Irregular heart beat

[Gogga123]

Good day -
Jan I went to my Gino for normal yearley follow up - I am 44 yr - hy accidently discovered that my heart beat is irregular.  Sent me for ECG and I also went for a heart sonar.  The ECG was 'normal' or the dr did not comment - he also did some blood tests, which was all normal.  The Sonar was also normal - the result from the sonar was 'Ventricular ectopic beats', but no problem in the structure of the heart  - so the dr prescribed Bilocor 5 mg and also MAG Sr - both for 3 months.  The meds lower my heart rate, but the 'missing beats' was still there.  I am of nature very stresses and get lots of panic attacks for years.  Can the missing beats be related to panic attacks - some times during the day, my heart is fine.  I sleep well, do not feal dizzy or any chest pains.  Just the fast heart rate and missing beats.  I am going to see the dr on Friday again.  I want to know what will the next step of treatment be?  What about a heart pacemaker.. when does that comes in?  Thank you.

[Gogga123]

Thank you for your replies.  I think I have thousands a day, but I think in the evening I tend to get calm en I do not think I have during the night - I am a good sleeper en relax when I sleep.  So I think during the day I have a lot of PVC's, but i slow down to the evening - so I think within a 24 hour period, it probably wouldnt be so much.  

[marlinspike]

Stress and anxiety definitely cause PVCs in many people or make them worse. Anxiety makes you release adrenaline which can cause palpitations, which makes you anxious, which releases adrenaline....it's a cycle of worry/palps/worry. Try the many free meditation sites and apps to help you relax. As said earlier, PVCs are mostly considered benign and drs don't seem to worry unless you have thousands every day. I have never heard of anyone with just PVCs needing a pacemaker.

[MichelleP_3811]

Stress will definitely make the extra beats worse so your best bet is to try and work on the stress.  Also watch stomach issues like acid reflux.  Pacemakers are only put in if the heart is not functioning well, a beat is not getting through.  Your heart is functioning fine and is structurally normal and you are not having  any disruptive symptoms that keep you from going about your life so your issue will likely be put in the benign not dangerous category.  Try to not worry and put them out of your mind and work on your stress.  Stress isn't good for your overall health. Take care.

[Gogga123]

Thanx for your answer.  Something else - although I was on medication, it seemed to me that my heart is very 'touchy' for my thoughts.  Meaning - when I feel the missing beats I get worried and it get worse, but when I relax and just think 'what will be will be' - I relax more and it gets better.  But easier said than done!  I was worried that the missing beats could be because of the hearts 'eletrical' system that does not work proper, because the dr that took the sonar, mentioned something about that.  Can someting wrong with the Sinus nodes alse be dected on the heart sonar or is thata a test on iets own?

[tom_h]

VEB's are commonly seen in just about everyone.  They are for the most part, benign and just a pain in the neck to deal with.  When VEB's reach into the 10, 15, 20,000 per day, physicians will begin to act upon them.  It's a good idea to be seen by a cardiologist and let him make the call.  But for now take comfort that you are not alone.  The majority of the posts on this forum concern PVC's and like.

[Gogga123]

Just testing...