Aa
heart skips
I have been plagued with heart skips many years, but lately they are coming in a series. They come many at a time, lasting about 15 to 30 seconds. Of course, it seems like an eternity and I totally panic. I have had all sorts of tests, even going to another hospital for another opinion. They all say they are benign. This maybe so, but how long will this go on. Mentally, its taking a toll. What scares me is I think my heart will never go back to its normal rhythm. I am on 50 mg. of atenolol in the A.M., 150 mg. of avapro in the afternoon, and I cut myself down to 25 mg of atenolol in the evening, instead of 50 mg. My cardiologist thinks this is fine. I have stopped smoking, and everthing else they recommend. I know they claim is it not from the stomach, but I do have the gastro problem according to upper GI series. I burp sour after these are done. Any suggestion to get my life back to normal. Thank you for your interest.
A related discussion, Pain In Heart was started.
A related discussion, what to do ? was started.
Im 16 years old, i basically eat whatever i want because im naturally skinny (6'3" 150 lbs), ive never touched a cigarette/beer, im in pretty good shape, i exercise fairly often, and ive had these weird heartbeats as well. They started less than a year ago, and i havent thought much of them, and it has never made me panic. When i stand up suddenly or quickly run up some stairs i get light headed for a second. My heart flutters fast for a second sometimes, and sometimes it beats one time much harder than normal. Based off of these comments, i guess i should just see a doctor and make sure i have a "normal" heart and theres nothing to worry about right?
I started experiencing PVCs soon after a traumatic experience in the gym. I was 23 and lifting extremely heavy weights. My heart was beating sooo fast, and i decided to finish and put the weights back on the rack, except I didn't breathe right and suddenly felt my heart beat very erratic and slow down for like 10 seconds. I was very nervous and left the gym. One week later I started to get PVCs, and big ones at that. I don't get them every day, so when I get them they scare the heck out of me because I don't see them coming. Most of the time they are very big, and I feel winded after them. I get a feeling of dread a split second before they hit, a pause,and then "Boom." It feels like the left side of my heart is spasming and going to pop out of my chest. I'd like to return to the gym, and my cardiologist after a normal EKG, echo, and holter, says its okay. I've been sedentary for two years, afraid to get my heart rate up too high. I know that alcohol, stress, electrolyte imbalances can precipitate PVCs. But what about strenuous exercise? Also, can heavy weightlifting damage heart tissue and cause PVCs?
I've been having the "Heart-thumps, Goosebumps" for about 7 months now and my situation is much the same as everyone else has described. Just knowing that I'm not alone has helped to dramtically reduce my anxiety over the attacks - and even to reduce the attacks themselves. However, I have noticed that posture does seem to set them off, particularly bending over. I wanted to tell you that I have found a way that works for me in temporarily stopping the thumping and throat fluttering. I stand up straight and take a really deep breath, to the point of feeling my lungs straining. Then I give a strong hard cough. I find that this gives me relief for quite a few minutes. I tried it because I read somewhere that if you are by yourself and you are having a heart attack, you can save yourself by deliberately coughing hard. It acts a bit like CPR. I reckoned that it was worth a try. Perhaps the coughing somehow jolts or massages the heart muscle???? Can someone else try it and see if it works for them? Oh yes, and I usually try to keep doing some deep breathing for several minutes afterwards. Please give me some feedback. Thanks.
Note to Flutterfreak.
I very much sympathize with exactly what happened to you. This happened to me around a year ago. I also was exercising (in my case squash) and when I finished could not get my heart rate to slow down. It gradually did after I rested at the gym but then after I showered and was walking out of the gym it took off again back to over 200 bpm or so and I felt like my heart rate was fluttering and flip flopping all over the place. I had the health club call an ambulance but all tests and subsequent stress tests, echo tests etc. were clear. When I was having one subsequent stress test done however, I did find that a similar thing happened - that is, my heart rate came back down to normal after finishing the test and then suddenly went up again.
In my case I have fairly much decided to myself that all this is due to some interaction between nervous system (I have suffered from panic attacks in the past) and heart. I believe that the nervous system gets alarmed by the signs of fatigue or heart rate increase from exercise and then kicks off the heart into tachycardia mode.
As for suggestions, I tried short acting beta blockers (Lopressor) for a while taken around the time of exercise and this definitely helped although I found that as my heart rate did not increase as much during exercise the cardio benefits were lessened and I also felt a bit strange. The short acting beta blocker wore off after a few hours but then I sometimes needed to take another one as there seemed to be residual effects from the exercise for quite a while. The reason I took short acting beta blockers was that my doctor was concerned that actually my heart beat was quite slow when not exercising so he was worried that a longer acting one may be detrimental by slowing the heart rate down too much. This may not apply to you.
