theyre bacccck!

[Ihatepalps2]

Ive had palpitations for 20 years. Im a 48 yr old female..and have had every test (except angiogram)..A year ago I went thru everything..holter..echo...stress test...and ive even had the thallium stress test about 7 years ago. So ive had it all. Been to the ER once a few years ago. Everyone tells me the same. Stress related-benign...just ignore them. So..I have. And ya know what? Its been almost a YEAR since Ive had them. ( funny..they stopped right after I went through all that cardiac testing...hmmm...) anyways..today...wow. they are back. For you long time suffers like me, dont you just HATE when this happens?? They just reappear. Leaves me wondering...why? what did I do? I mean, I have almost zero caffeine...I know all the things to avoid, and I do.
So...Im thinking...why today?
I do have a TON of stress...but I always have that. I wonder tho...over just this past weekend, we ate out...and all was fine. In the night, I woke and felt very ill.. I think now maybe food poisoning...a mild case, although I ate what everyone else was eating...but i had diarhea throught out the entire weekend-even as recent as yesterday morning. Saturday I was just weak, and a bit nauseated and did not eat a thing, and did not drink much at all either. ( I think all weekend, I had about 8 oz of fluids...) I know, its wrong to do that. Im lucky I didnt get dehydrated...but I just didnt feel like drinking at all.
Im now getting back to normal, and am really getting myself re-hydrated. Im feeling much better, then, bam! The palpitations hit.
I wonder...could me being sick..and probably dehydrated a bit, cause the palpitations to start up?
Im sure everything in my body, electrolytes, etc, were all out of whack...

any thoughts on illness and palps? Do they have anything in common with eachother?
Thanks for any info!

[fe41]

Thank you so much, guys!  Reading your posts really helped ease my mind and I am more than glad I joined this Forum (I just joined 2 days ago).   Getting in touch with people who understand what I am going through and getting assurances and practical advice from them is really great! Your tips on how to relax will help not just me but any fellow sufferer who happens to read this. At present, I am taking Fish Oil and Magnesium supplement with the Beta Blocker (per doctor's advice) but I am definitely going to try the natural anti-stress and COQ10 supplements. No problem with exercise as I do one-hour brisk-walking almost everyday. Again, thank you very much for putting my mind at ease and for sharing things that helped you get rid of the PVCs.I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will also work for me. Jim, I am counting on that promise : )  Take care guys!

[Crickett559]

I dont get freaked out about these things anymore since my tests 4 years ago, but I dont exercise enough bc Iam afriad the fast heart beat will make them skip, but just this week, I have had enough. My heart is lazy, my body is lazy and I need to stop lying to myself about this condition. I go to my cardo next month for the halter again and if it comes out ok again, then Iam going to get off all these chemical med's and try the more natural things, Iam sick of my bp running 105/62, I have no energy. If, I dont take control of my heart, its going to control me and I think Iam the boss here. Thanks for your advise everyone, I know we all suffer the same thing, but it doesnt have to be the end of us. Good luck everyone.

[beaudoinj]

