Ongoing Palpitations

[Dracee322]

I have a few questions about ongoing palpitations and trying to understand the etiology of them. In particular, PAC's. I delevoped these PAC's this past fall. They come and go and can get quite frequent at times. I have seen a cardiologist (an EP doc) and had an event monitor, bloodwork, and an echo stress test. The PAC's were determined basically benign. But I feel anything but "benign" when they pop up. I'll admit that there is  some anxiety involved when they do occur but otherwise I do not have any issues with anxiety.
Could the palpitations be at all related to Epstein Barr virus?
I tested positive with "recent primary infection" after looking into a possible case of Mono and ongoing fatigue last May.
How and why are PAC's hormonally related to women? The EP doc indicated that he sees a lot of menopausal women with PAC's. I am not menopausal but I am 34 and just recently completely stopped breastfeeding. The PAC's seem to be related to my monthly cycle. But I have never experienced anything like this in the 20 years of having menstrual cycles so why now?
Also, I am told over and over that people have these all the time and I probably have too and I am just more aware of them now. There is NO WAY that I just "became aware" of these PAC's. I am not doubting that I ever have had them but I guarentee that I have never had them like now.
When I get the flare ups of PAC's, it is not just the "skipped beat" feeling that concerns me. I also feel very fatigued, dizzy, and discomfort in my chest area. I get sort of an "aura" and can tell they're coming. What is this?

[dquenzer]

As a fellow sufferer of PAC's for almost 9 years, I understand how you feel.  They can be extremely annoying.  It's hard for people who don't feel them to understand those of us who do.

I can also tell you that PAC's won't kill you.  They haven't after 9 years with me.  Thankfully I recently had an ablation done for AFIB and the EP doctor took care of the areas that were also causing the PAC's.  I can actually sleep at night now.

Here is how I coped with them.
1.  A doctor gave me a beta-blocker to help minimize them.  Beta-blockers don't eliminate them.
2.  I also asked the doctor to give something to reduce the anxiety if I had a severe attack of them.  Anxiety causes them to increase and it starts a vicious circle.  You need to stop the cycle.  
3.  I decided I would not let them beat me after awhile, so I continued to run even if I had them.  Mind over matter.  This actually helped reduce them, and I felt as though they weren't controlling my life.
4.  I took some bio-feedback courses that taught me how to relax more.  Stress, lack of sleep, etc.  causes them to increase.
5.  ELIMINATE ALL STIMULANTS. Eliminate caffiene, chocolates, and DO NOT take decongestants.  These irritate the foci causing the PACs.

Hope this may help.

[Englishperson]

I am a fit 23 year old girl with no previous medical problems.I have experienced these skipped heartbeats and have had an ECG scan which proved to me that I have nothing to worry about and that they are just due to Sinus Arrhythmia. I am told that this is typical of fit, healthy people though this isn't much of a comfort to me when I am experiencing what feels like three beats at a time, followed by a pause and then a really hard beat for hours on end. I was sent home with no information and as I don't understand what Sinus Arrythmia is I feel no better in my own mind. I am quite shocked to see how many of you have been prescribed drugs such as Beta-Blockers, though the fact that you have extra tests and even stress tests sounds like a good way to put your minds at rest. I found that the discipline of doing yoga every day helped me greatly, but don't give up as now I have stopped my palpitations are back in full effect! The fact that your doctors are prescribing drugs rather than suggesting de-stressing to me seems like scare mongering, but I can understand some people need this to lead a normal life. Just ask yourself would you cope if it wasn't offered to you in the first place? Does anyone agree?

[ADR]

Hi, What a great room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im 29, well 30 in a couple of days (oops there goes a beat lol)
I have been getting the feeling of a skipped beat and its really hard to disc. I went to the GP and they took bloods and an ECG which were all "normal" They tell me that these are normal and that not to worry...yeah right!
What would you guys suggest would be the best thing to do when I feel them coming on, I'm sure you know the feeling that I mean...

I get them then i worry then my pulse rate goes up so then I'm looking out for them and so on and so on. I see that you guys are on meds, my GP said that they will not issue any??