I stopped taking beta blockers and then went back on anti-depressant Effexor (which I had previously taken for panic attacks) and frankly this almost eliminated instances of exercise induced tachycardia and panic attacks. I also take some Xanax from time to time. The only problem with the Effexor is that I have really started to put on weight and also has some sexual side effects so I am now trying to figure out what to try next (of course under doctor supervision - don't try any of this without talking to your doctor).
Another thing I noticed is that I am more likely to have a post exericse heart rate run if I have over exerted myself during the exercise. So I bought myself a heart rate monitor and now try to avoid letting my heart rate go above 130-140 bpm during exericse (I am 44) and try to keep below 130.
My questions for anyone reading this are:
1. Does anyone suggest an anti-depressant that has the same benefits in terms of panic/exericse induced heart problems but does not put on weight or have sexual side effects?
2. Has anyone experienced pvcs/pacs while flying? I find that a few hours into a trip on a plane (usually a few hours after eating airline food) I often get heart arrythmias/tachicardia. This has lessened somehwat since being on Effexor but not entirely - I am not sure whether caused by stress of flying (unlikely as I am usually relaxing into a movie when it happens), the airplane air or food?
3. The comment that you felt very well before all this happened rings a bell. I often find I feel great with lots of energy before an episode and the episode tends to knock me out. Usually the turn around in condition seems to be associated with eating, particularly after eating carbohydrates. Anyone else relate to this or can explain this?
Anyway, the good thing about reading your story was that you have experienced exactly what I had. I hope the above is some comfort!!
Keep well.
TokyoJoe
I very much sympathize with exactly what happened to you. This happened to me around a year ago. I also was exercising (in my case squash) and when I finished could not get my heart rate to slow down. It gradually did after I rested at the gym but then after I showered and was walking out of the gym it took off again back to over 200 bpm or so and I felt like my heart rate was fluttering and flip flopping all over the place. I had the health club call an ambulance but all tests and subsequent stress tests, echo tests etc. were clear. When I was having one subsequent stress test done however, I did find that a similar thing happened - that is, my heart rate came back down to normal after finishing the test and then suddenly went up again.
In my case I have fairly much decided to myself that all this is due to some interaction between nervous system (I have suffered from panic attacks in the past) and heart. I believe that the nervous system gets alarmed by the signs of fatigue or heart rate increase from exercise and then kicks off the heart into tachycardia mode.
As for suggestions, I tried short acting beta blockers (Lopressor) for a while taken around the time of exercise and this definitely helped although I found that as my heart rate did not increase as much during exercise the cardio benefits were lessened and I also felt a bit strange. The short acting beta blocker wore off after a few hours but then I sometimes needed to take another one as there seemed to be residual effects from the exercise for quite a while. The reason I took short acting beta blockers was that my doctor was concerned that actually my heart beat was quite slow when not exercising so he was worried that a longer acting one may be detrimental by slowing the heart rate down too much. This may not apply to you.
I stopped taking beta blockers and then went back on anti-depressant Effexor (which I had previously taken for panic attacks) and frankly this almost eliminated instances of exercise induced tachycardia and panic attacks. I also take some Xanax from time to time. The only problem with the Effexor is that I have really started to put on weight and also has some sexual side effects so I am now trying to figure out what to try next (of course under doctor supervision - don't try any of this without talking to your doctor).
Another thing I noticed is that I am more likely to have a post exericse heart rate run if I have over exerted myself during the exercise. So I bought myself a heart rate monitor and now try to avoid letting my heart rate go above 130-140 bpm during exericse (I am 44) and try to keep below 130.
My questions for anyone reading this are:
1. Does anyone suggest an anti-depressant that has the same benefits in terms of panic/exericse induced heart problems but does not put on weight or have sexual side effects?
2. Has anyone experienced pvcs/pacs while flying? I find that a few hours into a trip on a plane (usually a few hours after eating airline food) I often get heart arrythmias/tachicardia. This has lessened somehwat since being on Effexor but not entirely - I am not sure whether caused by stress of flying (unlikely as I am usually relaxing into a movie when it happens), the airplane air or food?
3. The comment that you felt very well before all this happened rings a bell. I often find I feel great with lots of energy before an episode and the episode tends to knock me out. Usually the turn around in condition seems to be associated with eating, particularly after eating carbohydrates. Anyone else relate to this or can explain this?
Anyway, the good thing about reading your story was that you have experienced exactly what I had. I hope the above is some comfort!!
Keep well.
