Just wanted to give a quick background about my experience with PVC's so that perhaps some of you will recognize your own experiences.
When I was about 15 or 16, I started experiencing weird sensations, which I think were the beginning of the skipped beats, but I wasn't quite sure what it was or how to describe it accurately. I do remember having some sleepless nights where I would feel myself being "jolted" awake just as I was dozing off to sleep, which I now experience more frequently and more forcefully. Unfortunately, those were the days before we all had the internet and I had never heard about PVC's. However, my doctor at the time sent me for an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) and the result came back as "mild change." The cardiologist I was referred to diagnosed me with a mild and benign heart murmur (which is still detectable today, at age 30), but nothing more. I suppose he couldn't diagnose PVC's at the time because I wasn't having them all the time like I am now and I never went with the Holter monitor.
Throughout the years, I would experience skipped beats. On a bad day, I would maybe get 5-10, but I don't recall having multiple ones until much later. I always attributed it to the heart murmur, still not realizing exactly what it was. As they got worse, I began to worry that perhaps I had a valve problem related to the murmur. They were sometimes a bit scary, but didn't seem to cause any major problems and so I ignored them pretty well.
At age 26, I suddenly noticed a big change. I was having multiple skipped beats, perhaps 5-10 after another, occasionally at night as well. As well, they were generally much more frequent than before. At that time, I was noticing probably 50-100 per day. I went to my GP, who referred me to a cardiologist and so I went with the Holter monitor for the first time. The monitor picked up many of the PVC's, including at night. The cardiologist performed an EKG and echocardiogram and both came back normal. I had no structural problem with my heart. She assured me that PVC's are very common and although they feel dangerous, they aren't. At least not in my case. She said there were medications to control them, but didn't recommend them for me. I agreed and so I went away feeling relieved to have a clean bill of health. I continued to have frequent PVC's, but just accepted that I had to live with them.
Now I'm 30 and this past spring, I experienced another spike in the frequency of my PVC's. It was to the point where it was out of control. I was getting probably 300-400+ per day, plus they were keeping me up literally all night. I was getting multiples at night of 20+ and was often getting the sensation of my heart stopping, which would jolt me awake. I was exhausted, stressed, and went back to the doctor contemplating medication to supress the PVC's.
So after another round of the Holter monitor, EKG, echocardiogram, spirometer test, everything is status quo. I have a clean bill of health, even though the PVC's are at times extreme. I decided against taking beta blockers because the doctor said I would probably notice decreased performance while running (which I like to do). Again, I was explicitly told to NOT stop exercising. I find that running can actually help to get my heart back into its normal rhythm, even though I occasionally notice an increase in PVC's hours after a run.
The cardiologist said that many notice that their PVC's get worse after drinking coffee or anything with caffeine (I don't) and alcohol (I don't). I even gave up chocolate (which I love) for a few weeks to see whether it would help, but I didn't notice any difference. I do notice that stress is a big factor for me, as well as fatigue or not eating properly. However, the PVC's are often at their worst when I'm happy, relaxed, and rested. So they often occur without explanation.
So that's my story. My PVC's have certainly gotten worse the older I've gotten (some days probably 500+), but I continue to manage without medication. Still, though, it can be very scary and stressful to have PVC's and I find that I never quite get used to them.
111 comments:
Hi Claudia,
I am 38 and started ectopic heartbeats last spring during a high stress time. After a normal holter test, I started taking magnesium/calcium supplements and the ectopic beats pretty much stopped. Last week they came back full force! I upped the supplements, and stopped drinking coffee(I only had one cup a day) and they are still pretty frequent, I'll go ten minutes getting one every 20 seconds, then they will taper to every ten minutes, and fluctuate. It is driving me nuts! I'll glad to have found your blog/facebook. I'll check it often, but I need to sign up for a google account. Thanks, Jen
Hi Jen, welcome to my blog! I'm hoping that more and more people will find it so that we can get more of a discussion going.
The frequency of your PVC's sounds pretty normal. Super annoying though, I know! On bad days I will probably have 3 or 4 per minute, some of them stronger than others. Sometimes they're kind of "weak" and aren't so scary.
Stress is the main culprit, at least for myself. It's important, though, to break the cycle of getting stressed out because of them, otherwise they tend to get worse.
Thanks! I agree stress makes it worse. I started taking magnesium and thought is helped for a few weeks, but started with an another episode yesterday. Do they seem worse at all before your period? -Jen
Jen,
It's hard for me to say whether there's any real connection to PVC's and my cycle, at least for me personally. Sometimes it certainly seems so, but other times I can get bad PVC episodes at totally opposite times of the month. I think that, at least for me, it's coincidental. However, sometimes I get really bad cramps and, when I have a really bad period, even hot flashes and nausea. When it gets that bad, I get more PVC's, so that's probably not just a coincidence.
I had been doing really well lately until I just started with another bad PVC episode last week. I worked a lot over the holidays and I think it tired me out. Sometimes that's all it takes to trigger an episode and I had a couple of sleepless nights, which gets me into a vicious cycle. So I started on magnesium a couple of days and will see how it goes. I feel a bit better today, but I'm still having quite a few PVC's. I may up the dose on the magnesium (I started with 1 a day, I can take up to 2). I'm not sure how long it will take to notice a difference if it does indeed help me.
Thanks Claudia,
Hope you are feeling better. I take one magnesium a day (400mg). Do you know the total mg's a person should take a day? I also started fish oil capsules. I used to take on a regular basis, but stopped about a year ago. I wish I knew a magic cure, it is soo annoying. Even though doctors say it's normal, it is still scary. I head back to work tomorrow after 12 days off. -Jen
Yes, it's always scary. I never quite get used to it, even after all these years. I just have to trust in all my doctors. I've certainly been well-examined and if it hasn't killed me yet, then it can't be as dangerous as it feels.
My magnesium tablets are 300 mg and the dosage is 1-2 per day. I have a friend who is a dietician and he recommended magnesium in powder form, but I could only find it in pill form. Magnesium is a water-soluble vitamin, like vitamin C, which means that if you get too much, your body will get rid of the excess via urine. But I wouldn't take any more than the recommended dosage, just to be safe.
Yesterday I upped the dosage from 1 to 2 pills, just to see if that helps. At the moment I'm not feeling too bad. I had some bad skips last night, but not like the previous nights.
Do you take magnesium with calcium or by itself? Sometimes I find if I lay on my right side the pvc's will quiet down for a while. Do you notice this? I am going back to the doctor tomorrow. I have done a holter but that is it.-Jen
My calcium supplement does contain magnesium, but I think it's a small dose. It doesn't say exactly. So that's why I decided to start taking it separately.
I've been on the magnesium for 4 days now. I can't really say that I've noticed a huge difference. They've still been bad at night, though perhaps not as intense as they were last week.
I do find that changing positions can help. This is normal. For me, it's strange, but I sometimes feel more relief on my left side. But most people that I've read seem to say the opposite. Also, when the PVC's are bad and I've just woken up from a deep sleep -- especially if I have to get up to go to the bathroom -- once I get back into bed, sometimes my heart will not regain its normal rhythm until I switch sides or sit up. It was really scary the first few times it happened, because I would get perhaps 20-30 irregular beats in a row. But if I sit up or flip over, it usually corrects itself almost immediately. This may happen several times a night.
have you guys tried L-Carnitine, I used to take 1 500mg dose per day for months and i only had 1 in a whole month. I stopped taking it for no reason, and they have come back. I get anywhere from no palpitations to 20 a day. I pretty much get them Every time I run. I enlisted in the military, so I have to run. They don't bother me too much when they just happen when I'm hanging around, but while I'm exercising they freak me out a bit. I'm worried I'm gonna just drop dead at basic though because of these things. Do you get them when you run, or just after you're done running? I went for an ultrasound of my heart and everything structurally was normal. The holter said I was fine but that one day i don't recall having any palpitations. I'm going back to the doctor Monday. My mom used to get them A lot too. She also has an abnormal heart beat and hole in her heart. She takes a bunch of supplements and she rarely suffers from them any more. She takes zinc, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, fish oil, Hawthorne, and a ton of other stuff. Do you guys get them when you run? I Especially get them when I take a deep breathe in and when I start cooling down after my 2 mile run. Try the L-Carnitine for a month and see if that helps. Most of these supplements won't work overnight, you need to take them consistently. Give each new supplement about a month before you give up and say it doesn't work. I only take 500 mg of magnesium every night before I go to sleep. My mom takes a full gram.
