Aa
PAC's/PVC's all day today. 14 years of this!
I've had skipped heartbeats since I was about 18. I'm now 32. Some days I hardly get any, other days I can get a good few. On rare occasions they can plague my day ... like today.
I get two different types: pacs and pvcs. I'm not sure which one is the worst, but there's one that feels like a horrible pause and a huge flip flop feeling. These are horrid! They are so unpredictable. I have one, and then I sit around anxious waiting for the next. Just when I think they've gone BOOM another one happens to knock me off my feet.
These are the skips that make you cough. Today I seem to be getting them more often when I take a deep breath, or bend over.
I smoke cigarettes. I noticed today I had a cigarette and a cup of tea and right away I got the horrible skips. They lasted about 30 minutes.
I decided to exercise (30 pull ups and 30 press ups). They went away. It's funny how I had non whilst exercising.
I had another smoke and a cup of a tea a couple hours later and like magic they returned!
At this point today I have decided to quit smoking and only drink water. No more alcohol either because I really can't deal with these.
But seriously, how can these not be dangerous? I don't get it. They feel awful. I never have any other pain during these episodes. Sometimes they can make me feel a little lightheaded when they happen but nothing major.
I'm curious does anyone else have the horrible skips that last all day? I'm talking about the ones that make you cough and feel physically nasty. Honestly, if you do you deserve a medal.
I'm not sure if my vitamins are low. I have noticed lip twitching more regular recently and other twitches that in my body. I haven't been eating properly the past couple of weeks due to losing my job and having to live on a tight budget. My Dad has also been diagnosed with terminal Cancer.
It could be stress/anxiety related but I don't feel stressed or anxious and todays bout seems to be caused by either tobacco or tea.
Can these skips kill a person or cause sudden death?
I've had tests in the past. Called ambulances and visited ER numerous times just to be told it's anxiety related. I do have an anxiety diagnosis but I'm taking no meds for it.
Any advice would be amazing.
I get two different types: pacs and pvcs. I'm not sure which one is the worst, but there's one that feels like a horrible pause and a huge flip flop feeling. These are horrid! They are so unpredictable. I have one, and then I sit around anxious waiting for the next. Just when I think they've gone BOOM another one happens to knock me off my feet.
These are the skips that make you cough. Today I seem to be getting them more often when I take a deep breath, or bend over.
I smoke cigarettes. I noticed today I had a cigarette and a cup of tea and right away I got the horrible skips. They lasted about 30 minutes.
I decided to exercise (30 pull ups and 30 press ups). They went away. It's funny how I had non whilst exercising.
I had another smoke and a cup of a tea a couple hours later and like magic they returned!
At this point today I have decided to quit smoking and only drink water. No more alcohol either because I really can't deal with these.
But seriously, how can these not be dangerous? I don't get it. They feel awful. I never have any other pain during these episodes. Sometimes they can make me feel a little lightheaded when they happen but nothing major.
I'm curious does anyone else have the horrible skips that last all day? I'm talking about the ones that make you cough and feel physically nasty. Honestly, if you do you deserve a medal.
I'm not sure if my vitamins are low. I have noticed lip twitching more regular recently and other twitches that in my body. I haven't been eating properly the past couple of weeks due to losing my job and having to live on a tight budget. My Dad has also been diagnosed with terminal Cancer.
It could be stress/anxiety related but I don't feel stressed or anxious and todays bout seems to be caused by either tobacco or tea.
Can these skips kill a person or cause sudden death?
I've had tests in the past. Called ambulances and visited ER numerous times just to be told it's anxiety related. I do have an anxiety diagnosis but I'm taking no meds for it.
Any advice would be amazing.
I will tell you from my personal experience; you have to deal with your mental wellness first. Up until 2 years ago I was a wreck (some days I still am) emotionally & mentally wrecked from dealing with life and health.
Stress and anxiety only make symptoms worse and it sounds like with your dad it may be adding to your anxiety/stress. I'm so sorry about your dad, my dad had Lymphoma and passed away back in 2010 which added to my stress and symptoms.
Have you tried anything to help with symptoms? meditation, exercise, therapy, meds etc can be beneficial to help cope with what's going on.
When my HR is lower esp resting, I notice a huge increase in how much I feel pvc's. PAC's not so much, they just get stuck in my throat and I can't catch my breath.
If it's any help, if you have a structurally normal heart, the chances of something happening is very slim and those beats are more of a nuisance than anything.