TokyoJoe
Hi C43, I am new to the message boards. After having read your thread, that is exactly what I am living with day in day out. This started in May of 2002. I cannot believe that these cardiologists are saying to learn to live with it, that is, in my case. I really am scared and living a normal life has become quite a challenge. email me if you wish and we can exchange information. principessa_chi***@****
hope to hear from you.
hope to hear from you.
Aaron,
I do not feel the fluttering in connection with my stomach. For me my stomach will feel completely fine while it occurs.
However, like alot of people on this site, I had my share of stomach problems. I had a terrible heartburn problem until I started taking Nexium. I have not taken an alka seltzer in months. Used to take antacid every day.
Also, I did not mention that I am 39.
Mike
I do not feel the fluttering in connection with my stomach. For me my stomach will feel completely fine while it occurs.
However, like alot of people on this site, I had my share of stomach problems. I had a terrible heartburn problem until I started taking Nexium. I have not taken an alka seltzer in months. Used to take antacid every day.
Also, I did not mention that I am 39.
Mike
Hey Mike,
Do you feel that fluttering or spasms in your stomach when your heart is skipping? That's how I feel plus lots of indigestion. I'm trying the Gaviscon treatment from today. Two teaspoons after every meal and four teaspoons before bed. I'll see how it goes.
Hope you'll feel better soon.
Aaron
Do you feel that fluttering or spasms in your stomach when your heart is skipping? That's how I feel plus lots of indigestion. I'm trying the Gaviscon treatment from today. Two teaspoons after every meal and four teaspoons before bed. I'll see how it goes.
Hope you'll feel better soon.
Aaron
I am new to this forum and find it very comforting to read through this thread. My symptoms are such that I feel my heart skip. I feel a pause and then an big beat and then normal again. I also have been under quite a bit of stress.
I had all of the various tests performed. My holter monitor showed 911 extra atrial beats within a 24-hour period (it was an everage day -- some are worse). I also went to a cardiologist at a top hospital in Chicago and he told me that there is nothing I can do except take a beta blocker (Toprol). I have decided not to take it because, it only affects the symptom and not the cause.
Doctor said that in extreme cases, they could locate the renegade cells that are causing the extra beats and stop them from doing so. I told him that I would rather live with this than go through such a procedure that has many side effects and risks.
I have felt this condition most of my life to a very minimal extent, my problems started last year when I had one of the most stressful days of my life. From that day on, the fluttering has not stopped. While I have periods where it does not happen for week or two at a time, I experience it almost every day.
I notice that if I do not eat right, the condition is more prevalent..e.g. if I skip lunch. Also, caffeine makes the condition worse so I have stopped drinking coffee.
Finally, the condition is worse at night -- especially when I go to bed.
My friends laugh because I eat right, excercise regularly, don't smoke, etc. I guess managing stress is more important than living cleanly.
Mike
I had all of the various tests performed. My holter monitor showed 911 extra atrial beats within a 24-hour period (it was an everage day -- some are worse). I also went to a cardiologist at a top hospital in Chicago and he told me that there is nothing I can do except take a beta blocker (Toprol). I have decided not to take it because, it only affects the symptom and not the cause.
Doctor said that in extreme cases, they could locate the renegade cells that are causing the extra beats and stop them from doing so. I told him that I would rather live with this than go through such a procedure that has many side effects and risks.
I have felt this condition most of my life to a very minimal extent, my problems started last year when I had one of the most stressful days of my life. From that day on, the fluttering has not stopped. While I have periods where it does not happen for week or two at a time, I experience it almost every day.
I notice that if I do not eat right, the condition is more prevalent..e.g. if I skip lunch. Also, caffeine makes the condition worse so I have stopped drinking coffee.
Finally, the condition is worse at night -- especially when I go to bed.
My friends laugh because I eat right, excercise regularly, don't smoke, etc. I guess managing stress is more important than living cleanly.
Mike
Hello again everyone, I just posted my first message regardiing pvcs and skipping heart beats. I forgot to mention that my email address is: principessa_chi***@**** if you wish to reach me. Once again, I appreciate comments and suggestions. I am new to this board and hope there is some help out there for people like me.
Hello everyone. I am new to the forum. Last May I woke up one morning and my heart started skipping beats. I ended up in ER and had an EKG but was told that I had occasional pvcs. nothing to worry about. go home. the pvcs continued and at the end of may I had a 24 hr. holter monitor which revealed 2,085 pvcs in 24 hrs. and 51 bigeminal cycles (skip every other beat). The diagnosis: ventricular ectopy. I then had a stress test done and it was negative. I also had an echocardiogram done and was normal. The only thing that was printed on the result was that i have trivial aortic, pulmonary insufficiency which is physiologic in nature. I don't understand it. The pvcs continued. I started taking magnesium citrate and calcium and throughout the summer my heart beat relaxed some in that I was not having as many pvcs. I even had pvc-free days.
