what steps do I take to control palpitations

[heartbeatskipper]

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.

[flipflopgirl]

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.

[Aruba417]

I've just been recently "released" from seeing my cardiologist for palpitations and chest pain. I had all the cardio tests, including a holter monitor, and everything came back perfectly normal. He suggested that I try taking Fish Oil (yuck) or a combination vitamin of potassium/magnesium/zinc to help control the palpitations. I'm only 24 and my doc said my palpitations are benign and nothing to worry about.

[dquenzer]

There are two ways to approach PAC's and PVC's.  
1.  Try to find the "cure".
2.  Live with them.

The latter is preferable, because the "cure" is elusive.

As the old saying goes:
1)  Stay away from caffiene
2)  Reduce stress
3)  Get adequate sleep.
4)  Eat healthy
5)  Exercise
6)  Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.

These may reduce frequency but will not eliminate them completely.

The biggest factor is psychological
1)  Don't let them control your life because THEY ARE NOT
LIFE THREATENING.
2)  Learn to ignore them.  I say "learn" because this takes time.  Some do better than others.  One thing is that you stopped exercising because of them.  I did the same thing to my fault.  I should have just worked through them right from the beginning. I'd have been just fine, because I actually did get to the point where I ignored them.

I actually don't have them much anymore.  They tend to go in waves.  But as a fellow sufferer I understand your dilemna.  But LEARNING TO LIVE WITH THEM will be far less frustrating than trying to find a "cure."  

Don't get stressed about your stress, and don't get stressed because of "skipped beats" which becomes a vicious circle.

[heartbeatskipper]

Thank you everyone for your comments and advice.  It looks as though I have let these evil palpitations control my life, which is bad.  I will definitely try to ignore them as best I can and begin working out again (was supposed to tonight, but I too tired, worked late).  I'm happy to know that I am not alone with this and that there are people out there who know how I feel.  I have known all along that they are not life threatening, but sometimes when a bad spell happens it can really freak me out and cause me to forget their harmlessness, which of course makes everything worse.  I need to develop some type of protocol to help me get through them when they occur.  I do hope getting back to running will help them diminish even further like after I quit drinking coffee.  Thanks again.

By the way, I am so happy I found this forum, it rocks!

[astros18]

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.

[tickertock]

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.