Constant Heart Palpitations

[cab3]

Hi,

I have palpitations all day long.  They are about every 3rd beat, and I feel them constantly.  I have had a lot of tests done (EKG,ECG, Stress Echo, and blood work).  Everything comes out normal.  I am currently on Metoprolol Tartrate 75mg a day.  I take 25mg three times a day.  If I try and take any higher dose at a time it makes me get real tired and I dont want to do anything.  Thats why its broken up 3x a day.  Anyways, the Metoprolol is not working and I have been on a number of other BBs that used to work.  Is there a reason why all of a sudden the BBs are working anymore?  I have been dealing with palpitations since I was 18, and I'm now 33.  However, I have never had constant heart palpitations like this and my palpitations were gone for many years.  I have a lot of stress in my life right now....3 kids, work full time,  I go to school, I work 40 miles from home, and the list goes on.  Could these palpitations all be stress induced or could there really be something more going on thats not showing up in all these tests?  Even though my cadiologist has told me I am fine and nothing is wrong with my heart I still feel there is something there.  Am I just being paranoid, or should I get a second opinion?  Sorry so many questions, this is starting to take over my life and I cant stand it anymore.  I just want my life back.  One more thing, is there something other than a beta blocker that would get rid of or at supress my palpitations besides the dangerous antiarrythmic drugs?  Thanks for any advice you can give!  I appreciate it.    

[Hclove78]

I've been going through the same thing. Back in 2017 I started having them. I quit coffee and they subsided. 2020 after having Covid they came back with a vengeance. I quit all caffeine do not smoke try to get some exercise. I'm too scared to do anything with more exertion. I am 43 then to the ER i've been going through the same thing. Back in 2017 I started having them. I quit coffee and they subsided. 2020 after having Covid they came back with a vengeance. I quit all caffeine do not smoke try to get some exercise. I'm too scared to do anything with more exertion. I am 43 then to the ER  and have a cardiologist. Like everybody else here I had a full panel blood work. I had an EKG a 30 day Holter monitor, echo cardio gram x-rays on the lungs. And they cannot find anything. I get them throughout the day randomly. Especially at night while I'm laying down. Not on any medication. I used to be on Effexor XR for like 20 years but I went off of it a few months ago. Everything was fine I took some time to adjust. But all the sudden out of nowhere they started coming on again this past month. I have no idea what it could be but it's so scary

[Amyfon]

I have had constant heart palpitations for 20 years,, it has consumed my life. I am 52 I just want to die already. I was on anxiety meds for years and that really helped. I quit last July. I take Metoporal 50mg a day, been taking that for years. All 12 dogs I have seen say I'm fine, tried an ablation and no luck. I'm done, I'm tired

[JaniceBea]

Just found your comment as I was doing more research on palpitations.
I hope you have found help by this time. All I could add is to suggest seeing a cardiac electro-physiologist. They specialize in heart arrhythmias and can do a special test that will pinpoint any rhythm problem and even the exact point in the heart that is causing the problem. I was diagnosed with left atrial flutter, tachycardia, and a-fib. I'm now taking Sotalol. I still have palpitations (not as many though) but don't have as many a-fib episodes anymore. (He could not do an ablation because my problem is on the left side of the heart.)
So seeing this more specialized cardiologist may be helpful for you.

[malan]

Hello,

Just a line to say that I understand what you are going through. I've had skipped beats, irregular beats and fast beats for around 10 years now. The doctors haven't found anything. I am trying Ayurvedic supplements like the Terminalia Arjuna herb which is said to be good for the heart. It seems to have worked on a person I know who had heart failure. All the best.

[Jamesrm]

I have these and I have had them since I was 18 or so. Does anyone's left arm tingle? Feel weak in the arms? I have had test after test and shows nothing even when they are at their worse. One thing I have found that works for me is zanax. Just make sure you do not run out or they will be worse than before. As soon as I take the zanax they go away and that is why I think a lot of it has to do with my anxiety. Any updates?? This is exactly what is wrong with me and I can not even exercise anymore because it scares me, unless I have my zanax and that is getting harder and harder to get.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

sorry your going threw this . I to know how bad they feel

I used to have them here and there now when they come they stay for hours and whole days and sometimes they are on top of each other every 3-4 beat , I hate them

nothing has changed in my life or health but just they got worse out of blue I am almost 55 now guess its age not sure

dr says alls good with my heart just pacs . shame they cant find that magic pill

[MargMartha]

This makes me feel so much better...started having skipped beats when I was 27.  Have gotten worse with age.  I get to the point that I am afraid to move!  Unlike some of the posts, with me, the more I move around or exercise the worse they get.  There are days when I have them constantly...all day.  They wake me up at night and I am unable to get back to sleep.  Had EKGs, CT scans, ultrasounds, all normal.  I am on HBP meds, but it is under control.  When I am experiencing the skipped beats I cannot concentrate on anything - it pretty much takes over my thought process.  It is awful - I go into panic mode - start shaking, can't think, it is terrible.  Would not wish it on anyone.  I always find it hard to believe that there is not some sort of med...but as everyone has said, the doctors always say not to worry about it.  Just keep trudging along.  I feel as though I am coping instead of living.