On Oct. 17, the pvcs returned. Since then, I get them everyday until present. They can last for hours and I get them after meals, in my sleep when I move or roll over, when I am walking on the treadmill, when i am doing housework, it doesn't matter what I do, I get them. In october when it all started up again, I had 2 more 24 hour holter monitors and again it showed the pvcs and only 3 ventricular couplets. My cardiologist told me that I should not worry and to accept the pvcs and learn to live with them. I on the other hand just want my regular beating heart back.
I had blood work done in June and my potassium level was low/normal. thyroid normal, everything else appeared normal. How can this be happening? I am advised by a cardiologist to do meditation and yoga and he is very reticent about prescribing meds for pvcs.
I am scared. I keep thinking something is wrong here and I think of things like a floppy valve, mitral valve prolapse, insufficient oxygen to the heart or something...it is just driving me to distraction. The fear and having to live with the pvcs are ruining my marriage and other relationships. I quit working and now regret giving up a good job. I am 39 years old, female and I don't smoke, don't consume alcohol, I don't ingest caffeine and I am very careful with sugar intake. I eat healthy and take a multi vitamin which is very mild along with the calcium/magnesium which I think sometimes aggravates my symptoms. Does anyone out there experience the same thing? I welcome all your suggestions and comments. I am at my wits end. Thanks, M-chi.
On Oct. 17, the pvcs returned. Since then, I get them everyday until present. They can last for hours and I get them after meals, in my sleep when I move or roll over, when I am walking on the treadmill, when i am doing housework, it doesn't matter what I do, I get them. In october when it all started up again, I had 2 more 24 hour holter monitors and again it showed the pvcs and only 3 ventricular couplets. My cardiologist told me that I should not worry and to accept the pvcs and learn to live with them. I on the other hand just want my regular beating heart back.
I had blood work done in June and my potassium level was low/normal. thyroid normal, everything else appeared normal. How can this be happening? I am advised by a cardiologist to do meditation and yoga and he is very reticent about prescribing meds for pvcs.
I am scared. I keep thinking something is wrong here and I think of things like a floppy valve, mitral valve prolapse, insufficient oxygen to the heart or something...it is just driving me to distraction. The fear and having to live with the pvcs are ruining my marriage and other relationships. I quit working and now regret giving up a good job. I am 39 years old, female and I don't smoke, don't consume alcohol, I don't ingest caffeine and I am very careful with sugar intake. I eat healthy and take a multi vitamin which is very mild along with the calcium/magnesium which I think sometimes aggravates my symptoms. Does anyone out there experience the same thing? I welcome all your suggestions and comments. I am at my wits end. Thanks, M-chi.
I've read the posting by Mikeb and I do agree with him that my PAC's and panic attacks are associated with ongoing digestive problems.
I'm 40 yrs. old and have always noticed that my PACs and panic attacks begins with the onset of indigestion. It usually starts out with a queezy feeling in my stomach (nausea and acid activity), then going to the bathroom feeling the anxiety coming on, then my heart starts racing so I get off of the toilet as fast as I can to head back to a chair, couch, or the bed, then I'm desperately trying to take deep breaths to calm myself down from the palps and skips (I'm always checking my pulse). I've taken myself (or my wife takes me) to the ER on several occasions thinking that my racing, skipping heart may stop!...and yes, they all say that it's common, not to worry, and I need to relax!
I've started on Zantac (150mg 2x) to control the high level of acid activity I have and it seems to minimize my indigestion.
I plan to take on Mikeb's "plan of attack" because I do believe my attacks and PACs are triggered by ongoing digestive problems (due to stress and following a big, greasy meal!).
Like all of you, I've gone through all the cardio tests with normal outcomes.
I've recently discovered this forum and I'm glad that I'm not alone. It's really comforting to read all of your experiences, thoughts, suggestions, and support.
Aloha from Hawaii!
808
I'm 40 yrs. old and have always noticed that my PACs and panic attacks begins with the onset of indigestion. It usually starts out with a queezy feeling in my stomach (nausea and acid activity), then going to the bathroom feeling the anxiety coming on, then my heart starts racing so I get off of the toilet as fast as I can to head back to a chair, couch, or the bed, then I'm desperately trying to take deep breaths to calm myself down from the palps and skips (I'm always checking my pulse). I've taken myself (or my wife takes me) to the ER on several occasions thinking that my racing, skipping heart may stop!...and yes, they all say that it's common, not to worry, and I need to relax!