Any help would be great, thanks
Anthony

[Barbarella]

Skipped beats were and are still a nightmare for me.  I started to have them many years ago.  I found out that the more I worry about them the longer they will  last.  Magnesium pills have helped me some.  At times I had these skipped beats so bad they would come after a meal, during my exercise walks, after my walks.  I had them so bad that almost every beat was a skipped beat.  Beta blockers helped very little and slowed my heartbeat down to 30 beats a minute.  Was taken off Beta Blockers.  Cardio said "don't worry about these skipped beats, let them skip you will not die from it", this helped me some, and I am better now, but still afraid to go on long airplane rides or on long distance travel by car out of fear that these skipped beats will start again .   I don't mind a skip now and then, but this constantly skipping ruined my life.  Thank god there are better now.  Knock on wood.
P.S. for you ladies in menopause, I read somewhere that these skipped beats can also be caused by hormonal changes, and it is called a "vasomotor instability" I think that is what its called, and I read that this vasomotor instability which is in the brain also brings out the hot flashes in some women.  The way I understood it was that some women get the hot flashes, and others get these skipped beats during menopause from this vasomotor thing.

[amw]

I concur on the "aura" concept - I've actually been struggling to explain it.  I'm noticing that the PVCs occur when I'm generally feeling a certain way and don't occur (or don't bother me, at least) when I'm not feeling that way.  It's kind of like there are periods of time where I'm "prone" to having PVCs - I feel weak, shaky and just kind of funky.  It comes and goes sometimes for a few hours at a time, sometimes for a day, sometimes for a few days, sometimes longer.  I don't personally have any indication right before the PVC occurs unless I'm having a several in a short period of time, so I don't think I'm feeling the electrical impulse.  

[sugar-free]

I, too , live in fear of the irregular heartbeats. I canceled a (PAID) trip to the Dominican Republic last year because my episodes were so frequent and I was told that the medical care there is way below our standards. So, I was afraid to go. Last year on vacation to Fl. I had to call 911 because of the palipitations that woke me at 3am....from a deep sleep.
I went on the SOUTH BEACH DIET after reading that a cardiologist formulated it for his patients. It didn't take long for me to notice that the frequency of my palipitations, declined incredibly!
I talked to my Doc about it and he just can't grasp the idea that food can affect heart rhythem.
It has to do with the glycemic input. Food that change to sugar...bread, bananas,rice,pasta,cornand on andon. I am sugar free for the most part.I use Splenda. GET THE BOOK AND FOLLOW IT AND SEE IF THIS DIET HELPS YOU.I am pretty good as long as I follow the diet, get 8-9 hours of sleep, do deep breathing when anxious and take my beta-blocker(Lopressor)
Wellness to you all.
Sugar-free

[KarenSA]

Just to let you know that my PVC's and AVNRT started a few months after birth of first child 9 years ago.  I was afraid of falling pregnant with my second child because I did not think my heart would cope.  Once pregnant, I had a smooth 9 months completely 100% arrythmia free.  Must have been something to do with the hormone levels.  Even during the actual delivery (natural) with an epidural, I was totally symptom free.  Symptoms came back a few months later after I stopped breastfeeding.  Also, had an EP Study to get confirmed diagnosis of arrythmias as the uncertainty which the Doctors had - 'it could be this or it could be that' also frightened me.  I refused to consent to an ablation and had only the EP Study.  Told the Dr that once I have a confirmed diagnosis then I would consider my treatment options and would go back for an ablation later if needs be.  Have not had the ablation now one year later almost and symptoms are much better due to the drop in anxiety from worrying about what might be wrong and learning that it is nothing serious and totally benign.  
Good luck with your stress test and ablation procedure.  99% of the time these things seem to be a serious disturbance to quality of life but not dangerous.
Karen

[Dracee322]

Obviously you are not alone. I initially thought it was weird when I first described the aura but when so many agreed and experienced the same thing it was at least reassuring that I wasn't crazy! Unfortunately, you can feel that way at times and even question yourself. I went through that and realized that what I was experiencing was very real. A lot of us seem to have at least a few of the same symptoms. If anything, you will find support on this board. Especially if you don't get it at home!