I've had so many arrhythmia's dr's are surprised I handle them as well as I do. No one believes with 54,000 pvc's daily that I was active - walking, running and keeping up with 4 kids and 2 businesses. I've lived with them so long (40 years) that I just ignore them for the most part. I had an ablation and ICD implanted for HOCM back in 2009 but I still have 10,000 - 15,000 pvc's and VT episodes.
I had to back away from everything health wise and medical related and find what worked for me to get my head on straight and work out the anxiety.
I did therapy, which was strange and I felt like I was complaining constantly. I also tried different meds, which worked pretty well (Lamictal - which takes caution using it), until I felt like I was in control a bit more of my emotions/mental health and now it's more of alternative therapy and meditation that works.
It's not going to be easy, but find what works for you and keep a journal of symptoms and feelings, that really helps a lot to put it into words.
oh ps. try no alcohol also, I can't remember the technical reasons but I'm sure someone with knowledge will know - something like it causes dehydration and makes your heart pump and work harder,
Stress and anxiety only make symptoms worse and it sounds like with your dad it may be adding to your anxiety/stress. I'm so sorry about your dad, my dad had Lymphoma and passed away back in 2010 which added to my stress and symptoms.
Have you tried anything to help with symptoms? meditation, exercise, therapy, meds etc can be beneficial to help cope with what's going on.
When my HR is lower esp resting, I notice a huge increase in how much I feel pvc's. PAC's not so much, they just get stuck in my throat and I can't catch my breath.
If it's any help, if you have a structurally normal heart, the chances of something happening is very slim and those beats are more of a nuisance than anything.
I've had so many arrhythmia's dr's are surprised I handle them as well as I do. No one believes with 54,000 pvc's daily that I was active - walking, running and keeping up with 4 kids and 2 businesses. I've lived with them so long (40 years) that I just ignore them for the most part. I had an ablation and ICD implanted for HOCM back in 2009 but I still have 10,000 - 15,000 pvc's and VT episodes.
I had to back away from everything health wise and medical related and find what worked for me to get my head on straight and work out the anxiety.
I did therapy, which was strange and I felt like I was complaining constantly. I also tried different meds, which worked pretty well (Lamictal - which takes caution using it), until I felt like I was in control a bit more of my emotions/mental health and now it's more of alternative therapy and meditation that works.
It's not going to be easy, but find what works for you and keep a journal of symptoms and feelings, that really helps a lot to put it into words.
oh ps. try no alcohol also, I can't remember the technical reasons but I'm sure someone with knowledge will know - something like it causes dehydration and makes your heart pump and work harder,
6 Comments
Thank you so much for the response.
When I read you had 54,000 a day my jaw dropped. 10,000 - 15,000 per day is still a heck of a lot. And ontop of that you managed to hold down life too.
Your comment has inspired me so much.
I don't know how many I get per day but based on the ones I can feel I'd say it's probably less than 50. But, there could be ones that I don't feel too.
I've never had a holter monitor to check. I have seen cardiologists though and ended up in ER numerous times. They always tell me it's anxiety. My doc gives me beta blockers but the side effects and the possible long term effects of using them has put me off. I haven't touched them since I was 21.
Can stress be present and unnoticed? My situation is stressful but I rarely feel the symptoms of physical stress. I try to push everything that's going on to the back of my head to forget about it otherwise I would be a wreck.
The alcohol is a no go now. I have to start putting health first and looking after my body. I've set up a business since losing my job doing software development on a freelance basis so I should be able to start eating better.
You mention dehydration, and I think you could be onto something there as I do not drink enough water/fluids. I'm going to log when I drink and see how much I actually drink per day. My doctor has said in the past dehydration can cause problems. Something to do with electrolytes if I recall correctly.
The journal idea is also fantastic so I'll keep one of those. At least if I end up in the doctors office again I can show him what's been happening.
I just worry one day this will develop into VT ... if it hasn't already. I do get runs of PACs/PVCs but I don't think the runs are significant as they're always very short lived.
I thought after 12 years they'd start to subside but I'm pretty much prepared to deal with these for the rest of my life now.
Sorry for the long response and many thanks for your comment. I appreciate it :)
When I read you had 54,000 a day my jaw dropped. 10,000 - 15,000 per day is still a heck of a lot. And ontop of that you managed to hold down life too.
Your comment has inspired me so much.