I've started on Zantac (150mg 2x) to control the high level of acid activity I have and it seems to minimize my indigestion.
I plan to take on Mikeb's "plan of attack" because I do believe my attacks and PACs are triggered by ongoing digestive problems (due to stress and following a big, greasy meal!).
Like all of you, I've gone through all the cardio tests with normal outcomes.
I've recently discovered this forum and I'm glad that I'm not alone. It's really comforting to read all of your experiences, thoughts, suggestions, and support.
Aloha from Hawaii!
808
Have suffered several year palps and skips, fainting, panic attacts, and after 3 thorought cardio workups was finally diagnosed with MVP. I thought for years this was all in my head, but it wasn't and just knowing that has really made a difference.
The tenormine, a beta blocker, really helps sometimes with some Zanex when I'm really stressed but between the life style changes I have made and the vitiman supliments which I swear by I do see a difference. Caffine, artifical sweetners and sugar are out and magnisuim and B 's are in.
My point is that I was told time and time again it was nothing, but it is something and that you can't just disregard a pounding skiping heart. There are ways to releive systoms and they should be monitered and checked.
Good luck to you all.
The tenormine, a beta blocker, really helps sometimes with some Zanex when I'm really stressed but between the life style changes I have made and the vitiman supliments which I swear by I do see a difference. Caffine, artifical sweetners and sugar are out and magnisuim and B 's are in.
My point is that I was told time and time again it was nothing, but it is something and that you can't just disregard a pounding skiping heart. There are ways to releive systoms and they should be monitered and checked.
Good luck to you all.
Hi Ritchie,
I think you would like to look under the thread just before this one: 'PALPITATIONS(PREMATURE BEATS) AND ULTRACET AND/OR VIOXX MEDICATION', the date 11-12-02; look for the comment by mikeb, the date 11-23-02 and you will find some answers about heart-skips and palps due to stomach and esophagus problems.
Worth reading!!! (And I think he's right)
-
Live a wonderful life in 2003!!!
-
***Ianna***
I think you would like to look under the thread just before this one: 'PALPITATIONS(PREMATURE BEATS) AND ULTRACET AND/OR VIOXX MEDICATION', the date 11-12-02; look for the comment by mikeb, the date 11-23-02 and you will find some answers about heart-skips and palps due to stomach and esophagus problems.
Worth reading!!! (And I think he's right)
-
Live a wonderful life in 2003!!!
-
***Ianna***
I first got heart skipped beats 25 yrs ago after a week of severe stress. They lasted a year. None for 20 yrs that I felt. 5 years ago had a streeful weekend and drank some alcohol and they came back with a furey. Holtor monitor showed 1100 in 24 hours. Doc said not to worry he could give me some pills to slow down my heart. It's in the 40's range so I dont know what he would slow it to so I just dropped it with him.
Any caffeine drinks, alcohol, chocolate, spices and stress cause havoc. My heart also beats very pounding like at times. Have had digestive problems over the years and feel there may be a correlation. The two worst culprits are whiskey, cokes and stress. Doc told me someone had 15000 on the holtor.
Any similar stories and what helped??
Thanks
Any caffeine drinks, alcohol, chocolate, spices and stress cause havoc. My heart also beats very pounding like at times. Have had digestive problems over the years and feel there may be a correlation. The two worst culprits are whiskey, cokes and stress. Doc told me someone had 15000 on the holtor.
Any similar stories and what helped??
Thanks
Julie, I have been experiencing these weird beats since being pregnant with my 3rd child, the doc said they would go away after the birth but they haven't. I have recently had an echo and stress test and like you, I have slight/trivial mitral regurgitation - I also have a 'suggestion' of a slight floppy segment of one of the mitral valve leaflets. My cardiologist said that this was not MVP and it is very common in that if he scanned 100 hearts randomly he would see a lot of people with this. He told me I have a structually normal heart with no cause for the palpitations. But, despite his reassurance,it doesn't stop me worrying. I get so anxious that I am having to start on an anxiety med tomorrow and I wish I was strong enough not to! I have definately found that the more I dwell on it happening the worse it gets. I have not heard of Xanex - is it an anxiety med?
Hello MR,
Thanks for your post.
You are VERY MUCH right!!
-
Stay well.... ***Ianna***
Thanks for your post.
You are VERY MUCH right!!
-
Stay well.... ***Ianna***
Hello Everyone,
I was quite happy to find this site. I've had PAC's for the last 5 yrs and like you all, I thought I was the only one having them.
I had been on different meds for High BP, Vasotec, Norvasc, Micardis and Acebutotol. Within 2 weeks of starting the Acebotol I started having PAC's.
