgitation.
For the last week, I have had an increase in palpitations. I have them all day long and they are especially bad at night. The exact minute I lay flat they start going crazy. I don't think it's a case of noticing them more because it's quiet, etc. They are really more frequent and stronger. I have to sit up in order to slow them down and still then they keep on coming.
I have noticed that I have a lot more heartburn lately. I have been taking Nexium 40 mg twice daily for about 4 years and somedays I still have heartburn. I am being very careful of what I eat. I haven't had caffeine in about 5 years. I don't exercise because these palpitations scare the stuff out of me and I can't make myself go to the gym. I was told to do cardio and only very light weights if I was going to do any weights at all.
I had a bad bout of palps around Christmas and went to the ER they ran an EKG and I had LOTS of PAC's and only about 4 PVC's. The palpitations that week kind of settled down to a bearable amount and then last week, that was it. It started all over again. It's like a big vibration and then a thump.
I don't know what to do.
Is there something new going on? Is there a special test I should get? I don't want to go on a beta blocker because my BP is low and my heartrate during palps is around 64.
What do I do next? I am so scared.
For the last week, I have had an increase in palpitations. I have them all day long and they are especially bad at night. The exact minute I lay flat they start going crazy. I don't think it's a case of noticing them more because it's quiet, etc. They are really more frequent and stronger. I have to sit up in order to slow them down and still then they keep on coming.
I have noticed that I have a lot more heartburn lately. I have been taking Nexium 40 mg twice daily for about 4 years and somedays I still have heartburn. I am being very careful of what I eat. I haven't had caffeine in about 5 years. I don't exercise because these palpitations scare the stuff out of me and I can't make myself go to the gym. I was told to do cardio and only very light weights if I was going to do any weights at all.
I had a bad bout of palps around Christmas and went to the ER they ran an EKG and I had LOTS of PAC's and only about 4 PVC's. The palpitations that week kind of settled down to a bearable amount and then last week, that was it. It started all over again. It's like a big vibration and then a thump.
I don't know what to do.
Is there something new going on? Is there a special test I should get? I don't want to go on a beta blocker because my BP is low and my heartrate during palps is around 64.
What do I do next? I am so scared.
Finding this board is really eye-opening for me. I really appreciate reading your comments and advice...and seeing others feeling what I am is reassuring.
This past Xmas I drove myself over to emerg with thumps in the chest. They did and ECG blood tests etc. and said all was well except for high BP. (I'm a male 48 in fairly good shape).
I went on a BB and diuretic and my BP is okay with no side effects. I'm scheduled though for a Holter and physical to try and get to the bottom of my skipped beats (a shallow beat followed by a hard THUMP), maybe 30-50 a day. My Doc said he suspects PVC's and that likely they're not related to any heart disease.
The skips take my breath away and have been worrying me like crazy. I've also had a panic disorder that is pretty much under control. The advice I've seen here about managing stress and dealing with the anxiety is really on-target. I'm just hoping that the rhythm problems I'm dealing with are not serious and I can get some sleep.
Mostly what I've read here on the boards seem to indicate that most people here who go through the tests find out their hearts are sound. It's good to hear. I know compared to others the frequency of my palpitations is mild. I'll keep that in mind and wish you all good health and relief from your thumps...
This past Xmas I drove myself over to emerg with thumps in the chest. They did and ECG blood tests etc. and said all was well except for high BP. (I'm a male 48 in fairly good shape).
I went on a BB and diuretic and my BP is okay with no side effects. I'm scheduled though for a Holter and physical to try and get to the bottom of my skipped beats (a shallow beat followed by a hard THUMP), maybe 30-50 a day. My Doc said he suspects PVC's and that likely they're not related to any heart disease.
The skips take my breath away and have been worrying me like crazy. I've also had a panic disorder that is pretty much under control. The advice I've seen here about managing stress and dealing with the anxiety is really on-target. I'm just hoping that the rhythm problems I'm dealing with are not serious and I can get some sleep.
Mostly what I've read here on the boards seem to indicate that most people here who go through the tests find out their hearts are sound. It's good to hear. I know compared to others the frequency of my palpitations is mild. I'll keep that in mind and wish you all good health and relief from your thumps...
