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what steps do I take to control palpitations
My question is: What steps can I take to control my palpitations? I have a 12-year history of them on and off since I was 20. I have seen 3 cardiologists during this time period and had all the tests, which were negative. Of note, not one of my palpitations was ever "caught". I have stopped drinking caffeine and do not drink soda. I used to run 5 miles a day, but stopped in 2003 when these palpitations started up again. I am going to begin slowly back to running actually today. I eat well. However, stress is a problem in my life. It seems as I get older, I can't handle it as well. So I know that needs to change. I am trying to drink a glass of heart healthy OJ every morning and to eat more potassium-rich foods. Do I need to take supplements and/or more magnesium? As background info, I can have palpitations a few times a day or not one for a week or two. I used to have one type of palpitation (the extra beat followed by a pause), but now I have two as of the last few months. The new one I feel is like a very faint bump or click or bubble? Almost like I need to cough. I can't describe it. I never notice a difference in my pulse like with the other "normal palpitation". The old palpitation can be just one or I can have four in a row. With the new one, it is only one, but I can have many throughout the day. I have never had any symptoms like shortness of breath, lightheadedness, pain, or anything. This problem is mainly annoying, but can be pretty alarming at times, which makes it all worse. Thank you for your input.
My comment is I wonder if I am better off doing some physical exercise like jog in place, stationary bike, go for a brisk walk while the tachy or palpitations are going on rather than sitting on the sofa wondering if I should go to the ER. As for the body, it seems like since the heart is pounding or racing it would good for it to exercise therefore direct the blood to the moving parts.
My worst enemies are work stress and way too much exercise all in one day. Or the combination of the two. Its the xanax that stops the palpatations for me but I don't like the idea of the substance being habit forming and I read in an earlier post, could cause heart irregularities! One doctor friend recommended taking it before bedtime because my palps only happen in the middle of the night - waking me up from sleep, which makes me wonder if sleep hormones as well as stress hormones are involved.
My worst enemies are work stress and way too much exercise all in one day. Or the combination of the two. Its the xanax that stops the palpatations for me but I don't like the idea of the substance being habit forming and I read in an earlier post, could cause heart irregularities! One doctor friend recommended taking it before bedtime because my palps only happen in the middle of the night - waking me up from sleep, which makes me wonder if sleep hormones as well as stress hormones are involved.
Hello,
What steps can I take to control my palpitations?
You can tell from reading the forum this a very common concern. Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do to decrease the frequency of these events. For normal people with normal labs, taking suppliments don't help either. Controlling stess may help decrease the intensity of the extra beats if not decrease the number of extra beats.
If you have a normal echo, ekg, and history and physical, there shouldn't be any exercise limitations for you. I would encourage you to stay working out and stay fit. It is always harder to get back into once your stop -- it is even harder as we get older.
I hope this helps.
What steps can I take to control my palpitations?
You can tell from reading the forum this a very common concern. Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do to decrease the frequency of these events. For normal people with normal labs, taking suppliments don't help either. Controlling stess may help decrease the intensity of the extra beats if not decrease the number of extra beats.
If you have a normal echo, ekg, and history and physical, there shouldn't be any exercise limitations for you. I would encourage you to stay working out and stay fit. It is always harder to get back into once your stop -- it is even harder as we get older.
I hope this helps.
When I have very frequent PVC's, like when I go into long runs of bigeminy I too feel exhausted. I've found that forcing myself to exercise even on the days when I feel like **** really does help in the long run. Other than that I think the only thing to do is find an understanding cardiologist who realizes that some people's palpitations can't just be ignored and together work on finding a medication that works for you. Here in Canada where I live they will also do abaltions for PVC's which are frequent and/or disruptive enough to warrant treatment with anti-arrythmics. I hope you find help for this annoying and disruptive problem.
licorice is dangerous when used in excess and can cause high blood pressure , heart failure and a host of other health problems, consult your doctor and get approval with a recommended amount before using such a remedy, i know a lady that had a stroke and died from high blood pressure caused by excessive licorice use. BE CAREFUL USING HERBAL REMEDIES without your doctors approval.
I was told by a naturopath friend of mine that some people experience an adrenaline rush while having episodes of pvc's. That is why they are so exhausting. You might try working on strengthening your adrenals. Licorice root is good or there are some combination formulas available at your local health store.Hope you feel better.
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