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?

[flipflop]

Dracee at least the doctor gave you an honest answer. The vast majority of healthy persons have atrial and ventricular arrhythmias(some complex and of no clinical significance) to which they are unaware, that is not to say that they are not down right alarming and life altering to those that feel everyone of them. I think dquenzer (Doug) gave you some good tips. By the way Doug I know this one is going to shock you a bit , but hold on. Did you ever get around to shelving the medicines and waxing the skis for winter? That was many many years ago and you are still around , so you can definitely tell people about PACs. I'm glad the ablation seems to be having a positive effect on you now!!


flip(Lyn)

[Ling]

I am so happy to see your comments.  I have had similar experiences as all of you.  I have had PVC's for years before my monthly.  All of a sudden a month ago, they picked up horribly.  I have a stress echo tomorrow and if it is normal then I guess mine are benign as well.  I was experiencing 15-20 a minute and the ER also kept me over night.  I am on a low dose beta blocker which has not eliminated them, but has put me back into a more normal rhythm.  And the aura that is described by several of you  I completely agree with.  I know, I just know when it is going to happen.  I swear I sense or feel it.  Once again, I also feel, there is some reason this is happening.  

Best Wishes to all

[Cleveland Clinic]

dracee,

the answers to pretty much all of your questions are: i dont know. i dont know and i dont know!


Some people are predisposed to atrial, ventricular or a combination of both types of arrythmias. In the setting of a normal heart, these arrythmias are rather benign. Thats not to minimize the overall suffering you experience from them in any way.

Most likely its not realted to EBV infection.  Many women clearly tie their symptoms to hormonal changes.

Look back to see how others have dealt with some of thier symptoms.