First let me say that this site has been a blessing for me. I have had palps for a long time and didnt know what they where.My latest bought started back in sept. I felt lik i was going to die. Went to dr many times and through lots of test ...ekg..stress echo.. holter moniter..blood test ect.. he bascily told me it was just somthing i had to get use too.He put me on med for blood pressure and after about a month i started feeling better. I have very high anxiety and these episodes make it worse. I have as of yesterday started back with strong and frequent palps and even though i know i shouldnt worry they really scare me to death. Does anyone know what brings them on after they have been gone for a couple of month and what should i do about them? I really hate the thought of the dr visits again only to be told the same thing.
That is the nature of the beast. There are so many different triggers, and not all of them are the same for each individual. Some people have PVCs that are greatly aggravated by caffiene, while some other people don't feel caffiene affects them at all.
Some people do very well with beta-blockers in reducing or eliminating their PVCs, others do not.
Some people have 5 to 10 PVCs a day and are in the ER, and others have multiple thousands and just try to tough it out.
Some people notice their PVCs others don't. Some get them in cycles, others get them constantly.
BUT if you've had all the tests and passed with flying colors, my only advice is to ENJOY the time you don't experience the PVCs and remember when you feel them again, well, you lived through it once, you'll do it again. What doesn't kill you, should make you stronger. With that analogy I should be superwoman!! I'm not, but I'm still here and trying my best to laugh through 20,000+PVCs/day.
Some people do very well with beta-blockers in reducing or eliminating their PVCs, others do not.
Some people have 5 to 10 PVCs a day and are in the ER, and others have multiple thousands and just try to tough it out.
Some people notice their PVCs others don't. Some get them in cycles, others get them constantly.
BUT if you've had all the tests and passed with flying colors, my only advice is to ENJOY the time you don't experience the PVCs and remember when you feel them again, well, you lived through it once, you'll do it again. What doesn't kill you, should make you stronger. With that analogy I should be superwoman!! I'm not, but I'm still here and trying my best to laugh through 20,000+PVCs/day.
I just wanted to let everyone know that PVCs and PACs, in the absence of any heart disease are not dangerous...just very very annoying and scary. I have been suffering with sporadic PVCs almost daily for the past 2.5 years. I can't tell you the the number of ER trips, Holter Monitors, Event Monitors, Cardiologists, GP, etc..that I have been through. I have had 1 echo, 2 regular stress tests, and 3 echo stress tests and all have been normal plus several dozen EKGs. All of been normal with very slight variation now and then.
These things are scary I admit and I have been through the full regimen of anxiety drugs...Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor, Cymbalta, Xanax, Ativan, and now I am on Klonopin, .50mg twice daily. I have recently told my doctor that I wish to get off my anxiety pills completely and I am on a slow, taper program. I have mild hypertension and I take Avalide 150mg for it and it works fine.
Recently, my PVCs have increased after being more quiet for a few months so I may go back on a low dose of Toprol XL. These palps occur whenever...during a workout, after a workout, during a conversation, after a meal, etc...they just come out of the blue and when they hit, they are very strong. I may get about 5-10 a day a the max and I have been told many, many times my heart is totally fine and that I coud run a marathon if I wanted to.
I just started running again on a regular basis to improve my heart and lung function, and reduce my stress level. I have been told that I do not suffer from depression but do some level of PSTD and Generalize Anxiety...mostly becuase of non-cardiac chest pain and these darn PVCs. PLEASE, DO NOT LET THESE take over your life as they did to me. I am now slowly trying to regain my life. My PVCs started two months after my first panic attack which started one month after I got married to the woman of my dreams. We have both suffered because of my anxiety and PVCs and through a good diet, relaxation techniques, and some solid prayer, and I am hoping that I am on the road to final recovery.
PS...I recently flew to Vegas. And on the jetway, while I carried my luggage, I got really strong PVCs. But when I sat down, they stopped. Each time I moved around the airport, my PVCs would trigger, then once I sat, I was fine. When I moved around the hotel, they would kick in, but in my room I was fine! When I returned home a couple of days ago, I went running....and guess what..NO PVCs! I went walking around town...no PVCs. Now today I have had about 3-4 and each time, my internal alarms go off, but I try and divert my attention and tell myself what my docs and cardios have been telling me for almost 3 years...my heart is normal...live and enjoy your life.
