Help with ongoing heart palpitations? I'm desperate

[tmiller123]

In July I went to sleep one night & as I was doing so got heart palps that I assumed would be absent by morning time little did I know they would be there the next day & three months later. At first they were constant (24/7 - no exaggeration) and were very rapid. Went to the Dr where two blood tests, CBC, EKG were all performed with normal results. I have no other symptoms other than random heart palps out of nowhere. I was severely underweight but have gained a significant amount since then & though my palps have gotten gradually better they aren't gone. Because of weight loss I lost my period & didn't have it for quite a few months. I've gained weight (& then some) but still have not gotten my period back & feel that I should have by now.  I have never done drugs, don't smoke & never have & only drink occasionally but since this occurrence my drinking has been reduced severely though I've discovered that drinking isn't the cause/nor does it make them worse. I used to drink a ridiculous amount of caffeine but have cut back since then & drink one cup now a day, a significant cut back. A few weeks ago I started taking Natural Calm, a magnesium supplement and idk if it works or not to be honest. Since July they have reduced gradually in their strength & frequency. Now I only experience them every morning after I eat without fail, doesn't matter what I eat or drink, they come. It gets worse if I go upstairs after eating breakfast but no other times. The only other time I can feel them is lying flat to go to sleep but they're significant less present than previously. I've been told this might be due to anxiety but I don't know what I'm stressed/anxious over...unless its just GAD, which I do know a thing or two about from studying psychology for yrs. I have no other symptoms as stated but I have suffered from frequent mouth ulcers for yrs now with no known cause. My dr. discovered I do have the herpes simplex virus 1, but there is no way to fix this ulcer issue. I think it's due to stress. I have started a new job this year as well as going to school, which I love so I can't see how that is hurting me. Now I really loathe going to school... I hate the uni I'm attending & am upset because I imagined it much differently than it is. I don't know what to do but I'm getting depressed about these palps..we're talking months now...that's no length of time anyone should have to spend suffering. Please help.

If I am stressed - I don't know what from and the only stressor I would entertain to blame is school. I absolutely hate the university im at and went from being an A average honor student in nearly immaculate standing on the deans list to having a standing coded as "academic warning." I am devastated for myself because of this and don't want to continue at the school im at but don't 100% want to leave either, so I'm stuck. I have stressors in my life but none that have ever caused me symptoms before.

[Jenn1302]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I get PVCs too and they can be really scary and horrible.

You mentioned that you lost your period when you were severely underweight and that it hasn't come back yet. This means that your estrogen levels may be still be low (your hormones may take a while to recover). Low estrogen can cause heart palpitations. Menopausal women often get them because they have low levels of estrogen (see http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hormone+replacement+therapy section:"Menopausal symptoms", third paragraph).

Have you had your estrogen levels checked? You may want to see a doctor about your period and see if they can help you get it back.

Also, have you had you electrolytes and thyroid checked? Electrolyte imbalances and thyroid problems can also cause heart palpitations. Thyroid problems can also cause Amenorrhoea (absence of periods) and extreme weight loss (you mentioned you were severely underweight).

[achillea]

You do not  mention how you came to be so underweight that your periods stopped, but *voluntary* and extreme restriction of calories can physically damage the heart.

The same thing occurs when people have diseases that basically starve them, such as Chrone's Disease or cancer-- but these are not voluntary.

Whatever the cause of your PVCs, take comfort in the fact that your tests show that your heart is still healthy.  In that setting, PVCs are considered annoying but benign.

Stress makes them worse, and since you seem to suffering from that, I would strongly suggest  a session or two with a counselor, because reducing anxiety will either reduce the number of PVCs--or your awareness of them.

[MichelleP_3811]

First and foremost a lot of people get this extra beats.  They are ectopic beats, pacs if they come from the atria and pvcs if they come from the ventricles.  Around 40% of the population get them to some degree or another.  Most don't notice them.  You unfortunately do.  But in an otherwise healthy heart they are not a threat to you.  GAD is very well a very big factor especially if you state they mostly happen after you eat.  I would work on the GAD and see if it help lessen them even more.  You may never be fully rid of them but the more you can do to lessen your triggers the better.  Caffeine in any amount can trigger mine as will stress and anxiety.  The worst thing you can do is worry and obsess about them.  That will make them worse.  Sometimes I find if I cough I can break them up if they have fallen into a pattern.  Getting active, your heart rate up, can help keep them at bay but do watch over exerting your heart which can irritate it and cause them to flare up more.  But basically do your best to power through them.  They are not a danger to you unless you have damage to your heart from previous heart disease.  So in general they are more of a nuisance than a threat.  Do not allow them to waylay you from your career.  Stay strong and keep us posted on how you are doing.  Take care.