[MargMartha]

This makes me feel so much better...started having skipped beats when I was 27.  Have gotten worse with age.  I get to the point that I am afraid to move!  Unlike some of the posts, with me, the more I move around or exercise the worse they get.  There are days when I have them constantly...all day.  They wake me up at night and I am unable to get back to sleep.  Had EKGs, CT scans, ultrasounds, all normal.  I am on HBP meds, but it is under control.  When I am experiencing the skipped beats I cannot concentrate on anything - it pretty much takes over my thought process.  It is awful - I go into panic mode - start shaking, can't think, it is terrible.  Would not wish it on anyone.  I always find it hard to believe that there is not some sort of med...but as everyone has said, the doctors always say not to worry about it.  Just keep trudging along.  I feel as though I am coping instead of living.

[judyj199]

Sorry, I am 10 months late. . .with a reply.  Thanks for your feed-bak.  I found that if I completely ignore the irregular beats, they do go away.  I am just going to chalk it up to anxiety.  The more I worry, get tests that don't prove anything, etc. . .  makes me prone to become a lot more anxious. Just had an EKG a few days ago, the lady said it looked good. Operatin on Tues. 1/28 if the EKG didn't look good, I feel sure they will let me know.
Thanks.
I will post after the kidney procedure on Tuesday. 1/28/14'
Judyj199

[jac317]

Dear One,

I am so glad to have read your post. I too have suffered for years with irregular skipped beats and very long runs of them. The episode starts up and continues until I think something is bound to happen and it never does. I have been having long runs of skipped beats for about a week, without any break maybe half an hour hear and there. But I notice that if I walk it seems to beat regularly, and starts again when I stop walking.I get a feeling in my chest like I have wind blocked up in the middle of my chest and when it shifts about a week later the funny beats stop. I will be ok for about 3 or 4 weeks and then the whole process starts again, so you are not alone.

[judyj199]

I just don't know!  I keep hunting forums for answers, as well!   I have had the halter, stress test, all the heart x-rays, Echo, EKG's. . .And the heart doctor says, I am OK!  OK with 6,000 PVC's a day, sometimes. . .?  How do they figure that is OK?  I am not on any med's, only take a thyroid pill in the morning, and pain med as needed for my bone problems. . .Nothing for the heart!
Have any of you ever heard of "Orbs?" Well, I am not a "nut" but I have a house full of "Orbs" My cats chase them, I catch them all the time on my Infrared camera, and they are energy.  Watch Biology channel on Saturdays, most shows are dealing with the subject.  My palpitations started when the Orbs came here. . . My Lovebirds scream their "alarm" when they see them, I take a photo where they are looking, and I see either an ORB or Ectoplasm, in the photo's.  (I wish I could post some photo's here for you to see!)  Anyway, They are Spirits, Energy, what ever. . .But, I believe they are messing with my "electrical" system. . . If you have PVC's with no explanation, I suggest you get a digital infrared camera, take pictures, a lot of them. . . All through your house.  If you see a round ball of light, anywhere, or white streak on the photos, enlarge them. . .Look at them closely. . .see what you see!  Then Post here,I will watch for your response.  JJ

[paulanowak777]

Hi Donna,
You said you took some type of medication for your heart palpitations and I was wondering what you took.  I have palpitations sometiime all day and then not for weeks but then can come back with no warning no matter if I am relaxed or not.  It really worries me .  I take diltiazem 240mg once a day and toprol ( I think it is spelled this way) toprol 25mg once a day also. It seemed to help at first when the meds kicked in but then I started getting bouts of palpitations out of the blue at any given time of the day.  I have not had any pop, chocolate, coffee, nothing phosphorus, no caffein, for several months now but I still get long bouts of palpitations.  Maybe I need a pacemaker but I can't afford that or really anything.  I am living on the edge and get assistance through the township I live in and get limited medical care in which I can only go to one clinic and they don't have a cardiologist.  I see a regular family practice doc.  He wanted me to get a holter monitor but i can't afford to have it.  I can though have blood tests but if anything comes up bad , I just have to hear about it and can't have any tests to prove anything cause I can't pay for  the tests so I am in between a rock and a hard place.  My doctor said I need to go to the hospital and have things done but I just can't afford it.  Well , I was wondering if there are home remedies for heart palpitations or the meds you are taking and I can mention them to my doctor and see what he thinks since I can't go and see a cardiologist. Let me know -  ***@****

[vienna13]

Wonderful post!!:) I wish they would read and keep your suggestion in their worrying mind.
I’ve been doing yoga on and of 40 years. These years I know I will do it for the rest of my life.
By the way I also have many “terrible” PVC over 1000 ,or who knows how many a day?:) (Also other real heart problem) None of them bothers me a bit.
Once I was telling to somebody it is only the question of attitude. If it was on up to her I was kicked out from here I think.:)
You know many people just love to suffer. I keep telling: yoga yoga breathing...... like a broken record:)
....but the answer  almost always  :n o t h I n g .