-Milton
Milton, I've never tried the L-Caritine. I don't think I've ever heard of it. Sounds like it's worked well for you, though.
Good to know about supplements taking time. I'll continue with the magnesium for at least a few more weeks before I make a judgment on it.
I have had PVC's while running, but usually not many. There have been a few times where I've had several during a run and it freaked me out so bad that I had to stop. During the summer, when I was having extremely frequent PVC's, my only relief seemed to be while I was exercising (running, biking), but afterwards once I cooled down, they would start and they would be bad! No doubt that stress was also a factor, though, because it was getting to the point that I was obsessing about them.
I get PVC's every day of my life, whether it's a good day or a bad day. On a good day, they are relatively few (maybe 10-20) and are weak (I feel them, but they don't feel so intense). On bad days I've probably been around 500+ and they're really intense.
Good that you're going back to the doctor. I bet that you will be given a clean bill of health, just like I was, but hearing it from the experts will put your mind at ease. It did for me. My cardiologist took the time to do a very thorough exam (along with the Holter for 24 hrs, I had an echocardiogram, EKG, and stress test done) and answer all my questions. I also decided to really do something about my anxiety issues and that has also been a big help.
Hopefully they will hook you up to the Holter again so that they can actually catch the PVC's this time. It's such a pain when you're having a good day when you go to the doctor. Last time I had the Holter hooked up, I had way fewer PVC's than I am now. But still, it caught about 200 of them, more than I thought I had! Many of those were probably in my sleep.
Let us know how your appt. goes on Monday!
Well, I saw the doctor today, and really went over my holter. I had about 420 pvc's the day of my holter...but they are not really concerned. Considered putting me on a beta blocker for the PVC's and elevated blood pressure. I declined for now and I'll try to lower BP on my own. I really should lose 10 pounds, and exercise more. Of course, it is probably up because I'm freaked about my heart! :) I will look into l-carnitine. I have started fish oil capsules,as well. Have you ever taken a beta-blocker? Oh well, one day at a time. Can't wait for Friday night, my favorite time of the week. Good Luck with Basics, Milton. It's an awesome thing for you to do. -Jen
I also decided against beta blockers. I figured that the risks and possible side-effects outweighed the potential benefit. And it's no guarantee that they will even help PVC's. Some notice no difference in their frequency, even though the heartbeat is "surpressed" in a way. My doctor advised me to not start on beta blockers, especially because of my age (only 30) and he said I would certainly notice when working out that I would have a reduced performance than that which I'm used to. In other words, I probably wouldn't be able to run like I'm used to because the beta blockers would "block" my heart rate. I guess that means that I would get tired faster. My blood pressure is a little on the low side, so it wasn't a concern.
I'm optimistic you'll be able to lower your blood pressure by exercise and diet. I cut out meat a couple of years ago (for ethical reasons), but it feels good. I feel "lighter" somehow. I eat fish once or twice a week.
PS: 420 PVC's is probably around what I'm getting these days. Don't be concerned about the number. My cardiologist told of patients who have 10,000+ per day! And still they're in no danger.
HI, everyone! I can't tell you how glad I am to have found this blog. I have PVCs also; my heart rate increases usually; sometimes I'll have a bad day where it always feels "off" and then I'll go for days with none. Despite clear tests over the last two years (eKg,stress test, echocardiogram, and recently a holter...on a good day of course) they still bother me and I get upset. I really find your comments so comforting.
Thanks!
Glad you found us, Anonymous!
If you're on Facebook, make sure to join our group here.
Hello everyone,
I finally went to the doctor again for a follow up after nearly 2 months about my results. My heart is structurally normal along with my holter. The Holter caught ONLY 4 pvc's which he said were normal and benign.
I haven't had a test done relating to exercise, but he told me that he wouldn't worry even if I got up and ran 10 miles on the spot. My heart rate was always in between 70 and 80 beats with only the 4 pvc's during the holter.
He also said when I complained of feeling a palpitation nothing was happening electrically, and that it may just be a sensation I feel due to many things. One such possibly could be that i just feel it in the wall of my chest or its a slightly more forceful beat, whatever the problem is I'm not worried.
I feel for all you that have much worse symptoms than me, as I find having just a few of these things can make my day miserable, although I have learned to let go for the most part. Just try to relax, and eat healthy. Good luck to everyone and hang in there.
My doctor used to run in marathon's and experienced palpitations as well so it's much easier to believe him as he's experienced this garbage as well. His palpitations just stopped at a later age of around 24 and began at 19.
-Milton
Milton, that's great news that you've been given a clean bill of health. Thanks for letting us know! :)
Just a note to check in. In response to some of the previous comments, I've noticed that even one cup of caffeinated coffee can cause a few PVCs. Chocolate and diet pepsi/coke can also do it. I've pretty much cut out all caffeinated beverages as it's just not worth it.
My sister and my mom both have/had atrial fibrillation...I'm kind of worried about this, as my sister suffered from PVCs long before she was diagnosed with AF. Any comments out there? My doctor says they MAY be a harbinger of AF, but not necessarily.
Thanks.
Pat (formerly Anonymous).
Hi Pat,
When I was at the cardiologist last time for my PVC's, I asked him whether I am at any higher risk for developing a more dangerous arrythmia because I have PVC's. Although he didn't rule it out completely, he assured me it was very unlikely.
In your case, is it purely coincidental that your mom and sister have both had AF? Is it perhaps hereditary?
As far as PVC's are concerned, as far as I know they are not hereditary. I've never read that they are and no one on either side of my family (big family) has ever reported having PVC's. However, PVC's are very common, I've read statistics of up to about 40% of adults have had them or get them, but many do not notice them.
Hi, Claudia
Found out that atrial fibrillation does run in families...so maybe I'll end up with it, but maybe not, of course!
Thanks to this blog, I'm getting much more comfortable with the PVCs and feeling less worried.
pat
Hi im glad I found this page, Im 24 I have had ectopic heartbeats (PACS) for 2 years now but over the past 5 months I have een getting breathless constantly and today i have aout 8 really fast beats in a row whilst excersizing im so scared that it will cause me to go into cariac arrest espes while excersizing, its really depressing me!
Liz xxx
Hi Liz!
Glad that you found us!
Are you experiencing a racing heartbeat or just irregular (like extra beats or skipping a beat)?
Have you been to a cardiologist?
If you're on Facebook, make sure to check out our group. You can find the link under the link list on the right hand side of this blog.
Hello,
I have just been diagnosed with pvc's. I ended up in the ER a few Saturdays ago with many skipped beats. It seemed non-stop!!! They did an EKG, which was fine and I was hooked to a monitor for about 6 hrs. I actually had them for years in singles but never really paid much attention to them. I had gone out to dinner and had about 4 non-alcoholic iced teas, by about 2 am I was a total mess!!!! The ER sent me on my way with a follow up with my PCP. They did a 24 hr holter which of course I only had about 3 pvc's. A cardiologist reviewed it and said I was fine. A week later I had another bad night with back to back pvc's. Not sure if any of you had experienced this before but I had had chinese food and thought maybe it was the msg. I called my PCP the next morning freaking out really just wanting to know if I should be concerned about several in a row. I was very disappointed when the nurse called me back saying they wanted to put me on a beta blocker. I was not fishing for meds I just want a doc to sit with me and answer my questions concerning my heart!!! I really am going to try to control this on my own and hope that I don't drop dead!!!! I was so glad to find this blog, a true relief to not be alone!!! I am just trying to stay calm and in control. I find it very hard to stay still when I am having them, otherwise I just sit there and totally freak out. So on the bright side, my house is clean, my laundry is done, coupons clipped and many other thing!
Missy
Hi Missy,
Glad that you found us!
I have read that some people do find that MSG can give them more PVC's. Could be coincidence, but there could be a genuine link for you. Sometimes the only way to find out is to do it again and see what happens.