[PamS]

I would also like to ask if anyone experiences sensations in their left arm?  At times, my arm/hand feels cold and wet (on the inside - if that makes sense) and sort of numb, but again, on the inside.  

Thanks,
Pam

[PamS]

Oh my gosh...these are my symptoms exactly!  For the last year, I thought I was just crazy.  I'd lie in bed on my left side and could feel my heart pounding against the bed.  I usually can tell before it is going to start, also (the 'aura' that has been described).  I have pain and discomfort on my left side, also.  I had an EKG about a year ago, but my dr. did nothing further.  It was not as extreme then as it is now, so I am going back to see her tomorrow.  

Until I found this forum, I thought for sure I was going to die from a heart attack soon.  

Do many of you experience pain/discomfort?

I have been drinking nutrasweet more often the past 6 months...has anyone noticed a correlation between artificial sweeteners and occurances?

Also, how often do many of you experience these symptoms?  I find that my heart is beating out of my chest about 1/2 the time.  I know that my pulse is not high, as I have had my husband check it (he's a paramedic/firefighter).  In fact, he said it was kind of low (not in a bad way).  But, when I was pregnant the last time (and I do mean LAST!) (over 5 years ago) my pulse was always on the high side, even when I was resting.  My blood pressure has gone up a touch in the past year (was ALWAYS 110/70 and the last time it was 112/72 or something like that).

I would love to hear more reassuring comments that many other people feel the same as I do and they're still alive!

Thanks,
Pam

[Ling]

Do not be apologetic to anyone for what you feel inside your body, or the fear it causes.  Being on the forums that I have been on, I see so many people with so many different symptoms and things going on.  So it is different for everyone.  The one thing that seems to be consistent is the anxiety and fear.  No matter what their conditions are.  The one thing I want to point out to you is that everyone, EVERYONE, has had that fear.  I don't care how many people have come on or off of these forums they have all, at some point, felt the intensity of adreniline when your heart does something it shouldn't.  Granite over time we learn to manage and deal with what is happening, but the fear will come back if the syptoms return or get worse.  I have the fear daily.  I will be the first to admit, I do not like it, or wan't to deal with it.  I have PVC's and cannot comment on some of the conditions you listed, but I can tell you, you need to get regular sleep.  Mine act up terribly when I am tired.  You need to relax.  I know it is a double edged sword with anxiety problems and PVC's, but if I get fired up with anxiety, "they" get fired up.  

You seem to have a lot of questions about what is going on with you and your ablation.  Pick up the phone and call your cardio. and get some answers.  You know I don't care how much I annoy my dr. or his staff,  I still pay an arm and leg for him to answer those questions.

Good Luck, Relax!!!!!!!

[MSharp]

Ok guys, it is 1 a.m. & I can't sleep due to "skipped beats/palps" (they've been ongoing for 6 hrs now).  I was dx w/SVT in 1999 (had since very young), i'm 29 yr old female.  Growing up I had SVT, not realizing what it was, would lay down for a while & pray & it would stop, 15 mins tops.  After 10 yrs of this they got worse, over the last 10 yrs. I have had a number of serious eposides where I would have to go to ER & have injection to stop.  I had an echo that is normal.  SVT picked up on  EKG & was told i'll be fine but need to take meds to prevent. So 1/04 I started taking 50 mg of Toprol XL.  I am very sensative to meds.  I got horible side effects, headaches, swelling, cramping.  Doc said take 1/2 of 50 mg., as soon as I switched I started having SVT's everyday.  Went back to 50 mg., still having SVT. NOW having PVC (self diagnosis) or "skipped beats", make me feel like i'm going to die, I would almost rather have an SVT.  skipped beat comes on initially as a flutter, then a rush through my arms & then chest pain/tightness.  I literally feel like i'm going to die.  Right this min. I can feel it in my rib cage on the right side, it feels like my heart stops & I lose my breath.  I went to ER when this first happened & they said i'm fine (nothing showed up on EKG), chest x-ray & enzyme levels normal.  I go to my cardio. who says again "have the cath. ablation & you'll be perfect", he keeps saying why live your life w/out having caffine, alcohol etc..have the ablation & you can do all these things.  He even said I could get pregnant the day after the ablation (maybe this was a metaphor, I am afraid to have a child because of heart) he discarded my complaints of the new symptoms of palps other than to say it is normal to have some chest pain w/skipped beats.  Now i'm seeing in this forum that even after ablation the palps wont go away.  But, if I have the ablation then I wont have to take meds to prevent the SVT.  It seems the meds brought on the palps, so does that mean these horrible palps will go away?  Also, I accidentally skipped a Toprol pill one morning (I was trying to switch to take them @ night since my symptoms of palps only come on in the evening) & missing the pill threw me into horrible SVT (220 beats per min. for 1 hr) w/chest pain, fainting feeling.  I feel like if I stop the meds (which I was terrified to take to begin with) i'll die.  I have a stress test on 3/30 & ablation set for 4/7, but i'm terrified i'm making the wrong decision.  I just feel like noone understands what i'm going through.  My husband had the nerve to tell me he thought that I had a mental problem (I do have axiety but it is because of this ****), he actually thought I was trying to "get attention".  I try really hard not to complain when i'm having problems, lately I just go into my office & read the forum.  I feel like i'm obsessed but this condition is taking over my life.