I am not on any meds at this time.
Just like everyone else, panic set in because I could feel them real easy. They have been a real disturbance in my life. Caffeine, alcohol, stress or anything that is a stimulant causes mine to come to action. As all of you have found, DR's don't seem to take this as a serious problem. I'm not a DR but I do know that this isn't normal. I've been going to a Chinese DR. and to a Acupuncture and Wellnes Clinic in my area and they seem to be the only ones who have given me a good explanation.
They deal with the flow of energy in the body, and pursue a course to correct this imbalance of electrical energy call 'chi'. Since the heart works on an electrical charge/pulse it looked reasonable to find out if this would work.
Another one of the probable causes of mine could have come from a cell phone that I carried in my shirt pocket by my heart. The Chinese Dr said that the transmition charge that the phone emits could have interfered with the normal electric pulse of my heart. If you have a cell phone, call someone on the cell while you are sitting in front of your computer and see what happens. Beware of cell phones.
I have been going to this clinic and they can control my PAC's through acupuncture that calms me down and helps me cope with them. Calcium, potassium and magnesium are all important for the heart to function properly.
I would seek either a naturopathic DR, an acupuncturist, or a Chinese medical Dr who has been trained in China in Chinese medicine.
22 year old Julie, if you could find a Tai Chi Society and learn Tai Chi, or Qigong (pronounced Chi-Gong) that may help you to sleep at night. They might know of a Chinese practioner who could help you also.
I hope this might give some of you info to persue for your well being. You are your best Dr.
Midnight Rider.
I was quite happy to find this site. I've had PAC's for the last 5 yrs and like you all, I thought I was the only one having them.
I had been on different meds for High BP, Vasotec, Norvasc, Micardis and Acebutotol. Within 2 weeks of starting the Acebotol I started having PAC's.
I am not on any meds at this time.
Just like everyone else, panic set in because I could feel them real easy. They have been a real disturbance in my life. Caffeine, alcohol, stress or anything that is a stimulant causes mine to come to action. As all of you have found, DR's don't seem to take this as a serious problem. I'm not a DR but I do know that this isn't normal. I've been going to a Chinese DR. and to a Acupuncture and Wellnes Clinic in my area and they seem to be the only ones who have given me a good explanation.
They deal with the flow of energy in the body, and pursue a course to correct this imbalance of electrical energy call 'chi'. Since the heart works on an electrical charge/pulse it looked reasonable to find out if this would work.
Another one of the probable causes of mine could have come from a cell phone that I carried in my shirt pocket by my heart. The Chinese Dr said that the transmition charge that the phone emits could have interfered with the normal electric pulse of my heart. If you have a cell phone, call someone on the cell while you are sitting in front of your computer and see what happens. Beware of cell phones.
I have been going to this clinic and they can control my PAC's through acupuncture that calms me down and helps me cope with them. Calcium, potassium and magnesium are all important for the heart to function properly.
I would seek either a naturopathic DR, an acupuncturist, or a Chinese medical Dr who has been trained in China in Chinese medicine.
22 year old Julie, if you could find a Tai Chi Society and learn Tai Chi, or Qigong (pronounced Chi-Gong) that may help you to sleep at night. They might know of a Chinese practioner who could help you also.
I hope this might give some of you info to persue for your well being. You are your best Dr.
Midnight Rider.
Hi my name is Julie and im 22 years old.I have been having problems with my heart for the last 4 years of my life.The skips and extra beats have only gotten worse..I have had two echocardiograms,countless ekgs, 2 holters and a event monitor.Im still waiting on the results of the event monitor..but considering my apt isnt for almost 2 months im taking it they dont think its too bad.Im on atenolol 100 milligrams a day..50 in the day time and 50 at night for my racing heart.The thing is the medication helps some with that but as far as my pvcs and pacs are concerned it doesnt do a thing for them!!!I have a electrothesiologist now instead of a cardiologist but to be honest its like talking to air.I know the doctors insist that the beats are benign but they make it hard to live a normal life.They have only become worse and worse.2years ago they maybe happend only at night and now they are my heart beat!I was diagnosed with slight mitral regurg and have no idea what that even is??I do know though i was told i DONT have mitral valve prolapse!!!How is that poss to have one and not the other.Im addicted to xanex now and take one every night before bed.I would love to hear from anyone who experiences life the way i have to...
Just another person with many of the symptoms you all have. I notice a significant correllation between worrying/dwelling on the problem and the frequency of skips. My symptoms wax and wane. Right now, they been increasing, probably worse then ever. I'd also like to offer my email to anyone who'd like to contact me directly to talk or discuss as I know how much it helps: ***@****
Hello Steve,
Thank you for sharing your story with me(us).