I find it extremely surprising that they wanted to put you on a beta blocker right off the bat. I have many, many multiples -- especially at night -- and my cardiologist is aware of it. Still, he did not see the need to put me on a beta blocker. Beta blockers carry some risk and many with PVC's find that they don't even help because although they suppress the heartbeat, they don't necessarily do a good job of preventing PVC's. It sounds to me that that doctor was just trying to get rid of you, like he thought that if he just gave you a beta blocker off the bat, then you'd be satisfied. Even if you're having hundreds of them per day (like me sometimes), a beta blocker may not be the best answer. It's something you'd have to discuss with a good doctor that will take the time to give you a thorough exam and answer your questions.
I totally agree that they were giving me the meds to try to get rid of me too. The best part is in my practice I actually see a Physician's Assistant, not even an MD. Not to discredit her, but I really don't want a PA treating me for a heart concern. She never even spoke to me about triggers other than caffeine or being dehydrated or the other obvious deficiencies. Her first answer was the beta-blocker. I think I am going to push to see a cardiologist. I really do feel that it is just PVC's but I do have high bp and would feel a little more confident hearing it from a cardiologist. Thanks so much for your response!!! : )
Missy
Absolutely, you should push to see a cardiologist. Not only will it put your mind at ease when you almost certainly get a clean bill of health from a heart specialist, but it's important to rule out any underlying heart abnormalities that could be causing the PVC's. So even though they're almost always benign, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Let us know how it goes!
Hi folks,
Good to read from fellow sufferers. Very similar story from me too. I had frequent ectopic beats for several months a couple of years ago. I went to the GP and although I didn't have any ECG type tests, he reassured me that it was quite common and likely to be harmless. He prescribed me beater blockers which he said to use only if the ectopic beats were particularly strong. I did this and although they helped temporarily I did not want to continue their use so stopped. I agree that high stress will bring it on and there seems to be a connection with physical activity too. The whole thing stopped for a couple of years and I have not been able to say why, but they have all of a sudden started back up again - hence me finding this site. This reoccurrence seems to be just as I have decided to get back into shape, doing a lot of cycling. Also, because I have been training hard, I have started to use vitamin supplements and cod liver oil. Funnily enough I wondered a couple of years back whether the vitamins or cod liver oil could be bringing it on, so I think I may try without for a while to see. This seems to be at odds with what others are finding by the use of calcium etc as a treatment, but I'll report back if I find anything useful happenning.
Jeff.
Hi Jeff. Glad you found us. It'll be interesting to hear whether you find any connection between the supplements and recurrence of your PVC's. Keep us updated!
Hi to you all.
So glad to find people who suffer from what can be a debilitating condition.
I've had ectopic beats since my teens (I'm now 43). They have restricted my life for some time - there are certain things that I won't do like travel. As I live on an island this is a distinct problem!
Usually I've had a few missed beats in a day but only really found out what they were in the last 10 years. I HATE them. Nearly 2 weeks ago I was under a lot of pressure and they started every few minutes. I've had them every day since, all day long, up to about 100 a day. I know that for some of you it's not a lot but for me it is. I went to A&E from work and was given an ECG. Of course I only got 1 that only the nurse saw. I was told to go home and make an appointment with my doctor. Since then I've been to 2 doctors who just look at me like I'm nuts to be so worried and upset by them. Yesterday I burst into tears and got so upset. I'm meant to be on holiday having a nice time for the next few days but am so upset. Couldn't get to sleep last night so this morning my heart is missing beats and racing as well. I feel so scared and alone. My family find it hard to understand what it's like and why I get so upset.
I'm waiting to have a 24 hour trace but from what I've read I have a horrible feeling that I'll just be told to suck it up and get on with it - not in those words obviously!
It's great to hear your stories and experiences as it makes me feel less of a freak!
Me again,
Been off the cod liver oil for a few days but no change so far, I suppose it could take a while if it was something like that so I'll continue and keep you posted. Having quite frequent ones now every few seconds as I write. Deb, I know it's easier said than done but don't worry so much - it'll make it worse, remember that stress brings it on so it becomes an ever increasing spiral.Go and have that holiday! I'm doing the London to Brighton cycle ride tomorrow which is 54 miles and I don't intend to do it slowly either (go to www.justgiving.com/jeffwoodall if you want to donate to BHF). Anyway folks I'll sign off and will be back soon (hopefully!)
Jeff.
I've already posted on this blog but want to say again how great it is and many thanks to claudia!
I'm on 2 weeks straight of PVC's. After the first initial week of being anxious and scared I started to feel better and just blow them off. Then last night at work they were BAD. I mentioned before but it was like a squeezing sensation or expanding almost felt like the blood rushing to my heart and then my chest hurt as well. I then panicked and I'm sure made it worse. I took a xanax and that did seem to at least shut down my anxiety which in turn relieved my symptoms. I just called my GP because I feel I need a full cardio assessment. I didn't have an echo or stress test. I had blood work, xray and EKG and those were all normal. It is so frustrating!
To Deb: I totally understand about people or family not getting it! It's infuriating! It's our heart for pete's sake! Last night when they were bad I too burst into tears and my coworkers were very supportive and soothing. Crying actually makes you feel better sometimes ;) It's important to find people who WILL be there and not get tired of listening to you when you need them to. It's scary! The people who can't be bothered are insensitive. I can't even talk to my best friend about them because she gets irritated! So find those people and keep them close. You will be FINE! We all will be. This group is a godsend!
Mary, I hope that you'll soon get over this latest bout of extreme PVC's. My bad bouts seem to last around 2 weeks, plus or minus a few days. At least that's what I've been finding the past year or so.
I think it's a good idea to get that echo and stress test done. I'm confident that they won't find anything wrong, but it will help put your mind at ease. I think it's essential for us to get a clean bill of health before we can legitimately tackle the anxiety. But once we DO get that clean bill of health, we have to tackle the anxiety and not keep looking to the doctor for answers -- unless of course we notice significant changes in our condition.
Hi Claudia
I am new to blogging so lets see how this goes. Thanks so much for the blogg/ website and for sharing your story. I have gained a lot of reassurance from reading the posts. I am 34 and probably a year and a half ago noticed an irregular heart beat. Panicked and went to A&E and was told I had an ectopic heart beat and that it would not kill me. Had a blood test and later a holter monitor which picked up over 300 ectopic beats. I was told to cut out caffeine and basically given a pat on the head and sent on my way. I also find it cyclical and at times am sure I must be giving 500 a day a nudge however do have some days where I do not notice any irregular beats. Gave up caffeine though it does not seem to have made a huge difference. Like others I think stress seem to play a role and I have also been caught in the vicious cycle of the more irregular beats the more stressed you become.Thanks again Chris
Welcome, Chris! Your story is very typical of PVC sufferers. The only caffeine I ever consume is in chocolate, but giving that up did not make any difference. My PVC's are just as bad with as without it. Even though most of us know that PVC's aren't going to kill us, we think it's important to support each other since you really have to feel them in order to understand just how scary it is. I'm going to do a new post here about that, so check it out.
I'm 49. I started having PVC's 10 days ago. Started out not too bad, a few skipped beats for a couple hours. Had palpitations before but not this.
It is worse at night. Haven't figured out a trigger and I stopped all caffeine, sugar, etc.
Went to a clinic and wore a 24 hour holter that showed PVC's. I had blood tests, nothing abnormal. They weren't concerned. Never actually saw a doctor, of course.
Now the PVC's are worse. They are non-stop, skipped beats every 2 or 3 beats, then the pounding "heart flipping" sensation and then quivering sensation. I am getting thousands of PVC's a day. I can't sleep. I can't even talk sometimes because the beat is so irregular.
By the way, there is a difference in Mag Citrate (liquid) called Slo-Mag and Magnesium Oxide (the pills). With the Slo-Mag more of the Magnesium is absorbed by the body. It is the preferred way to take Magnesium for irregular heart problems.
I will keep posting if and when I find something that helps.
Tawny, RN
Tawny, thanks for that good information about magnesium.
It's strange that your PVC's have come at such full force virtually overnight. I'm quite sure that you're OK, but I really hope that you can see a cardiologist who can examine your heart's structure to rule out any underlying problem that could have caused them come on so suddenly.
Keep us posted!
