Aa
Skipped beats and nothing else
I know I've seen a ton of questions regarding PVCs, but I wanted to ask mine here as I couldn't find a 100% comparable post. I have no health insurance and am self-employed, so I'm hoping to avoid the doc's office.
About 4 days ago I had what I think was my first PVC. I drank a pomegranate carbonated drink (first time ever trying it) and suddenly I felt a weird feeling of not having a heartbeat. I checked my pulse, and sure enough I felt "beat beat beat beat (pause) BEAT." This happened about 5 times in a minute. Sometimes they happen as much as 20 times a minute, sometimes not at all. Usually after eating, when resting, or when lying on my back. Almost all at night, rarely in the day.
I have no headaches, no sensations anywhere else in my body, no pins and needs, no sweating, no aches anywhere. I feel fine and fit as a fiddle. I don't normally feel my heartbeat, but every once in a while I feel a LACK of heartbeat, then a strong beat, sometimes all fluttery feeling. Then that's it, business as usual.
I've tried not to stress since I saw that it is one of the leading causes. I stopped drinking caffeine. I haven't tried another pomegranate drink of course. But it's still happening. I'm not too worried except right before bed when you have those really dark thoughts just before you go to sleep...you know, the "what if I don't wake up" thoughts.
I sleep well though, wake up fine, think they're gone, only to have them return later in the day. Nothing else wrong, feeling great, just these annoying skipped beats.
Does it sound like a classic case of benign PVCs to you?
About 4 days ago I had what I think was my first PVC. I drank a pomegranate carbonated drink (first time ever trying it) and suddenly I felt a weird feeling of not having a heartbeat. I checked my pulse, and sure enough I felt "beat beat beat beat (pause) BEAT." This happened about 5 times in a minute. Sometimes they happen as much as 20 times a minute, sometimes not at all. Usually after eating, when resting, or when lying on my back. Almost all at night, rarely in the day.
I have no headaches, no sensations anywhere else in my body, no pins and needs, no sweating, no aches anywhere. I feel fine and fit as a fiddle. I don't normally feel my heartbeat, but every once in a while I feel a LACK of heartbeat, then a strong beat, sometimes all fluttery feeling. Then that's it, business as usual.
I've tried not to stress since I saw that it is one of the leading causes. I stopped drinking caffeine. I haven't tried another pomegranate drink of course. But it's still happening. I'm not too worried except right before bed when you have those really dark thoughts just before you go to sleep...you know, the "what if I don't wake up" thoughts.
I sleep well though, wake up fine, think they're gone, only to have them return later in the day. Nothing else wrong, feeling great, just these annoying skipped beats.
Does it sound like a classic case of benign PVCs to you?
Had to do a stress EKG yesterday (not related to PVCs or any heart problems -- just trying to ID what's been causing recurring back/abdominal pain).
After maybe going a week or more without a single PVC, when I was hooked up to the leads and seeing my heartbeat on the monitor, all of a sudden the PVCs start up. Not hard to conclude for me that stress contributes to a higher likelihood of PVCs. This EKG confirmed my PVCs are benign, not indicative of underlying heart problems. I bet that's the case for you too.
After maybe going a week or more without a single PVC, when I was hooked up to the leads and seeing my heartbeat on the monitor, all of a sudden the PVCs start up. Not hard to conclude for me that stress contributes to a higher likelihood of PVCs. This EKG confirmed my PVCs are benign, not indicative of underlying heart problems. I bet that's the case for you too.
I don't drink sodas, and the pomegranate drink had no caffeine, but I did drink about 3 cups of coffee daily. I have quit since my first PVC. I also smoke, which I have not quit, and I'm sure that makes the PVCs worse. I don't drink alcohol, which is good.