Sound much like mine.
I do take a beta blocker-(Inderal ret. 80 mg.caps. one a day)- since a couple of months, and find it helpful.
Now on this forum look under 'Skipped Heartbeats' the date 11-23-02, the post from Mike B. if you like.
He is so right!! (my opinion)
It's a lengthy post but worth reading!
-
Stay well and God bless - ***Ianna***
Thank you for sharing your story with me(us).
Sound much like mine.
I do take a beta blocker-(Inderal ret. 80 mg.caps. one a day)- since a couple of months, and find it helpful.
Now on this forum look under 'Skipped Heartbeats' the date 11-23-02, the post from Mike B. if you like.
He is so right!! (my opinion)
It's a lengthy post but worth reading!
-
Stay well and God bless - ***Ianna***
Hi Ianna,
I am a 48-year-old male, 6'2", 240-lbs. and a non-smoker. Two years ago I had a blood clot in my leg and as a result of a special blood test they advised me to go on Coumadin for the rest of my life. Just before all this happened I started feeling PAC's. Not enough to treat the heart, but enough to treat the anxiety they caused. I had a number of tests including EKG, Event Monitor, Echo and Stress EKG. All the results were normal and showed only PAC's, (as far as I know). I even went to a second Cardiac specialist. He made a brief review of some of my previous tests and gave me a cursory exam in his office. He also pronounced me fit and on the right track with my eliminating all stimulants, most alcohol, and reducing my stress. I bought "the books" and started on the road to mental recovery. My PAC's and anxiety got fewer and further between. I had minor setbacks along the way but tried to take them in stride since I knew from the books that they would happen. I tried to follow the advice of "letting time pass". I finally got to the point where I felt only 2 or 3 PAC's a day and took Valium only once or twice a month. I was 98 percent OK with my condition, but still had not come to grips with that last, (all important), 2 percent.
A couple of months ago my palpitations returned even greater in numbers than before, (1-5 per minute for up to an hour). I had never experienced anything like this ever before. I had gotten away from my meager exercise program of walking a few days a week and now it seemed that exertion brought on more palps. My heart books tell me that exercise is good for my heart and will reduce the palps. I decided to check these new beats out to make sure they were benign. I did a Stress EKG and am just finishing my two weeks of Event Monitor. The un-official result of the Stress EKG, (as pronounced by the attending nurse), was that I'm normal, with a normal amount of PVC's. The un-official result of the Event Monitor is that I have a normal amount of ordinary PVC's.
I have a treadmill at home and started working out when I got the Event Monitor. I started out fairly light. I use a five-minute warm-up, twenty minute workout and five-minute cool-down. I set the speed to 2.2mph and the incline between 5 and 13 degrees. When I started this program, (almost two weeks ago), at the lesser incline I felt only a small amount of PVC's (8-10), during the workouts. I had a couple workouts where I felt 25 PVC's during the half hour. My last workout was at 13 degrees incline and I had the most PVC's of all. I even stopped half way through to record them on the Event Monitor. I counted 40 during the workout and an additional 26 when I paused to record. During that recording there was even a small run of single PVC's each separated by four normal beats. When I phoned in the recording they didn't seem concerned and have not been concerned by anything I have phoned in for these last two weeks.
I have not had the chance to discuss the results of the Event Monitor and Stress EKG with my cardiologist yet. I have had a big mental setback in my recovery for two reasons. First, I am wondering if I am "getting worse" since I now have PVC's in addition to my PAC's. And second, I need to find out why exercise is causing an increase of palps since I thought it would make them go away or at least be reduced.
I would still prefer to not take a beta-blocker. I think that would make it harder for me to work through that last 2 percent of my fear of palps. Almost like giving up and admitting defeat. Most of my loved ones are unsympathetic since they all have heart palps and see them as normal. They are telling me to take a beta-blocker since I am spending too much time thinking about all this. They think I am making myself worse by trying to understand what is going on. I feel that if I fully understand palps they will loose their power over me. I am almost certain that my palps are caused by simple life stress and with reduced stress they will diminish on their own. Reducing stress is hard enough without adding more fuel to the fire by worrying about my heart. I won't know what my future will be until after the debriefing with my cardiologist. Thanks for your interest.
