Hormones Causing Arrythmia?

[dcmom]

I have been having PAC's since 12/01.  They began while I was taking Allegra-D, but did not stop when the medication was stopped after only about 8 pills.  I have seen my PCP and a Cardiologist who did blood tests for anemia,electrolytes and thyroid - all were normal.  A 24 hr. Holter monitor and an echocardiogram documented the PAC's at 1100+ per 24 hrs, plus a few PVC's, but showed no other abnormality.  I do not smoke or drink alcohol, and have cut out caffeine with no effect.  I also have some chest discomfort akin to muscle soreness that the drs. do not feel is heart related (it is not affected by exertion/rest).  Absent any other cause, the drs. attribute the PAC's to hormonal changes of pre-menopause.  My OB/GYN put me on birth control pills (Mircette) to regulate hormone levels, also with no effect so far.  Can hormones really cause PAC's?  How about lack of sleep?  I fall asleep fine, but have been unable to stay asleep through the night for several years, and this is the only other cause I can think of.  I am an otherwise healthy 40 year old woman with no family history of heart problems of any kind.  What else can I do to determine the cause and fix my PAC's?  Thank you for your help.

[angelapple]

Hi all.  Last weekend I spent most of the time frightened by my extra beats again.  They're BACK.  I went to another cardio dr. on Monday.  She put me on an event monitor and thank goodness I started having an episode. At least someone can see what's going on.  The last halter, and event, and EKG were totally normal.  She told me they are PAC's and put me on toprol 25mg.  I'm really not a medicine person but I just could not mentally stand these damn things another day, so I took the meds and went to bed.  I must admit I havent' had an episode since Monday (don't want to jinx myself).  I do feel a little tired in the afternoon, though, but if this stuff works then I'll just have to deal with it.  She wanted me to have a blood test of thyroid and potassium.  She did mention many times these extra beats are caused by low potassium, also thyroid problem.  Sooooo I'll go tomorrow for the blood work.  I hate to admit it but I still am worried.  I'm afraid they'll start again.  I really hate living in fear and I think I just better try and get on with it.  Anxiety really stinks! Hope you guys are all well and feeling better.  THanks, Angela

[traceyc]

This is SO enlightening to read about so many of us with the same thing!!! I too am convinced that there is a definite correlaton between hormones and the PVC's/PAC's. My question is: Why aren't more physicians at least EXPLORING the possibility of some connection here??? It's so frustrating to have the cardio tell you to talk to the gyno, and vice versa. I'm sure their thinking is that "It won't kill you, so forget about it". I even suggested that I might be experiencing some sort of "pre-menopausal" stuff (I'm 35---I know it's young, but my mom started in her late 30's) and was looked at as though I had 3 heads. Does anyone know of a cardiologist who supports this theory? I work for an airline and would be willing to travel. Thanks for any help with this, and especially for letting me know I'm not alone! Take care everyone!!!

[Michmom]

Hi!  I just wanted to let you know that I went to the cardiologist yesterday.  He said that nearly everyone has PAC's but most people dont feel them, they are not life threatening and do not lead to heart problems.  PAC's are not caused by stress but they are irratated by stress so we need to get rid of some stress in our lives!!  Or at least manage our stress better.  He did say it is a hormone thing not necesarily a female hormone just hormones!  He is going to do an echo-gram on friday just to make sure hes sure that all will look good Im all for making sure!  I think Im going to sign up for some stress managment classes it cant hurt.  I asked the Dr. if the PACs would ever just go away and he said yes that they do just stop as suddenly as they started so thats what Im hoping for!  I havent had any major episodes since 5/15/02.  Im tired of waiting for them to start again Im going to think possitive, keep exercising and eating better and more rest and live each day to the fullest in hopes that I will win this battle!  Think possitive the mind is a powerful thing! Take care, hoping all your days and nights are PAC/PVC,s FREE!

[dusty111]

This hormone issue is very interesting, both in females and males. I read a posting on men in their mid to late twenties who were starting to experience palps. They talked about their intense exercise regimes, just wondering if there is any steroid use and if it's related. I'm trying to get hold of my old medical records to see when I was using birth control pills and if there was any relation to when I was first diagnosed. I'm just waiting for blood test results on my hormone and thyroid levels, ecg, holter monitor, etc. I really have no desire to go on any of the meds mentioned, I'm a firm believer in wholesome diet and herbal meds. Will look into it when I get my results. Take care.

[riveaux]

Hi..
I'm a 50 yr old male in good shape - I swim, run, lift weights. I started having PACs last Fall during strenuous swim workouts,  never while running or lifting weights. I also noticed that lack of sleep or caffeine could bring them on. So, I backed off on the intensity of the workouts and I didn't get them during the workouts, but after the workouts, at 2 - 2:30 pm almost everyday they would kick up for 20 minutes and then go away. Did the whole exam / sonogram (heart structurally sound)/ treadmill test at the cardio doctor. PACs kicked in after the treadmill test: they always seem to happen after the exercise, while the heart is de-celerating. So, Doc prescribed Toprol. Knocked down the PACs and everything else in my life - energy. libido, etc. So I stopped the Toprol. I didn't recover my energy level and went to see my GP; did bloodwork and ==> low testosterone levels and borderline anemia. No unusual for a an old man like me. Perscribed testosterone gel and within a couple weeks felt much better and strangely the occurence of PACs went way down; didn't disappear, but did subside significantly. They still appear afternoons after a workout for 20 minutes or so and if I'm sleep deprived, but nothing like they used to be. So apparently there is a link between male hormonal levels and PACs.

Still bothersome, but much better. Doc has now perscribed Rhythmol but I am uncertain if I want to take this medication since I had such a bad experince with Toprol. Maybe I should just put up with them and stay away from caffeine and get enough sleep, etc.

[debbiedeb]

hi everyone,
i am so glad to have found this forum, mainly because no one can really understand how awful palpitations are unless they have experienced them. i truly believe that there is a definite connection between changing hormones and increased palpitations.
i know when i was pregnant over 10 years ago i had no palpitations at all and after delivery, for the next 6 weeks i had terrible palpitations all day long. now i am 44 yrs old and think i may be entering into perimenopause and once again the palpitations are back in full force. the doctors say they have never heard of this but i read a very interesting book called the wisdom of menopause by christiane northrup and she makes mention of this connection. it is a very bothersome feeling . i probably have 2 days out of the month that i am not bothered by palpitations, the rest of the time i get them daily at different times of the day. stress definitely makes them worse. it makes things a little easier knowing i am not alone. thanks, deb