Hello! this site is a godsend!!! I too have these pvc's..I started having them july 20th of this year and have had them every day since.when they come on it feels like a hard heartbeat.completely freaks me out..They are hard to get use too.I've been to the E.R. twice done the ekg,blood work,chest x-rays..been hooked up on the vitals machine for 4 to 6 hours..everything came back fine..was sent over to the heart center for an echo and a 24 hour holter..echo came back fine..holter did show the pvc's but was told they were benign and harmless..hard to believe..also had a complete ekg done at the heart center...everything normal...i just try to ignore them the best i can...dont really wont to take medication for them..last night i had a bad bout with them..having one about every 30 seconds to a minute...scary...anyway...only have had about 3 or 4 today...i have no pattern with mine either..they just come and go..resting or walking..dont really matter...i just hope oneday they go away like they appeared..robert
Thanks for your support!
I wanted to add that liquid Mag Citrate is a laxative so it has to be used with that in mind. (Dosage for supplement would be 400-600 mg a day)
There is another alternative that falls in in-between the Mag oxide and Mag citrate versions in terms of absorption: Magnesium Chloride.
All forms are sold at drugstores.
Tawny, RN
Hi Tawny
quivering is just the perfect word to describe the second part of the PVC sensation. My PVC's continue on and off, frequent and less frequent. However they worry me so much less after finding ths group/site. Thanks again Claudia.
I don't know if it's a coincedence but since I started taking Mag Chloride two days ago, I am having less frequent and less intense PVCs.
I hope this means an end to them but we'll see.
Tawny, RN
Please keep us updated, Tawny. I'm really interested to hear whether the Mag Chloride will keep them permanently away for you.
Hi Claudia,
I think the Mag supplements have helped but still have PVCs every 3-6 beats for hours at night.
Someone in another forum said his PVCs were helped by taking 150 mg of CoQ10 a day. The Japanese routintely use that for heart problems.
When I find something that really works I will let everyone know.
Tawny, RN
hi, sorry 2 ask but when u get say ten pvc's in a row what does it feel like
Hi Diddler. When I get that many in a row, they usually feel weak, but they are noticeable. Usually it's only at night when I'm laying down and I have to change positions to get my heart to go back into its normal rhythm. It can be hard to take a deep breath, and although I can breathe, it feels like I can only take shallow breaths until I get it back to its normal rhythm.
Hi claudia
I was searching the internet and i found this wow im 15 years old and i experience the same stuff as you when you were 15, i find ti really scary espeachally at school atm i am having about 1-5 ecoptics a day i havent been put on medication.
Its really scary because the thing you said getting jolted awake when you start to fall asleep i get that to, that is a very awful feeling i hate it.
Well i really hope they do improve all i can say im 15 and i try do my best with then GL.
Hi GL,
I'm quite sure that you are fine. Since you are having so few, you probably shouldn't be thinking of medication. Hopefully they won't get any more frequent, but if they do, try not to worry about it. Some people find they get worse with age, stress, pregnancy, etc. Maybe yours will go away. Impossible to say. But we're here to support you. :)
hi,
i am so grateful for this site, i am 41 from Australia and have had ectopic beats for over 12 months, i have had the halter monitor and dr says they are not harmful, wow if only it was that easy, laying in bed at night feeling like your heart will stop and not start again, my husband is very supportive and he knows what they effect me and he has put his head on my chest and felt the pause between beats, they come on a daily basis and he thinks we should investigate them further with a cardiologist. does anyone else feel like the blood drains from your face for a split second, almost like a second of dizzy feeling.
Di
Glad I found this site. I'll be 48 this month and I am one of those who are having thousands of PVC's a day since the beginning of Dec. (from as little as 60/hr to 1800/hr). Several cardiologists don't agree on how to treat me. I have very low blood pressure (about 90/60) which has fallen even lower (70/40's) with Coreg CR, so I've gotten off of it after less than two weeks. One dr wants me on an anti-arrhythmic (Flecainide) which I'm afraid to start. My problem, other than the PVCs that become severe when I lay on my back or left side mostly and go into bigeminy, trigeminy and guadrigeminy often for about an hour and a half, is that I get out of breath so easily and that my heart rate climbs very high very quickly...for example, my rate used to be 60, now it is 80 while sitting, goes to 100 if I just stand...sometimes higher, and 120 if I climb my stairs, 135 if I run up them, and 160 if I try to exercise (walk on my elliptical). (I wear a heart rate athletic type monitor). A few months ago, I used to be able to run 7 miles in about 45 minutes on the machine, and my heart rate would barely get to around 120, and I could carry on a conversation and also barely sweat. Now I sweat after three or four minutes at half that speed and I get out of breath!
I have given up caffeine of any sort, and take magnesium and fish oil and drink plenty of water.
I also have chest pain off and on. I am not stressed other than having been sick for a couple of months prior to this happening. They started becoming severe about a month ago though I noticed mild pvcs over the summer.
So, I was wondering if anyone else has had similar heart fluctuations and what they do about it. Also wondering if it could be dangerous if I don't treat them with medicine.
I'm going for a chest CT tomorrow to rule out anything causing a direct pressure on my heart. They're talking about a cardiac cath or angiogram, and a possible ablation. Here again, cardiologists don't agree.
My internist checked my hormone level and says it's normal...(not perimenopausal yet).
On echo, my heart had responded well at 173 bpm in less than 8 minutes...(no pvc's while on the treadmill), but I had a lot of chest pressure. I was found to have a "redundant valve" with some regurgitation, and a II/VI systolic ejection murmur.
Thanks for "listening". I'd like to think this will all just fade away and it helps to read some of these posts but in the meanwhile I'm tired and just want to know why so much, and so all-of-a-sudden!
Thanks, Cheryl
Hey!
Just thought I`d give my two cents worth: I have had PVCs in varying degrees for two years now, sometimes with a few weeks "intermission" before everything is as bad as ever. During this time I have tried everything to isolate a spesific trigger, without luck. My GP is really no help, and didn`t even diagnose me correctly, possibly in an attempt to get my stress down. (Really the only thing that helps!) Anyway, a few weeks ago I started taking Magnesium and Chrome with my fish-oils. Two days later I`m PVC-free!! Now, I know that this may not be related, but if this turns out to be the solution, I`ll lick a damn bumper! Try it! At worst it won`t work!
Tor Even, Norway
Thank You Tor Evan. I hope you'll be able to lick a bumper...that's funny...How much Chrome or Magnesium do you take? I take 400mg of Magnesium (and fish oil, 1000mg), though last night I took 800mg of Magnesium, and hardly had any pvcs.
My heart rate is fast this am...over 100 standing up, but at least the pvcs didn't keep me awake! I'm having them now though as I type. Strange!
Let us know how it's working for you.
Cheryl
Hello again.
Guess I was too fast to celebrate, either that or me telling jinxed it! Some PVCs this evening, irritatingly enough...
I take 300 mg of magnesium and 100 ug(?) of chrome. Maybe time to up the dose...
Tor Even
Tor Even, since I live in Norway as well, are there any brands of magnesium, chrome, fish oil, etc, that you would recommend?
Cheryl, please keep us up to date with your situation! I wish I had more advice for you, it sounds like you're going through quite a rough time. Did you ever get any definite diagnosis? I have low blood pressure as well, once I checked it and it was 90/50.
I use Nycomed Chrome and Gevita Magnesium from Apotek 1.
By the way, a glass of orange juice every day seems to help in my case. Apparently it contains a special antioxidant (hesperidin) that improves the blood vessel functions and lowers the bloodpressure. Every little thing that helps...
:)
TE
Thanks Claudia, My bp this morning was in the 70's/40's. I took it laying, sitting and standing, waiting a couple of minutes in between.
Strange, since I have been off the Coreg for almost a week.
But, I did have a CT scan yesterday, and had dye injected, so maybe that has something to do with it???
I've been drinking lots of water too so that should raise my pressure.
We'll see what the docs say...No diagnosis as of yet.
Cheryl
Tor, try doubling your magnesium and see if that helps. It can't hurt, but some say it may give you the runs...didn't for me, and the other night I had less pvcs during the night (took it about 3 hours before bed). But, I did get them more during the day.
I might try taking one twice a day.
Cheryl
hi everyone, i am the 41 year old female from Aussie, this site has helped me greatly i dont feel so alone, my pvc's are daily and i also get them worse if i lay on my left side. i am coping a bit better then i was but i still worry my heart will stop, mine wake me during the night and also when the occur it like a second of dizzy feeling, not sure if anyone else feels this. i work full time and this helps take my mine off them, but i pray sometimes that they will just disappear. i am thinking taking fish oil tablet as i have noticed that quite a few a taking them with some positive results.
thanks
di
Di, Try adding Magnesium too. I also feel dizzy quite ofter, and I think it's because I have extremely low blood pressure. The PVCs, thousands a day, certainly don't help. They make me shaky sometimes too.