I don't know how many I get per day but based on the ones I can feel I'd say it's probably less than 50. But, there could be ones that I don't feel too.
I've never had a holter monitor to check. I have seen cardiologists though and ended up in ER numerous times. They always tell me it's anxiety. My doc gives me beta blockers but the side effects and the possible long term effects of using them has put me off. I haven't touched them since I was 21.
Can stress be present and unnoticed? My situation is stressful but I rarely feel the symptoms of physical stress. I try to push everything that's going on to the back of my head to forget about it otherwise I would be a wreck.
The alcohol is a no go now. I have to start putting health first and looking after my body. I've set up a business since losing my job doing software development on a freelance basis so I should be able to start eating better.
You mention dehydration, and I think you could be onto something there as I do not drink enough water/fluids. I'm going to log when I drink and see how much I actually drink per day. My doctor has said in the past dehydration can cause problems. Something to do with electrolytes if I recall correctly.
The journal idea is also fantastic so I'll keep one of those. At least if I end up in the doctors office again I can show him what's been happening.
I just worry one day this will develop into VT ... if it hasn't already. I do get runs of PACs/PVCs but I don't think the runs are significant as they're always very short lived.
I thought after 12 years they'd start to subside but I'm pretty much prepared to deal with these for the rest of my life now.
Sorry for the long response and many thanks for your comment. I appreciate it :)
you're welcome, it took me years to find something that worked for me.
I do still have breakthroughs and bad days. lately I've had to find a way to cope because my youngest daughter (14) has shown some severe signs also and Mon I'll find out if they're going to do emergency procedure and implant an ICD.
believe me when I say before 2 - 2 1/2 years ago I was a wreck, when I read some of the stuff I wrote it's embarrassing lol
I was a "normal" person going on about life then hit a brick wall health wise and I was confused, anxious all the time, angry at the world and no one understood, or so I thought.
I went through all kinds of dr's and medications and it took me a long time to find answers. Pushing things to the side is what I did also, you have to acknowledge emotions, feelings and deal with it and then forget it.
I know it's corny, but let it go and enjoy life instead, because the probability of something dangerous happening is a lot more likely say in a traffic accident.
yes stress can be unnoticed, what someone else deems stress your body or my body may or may not...it could be as simple as being stressed in traffic; which in some cities can cause ALOT of different symptoms, but yet someone like me who grew up with pretty severe symptoms I just got used to it and was told to ignore it.
2 /12 years ago I literally walked away from everything to do with my health. I filed my records in a box labelled it and did not go back to research or reply or anything.
Instead I started a counted cross stitch project LOL yes really...that's what my therapist told me to do; find a hobby and jump in with both feet and forgetaboutit...
To put your mind at ease, get your records look at the findings and ask a cardiologist outside the ER what it means. Then file it away.
If your heart if healthy, keep it healthy! My EP told me because I exercised regularly my heart was strong enough to handle when it stopped and VTach/VFib episodes happened.
Even a decent amount of VT; a normally structural heart can handle, I think it's the brain that can't handle them. Please do not get VT and Vtach confused, our hearts are amazing and different rhythms are to rebalance it from what we put it through.
I hope it helps and sincerely hope your father is healed.
~Lisa
I do still have breakthroughs and bad days. lately I've had to find a way to cope because my youngest daughter (14) has shown some severe signs also and Mon I'll find out if they're going to do emergency procedure and implant an ICD.
believe me when I say before 2 - 2 1/2 years ago I was a wreck, when I read some of the stuff I wrote it's embarrassing lol
I was a "normal" person going on about life then hit a brick wall health wise and I was confused, anxious all the time, angry at the world and no one understood, or so I thought.
I went through all kinds of dr's and medications and it took me a long time to find answers. Pushing things to the side is what I did also, you have to acknowledge emotions, feelings and deal with it and then forget it.
I know it's corny, but let it go and enjoy life instead, because the probability of something dangerous happening is a lot more likely say in a traffic accident.
yes stress can be unnoticed, what someone else deems stress your body or my body may or may not...it could be as simple as being stressed in traffic; which in some cities can cause ALOT of different symptoms, but yet someone like me who grew up with pretty severe symptoms I just got used to it and was told to ignore it.
2 /12 years ago I literally walked away from everything to do with my health. I filed my records in a box labelled it and did not go back to research or reply or anything.
