Heart Beating

[nataliew2]

I hope someone can help. My past history is MVP since teenager, i'm 43 now. Past 3 years have had episodes of SVT and been on Atenolol for 1 year. I was sick with a cold for about a week and since then, for about a week , my heart has been doing a hard beat. It beats regular and then there is a hard beat with a slight pause and then beats regular again. It will do it sometimes every 5 min to every couple of hours. Sometimes takes my breath away ( or feels like it anyway) Is this a PAC? or a PVC? Should i see my doctor about it? I was taking 1/2 a 25mg Atenolol a day but since this started taking 25mg in the morning but by evening time it seems to wear off.
Thanks for any advice,
Natalie

[Zachs]

There are so many here that understand.  It is very comforting to know that all of them are here as well.  At the bottom of all threads, and even your topic that you started, you will find related posts from many members with similar questions.  You can spend hours reading them, and I may suggest you read them.  It is very relaxing and soothing to the mind, and it takes you away from the sensations of your heart beating or skipping.  Sleep tight... Zach

[nataliew2]

Thanks so much. It helps to know that someone else understands. I will try to relax but its just about impossible, :)

[Zachs]

Natalie:  I'm 32 years old and experience the same sensations you do. They can take my breath away too sometimes.   From experience what you're describing are referenced at PVCs,  Premature Ventricular Contractions.  This is where the lower chambers of the heart, usually the right, will beat too soon. The heart will reset or pause and wait for the upper chambers to refill, and continue a normal rhythm.  Sometimes natural resetting will cause a more forceful beat before a normal rhythm is sustained. These can be very scary.  From my experience with them, they seem to come more often when I'm worried when the next one is going to happen, and of course it makes the situation more than what it should be. I have found to lay flat in bed or on the couch and relax and occupy myself with something other than concentrating on how my heart is functioning.  Hope this helps for you. Zach