Has anyone else experienced having several in a row? I have a stethoscope, so that helps. When I laid down to sleep the other night, I had been having bigeminy or trigeminy. I was able to fall asleep after a little while. An hour later, my heart woke me up, and I was having multiple PVCs in a row. Started with 4, then a normal beat or 2, then I counted,7, 8, 12, 13, 23!!! I guess I was afraid it would keep getting worse. I had chest pains all day. It took me 4 hours to get back to sleep! In the morning I went to see my cardiologist, and he didn't seem too concerned, but he sent me for a bunch of cardiac labs, etc. I should find those results out tomorrow.
Just wondering if anyone else has them on top of each other like that. Thanks.
Cheryl
Cheryl, I've had many in a row, probably up to around 40. But it has almost always been at night, while lying down, and they are so subdued that they're hardly even scary. I think it's somehow connected to position because when I have that many in a row, my heart won't go back to its normal rhythm until I roll over or sit up.
Thanks Claudia,
But, just a thought...
If you're sleeping, or don't change positions, could that run turn into a more sustained ventricular tachycardia? That could put you in trouble.(I guess a SVT is more than 30 in a row, but at a rate of more than 100 maybe???) I'm hoping the activity would wake me up. So far I've been awakened by my heart many times, so I would hope so.
I stood up the other night, and still had them, though they were only about 4 in a row.
The good thing is that it made my bigeminy feel like nothing in comparison and I slept last night!
As far as position, I definitely have more on my left side, and I'm also hearing a click on my left side...I'm guessing that's my mitral valve or pulmonic valve "regurgitation" or leak. When I flip over I can't hear it!
Claudia, that last comment was from me...forgot to sign, and
Jen, My most awful night was a few nights after my period...And my hormones were checked prior, so while they may be hormonally related in some, I don't think mine are. It's always good to keep a diary though.
Cheryl
Hello Claudia, I'm not sure if this blog is still in use, I just read all your posts and don't feel alone. I too suffer in silence, have had PVC's most of my life, been monitored but lately they are at their worse, lasting all day long. I will pick up some magnesium today see if that helps a little + B complex vitamins which are stress relievers apparently. Thanks Anna
Welcome, Anna! Yes, the blog is still in use and gets comments almost daily, although I haven't had the time to devote to answering them that I would like to. It appears there are many, many PVC sufferers out there, so I'm glad that they're finding support here. There's lot of great info here from lots of people, so I encourage newcomers to read through it all and then if you still have questions, feel free to leave them and I'll do my best to answer them. :)
I hope people are still writing on here. I am mostly writing to vent and get and give support. Ive been dealing with pvc's for about 4 years but havent been too bad until Feb 2010. Ive seen more docs and done more tests than normal people do in a lifetime. Every test is normal (thats a relief) yet these pvc's linger. I ended up in the hospita in April 2010 for 3 days with a full 48 hours of bigemy and trigemy. It never let up. I was placed on a beta blocker ( which has changed names and doses several times since being in the hosp). Im not sure if theywork or not. I still get episodes, maybe they are lighter in feeling, but Im not really sure. I have logged my episodes and determined that EVERY single episode has been a week to a week and a half before my period. I have ruled out everything else (caffeine, stress, etc) . I dont fall under the typical catergories for pvc causes. I went to my GP to get a referral to see an endocrinologist only to be told that my pvc's and periods cant be related because Im on birthcontrol and Im not having "true" periods. I dont care what you wanna call these periods, but they gotta be related somehow. I did get the referral that Im still waiting to get, so Im eager to find out what they say. For those of you who seem to have a relation between your pvc's and your periods, Im hoping to get some answers for all of us. If anyone wants to email me my email is cartrin2000@yahoo.com. God bless you all
Hi Everyone
wonderful to read your blogs...I find the information reassuring. I started having bad turns in my mid fifties and finally am on a betta blocker which seems to stablise the beats. I still have times when for no reason the heart beats strangly and I feel a "whoosh" or a"surge" in my chest not unlike when one gets a fright. This happens 'especially if i am gardening but not always...this sometimes makes me feel faint and light headed....apparently I also go white in the face....I am under a very good cardiologist in Australia and after many tests he has reassured me that "You will not have a heart attack"... yes lying on the right side seems to bring them on and to prevent me waking with a "jolt' my GP has prescribed one quarter of a 10 mg lexham (escitalopram) tablet..strangely this seems to help me sleep through most nights and it also helps night cramps which were waking me...I also take magnesium , calcium and Q10 for general health......I feel i have suffered with this condition most of my life but it has been masked by symptoms of meniers syndrome ( rotational vertigo .nausea etc) I have always had difficulty keeping up when back packing or walking..but general exercise does help ease the PVC....Stress definately adds to condition but anxiety attacks are harder to control at times than one would think... I try to take each day as it comes..to go and rest if the attack is too severe ...otherwise I refuse to let it stop my enjoyment of this beautiful world we live in...all of please take care and be gentle with yourselves Linda
Great blog! I wish I would of had this type of support 15 yrs ago when my pvc & panic attacks started. I feel like an old pro as it relates to pvc's. My biggest problem still is the "jolt" while dozing off, sometimes I jump 3 feet off the bed! Been on beta blockers for years which helps. Staying away from caffeine, alcohol helps. Here's the main culprit for me.....MSG! The biggest problem is finding out which foods have it and which do not. You see the problem is that the food manufacturers are allowed to hide the msg under other names!! Here are some names used, spices, natural flavor, hydrologized yeast, bullion etc....there's about 30 names that are used to hide this poison in our foods! Google "other names for msg" get the list and read labels, also most restaurants load up on msg, so it's very likely that you will experiance some bouts an hour or so after dining out. This may come as a surprise to you but its a fact! Almost EVERY single food that comes in a can box or bag has msg! Don't think that because you shop at whole foods, trader joes etc.. That the products carried in health stores are free from it cause they're not! Hope this helps. God Bless
Hi,
Just wanted to say that this Blog has helped me loads. I saw a cardiologist today and got diagnosed. After 3 years of seeing GPs and getting fobbed off with virus's and integestion i finally know what is going on in my chest and can be reasonably confident my heart isnt about to pop. I have been seriously bricking it for a the past couple of months (which i really hasnt helped) and i although i havent been given a cure for this, just knowing what is going on in my chest has helped bring some comfort. The doc recommended that i leave the Beta Blockers for now unless the dizzyness im getting actually makes me faint (hope im on something soft if that happens) and crack on with the exercise, as this appears to be the only time i can't feel them.
Im now just going to try and live a bit healthier, try and cut some stress out of my life and possibly eat less Thai food as i think the theory that MSG makes it worse could be a good one. Anyway i just wanted to add my two pence worth and once again thanks to everyone who wrote on this as it has helped me loads.
For those of you who do exercise a lot and do have low resting heart rates the doc suggested that if you can get up and walk around a bit as this could help get your heart rhythm back. Not sure if it helps but anything is worth a go.
Thanks again
Here is a low cost way to monitor and understand your ectopic beats yourself, with ECG accuracy: http://www.network54.com/Forum/669782/
Claudia:
How do you know that you are getting PVCs? Were they all PVCs on your holter report or did you get PACs as well? Often it is only the PACs that can be felt and not the PVCs. I get both but I mostly only feel the PACs (premature atrial contractions).
Flecainide can often stop both, but it is rather a strong drug. I take flecainide if I want to be sure of not getting PACs and PVCs for a day; for example a special event or strenuous exercise.
Too much magnesium or potassium can increase ectopic beats, just as too little can cause them to also increase. Too much fish oil can also increase PACS and PVCs.
Dehydration can increase ectopic activity. You need to keep well hydrated at all times.
Hello Claudia
My PVC story is very similar to yours. They started about 10 years ago, maybe 1 or 2 in a week. Fast forward to the present, at age 34, I get episodes that last WEEKS with over 1000 a day. Completely unpredictable, they come from no where, BUT I do notice they happen intensely right after a run, and the more intense the run was, the more intense the PVC's were.