I will consider going to a doctor, I don't have a family doctor but I may do an urgent care facility. My pulse has not sped up or slowed at all, nor grown faint or too hard, it's just that damned pause, exactly one beat in length. You all know how it goes! =D
I will consider going to a doctor, I don't have a family doctor but I may do an urgent care facility. My pulse has not sped up or slowed at all, nor grown faint or too hard, it's just that damned pause, exactly one beat in length. You all know how it goes! =D
I agree with the other comments in terms of seeing a doctor about what's most likely a benign condition. I've had PVCs for years and over time they've gotten more frequent. I've had all the tests and the condition is benign, but because of the very high number of PVCs and the anxiety they produced, my Dr. put me on a beta blocker (Atenolol). This is a good news/bad news thing -- the med decreases the number of PVCs and does a wonderful job of lowering blood pressure, but does have some side effects.
I think PVCs are caused by caffeine, alcohol, stress, and some prescription meds. It's hard to get all of that out of your diet/life.
Your doctor can probably do a resting EKG in his/her office and put your mind at ease. It's worth the out-of-pocket expense just for peace of mind. Good luck!
I think PVCs are caused by caffeine, alcohol, stress, and some prescription meds. It's hard to get all of that out of your diet/life.
Your doctor can probably do a resting EKG in his/her office and put your mind at ease. It's worth the out-of-pocket expense just for peace of mind. Good luck!
It sounds like PVCs, but of course Artaud is right that it's best to see your doctor to be sure. :)
Was there caffeine in the pomegranate drink?
Was there caffeine in the pomegranate drink?
Hi,
It's always tempting to say, "sure, it's no problem, don't worry about them". But the problem is that no one can really say this without examining you directly. Of course, there is no one on this forum qualified to do examinations, so it leaves you with your Doctor as the place to go.
It is common for people to try to establish a link to the onset of their symptoms. I am not sure if pomegranate is implicated in arrhythmias, but there is the chance that the onset of your symptoms and the initial consumption of the pomegranate are only a coincidence.
Sure, PVCs are common in otherwise healthy people, but the best thing to do is to be examined by your Doctor to determine if yours are benign. I understand that you are not currently insured, but most people can afford a visit to their Family Doctor, and he/she may be able to assess the condition adequately to reassure you that all is well, even do an in-office EKG and rule out anything more serious.
This may not exactly be what you wanted to hear, but I think it is in your best interest to be examined.
Be well.
It's always tempting to say, "sure, it's no problem, don't worry about them". But the problem is that no one can really say this without examining you directly. Of course, there is no one on this forum qualified to do examinations, so it leaves you with your Doctor as the place to go.
It is common for people to try to establish a link to the onset of their symptoms. I am not sure if pomegranate is implicated in arrhythmias, but there is the chance that the onset of your symptoms and the initial consumption of the pomegranate are only a coincidence.
Sure, PVCs are common in otherwise healthy people, but the best thing to do is to be examined by your Doctor to determine if yours are benign. I understand that you are not currently insured, but most people can afford a visit to their Family Doctor, and he/she may be able to assess the condition adequately to reassure you that all is well, even do an in-office EKG and rule out anything more serious.
This may not exactly be what you wanted to hear, but I think it is in your best interest to be examined.
Be well.
Sounds like exactly what I have and I have been diagnosed with PVCs/PACs. I feel the skipped beats sometimes mostly at night when I am getting ready to go to sleep or when I am laying on the sofa watching TV. When I have a lot in a minute I can tell because I get a little teeny breathless feeling or fluttery.
I know I must have them through out the day and am learning to not stress over them at night... I have lost many a nights sleep working myself into anxiety worrying about them but after coming here and reading about everyone else here that has them I know I'm not alone.
The only way to tell if they are truly benign is to have a cardiac workup. In the meantime watch and see what triggers them.. I have not only cut out caffiene, but also alcohol.. chocolate and try not to eat a heavy meal in the evening.
Good Luck to you. :-)
Jerz
I know I must have them through out the day and am learning to not stress over them at night... I have lost many a nights sleep working myself into anxiety worrying about them but after coming here and reading about everyone else here that has them I know I'm not alone.
The only way to tell if they are truly benign is to have a cardiac workup. In the meantime watch and see what triggers them.. I have not only cut out caffiene, but also alcohol.. chocolate and try not to eat a heavy meal in the evening.
Good Luck to you. :-)
Jerz
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