Take care all!
These things are scary I admit and I have been through the full regimen of anxiety drugs...Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor, Cymbalta, Xanax, Ativan, and now I am on Klonopin, .50mg twice daily. I have recently told my doctor that I wish to get off my anxiety pills completely and I am on a slow, taper program. I have mild hypertension and I take Avalide 150mg for it and it works fine.
Recently, my PVCs have increased after being more quiet for a few months so I may go back on a low dose of Toprol XL. These palps occur whenever...during a workout, after a workout, during a conversation, after a meal, etc...they just come out of the blue and when they hit, they are very strong. I may get about 5-10 a day a the max and I have been told many, many times my heart is totally fine and that I coud run a marathon if I wanted to.
I just started running again on a regular basis to improve my heart and lung function, and reduce my stress level. I have been told that I do not suffer from depression but do some level of PSTD and Generalize Anxiety...mostly becuase of non-cardiac chest pain and these darn PVCs. PLEASE, DO NOT LET THESE take over your life as they did to me. I am now slowly trying to regain my life. My PVCs started two months after my first panic attack which started one month after I got married to the woman of my dreams. We have both suffered because of my anxiety and PVCs and through a good diet, relaxation techniques, and some solid prayer, and I am hoping that I am on the road to final recovery.
PS...I recently flew to Vegas. And on the jetway, while I carried my luggage, I got really strong PVCs. But when I sat down, they stopped. Each time I moved around the airport, my PVCs would trigger, then once I sat, I was fine. When I moved around the hotel, they would kick in, but in my room I was fine! When I returned home a couple of days ago, I went running....and guess what..NO PVCs! I went walking around town...no PVCs. Now today I have had about 3-4 and each time, my internal alarms go off, but I try and divert my attention and tell myself what my docs and cardios have been telling me for almost 3 years...my heart is normal...live and enjoy your life.
Take care all!
I'm a 19 year old male, and for the last week now ive had the same thing, it started last Sunday and i woke up in the middle of the night with severe heart palpitations of 140+, it finally subsided after about 30 minutes, i could not sleep though, i would wake up every 2-3 hours with them, i could hear my heart beat in my ears, which was worse when i laid down.
Monday night i went to the hospital, turns out i was really low on potassium so they gave me 4 pills and later on i could sleep fine, now im taking potassium supplements everyday beause of a defiecency, but the thing is, i was givin anxiety medication to, i do have a history of panic attacks (often severe) and these palpitations still climb to 120+ sometimes.
All the tests came back normal (minus the low potassium), blood test, urine test, chest x-ray, ECG, all that was negative for anything serious. But they havnt stopped yet, i do feel very nervous quite often, I most likely may have panic disorder, as i am experiencing a combination of intense fear and depersonalizaiton throughout the day, with chills/flushes, chest pain, and these palpitations. Im waiting to see a shrink to have it evaluated though.
Monday night i went to the hospital, turns out i was really low on potassium so they gave me 4 pills and later on i could sleep fine, now im taking potassium supplements everyday beause of a defiecency, but the thing is, i was givin anxiety medication to, i do have a history of panic attacks (often severe) and these palpitations still climb to 120+ sometimes.
All the tests came back normal (minus the low potassium), blood test, urine test, chest x-ray, ECG, all that was negative for anything serious. But they havnt stopped yet, i do feel very nervous quite often, I most likely may have panic disorder, as i am experiencing a combination of intense fear and depersonalizaiton throughout the day, with chills/flushes, chest pain, and these palpitations. Im waiting to see a shrink to have it evaluated though.
Thanks for the great post. You are absolutely right and I feel much better thinking it through. With me its the dang symptoms I get from PVC's.........I get short of breath, chest pain and dizzy.......if it were not for that, the feeling in my chest would not bother me so much. They keep changing my meds every few weeks so I am a little frustrated lately I suppose. Thanks again for a very thoughtful and intelligent post, I know your right. Good luck to you also.
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