[tiencyjo]

hi donna- i found this site and dont know that i will know how to get back to this- can u email me ar ***@****.

I have so many questions over this heart palapations thing.... i wore a heart monotor for over 24 hours and it showed i had a irregualr heart beat with arrithemias, but the dr said i was fine. I also did a ekg and pad\ssed that, and I also did a ultra sound of my heart and it loked good- now i take celexia 20 mg for anxiety. alot of time i dont feel like i have anxiety, but for the past few days that i got a stomache virus, i went to the dr and got 2 shoits i have felt the palapations non stop- i am scared!! wondering if this will cause me to have a hear t attack or what is going on?? should i worry should i not?? I dont go back to dr for 6 more months... any suggestions will help? thank u for your time! christy

[EmiiBee]

Hey, I'm not expert but I do experience palipations almost everyday and I have noticed that they are much less frequent (or even cease) when I take time to do some yoga or meditation. I know this is not for everyone, but it is definitely something that could help especially if you have a stressfull life. Wake up a bit earlier or take half an our in the evening to do it, it really helps you focus on your breathing and "let go".
Good luck!

[larold424]

hey cab3.

can totally relate to what you're going through. i've had the same thing on and off for several years. the thing is, like donna 552 says, almost everybody has PVCs or PACs but most never even notice or feel them. i think that some of us are just more acutely aware of our hearts therefore we feel them more pronouncedly. in my case when i was in my early/mid twenties (i'm now 36) i had a doctor tell me that i had a "dynamic" heat rate. when i asked what that meant he didn't really elaborate other than to say that exercise would help regulate it. even though every doctor i've seen since has told me that my heart is fine and couldn't make any sense of what that first doctor said i got it in my head that i had some kind of heart condition. i've gone to the ER 3 times thinking i was having a heart attack because i would feel this weird sensation in my chest and freak out, basically having a panic attack. every time i was given a ECG and chest x-ray and was told my heart was fine. i also wore a 24 hour holter monitor about a year ago and was told it only recorded a couple of harmless PACs that i didn't even feel. that helped put my mind at ease so i don't freak out anymore when i do feel them.

i guess the only advice i can really give is to try not to think about it too much. i know that's easier said than done but i think that when you dwell on something to much the mind has a way of manifesting it. also you said that you don't workout anymore out of fear that you'll have an irregular heart rate. i find the exact opposite is true. the first thing i do when i feel them is work out and i always feel better. about the only thing of value that first doctor said to me is that exercise is good for the heart.

hang in there and hope everything works out for you.

  

[metalman123]

I still have them all the time but if you want to stop them then you have to lose weight.  It seems to completely stop when you get to a certain weight.  also I tried a diet  of no bread , a cup of grapefruit juice, and 2-4 eggs a day and this worked well. And only meat and veggies. this will work, but since I stopped doing this recently I have gotten back this nasty heart palpatations. Also stress is a big contributor to this. thanks wil in idaho......

[cab3]

Hi Donna,

I just saw my cardiologist this morning and he is going to start me on an anti-anxiety medicine.  I'm not sure which one yet, I will let you know.  I am under a lot of stress right now and I think that is 95% of my problem.  I am just scared to take the anti-anxiety medicine.  I have never been on anything like that in my life and I'm scared of all the side effects it could have.  

I dont smoke..I used to drink a lot of Coke, but since my palps started I have not had any soda and have even tried to stay away from sugar all together.  I dont really know if that is helping much.  I am scared to eat chocolate, ice cream, candy, I guess anything sweet because I am so scared my palps are going to get worse than they already are.  

Can you tell me what A-fib is exactly?  Is it when your heart races really really fast for a certain amount of time?  I dont think I have that..or at least they tell me I dont.  My heart doesnt usually race really fast, its just constantly skipping beats.  I will look at my medical records when I get home and let you know what my loop findings were.  I cant remember all the names they used.  

I will keep you posted on what meds my doc puts me on.  I should hear back from him later today or sometime tomorrow.  

Thanks for the support!!  Its nice to have people to talk to that are or have gone through the same thing.    