[sheryl1945]

I can trace my "skipped beats" back to when I began taking atenolol for rapid heartbeat.  I simply accept them; I've had them for nine years now.  They are annoying and can be scary I admit; I love reading the posts on pvc's/pac's as I know I'm not alone in this.  Hankstar, I miss you!!  You are needed here, dear friend.

[flipflop]

I remember that chaos theory mentioned by hankstar, basically a healthy heart is governed by the need for chaos once in a while to maintain a healthy function, as does most organs of the body. Ectopics beats and irregular rhythms once in a while often reflect a healthy heart that is functioning properly, whereas a perfectly regular heartbeat often raises a red flag as a warning of sudden cardiac "events". If I'm not mistaken this has been documented.


That is why HRV (heartrate variability ) is often a predictor of longevity documented by the Chinese about 1000 B.C.


flip(Lyn)

[Dracee322]

I am sure that the PAC's I get are just a part of a "whole", if you will, be it EBV or something else. I have never been tested for heavy metal toxicity but I read an interesting article about a woman who suffered for years with a host of symptoms (fatigue, flu-like, dizziness ect) and was tested for heavy metals. She had a high mercury level, changed her dental fillings over a course of time and felt better. Was is coincidence or was that the cause? Who knows. I really wonder because there are a lot of times that I just feel totally perfect and if i would have taken a pill or done something different I would have attributed it to that.

[cuaco]

Hello everyone,I have just read this following extract in 'the Heart's Code' by Paul Pearsall, thought it might interest some of you, I quote :- "The heart itself is a chaotic organ. Dozens of disorganised 'irregular rythms' of the heart are described by cardiologists who,like other bioscientists, often take comfort in naming what they really don't fully understand. They refer to ectopic beats; parasystole, high-grad block and escape rythyms; simple and complex Wenckebach rythyms, and on and on. ........New reseach derived from chaos theory suggests that cardiologists might consider the heart as a dynamical chaotic energy system rather than just an electro-mechanical pump, and that doctors are inadvertantly using limited, superficial classifications of the hearts rythyms based on brief and limited sample of it's behavior that may mask the hearts true nature. Doctors have the parts of the heart down pretty well, but they still too often fail to see the heart and health in general as a whole, interactive, remembering, dynamic energy system.....What cardiologists call arrythmias are really images of what scientist Douglas Hofstatter describes as an 'eerier type of order'....eerie order and not a mathematical average may be the ultimate code of a uniquely adaptive and healthy heart.  Looking at the heart as a dynamic energy system operating by principles being learned from the study of chaos, rather than a mechanical pump that sometimes loses its stroke, allows us to learn the true nature or the organ that helps us flow with the natural instability of life."  end quote.

I vaguely remember Hankstar mention the chaos theory regarding heart rythym sometime ago, so I thought this might interest some of you who may have read that post and wished to know more.