Instead I started a counted cross stitch project LOL yes really...that's what my therapist told me to do; find a hobby and jump in with both feet and forgetaboutit...
To put your mind at ease, get your records look at the findings and ask a cardiologist outside the ER what it means. Then file it away.
If your heart if healthy, keep it healthy! My EP told me because I exercised regularly my heart was strong enough to handle when it stopped and VTach/VFib episodes happened.
Even a decent amount of VT; a normally structural heart can handle, I think it's the brain that can't handle them. Please do not get VT and Vtach confused, our hearts are amazing and different rhythms are to rebalance it from what we put it through.
I hope it helps and sincerely hope your father is healed.
~Lisa
What a thoughtful, intelligent response, Lisa!
thanks Achillea; I cant tell you how much this forum helped me back then. I'm glad I got help and now able to cope with my daughter going through exactly what I did.
Sorry I've not replied sooner. Some great advice there! Many thanks.
I haven't had any bad ones since posting this, except today out of the blue a very forceful one hit that made me jump up and instantly check my pulse (why do we do this lol!). I thought to myself ... I best check medhelp actually I forgot I posted there.
How's your daughter? I noticed you mentioned she had to go in for tests. Does she also have them?
I haven't had any bad ones since posting this, except today out of the blue a very forceful one hit that made me jump up and instantly check my pulse (why do we do this lol!). I thought to myself ... I best check medhelp actually I forgot I posted there.
How's your daughter? I noticed you mentioned she had to go in for tests. Does she also have them?
It may be the ones when your HR is lower that you feel it more, I know there's some technical reason (Where is ITdood? he was always good at explaining stuff).
I took my youngest daughter to a pediatric cards dr because her primary heard a murmur and freaked out when she heard I had HOCM and hadn't had our younger children tested for it.
There's a huge difference in doctor's attitude because cardiologists see everything and usually don't worry too much with most things.
Thankfully no thickening of the ventricles; just tachycardia and neurocardiogenic syncope/Orthostatic intolerance which is a pain and nuisance.
He actually explained about tachycardia being nothing serious except in a very small population of people. He said a few things like dehydration, electrolytes, and environmental things causes the majority of it.
Since she doesn't faint (Syncope) with exercise he wasn't too concerned just did testing to be safe.
He said what my dr's have said - VT with exercise & fainting would be a key factor in something serious.
She's 14 so I gave her the job of keeping a journal and the dr thought that was a great idea.
Hope you get some relief and keep that journal and have fun living life =)
I took my youngest daughter to a pediatric cards dr because her primary heard a murmur and freaked out when she heard I had HOCM and hadn't had our younger children tested for it.
There's a huge difference in doctor's attitude because cardiologists see everything and usually don't worry too much with most things.
Thankfully no thickening of the ventricles; just tachycardia and neurocardiogenic syncope/Orthostatic intolerance which is a pain and nuisance.
He actually explained about tachycardia being nothing serious except in a very small population of people. He said a few things like dehydration, electrolytes, and environmental things causes the majority of it.
Since she doesn't faint (Syncope) with exercise he wasn't too concerned just did testing to be safe.
He said what my dr's have said - VT with exercise & fainting would be a key factor in something serious.
She's 14 so I gave her the job of keeping a journal and the dr thought that was a great idea.
Hope you get some relief and keep that journal and have fun living life =)
Update. So I had some food shortly after posting this and walked down to the shop for nicotine patches. The shop was closed. I caved into cravings and had a cigarette and nothing happened.
My brother invited me for a family meal so I had some more food and a beer. He bought it for me. I explained I was ill and didn't want one but it came with food so I drank it slow.
Nothing happened. I had another cigarette and no PACs/PVCs.
This is really doing my head in now because I don't know what the hell caused them earlier today. They were vicious!
Tomorrow I'll be picking up my patches and kick this stupid smoking habit. I don't want to smoke after my Dad's Cancer diagnosis.
Any advice would still be greatly appreciated.
My brother invited me for a family meal so I had some more food and a beer. He bought it for me. I explained I was ill and didn't want one but it came with food so I drank it slow.
Nothing happened. I had another cigarette and no PACs/PVCs.
This is really doing my head in now because I don't know what the hell caused them earlier today. They were vicious!
Tomorrow I'll be picking up my patches and kick this stupid smoking habit. I don't want to smoke after my Dad's Cancer diagnosis.
Any advice would still be greatly appreciated.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