This is what makes me very confused. What on earth is causing them? I am very healthy, started running back in 2003, stepped it up to professional sprinting and have lifted weights my entire life. I would have to say though, I noticed they became more prevalent when i started sprinting and track 3-4 years ago. I never got any pains with the PVC's....until 3 weeks ago. I got a bad bout of them and was getting sharp pains along with them, went to ER right away...the PVC was ocurring every 3-4 beats non-stop.
Doctor said I may have had a possible left atrial enlargement by the looks of my EKG. They said I as fine and gave me an anti-anxiety pill. I then went to cardiologist, took all the tests, Holter, Echo, more EKG's...all normal, no enlargement, no problems. Of course, the day I wore the Holter I had like only 5 PVC's.
It' gets worse! This past week, I picked up the intensity of my running and sprints, after the workout, I could NOT catch my breath and the PVC's were going crazy! My heart was beating hard and I had chest pain. I had to lay down for 3 hours before it all settled down.
It appears that intense running, or even jogging is totally associated with irritating the PVC's with me.
This is all very scary. I am very healthy, weight 175, 6.0 tall, eat very healthy, run and lift weights moderately, and don't understand why i have this. Sometimes I go into full panic attacks thinking my heart will stop and I will die, and I live alone, so that would be the end of it.
I was referred to another Cardiologist by an ER doctor, she said more investigation needs to be done, many times heart enlargement is the cause, but the heart is not always enlarged at all times. She also said a mild anti-anxiety pill can help, slow the hear rate down when you get a bad PVC attack.
I think that the fact I am getting unexpected pains and shortness of breath that maybe my PVC's has reached a new level, perhaps this means that this condition is not static and is truly a symptom of some other underlying problem that PVC sufferers have...?? This last episode really scared me, I wish these would go away, I am actually thinking about not running anymore to reduce those episodes after exercising. I also refuse to take any drugs too as the side effects are just as bad in my opinion..I just keep thinking...there has got to be an end to this someday? This is such an insecure feeling knowing you have no control over your heart and it will do whatever it wants at any time it wants to, whether it be for good or bad.
Dana
Dana, did you ever have a stress test done while running on a treadmill or riding a bike? Like you, I have experienced PVCs much more intensely during certain periods over the years, for no apparent reason. At their worst, I also experienced them much more intensely after exercise, which was incredibly frustrating for me psychologically. I went through a couple of years when they were quite bad, but now I've been quite good for about a year, though I can't understand why. I hope that you will eventually experience some breaks as well!
Hi Claudia - I have not had one for about 9 years. I going to another cardiologist to have one soon. But I am already running intensely, and during those exercises, I never really gasp for air, in fact, I don't even start breathing heavily until I start the wind sprint stage.
I'm glad to hear your PVC's have subsided a lot. One year is a long time, maybe they are gone for good.
Hi Claudia
It is really reassuring ro read all the comments about the pvcs. I am a suferrer for the past 30 years. The beats come and go without any anticipation. I did all the tests required many times and always the same result. My heart is good and I shouldn't worry. However, and lately, like started 3 months ago I have noticed that I get the episodes of extra heart beats for 5 to 10 mins with a vibration or a buz feeling in the heart and this happens when I put a physical and emotional exertion at the same time. for example if I run suddenly out of fear or go up the stairs with some anxiety feeling. Do you have any idea if this is benign too and some sort of PVCS manifestation. I am now avoiding travelling, going up the stairs, running suddenly before warming up, or even going to dancing clubs. I miss my life.Please help.Thanks Claudia and all. Sandy
Hi Claudia:
I too am glad to have found your blog! I have experienced PVCs since I was about 16 and after I had a child at the age of 26 they have always been gotten a lot worse. I attribute most of my PVCs to stress and anxiety. It's hard being a full time working Mom with a young child! I have bigemny PVCs and sometimes they go on for hours. I've done the whole holter thing and seen a cardiologist many times and they always assure me that I am fine and ablation is not a risk worth taking. I frequently complain to my husband who is a surgeon about my heart palpitates. I feel sorry he has to listen to me complain so much! Anyway, I take 20 mg. of atenelol when it's really bad and that really seems to help for me. Has anybody tried acupunture? That was going to be my next step. Sometimes my PVCs go away completely, but right now I'm in a rut where they the bigemny starts after I get off work and go home and goes through the night until I fall asleep. I have to take an atenelol sometimes so I can sleep because I get anxious still when I have PVCs in bigemny! Thanks again, good to hear so many others struggle with the same thing I do!
Hi, My name is Mary and I have just found this blog. I sympathise with everyone as I too suffer from these horrible and frightening ectopic beats. I have SVT for which I have been taking beta blockers for the last 15 years. I have been pretty ok in that time but recently the ectopics have started again, and they scare me so much that I have been having panic attacks too, so am now scared to even go out.
I keep reading that these ectopics aren't harmful but when you get them, they are just so scary that I go into panic mode, which I know just makes eveything worse.
I don't drink tea and only one cup of decaf coffee a day, though I did read that there is still some caffeine in decaff coffe, so may cut that out too. I have had a lot of stress lately and been very tirerd, all factors I have read in getting ectopics if you are prone to them. They also happen when I bend over. Horrible.
Mary
Mary: You could try supplementing with 4g Taurine in 2g divided doses morning and evening. I find that this can help. But it may or may not work for you.
Mary: If you get ectopics when you bend over, it sounds vagal to me. When do you get the ectopics? What time of day? Is it in the evening or morning or all day? Do they come after food or when your digestion is upset? Try not to panic. Ectopics are almost ALWAYS benign and you will be just fine. Make sure that you drink enough water. Dehydration can make ectopics worse.
Thanks John
I have also read that magnesium cn help. I try to tell myself not to worry but when they happen I get so anxious and this can bring on panic attacks.
I will look into taking taurine. I have been reading that this can possibly help.
Thanks, Mary
Hi, i have just found this page.
I am waiting to see a cardiologist as my 24 hour Holter showed 8,654 ectopic beats (i kid you not).
I have just had some extra water in case i was slightly dehydrated and there is a lot of improvement.
I prayed and asked God to take my PVC's away and it was done.
I had them very bad, every other beat, very scary. I'm very healthy so it didn't make any sense.
Welcome....I too suffer from tremendous amounts of PVCs! However, i tell myself it could he worse. Ive heard of people showing 18,000+ PVCs in a single 24 hour montior. I dnt know how anyone can handle that. Im right around your range for PVCs and I want to rip my heart out on a daily basis. Its so frustrating and debilitating. No on understands except for those who suffer as well. It just sucks!!!
Carissa
I am 52, had occasional PVC in the past , tried some remedies and helped, lately they got frequent possible by stress, they bother me because they make me feel anxious, disturb sleep and cause cough. I will try again, Magnesium, Arginine, resecue remedy, passion flower extract, cammomile tea, fish oil, and some other remebies in my mind, will update you if any one works
N Mati: I found that getting my vitamin D between 60 - 80 ng/ml fixed many of my ectopic beats. Magnesium is also very good. Arginine can stir up herpes. Fish oil also sometimes makes them much worse.
Hi all!
I just turned 50 but have been in the best health of my life. I was doing hot yoga 3 times weekly and various Beachbody home workouts. Ive been eating clean and drinking Shakeology (health protein shake) and was at my ideal body weight. My dad died in April and because he lived 3 states away and I was his closest I had to do a lot of traveling while he was ailing. I'm also a pharmacist and have a lot of stress. For these reasons I initially ignored my skipped heart beats. I attributed them to stress/depression, etc. But after a whole month and they continually got worse, my family urged me to have it checked out. I wore a monitor for 24 hours. It showed frequent isolated ectopic ventricular beats. Now I'm being referred to a cardiologist. All I've read and studied show this could be benign. I've never taken medication and have always had low blood pressure and don't want to start. Now I'm anxious and was told NOT to exercise, drink caffeine or alcohol and I'm feeling more depressed than ever. Thank you for being here :)
Hi, I've just turned 30 in nov 2013 and I have been experiencing ectopic beats for approx 1 year but over the last 3 months I have really noticed an increase in frequency. Rececntly i have had an episode where i have actually become dizzy and light headed from having so many close together. It has really affected me mentally as I have had a lot of differing comments from doctors about how worried (or not worried) I should be and I feel like I am starting to have significant anxiety because of it all! It has made me more aware of my mortality and also a feeling of a loss of control of my body (I've otherwise been in pretty food health). I have started taking fish oil (which I hate) but am desperate for them to stop so I don't have to worry about them anymore. I haven't been able to identify any specific triggers that start them off. I have wondered about my hormonal cycle, stress/lack of sleep and perhaps alcohol contributing to their frequency but haven't come up with anything concrete. Thanks for this blog, has made me feel a little more sane and a little less alone.