[estee21]

You are definitely not alone.  I am 37 years old and I, too, have suffered from these premature beats on and off for years now.  I think they started in my early 20's.  Initially, they were infrequent, I had normal tests, and I was reassured that they were benign.  Eventually, they became more frequent and I started taking a small dose of beta blocker (Inderal) as needed to control them.  I found that a small dose (just 10 mg) usually worked very well for me.  Then, the amount of stress in my life increased when I went to medical school.  I began taking a daily dose of Atenolol to control my palpitations and, generally, I would say that it worked very well.  I still had the occasional "skipping" feeling and the occasional episode of persistent premature beats, but they were pretty manageable.  Around the time I graduated, I had an increase in symptoms that responded to increasing my medication dose.  Recently, I have been going through a rough patch with them again.  I have had them every day for a couple of weeks and have had several days where they were so persistent that I could hardly force myself to function normally.  I had a Holter monitor last week (still waiting for the results to come back) and am having a repeat echo today.  Medications are not helping as much as they usually do.  I have been reading the comments here because I have always found it comforting to know that other people have these, too.  I finally decided to share my own experience to reinforce that all of you are not alone and you are not crazy for finding these sensations so disturbing.  I am a doctor (pediatrician).  I have had these for years now.  I have been told over and over that they are not dangerous.  Logically, I know that premature beats in a normal, healthy heart are actually quite common and generally do not cause problems.  In the hospital, we commonly see patients having occasional PAC's and PVC's on EKG's and monitors and we usually do not worry about them at all.  Most people don't even know they are there.  However, knowing all this doesn't make it any easier  to tolerate them when they are bad/frequent.  They feel so awful and make me anxious and completely exhausted.  I wish I had a magic cure for all of us.  Thank you all for sharing your stories.  Hang in there and work on doing your best to relax.

[Dracee322]

This all started with me after my third child as well. It has to be hormonally related or definitely some sort of chemical imbalance. It is amazing to me that they know so little about the "why" of these palpitations when they are legitimate and so many suffer. I recently had some hormone testing. Not just the female hormones but other such as cortisol, acth ect. Female hormones are definitely hard to track with one blood test as they fluctuate throughout the day everyday. A better test for these are a 28 day saliva test. Usually alternative MD's are more open to this type of thing. In fact, for things that traditional doctors just cannot find answers for and label as "stressed" or "anxious", Alternative doctors (MD or DO)have a different approach and help a lot of people. Especially with your group of symptoms Micheller. It sounds like you've been suffering for awhile. Has your doctor found anything or any explanation for all of that?  

[skipgeneer]

Hi, I'm a 30 year-old male that started having PACs last May.  Just wanted to chime in on this "aura" business, because I feel it too.  It's indescribable, but definitely there.  I get them about 2-4 seconds before a PAC, and just know one is coming.  I start thinking "Oh no, oh no, oh no" and then 'zap' the PAC and then the dreaded pause before the normal beat.  I have also had something interesting happen since May and wonder if any of you have it (preferably males as there are no monthly hormonal changes).  Since these started, I have them for about 3 months, then they go away for 2-3 weeks and then start back.  This is my first time on this board since 3 weeks ago because they inexplicably stopped.  Then 3 days ago, they started back.  Gradually at first, like 2/hour on the first day, 2/minute the second, then 10/minute today.  They have followed this start/stop pattern 3 times since last May, and I can't for the life of me figure out what I'm doing different to make them stop, nor do I know what I'm doing to make them start back.  I'm not on any medication (took Beta-Blocker in May, but they didn't help) and don't have any kind of anxiety disorder.

[micheller]

