Skipped heart beats

[Matt1975]

Hello-

                                                I am a 27 year old male that has been diagnosed with an anxiety/panic
disorder. Quite frequently, I have episodes where my heart seems to skip a beat. I can feel this when I take my pulse. Also, I feel a little bit of a thudding sensation in my chest/abdomen. These episodes occur most often when I am feeling anxious but not always.
I am in good health and am very physically fit. I have had three EKGs all of
                                                which have showed nothing unusual. The doctors I have seen always brush
                                                off my compliant as nothing or "I don't see it on the EKG". I am writing to see
                                                if there is some sort of medical/scientific explaination. What can I do about
                                                this problem because it really bothers me and triggers/exascerbates my
                                                anxiety?

                                                Thanks, Matt

[PAT65]

Sorry to hear about your difficulties this past year!I can relate to the PVC part. My holter showed over 7,000 PVCs in 24 hrs so I understand the frustration with the treatment or lack of. The only thing I have tried as far as meds are concerned is Lopressor and it doesn't help at all. I continue to take it I guess just because it makes me feel like I am doing something to try to decrease the PVCs. My cardiologist doesn't recommend ablation but sometimes I am willing to try anything to try and have a normal life. Hope this helps a little. Good Luck

[rick1234]

Pat, if you have been checked out by a QUALIFIED MD and have been told they are benign, then try to remind yourself that there is nothing wrong.  When you get them, just keep telling yourself you are fine and that you will win!  don't let them win!  Believe me when i say i understand what you are experiencing.  Those who don't get these really have no clue on how upsetting they can feel.  Also, realize that they will stop at some point.  They may come back but realize there will be periods of time where you don't have them (or notice them)  Really try to get a handle on diet, exercise and stress reduction.

be well!

rick

[PAT65]

Hi everyone! Its so nice to know I'm not alone out there.I have very frequent PVCs (sometimes 10-20 min) and have also been told they are benign. It is sometimes very hard not to let them control your life. Just reading that there are other people like me has helped decrease my PVCS while I am writing this. I guess I will have to read these comments every day! I have  had an occasional skipped beat for years but about 7 months ago I started having several a minute. Scared the life right out of me! well, I am still here and still having them. Anyone out there have any suggetion about the sudden onset? Like I have said tests have shown nothing.Also several people have mentioned they take Xanax for anxiety. Does that one seem to help best for this condition? any info would be great.

[ojohnr]

hi. my name is john, male 30  i have had afib on and off since i was 18.  just recently i had two in one week. they usually last 24hrs and convert by itself.  since then i had severly pac per hour.  saw my cardialogist and prescribed me 50mg of atenelol, which helps alot. just a few side effects..tired. and since this last episode of afib, i suffered several panic attacks. seeking medical help for my anxiety problems and now i feel somewhat beter.

my advise, from my card: NO caffiene, stimulants, alcohal, smoking, stress and worry. cut all these off and i feel better.

[rick1234]

as far as treatment for these things, (other than the elimination of various substances and taking a suppliment or two) I have been told that taking meds (assuming you do not have heart disease and have been told by a cardiologist that they are benign), can give you more problems.  Some people that have them so bad where they effect their life (they can't function or work etc), beta blockers have been helpful.  Honestly, I think stress plays a huge part as well as anxiety.  Many people have these but don't even realize it unless it is pointed out to them.  some of us are just more sensitive and in tune to our bodies.  once we know of them, we tend to focus on them more and more and this in turn starts that cycle that is difficult to break.  One other thing i think i forgot in a prior post was taking 1 tbls of flax oil a day.  this may or may not help with the skippys but it is good for ones heart.  Buy the refrigerated oil and not the capsules.  While not as conveneient, it is more effective.

good luck!

rick

[rick1234]

as far as treatment for these things, (other than the elimination of various substances and taking a suppliment or two) I have been told that taking meds (assuming you do not have heart disease and have been told by a cardiologist that they are benign), can give you more problems.  Some people that have them so bad where they effect their life (they can't function or work etc), beta blockers have been helpful.  Honestly, I think stress plays a huge part as well as anxiety.  Many people have these but don't even realize it unless it is pointed out to them.  some of us are just more sensitive and in tune to our bodies.  once we know of them, we tend to focus on them more and more and this in turn starts that cycle that is difficult to break.  One other thing i think i forgot in a prior post was taking 1 tbls of flax oil a day.  this may or may not help with the skippys but it is good for ones heart.  Buy the refrigerated oil and not the capsules.  While not as conveneient, it is more effective.

good luck!

rick