I started getting these extra beats in December last year when I started a steroid nasal inhaler for a heavy cold. Despite stopping the inhaler the beats have continued and are REALLY stressing me out to the point where I don't feel I can carry on. I have paid to go privately and had a cardiologist listen to my heart and do a 3 day holter. He said he could see about 4 ventricular ectopics per day and reassured me that my heart is fine and completely normal. I'm only 31 (but overweight) so his advice was to live my life and forget about them which I was doing well at until this week. Suddenly I am now getting about 50-60 per day so a massive increase and I'm so scared. Do you think there is something wrong with my heart now? Am I going to die? How many a day is still considered normal? Please help me. Chloe
Hi I was told by my gp that I had ectopic heartbeats after an ecg. He said they were nothing to worry about and to jjust ignore them. Thing is I dont have any symptoms at all. But I can feel the missed beats when I take my pulse. I get a missed beat every 3 or 4 beats constantly. And it is frightening me silly as I had a hheart attack 7 years ago. Does anybody else have this
regards Roger
Hi. I was told by my gp I had ectopic heartbeats after he did an ECG. He said they wew nothing to worry about and to try and forget about them. Thing is I have no symptoms at all unlike everyone else on here. I can feel the missed beats when I take my pulse. I get 1 missed beats in every 3/4 this is constant all day yet when I get up in the morning my pullse is normal they start after about 3 hourss. I had a heart attack 7 years ag and it is scaring me to death. Anyone else got this type of. Ectopic beat
reagard Roger
Hey everyone, I am beyond relieved I found this blog. I've had skipped/extra beats since 2008 but have suffered from anxiety since I was a kid. 4yrs ago I was woken up by a racing and pounding heart, compounded by a full-blown panic attack because I also happen to be a hypochondriac. I was freaked out and so the next day I went out and got blood tests, multiple ecgs, an echocardiogram and even a brain scan. Tests revealed anxiety and very mild MVP (so mild the cardio didn't even write it on my record). Fast forward to a couple nights ago when I again got woken up, not by tachycardia, but with what felt like vibrations in my heart (or chest area near the heart). Felt them all day the next day, and it got worse in the evening where they felt like one on top of the other. I've never had skipped beats lasting that long so I was sat there thinking I was about to pass out and die. My bf was of no help at all bec he thought it was just my anxiety playing up again. I fell asleep out of exhaustion from worrying and woke up the next morning dreading the day. But I didn't have any episodes! Today's the 2nd day and I'm still episode free. But of course there's that nagging panic that it might come back and with a vengeance. Doesn't help that I'm a hypochondriac and a worrywart! I guess my question is, how or why they suddenly come and go?! It's driving me nuts! Thanks you guys, somehow getting all this off my chest has made me feel better already. Hang in there everyone!
I am a 38 year old male I have experienced these PVC's just as most of you have described. Like most of you I have been to several doctors. I have had ekg's I have also wore the heart monitor for 24 hours. They all say pretty much the same thing.That lots of people have them but some people are more aware that others which in my head I think if they are experiencing the same sensation that I am they will notice it. It's not something that you ignore. I guess by reading this I am lucky I probaby experienc 5 to 10 episodes a day with three to 5 eptic beats in a row. Sometimes at the end I will experience a a shocking sensation down both arms to my finger tips. I really get unnerved when I experience this. I have found there is not really any pattern I have them just setting around I have had them when I am up doing things. One thing I have noticed if I over eat I will definitely experience them. I really wished they would stop because I know worrying doesn't help them but I am the worrying type.
I am getting a lot pf ectopic beats at present plus runs of 3 or 4 which are really scary. apart from these I feel ok but they upset and stress me out. Frightened of going out and passing out. How do you cope. seen doctor and will be getting 7 day holter monitor and a stress test too.t
Going on holiday soon and want to feel confident.
Hi,
Iam male 34 indian living in singapore.i started feeling breathless on the times when I hv skipped heart beat, thats was how I came to know I hv skipped heart rate.Doc in the er dept said it's ok and normal to hv it.i was placed in 4 hrs observation.for the first 2 hrs the skipped beat was very noticeable.So doc gave me antenolol to regulate my heart beat.i was discharged n was told not to worry abt it.Any advice who experienced this.what are the things I need to look out for.thanks
Hi all
I have had both types of ectopics for over 30 to 40 years. I am now 51 and they still scare me even though I have been told there harmless. Sometimes they are less forceful and I don't react to them but when they come in runs with the sensation my heart is quivering I stop what I'm doing and think this is it I'm going to die. I also get the sensation of tingling down both arms at this time. I struggle to cope with them and when there at their worse I think maybe I should be calling an ambulance but they do pass. I've been told structurally my heart is fine so not to worry and take bisodol when required as my heart sometimes races. I dont take these as I feel by the time tablets enters system the worst has passed anyway.Coffee, alcohol, tiredness and over eating or fatty foods are definite triggers for me however alcohol can sometimes suppress them but make them worse the next day. I take 400 mg of magnesium for the last month and a half as I was told it might help not sure if it does.I drink lots of water with ice which my gp recommended and als0 to cough as this can help regulate the heart beat. I get that sudden jolt before I sleep at night and find sleeping upright makes them less definately lying flat on my back increases them. I feel for all fellow sufferers and I think this forum is great as you are not alone or going crazy. When I was younger I was convinced that nobody else had this condition and that maybe I was imagining it as didn't have internet or the tests they can do now like echocardiogram and holter monitors. Wishing you all well and a very happy christmas. Shamrock
Search for Dr Sanjay Gupta, consultant cardiologist from York UK. I found him on YouTube and was so impressed with his work I arranged an appointment with him. He posts loads of videos on pvcs pacs and all sorts of other heart rhythm disturbances. I learnt so much from him. His biggest interest is ectopic beats and it's amazing what you learn. But I think a little knowledge is a dangerous thing sometimes. The more attuned to your heart the worse your ectopics will become. Fact. I've learned this and even though I've had every test to confirm everything is all good, I'll go for weeks without having/noticing any at all. Then some weeks I'll be so obsessed with my heart I have thousands a day. Every body gets some ectopy every day it's completely normal. But I understand that when you feel these. It's scary as hell and it puts your thought process into a massive downward spiral. Thus leading to more ectopics. If only I knew how to shut my brain off from them permanently. Anyway. Wish you all well, if you haven't already heard of him then do check out Dr Sanjay Gupta, happy new year. And stay positive. Positive energy and mind really does work for ectopics!!
I'm 27, 5'7, and 133ish pounds. So i'm not overweight and fairly healthy. I've noticed ectopics or flutters and thumps that happens on and off throughout the day. I also have GERD so I never know if it's a burp rising up or an ectopic heartbeat. However, several EKG's have caught that I do have ectopic heartbeats. It all started when I was very stressed and had a panic attack that sent me to the hospital. I had an EKG done and everything looked fine. I also get light headed, weak, tired, tight chest, sharp pain in chest, racing heartbeat of 180 bpm, and shoulder pain with these irregularity. Within 3 months I had 8-10 EKG's and that was normal, echocardiogram, 48 hour holter monitor, blood work, and a stress test. Everything came out normal. I get very scared every day. It's like... ruining my life. However, I figured I try a gluten free diet and that seemed to helped a lot. I have less ectopic heartbeats when I eat healthier. A lot of times gluten can make you experience irregular heartbeats and agitate anxiety.
AL
Hi friend
I think ectopic beat has no any relation and has all relation to the following : coffe sleep eating fasting stress ... Nothing ....and you can not corelate between them and any cause
Very important expirience
these ectopic beat are worse feeling that i have ever felt since when i was 23 y niw iam 37 y
Some time they come with eating or especially after eating
Or when lying on left side or prone position
Some time with singing
Some time with out any cause
To me thete is a very strong relation between mind and brain and these EB because some time i dont have beat and i remember them snd after while they start !!!!!
By the way short and rapid shallow breathing bring them as well
Any body want my advice contact me by email
Warnawa.warnawa@gmail.com
Hello
Thanks for this blog.