[cab3]

Hi Joey,

I am sorry you have to go through such troubles to get some help.  Thats just not right.  

I pretty much am on the go all day every day.  I know mine are mostly due to stress.  I have 3 kids, I work full time, I go to school and I work 40 miles from home.  I just wish the medication I was on would work.  

Anyways the medication that helped me for 13 years was Propanalol.  I was only on 20mg and my palpitations never acted up.  It stopped working a few months ago and my "first" cardiologist switched my meds I cant even tell you how many times...which I am kind of starting to think thats why my PVCs are so bad now.  I really have no idea.  I am currently on Metoprolol Tartrate 25mg 3x a day.  Its not working....saw my cardiologist this morning and because of the stress I am under he thinks I might need some anti-anxiety medication.  Not sure which one I am going to go on yet, he is going to do a little research and call me later.  I am a bit scared to take anti-anxiety medications but I am desperate right now and will take anything to get these stupid palpitations to stop.  

I hope you get the help you need and deserve.  Please keep me posted!  

[Donna552]

Many people have PAC's and PVC's and don't even know it.  Most of the time they are innocent and do not cause a problem.  Having worn the loop for a month without any runs of PVC's (ventricular tachacardia) or a-fib, I would feel safe with your doctors diagnosis.  Has he suggested valium or xanax?  I find that when I feel the extra beats due to stress, these meds often calm them down.  They work on smooth muscle and that is what your heart muscle is.

As for the drugs being dangerous, yes some are.  Some are initiated only if you stay in the hospital overnight....but, they may be better than the arrythymia in some cases.

Do you smoke?  I did and this brought on an arrythymia bout pronto.  I quit, still had the PAC's, but they did quiet down a bit.  Also, caffiene will bring them on and so will stress or heavy exertion.

If you do have a-fib, I can discuss this with you at length.  I am a cardiac monitor tech and am very familiar with rhythms and some causes.......and the meds.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing.  OK?

[joeyk53]

I know how much your life is disrupted. It's scary and it's not normal! I dont care what the doctors say. It is a "irregular heart beat" meaning not normal. It's not normal to not be able to move or function everyday! I too am going through this  but not on any meds.I also have MVP. I'm in Canada and saw a cardiologist but now dont have one. I saw him and then closed my file > I guess that's what they do here. Makes no sense to me. I want a heart doc I can go back to when I need to but I cant.I called him and was told I cant see him I have to go get another referral . That's the stupid medical system in Manitoba! people die because of this> I want to try meds too but they said they have more side effects than good so did not give me any. I'm not sure what to do about it or who will help me.
About you, Do you go, go ,go throughout the day or do you get to stop? If your constantly going your body might be tired and need to take some rest. I find that with me if I'm pushing myself too hard I WILL get them. Can u tell me what meds have helped you as well? thanks

[cab3]

I also wanted to say that I am happy that your A-Fib is taken care of.  I cant wait to be able to say that and give others advice.  

Have a good day!

[cab3]

Hi Donna552,

I actually wore a 30 day loop monitor and had hundreds of recordings and my doctor said that most of them were PVC's and a few PAC's, but nothing I should worry about.  

Since I can feel these all day long it is driving me crazy.  It doesnt matter what I am doing or what kind of situation I am in, they are there.  I used to exercise 5 days a week and now I barely do because I am so terrified of my heart beating irregular.  

Arent anti-arrythmic drugs dangerous when someone has a healthy heart?  At least that is what I have read online.  Maybe I'm reading into these palpitations too much and freaking myself out..I dont know.  I have never had them this bad, or for this long.  Its been 3 months and I have them constantly.  Its no fun and I'm sure you can relate.  

My heart doesnt ever feel like it is beating super fast...its just constantly skipping beats.  Could that AFib?  

P.S.  I did get a second opinion and he looked over all of my tests, did a complete physical, and says the same thing, "my heart is healthy."  I go back to him tomorrow to see if he can change my meds or something because this beta blocker I am on right now is doing nothing but making me tired.      

Thank you for your comment!!!

[Donna552]

Sounds like you need to wear a Holter Monitor for 24 hours.  Has the doctor mentioned PAC's?  I have had atrial fibrillation since I was 17...I'm now retired.......and I had feelings like you are describing.  I was on beta blockers all this time until I had a pacer implanted 2 years ago and have been put on a new anti-arrythymic drug which is  working wonderfully.

A second opinion might be the answer.  I don't feel good about a doctor who doesn't take your fears into consideration.

[pandkwest]

Hi, Metropolol is good, try taking Co-Enzyme Q10 as well every morning, also a tbls of apple cider vinegar 3 times a day b4 meals. Stop coffee, alcohol and sugar, get a treadmill or just walk vigorously for 30 mins a day. all this will help.