Are my arrhythmias dangerous?

[LaurieD]

I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and paroxymal hypertension in my twenties. I've always felt skipped beats to some degree. About three years ago I had onset of paroxymal atrial fibrillation, this was diagnosed in the emergency room. My heart rate was 153 bpm and irregular. I've had about twelve bouts of this atrial fibrillation since this time. It does seem to be triggered by stress, but no one can figure out the cause. Echos show a mild mitral valve prolapse, that's all. I started having many skipped beats around October last year. I went to the doctor, who put a holter monitor on. It showed approximately 680 skipped beats in the 24 hour period. She diagnosed this as PSVT. I then followed up with my cardiologist who did a thallium stress test, which revealed all was normal. He then put a holter monitor on last week. The computer print out said I had 1,127 narrow beats within the 24 hour period. I believe that, as my diary showed almost constant skipped beats. My cardiologist told me I was imagining them, that I had only truly had 14 skipped beats, and that the computer errored.He feels it's my esophagus causing this. If it was my esophagus, why would I feel skips in my pulse? Does any of this sound dangerous to you? I am currently on tenormin 25mg t.i.d. It doesn't seem to help this PSVT from occuring. The only two things I know is they are worse at period time, and they are worse depending on how I move (bending over can cause them to start) and once they start sometimes they just won't quit for awhile. Is there a cure for all of this? I am also wondering if these "narrow beats" which he also referred to as PAC's are to do with the atrium and maybe my heart is trying to convert into a-fib full time rather than paroxymal? Any info you can give me is much appreciated. Thanks.

[poppo]

I dont know what you fellas make of this,but it happened to me.Just after my wife died I started to get the butterfly/ missed heart beat symtoms. I went to my local GP and he done the usual and told me it was due to stress and gave me medication and informed me that I would be OK in about three months. This did not happen. On my way to work one day I felt faint and fell to the ground.I picked myself up and continued to work. The next day it happened again. I decided to pay a visit to the nearest doctor straight away. He stuck all sorts of sensors over my body and informed me that my heart was fibrilating and sent me to hospital for more tests. It was revealed there that the problem was my thyroid. I was put on a dose of tablets, Approx 200 a week (Neomercazole and Warfarin tho I never took the Warfarin when I found out it kills rats),until they had worked out the correct dosage to bring my thyroid to a satisfactory state. Though my butterflies and thumping heartbeat has not gone completely away, all I have to do when I get them is take a couple of Neomercazole tablets for a couple of days and they are gone for some time. Needless to say I do not worry any more as it is now 15 years since it started, and my comment here is proof that these things will not kill, but I am sure that worry will. My local Gp still insists that he was right and Neomercazole is not fixing the problem. I have made this comment thinking that maybe this might be worth consideration by others.

[NBCT]

Dear JanW, Hi, As you read the comments on this forum, you can see you are not alone in the way you feel. It is easy for a cardiologist to say don't worry, but unless he or she is experiencing the same annoying and unnerving symptoms daily, they will never truly understand the fear it causes a patient. However, the extra beats are usually found to be benign after a complete cardiac workup, and the next step is to try and desensitive yourself to them( another stock answer from a cardiologist) this is not easy. Try to find answers from your gynecologist concerning hormone connections. Search this forum in the archives for helpful comments from others in finding ways to cope with the PVC's, including meds used. I have been using this forum for a few months, and find myself more relaxed and better able to deal with the daily palpitations just knowing I am not alone. Good Luck and I hope you find the answers you need.

[JanW]

I am so glad that I have found this heart discussion forum.
I am a 52 year old female who has been plagued with PVC's most of my life but never as bad as I have had them since this past January.  They seem to be more numerous right after eating but I do have them off and on inbetween meals.  I have been searching the web for answers as two doctors have told me that all my heart and blood tests are fine.  My doctor doesn't believe that the glucose tolerance test is accurate so he doesn't give them only the fasting blood test which would show only diabetes.  I have been told, on other forums relating to hypoglycemia that I might either have reactive hypoglycemia or be carbohydrate intolerant and that might be causing me to have so many PVC's. I have changed my diet to a very low carb, higher protein diet three times a day with a plain yogert snack before bedtime. NO CHANGE. I have worn the holter monitor and had EKG's.  The holter monitor showed the PVC's but a cardiologist said they weren't the kind to be worried about.  Easy for him to say!!!! When you have to live with them day in and day out, it's a problem and worry!!! My doctor called me yesterday, after running another blood sugar test and adrenial gland test and said that they are both fine but he is willing to put me on a mild beta blocker. I am willing to try anything right now.  I have wondered for a long time about this being homone related too, as I take Estrogen, thyroid medication for being hypothyroid and cholestral medication.  I know it isn't thyroid related because I have had these PVC's even when my thyroid is running a little below normal.  Right now it is where it's supposed to be.
Is is really true that these PVC's aren't dangerous to our heart muscle?  It makes you wonder when you have hundreds a day that you aren't doing something to the heart. It wasn't meant to beat abnormal.  Any comments would sure be appreciated.

[nancyann]

I've been reading some of your comments on arrhythmia, and I want to add my own experience.  I have what I call heart flutters.  I started noticing them maybe 6 years ago. They seemed to be happening with increasing regularity, so I asked my doctor about them. Like so many of you, my doctor said it is arrhythmia, and nothing to be alarmed about.

About 3 years ago another doctor found out that I needed medication for hypertension and low thyroid level.  After I started taking these medications the heart flutters almost completely stopped. I was so relieved not to be getting them, but I was also rather upset to think that my heart flutters may have been caused by my needing these meds.  Well, in the last couple of months the heart flutters have returned! I just cannot believe that these feelings are normal.  It feels as if a huge, strong butterfly is fluttering in my heart. This evening I had a series of particularly strong flutters, they not only scare me, they make me feel as if I can't get enough oxygen.  I really don't think that the feeling that I need more oxyegn has anything to do with my being alarmed.  I also feel a little weak after this happens.

Can this really be normal?  I don't know anyone else that gets these, except the people on this board. LOL

nancyann

[Cinders]

Well we all have the same symptoms and everyone tells us not to worry.  How ridiculous! Do any of you have defense mechanisms that you use while having these symptoms?  I've done some research.  For rapid heart rates - drink cold fluids.  I drink cold milk. To get the heart rate down, do deep slow breathing (in through the nose, out through the mouth - do a count down from 10).  Take your pulse before and after - you should see a difference.  Cardiologists also suggest burping or passing gas.  I also slowly walk around the house.  Above all tell your loved ones, friends and co-workers so if this happens they can help calm you down by talking or back massage etc. or if need be they can call 911 for you.

[ni]

Which Vitamin was it.  I take a multivitamin along with Vit E and garlic