I've had a horrible year. I never had any problems with my heart. Occasionally I felt a flutter in my chest but just ignored it. Then on NYE I took MDMA - I was 39 and trying to have a last bit of "fun". I hadn't taken any recreational drugs in 20 years. I had a horrible bout of tachycardia which I put down to the MDMA. Then the tachycardia came back without any provocation 1 week later. I was so terrified that I went to A&E. Normal Sinus rhythm ECG and it was put down to panic. It happened 3 more times and I was given bisoprolol (beta blocker) in A&E. Just as I was beginning to accept the tachycardia the ectopics started - I woke one morning with them - caught them on an Alivecor monitor. I completely freaked and went to A&E - they were not interested! I had an Echocardiogram and ECG. Next I woke 6 weeks later with frequent ectopics in the middle of the night - no more sleep for me! They lasted at least 8 hours and I had some bigeminy. Next I was on holiday and they came on out of nowhere - all together. I felt like my heart had stopped at one point. I was totally freaked out. A couple of weeks later after I stopped taking bisoprolol I had an episode where I noticed a few strong ones throughout the day and then a clump in the evening. My father (a doctor) was taking my pulse at the time noticed a couple of ectopics then tachycardia of around 180bpm. This happened again 1 week later. I am really upset by all of this. The cardiologist is not interested. There is no cure and my life is ruined. I don't want to go on holiday and become frightened when I excercise that something bad is going to happen. I've had nothing for 1 week but I don't feel off the hook. I'm apprehensive about what will happen next. I feel as though my MDMA foray has ruined my life. Is it possible that it triggered some sensitivity? No one seems to know. Does anyone find their PVCs go away? All I read is that they get worse and worse with age. I can't take this fear! Also I wonder whether everyone on this blog suffers from anxiety. My cardiologist swears that stress/anxiety is causing this and I definitely became stressed after NYE.
Also it seems that because cardiologists think PVCs are benign no one investigates the cause.
Cardiologists know nothing about heart arrhythmias. You need to see an Electrophysiologist. You probably have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Get it checked out. Afib can shorten your life, sometimes substantially. Beta-blockers are useless on Afib.
Thanks for your response. No it wasn't A-fib - it was regular sinus tachycardia. I should have made it clear I saw an electrophysiologist/cardiologist.
Sorry - didn't mean to us the B.Manor id. Any idea how I get it off?
OK, then I'll alter my response to say that you need to see a GOOD electrophysiologist, not and idiot.
Next step try supplementing with magnesium; see if that helps. If not, add potassium. You have an electrolyte imbalance of some sort.
Recreational drugs will always f**k with your heart. If you don't mind being ill for the rest of your life and an early grave, keep taking them.
I know it's been a long time since you posted this but how have they been? Did you find a fix? I started having that same problem 4 days ago.
Good time friend
I have VEB as well
The first attack start when i was 20 years old, agter inderal taking. For ten day disappear till after 5 year taking beta bloker control it again till last attack before five month
At the begining they told me it is ok but ypu have mild MVP which is nothing
In recent attack (five month ago ) i did sll tests including holter 2 day
I surprised when they told me you have 8000 beat and attach of VT and etc but actually i surprised because even a very weak atrial beat i feel so how i have housands with out feeling !!!!!!!'n then i went to a nother cardiologist he repeat for me the holter and he said it was all artefact !!!!!! You beither have MVP nor VT !!!!!!!'what you have is benign right ventricular out flow beat RVOT Beat!!!!
Any one has RVOT??????!!
I started having these ( I didn't know what they were until I was 45, 2 years ago) when I was about 15. I noticed a funny little 'flutter', like bubbles of air rising upwards in your abdomen, about every 2 weeks or so and didn't think about them.
When I was about 41, my thryroid meds (thyroxine) were too high (I didn't know this) and I was having hundreds of these beats a day, most noticeable in the evenings and through the night. They came and went and doctors didn't seem concerned.
At age 46 (last year), I started to have them all the time. I 'guestimate' around 7000 - 10000 a day. They drive me insane.
Doctors remain unconcerned.
I've had a 7 day holter monitor revealing not much and every time a doctor comes near me with their fingers to test my pulse, my heart behaves itself. I've had an echocardiogram, revealing nothing structurally wrong with my heart. Only a handful of friends/colleagues have felt my arrhythmia.
What I've found works most of the time for me is:
- stay hydrated. When I'm not drinking as much water as I should, I think the beats are more frequent and harder.
- see if heavy meals are a trigger for you. Sometimes they trigger me off after about an hour of eating and continue for the rest of the day.
- avoid alcohol. One can of beer in the evening doesn't seem to affect me, but 2 cans of beer and they might be triggered. Spirits and red wine seem to be triggers for me.
- Pinch your nose and close your mouth and attempt to blow out or unblock your ears after being on a flight. Hold for 5-10 seconds and this seems a good temporary fix for me.
- coughing several times doesn't seem to be a fix for me, but some find it helpful.
Reassurance from doctors doesn't help me much. There's that inner nagging voice that says 'what if the doctors have missed something' and worse!
I also think the beats can be worse just before a viral infection and for the first day or so of it. I don't know if that's possible, but that's what I've noted. I also wonder if they are worse sometimes just before ovulation or my period (sorry TMI).
Anyway, that's my story.
How are others here coping?
Unknown: Boost your magnesium and potassium supplements. Don't let your stomach become acid and taker antacid if it does. Don't eat large meals all at one time. Take anti-gas tablets (Simethicone) if you get gas. Speak to your doctor about trying the drug Flecainide at low dose. It is great for stopping ectopic beats.
Doctors are "not concerned" about ectopic beats because they are lazy and they can't make a quick buck out of treating them. But they are a sign that your heart is not working correctly. The electrical system is faulty and needs help. They can be treated and should not be tolerated by patients with doctors who are just trying to get them out of their office to make way for people who will pay larger bills.
Hey there every one! I am 20 weeks pregnant, and I noticed a random few days in the beginning of october of this year where my heart would feel like it stopped, then one large thud, and went back to normal. This would happen about 5 times per hour, and I also have severe anxiety. I tried to focus on other things and they stopped.
Here we are now, and they're back. I vomited about a week ago and I noticed they started right after. I'm guessing I'm having about 30-40 per hour, but I do not have any other symptoms. No dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath. I have been reading that these are common in pregnancy, but these are very scary. I'm probably going to make an appointment. I do take prenatal vitamins, and I have magnesuim/calcium also. Thank you for this blog, it's been helping my anxiety.
-Nancie
i had extrasystoles 72 for minute ... thei came as sets of 3 or 4 at the time it was quite scaring ! after doctors hospital urgency all was ok : potassium magnesium hormones noting found . after on year i start taking rutin suplements one capsule day and the extrasystoles disapeared ... my doctor said it was noting to do with rutin ! the fact is that i stop taking it and the extrasystoles returned ... so i start taking rutin again and they are gone ! as an miracle . i tried hard to find some articles on pubmed to try to justify sutch action but i coul not found anithing , stil one resherch on rats i think report an relaxation of the myocardium ... mybe it was just an form of ansiety ... i do not know but nothing could take out my extrasystoles except for natural sophora japonica rutin extract : it is worty to chek it out !
Has anyone tried supplementing with Magnesium Citrate?
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Nice article i want to share some more staff about how to stop ectopic beats. If possible, avoiding the triggers of ectopic beats is also key in reducing its incidences as most ectopic beats need not to be treated. However, your doctor might ask you to avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine.
Your ectopic heart beats doctor might suggest regular physical activity if you are inactive. If the triggers are related to stress, self-help methods such as meditation or mindfulness or other relaxation therapies might help.
However, if ectopic heart beats persist and are bothersome, treatment is based on the underlying cause based on the tests performed.
Nice article i want to share some more staff about how to stop ectopic beats. If possible, avoiding the triggers of ectopic beats is also key in reducing its incidences as most ectopic beats need not to be treated. However, your doctor might ask you to avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine.
Your ectopic heart beats doctor might suggest regular physical activity if you are inactive. If the triggers are related to stress, self-help methods such as meditation or mindfulness or other relaxation therapies might help.
However, if ectopic heart beats persist and are bothersome, treatment is based on the underlying cause based on the tests performed.
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