How do I know when skipped heart beats are dangerous?

[iAmEllen]

Over a week ago for absolutely no identifiable reason my heart started skipping way more beats than usual.  I can go hours with none and then have several hours where I'll have 2 or 3 a minute.  It's setting me over the edge.  I don't know if it's dangerous or not.  I went to the ER the other day and they basically didn't care at all and just had me take Ativan and sent me home.  Today I panicked and called the paramedics who came and did a 12 lead and they said normal sinus with one ectopic and so I didn't go back to the ER.  I had a normal echo 3 years ago.  I already don't eat caffeine or sugar.

Please reassure or sympathize with me.  I'm going insane and have no idea what's causing this out of the blue.  Why would they suddenly increase for no reason whatsoever?

[magens]

Try Vitamin B Super Complex tablets.  I had a floppy heart for 2 years but 2 weeks ago took a Super Vitamin B complex and GUESS WHAT.... NO SKIPPED BEATS,  Maybe in my case it was a Vitamin B deficiency? Whatever, it is working for me.  Floppy hearts might have different causes in different people. Try vitamin B.. it might work for you too.  I take one every morning and my heartbeat is normal once more after 2 yrs. YIPPEEEEEEEE

[magens]

Try Vitamin B Super Complex.  Worked for me after 2 years of a floppy heart.  Be sure it is the Super B Complex.  Take one every day.  Worked for me.  Might be caused by different things in different people but Vitamin B complex is really working for me.  Not one skipped beat since I started taking Super B complex a week ago !!  Also, I cut out MSG and all caffeine.  I am overjoyed at finding a cure for mine.  good luck

[magens]

Try Vitamin B as a supplement.  Certainly worked for me and I have NO skipped beats after 2 years of a floppy heart.  I bought a Super B Complex and I take one each morning.  No caffeine no MSG.  Maybe for me it was a Vitamin B deficiency after all. Might be different for different people.  Try B. Might work for you.  Be sure it is a Super complex of the B vitamins

[tyty8173]

Hi! Is it normal to have a series of skipped beats when having MVP? I have felt this before but didnt cared about it since i have no idea what it was until it starts to bother me. Is it dangerous? How many skipped beats in a minute or in a day are benign? Im on a beta-blocker (concore) but still having them.

[Al Dente]

There is diagnostic criteria to suggest whether a skipped beat is a problem or not.  There are many reasons why people have them.  The typical 24,48, 30 day, or even implanted 1 year rhythm recorders may not catch a smoking gun.  EP studies may not show anything.  And certainly you cannot count on EKGs for diagnostic problems.  They aren't even helpful for ruling in our out a heart attack.

However, if something is caught a pacemaker can make a night and day difference to PACs and PVCs.  Not everyone is eligible for this as they need certain cardiac conditions that warrant the implantation.  Diet, stress, actual disease, lifestyle, hormones can influence skipped beats.  It takes a deeply educated and epithetic electrophysiologist to study the problem, review all data/notes to recommend a course of treatment.

Each person is different.  A genetic issue may cause the skips, or heart disease, or a malfunction of the heart's electrical system--or the restaurant that you ate at a few hours earlier that over-salted your dinner.  No one is alike and each person must be diagnosed on their own case.  The ER is absolutely the worst place to look for a diagnosis.  It's there to rule out a major issue.  Outside of that it takes a lot of skilled teasing to find the problem.

Most doctors and even cardiologists will rule out PVCs or PACs unless associated with some specific symptoms as "normal."  Find a doctor you like, and discuss the issue.  You may need to travel the country to find an EP or cardiologist that understands the issue.

And yes, nerves--the Vagus Nerve in some people can cause an exaggerated response thus causing some problems like PVCs or PACs, among others.  Some meds in the benzodiazepine class can "chill" out the CNS which can help lower aggressive skips.  High Vagal tone is not the same as panic attacks.

Time to find a doc that wants to listen.  It may be hard, but if your symptoms are so severe, you may have to travel around to find an expert.

[stretch19]

CURED NOW... I had tests confirm over 2,000 missed beats a day--was physically and emotionally draining--have your Doctor perform lab tests--my Vitamin D was dangerously low--I now take 10,000 units a day and eat a banana daily--now perfectly normal!! Immediate results..
I believe taking Lipitor and antacids both contribute to the low levels of potassium and Vitamin D...

hope this helps.