Hello, I am a 33 year old woman.  I developed pac's and pvc's 7 years ago after having my son.  It actually came about one year after having him.  They are just about the most horrible feelings I can think of, and there are different "types" of the skipped beats with me.  I really hate the hard thumps that take your breath away, and the ones that do 3 or 4 in a row.  Sometimes while they are doing it, it feels as if my heart actually rolls around in there. Strange feeling.
Mine always are worse 3 to 7 days before my period begins. I too can "sense" when they are about to happen, even up to hours beforehand.  Sometimes I sit and cry when I have them, you would think that after 7 years I would realize that it isn't going to kill me, but in the back of my mine is that "what if...".
I did some research and was told by a few Dr.'s that these indeed can be hormonal, and sometimes get corrected when we correct our hormones.  This certainly isn't true for everyone, because as the Dr.'s say, many humans have this benign condition and neither realize it nor is there anything wrong with their heart. I however believe it is hormonal in my case.  I developed many symptoms after having my son; asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis, acne, pms, mood swings, low resistence to infections, weight loss, headaches, low sex drive, etc. which can all be contributed to my hormones being off.  I am going in next week to get tested on them and see if I can't get mine figured out.  Worth a shot anyways, huh?
Magnesium has really helped the number of my pvc/pacs, except during my periods.  Nothing takes them away than. But it's worth trying that too.  Stress is a major factor.  Lack of sleep also.  It even seems that if you dwell on the pacs, you even give yourself one.  I am glad that we have a place like this that we can come to and share our experiences and hear others, doesn't make me feel quite so "alone".
Thanks for letting me ramble on my problems, I hope that someday we can all find a cure for this horrible nuisance.  Michelle

[merrymerry]

I was having regular heartbeats also. Two years ago, I found myself in intensive care because of this. My heart was also racing at 170 beats per minute. I was sweating, had pain in my throat and not my chest. I remained calm, but had two heart catheters. One in my chest and leg. I had no blockages. I was finally "diagnosed" (notice the quotation marks)with right ventricular dysplasia and ventricular tachycardia. I was assigned a new Dr. in town and this eager beaver of a Dr. said you can drop dead because what you have is what an athlete has and he drops dead while exercising. This nice Dr. brought in his salesman to pressure me to have a device planted into my heart that woud start my heart again if it stopped. I was horrifed. I told him I did not want to live like a robot the rest of my life and sure didn't want to experience the horror of feeling as if I had been kicked in the chest by a mule(the dr.'s description of the device) when the device detected my heart had stopped. The Dr. was furious at me and sent me home. I changed to another Dr. shortly after and this Dr. felt that if I had been told that I needed the device, then just take it, but he humored me and I asked him what else could be done. He suggested the only other thing I could do was to get a heart MRI, which is the most effective thing for seeing if my heart had any damage. This town, Amarillo, Texas, did not have a Heart MRI and I was sent to Dallas. Baylor Medical center did the Heart MRI and, GUESS WHAT? I did not have what I was diagnosed with. I was very angry that I was about to have the rest of my life changed by a wrong diagnosis. I was told that an ablation(sp?)for the irregular beats or could take medication would fix the problem. I took the medication and after a time, the fast beats and irregular beats left and have not been back. All I am saying is, do not take what a Dr. says a face value. Get a second or even a 3rd opinion just as I did. I got a 3rd opinion even when the 2nd Dr. said, "I guess you can keep going until you find someone who will tell you what you want to hear. That Dr. had to eat his words when the heart MRI came back to him and he said, I have to say you made the right decision when you decided to not have that device. WE WERE WRONG!!!! Remember, Dr.s are human and do not have the answer. Sometimes we need to listen to our own common sense and not let fear drive us to go against what we feel deep down inside.

[flipflop]

What a great story! That it is why is so important to have second or even third opinions and the correct testing to aid in a true diagnosis. You followed your heart and also your head, with that combination proven you right you have a right to be merry!!

[Coon23]

I wrote a message yesterday on here and if some people cal read it and tell me what they think it would help out alot..But see i have a regular heart beat like 80bpm but when its normal i can still feel my heart beat sometimes, depends on if i am worrying, anxiety or whatever..Then sometimes it will just pound fast then slow back down after a minute..had tests done and they came back fine, but it aint fine until this stuff stops happening..They say its all about anxiety for me, which i did start to take Paxil cr and its helping a bit..If i had one wish it would be to stop being able to feel my heart beat because its so annoying and drives me crazy...Pat!!

[Scientist]

Like you, I (and some health professionals I have met) also wonder about the relationship between my chronic infection of Epstein Barr and my arrhythmia.  I am currently using some antivirals (not pharmaceuticals).  Another possible root cause that some researchers and practitioners suspect is heavy metal toxicity.  To pursue this I have just undergone a (urine) test following IV DMPS (which, I am told, is an amino-acid-like substance that chelates especially mercury).