Skipped Beats - Sequences of normal and irregular beats

[josemanuelcruz]

Dear Dr.,
I

[luvbillyray]

A related discussion, Skipped beats was started.

[luvbillyray]

A related discussion, Skipped Beats was started.

[Samgood]

I am 38 year old man in a overall good health condition except I take cholesterol medication for high cholesterol which is now 157.  Couple of days ago, I experienced skipped heart beats and shortness of breath and immediately saw my doctor.  The doctor did the treadmill Stress Test and noted that my BP was normal and everything is normal except that my heart rate was very excessive. Approaching near 6 minutes of the stress test my heart reached 174 BPM(@ 12% slope and 3.5 MPH speed).  

I didn't feel any shortness of breath or extremely tired, I was feeling like a streneous workout but not too much exhausted.

The doctor said to me that my heart was beating too fast and said it is working harder than it needs to. Outside of the stress test my heart rate was measured between 75-85. I always thought that a healthier heart beats faster not the other way around.  

Is my heart rate too high?   Please help me.
Thanks
Samgood

[mikeyb]

Hi Erik,

Thanks for your comments.

I have actually had the tests for acid reflux as this is what the doctors originally thought it was.
They passed a tube down my throat and it was all clear.

It's a real mystery as I'm quite fit apart from my sharp pains and weird flutterings.

I think I will try to get one of the monitors to rule out Arrhythmia as you suggest.

Mike

[Erik36]

It is possible that the problem is in your stomach and esophagus. Esophageal spasms can cause the fluttering sensations and the sharp chest pains. You could be experiencing anxiety as a result of this pain and fluttering and it could cause irritable bowel syndrome and other GI upset. Acid reflux could be playing a role in this. You should, however, rule out an Arrhythmia by wearing a holter monitor or an event monitor. If you can rule out your heart completely then a complete evaluation with a Gastroenterologist should be the next step.

I am not a Doctor and this is just my opinion. You shouldn't mistake this for medical advice which you should only get from your own doctor.
Good luck.



Erik

[mikeyb]

Hi Guys,
sorry to but in, but I really could do with some advise.

Been trying to find some answers to my problems, hoping someone can help.

I'm a 45 year old male with a history of mid chest pain for 8 years, had all tests, ecg, stress test, x-ray, blood, with no problems found. General feeling is a strernum problem (arthritis poss) but they are not too sure.

I have a constant pounding heart and sharp stabbing chest pains (which I would describe as medium pain) which also baffles the docs as they can't feel or find anything wrong.

I do live a particularly stressful lifestyle during the day mainly.

Anyway, for about the last six months I have been having a really weird sensation that wakes me up in the middle of the night. My pounding heart feels like it's going to stop,the sharp pains get a bit worse and a weird fluttering sensation starts, then a great urge for the toilet which results in Diarrhea. Afterwards, the heart sensations are less but still there.
It's a real worry, although I eventually get back to sleep.

I do believe I have some kind of heart problem, but the doctors make me feel like I am going crazy.

Any advise would be welcome
Mike

[josemanuelcruz]

Thank you very much. It also seemed to be that is should be a link between gastro situations and skipped beats.

[josemanuelcruz]

Thank you very much Dr. to your very usefull answer. Also, thanks to your comment ERIKWITHOUTTHEDOCTOR. You spoke about BIGEMINY, could that be maintained for much time without damaging the heart - Is it not more serious than only isolated PVC

[josemanuelcruz]

Thanks a lot.

[Erik36]

Bigeminy is no more serious than an isolated PVC in the setting of a normal heart. Your heart could be in Bigeminy for years and it wouldn't damage it. You would just want to make sure that the heart rate wasn't more than 120 BPM for too long. If it is normal rate 50-100 you should have nothing to worry about. There are effective drugs to help with this like Beta Blockers and Ant-arrhythmics if it gets unbearable.

Yes, there is a connection between the Gastroenterology part of our bodies and PVC's and Arrhythmias. When one has gas or acid reflux it can aggravate the Esophagus which runs along the Vagus nerve and in turn can cause the irregular beats. Doctors used to deny this but have gotten so many complaints about the connection between the two that they now recognize this as a possibility.


Remember, I am NOT a doctor and everything I tell you is ONLY my opinion and should NOT be mistaken for medical advice which you should ONLY get from your own doctor.


Erik

[Erik36]

Sounds like Bigeminy which is just as benign as your PVC's in a structurally normal heart. The only way to tell is to have it recorded on a EKG or Holter monitor. Good luck.


Erik

[Cleveland Clinic]

jose,

thanks for the post.

Is this a dangerous situation (since is not an isolated PVC/PAC) or much people have it, without concerned?

If your cardiac workup was negative, you have palpitations in the setting of a normal heart which is not associated with any significant risk. They can be quite annoying however, I suggest searching through the archives of this forum to see how others deal with there symptoms and anxiety.

- For how much time this rhythm (2 beats normal,1 skip) could be maintained without damaging the heart?

You have PVCs. This is not associated with any long term problems. Some people have very frequent episodes.

- Does this seem a A.Fib. or V.Tach. episode?

No.  Those are very different rhythms and would have been commented on your holter report.

- Could this arrhythmia lead to ischemic situations or heart attack?

No.  Your stress test was done to examine your risk of blockages in the arteries.


good luck