Steve
I am a 48-year-old male, 6'2", 240-lbs. and a non-smoker. Two years ago I had a blood clot in my leg and as a result of a special blood test they advised me to go on Coumadin for the rest of my life. Just before all this happened I started feeling PAC's. Not enough to treat the heart, but enough to treat the anxiety they caused. I had a number of tests including EKG, Event Monitor, Echo and Stress EKG. All the results were normal and showed only PAC's, (as far as I know). I even went to a second Cardiac specialist. He made a brief review of some of my previous tests and gave me a cursory exam in his office. He also pronounced me fit and on the right track with my eliminating all stimulants, most alcohol, and reducing my stress. I bought "the books" and started on the road to mental recovery. My PAC's and anxiety got fewer and further between. I had minor setbacks along the way but tried to take them in stride since I knew from the books that they would happen. I tried to follow the advice of "letting time pass". I finally got to the point where I felt only 2 or 3 PAC's a day and took Valium only once or twice a month. I was 98 percent OK with my condition, but still had not come to grips with that last, (all important), 2 percent.
A couple of months ago my palpitations returned even greater in numbers than before, (1-5 per minute for up to an hour). I had never experienced anything like this ever before. I had gotten away from my meager exercise program of walking a few days a week and now it seemed that exertion brought on more palps. My heart books tell me that exercise is good for my heart and will reduce the palps. I decided to check these new beats out to make sure they were benign. I did a Stress EKG and am just finishing my two weeks of Event Monitor. The un-official result of the Stress EKG, (as pronounced by the attending nurse), was that I'm normal, with a normal amount of PVC's. The un-official result of the Event Monitor is that I have a normal amount of ordinary PVC's.
I have a treadmill at home and started working out when I got the Event Monitor. I started out fairly light. I use a five-minute warm-up, twenty minute workout and five-minute cool-down. I set the speed to 2.2mph and the incline between 5 and 13 degrees. When I started this program, (almost two weeks ago), at the lesser incline I felt only a small amount of PVC's (8-10), during the workouts. I had a couple workouts where I felt 25 PVC's during the half hour. My last workout was at 13 degrees incline and I had the most PVC's of all. I even stopped half way through to record them on the Event Monitor. I counted 40 during the workout and an additional 26 when I paused to record. During that recording there was even a small run of single PVC's each separated by four normal beats. When I phoned in the recording they didn't seem concerned and have not been concerned by anything I have phoned in for these last two weeks.
I have not had the chance to discuss the results of the Event Monitor and Stress EKG with my cardiologist yet. I have had a big mental setback in my recovery for two reasons. First, I am wondering if I am "getting worse" since I now have PVC's in addition to my PAC's. And second, I need to find out why exercise is causing an increase of palps since I thought it would make them go away or at least be reduced.
I would still prefer to not take a beta-blocker. I think that would make it harder for me to work through that last 2 percent of my fear of palps. Almost like giving up and admitting defeat. Most of my loved ones are unsympathetic since they all have heart palps and see them as normal. They are telling me to take a beta-blocker since I am spending too much time thinking about all this. They think I am making myself worse by trying to understand what is going on. I feel that if I fully understand palps they will loose their power over me. I am almost certain that my palps are caused by simple life stress and with reduced stress they will diminish on their own. Reducing stress is hard enough without adding more fuel to the fire by worrying about my heart. I won't know what my future will be until after the debriefing with my cardiologist. Thanks for your interest.
Steve
Hi Steve,
I read that you did have heart-anxiety.
Is it so that you are over it?(Yes, I know, with help of 'the books')
And if so, do you ever experience relapses?
-
I have heart-anxiety(I suppose).
It can go on for weeks and than slowly I 'recover' and can be all-right for weeks and weeks, even months...
It mostly has to do with 'things' happening in my life.
Last week I lost a beloved niece.
The emotions the funeral brought on were too much.
It was enough to bring back my heart-palps and quiverings.
Now it can take weeks till I feel all-right again, providing nothing happens that brings on big emotions.
I really hate having a sensitive nervous system.
Just a little push and I am nowhere.
-
What's your story?(if you don't mind me asking)
How do you feel now?
-
Awaiting your answer...
Greetings - ***Ianna***
I read that you did have heart-anxiety.
Is it so that you are over it?(Yes, I know, with help of 'the books')
And if so, do you ever experience relapses?
-
I have heart-anxiety(I suppose).
It can go on for weeks and than slowly I 'recover' and can be all-right for weeks and weeks, even months...
It mostly has to do with 'things' happening in my life.
Last week I lost a beloved niece.
The emotions the funeral brought on were too much.
It was enough to bring back my heart-palps and quiverings.
Now it can take weeks till I feel all-right again, providing nothing happens that brings on big emotions.
I really hate having a sensitive nervous system.
Just a little push and I am nowhere.
-
What's your story?(if you don't mind me asking)
How do you feel now?
-
Awaiting your answer...
Greetings - ***Ianna***
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