I totally understand what you are going through, I had my first experience with irreg. heart palps this winter in the midst of the holidays, my daughter's 16th birthday, and a vacation trip all in one month. I am also an artist and was illustrating two books which I am still so pumped and excited about!! I went to the ER because I was scared about the palps and was feeling panicky. They ran every possible test on my heart from CT, bubble test, EKG, x-rays, stress test, blood work, every thing came out normal. I am in normal weight range for my height and age, I exercise daily and take no medications other than multi and calcium. They put me on low dose Atenelol and asperin a day therapy. Not being a pill taker and a health nut, I researched other healthy options. Being that my palps were said to be stress related, I was in denial for a couple months but have now came to terms that it was in fact an anxiety attack that I experienced. Even though I am known to be the calmest person, I had experienced anxiety. Your body is controlled by many chemicals, in my case the brain was releasing more than normal adrenalin which is exactly what it felt like when I was experiencing the palps, then panic sets in and that of course does not help the situation, blood pressure goes up and the heart races faster putting you into an attack. Very scary! I have learned through many visits with the doctors, research on line, etc. that anyone can have their chemicals go haywire, if chemicals are off in our body then the littlest bit of excitement can cause heart palps and even irregular heartbeat. It is a biological normality and common to both male and females alike. Often doctors can pinpoint the cause, but there is many that the doctors chalk up to 'unknown' cause. My doctor admitted that he himself went through Atrial Fibulation during his last year of med school while under stress. He gave me tips on how to best control and I will share this with you. We all experience day to day stress and anxiety, take 45min to an hour to find a place to relax, yoga, stretch, whatever makes you calm and happy, I watched old B/W comidies on my mini DVD player, hee!. He also said it is VERY important to walk/run daily, exercise your heart muscle and keep it strong. Practice a healthy diet. Take Omegas and CoQ10, and get your daily intake of magnesium and potassium. When taken on a daily bases whether by food or supplements, can stop palps in their tracks. I find that if I get that sensation of anxiety or stress, I immediately have a glass of orange juice or a banana. With my experience personally, I can now sense that feeling of stress where before I took it for granted. As soon as I sense my heart race a little under stress, I stop what I'm doing and switch tasks, take a breather, get some fresh air and the feeling will subside. I also notice that drinking chamomile tea will help relax the body. Also places like GNC sell natural anti-stress tabs that contain chamomile and other ingredients are extremely helpful. I have always taken myself for being Super Wife, Mom, etc and denied that stress happens to me, but I have learned that we must be kind to our hearts and minds and take time to rest. Don't worry, if all your tests are showing normal results, it can very well be that your heart is telling you to take a break,  and make time for you. I hope this helps a bit, I haven't had a palp attack since Dec., I think (knock on wood) I have realized the things that cause me stress, my daily 1hr. walk and intake of Omega's, CoQ10, and getting magnesium and potassium in my foods help  tremendously! I wish everyone the very best :o)

[Jim12345450]

Fe419, just know your not alone. I started getting them a little over a year ago as well. I was getting 10-30 a day because I could not sleep because of my college roommates were playing video games all night. After a constant week of them, they finally stopped and I only got some random ones here and there for the next year. This week they sprung up again. I might be a little stressed and I had one bad night of sleep but I didnt think that was enough to trigger them. If it helps, Im 190 lbs, single digit body % and I work out everyday. I have been an athlete all my life and I am still in the best shape of my life. The only supplements I take are protein and a multivitamin, fish oil. I watch everything I put in my body and stay away from red meat and eat tons of fruits, veggies, and lean chicken.  God has made me perfectly healthy....and I still get these as well. There might never be a cure, but just know your not alone...millions of people get them. I have always been a bit anxious so that is probably why I get them. Your heart is not going to just stop, its the strongest muscle/organ in your body. When I get them, it sends a rush to my head and gives me some naseau sometimes because I still freak out like everyone does occasionally. Just be calm and know your going to be alright and they will go away with time :) I promise.

[fe41]

Hi there! I am in the same boat you are in. I began to have PVCs a year ago. Although they came only a few times a day it scared me so much I saw a cardiologist at once. My EKG and Echocardiogram were normal and my doctor assured me I was okay. As soon as I learned there was nothing wrong with me, the PVCs went away and I never had a single episode for months. Then during the Holidays, they came back with a vengeance. They were so frequent (5 times/minute) and I was so scared I rushed to my doctor, thinking I would be having a heart attack or stroke anytime and die. I did not know why the PVCs suddenly came back. I wasn't stressed, I am not a coffee drinker and I have no problem with my digestive system. I exercise regularly and eat healthy food but still, they came back. I must tell you, last year was the worst Christmas and New Year for me. I never got the chance to enjoy the Holidays with my family because just sat at my Lazy Boy the whole time and felt my heart thumping and missing beats. These PVCs can really ruin your day! My doctor put me on Beta Blocker but it does not seem to help as I still get the PVCs everyday. There were times when I just ignore them but there were times when I get scared especially when they are so frequent. Right now, as I sat typing this, my heart is thumping and skipping beats! A few hours ago, I hardly felt them but now, they are are so frequent and I feel every single one of them. I wonder what I just did that brought them on.
As Crickett 559 said, I too am wishing someone can pinpoint the exact causes and cure for this bothersome ailment so that we sufferers can all enjoy the rest of our lives PVC-free. Take care.

[Crickett559]

Any kind of stomach issues, make my PVC's alot worse. I too have suffered for years with them and HATE them worse than mentapause. Currently Iam going thru a bad run of them now, and nothing is helping. I too avoid all the triggers known to us sufferers but still they bother the **** out of me. There has to be a reason, a cause, something that some genius doctor out there can pin point. Ever wonder that?