Frequent ectopic beats

[heartdrivingmemad]

Does anyone else get these? I’m getting them constantly - no pattern to them, I can be resting or exercising, stressed or relaxed. Worse with anything involving stress or adrenaline but for example yesterday I was out shopping and every 20 seconds I got another one. When they’re very frequent I get dizzy and have had to put myself on floor before.

I’ve had quite a few episodes where my heart suddenly goes into a very funny type rhythm and everything feels very strange/as if I’m passing out. Been told that’s probably panic attacks, as opposed to runs of VT. Have also had runs of bigeminy before.

Cardiology have put me on bisoprolol to try and prevent them, I’m now on 6.25mg - but no joy - I’m still getting them 24/7. Have had them since I was 14, now 32.

Had a prolonged run tonight so 111 sent ambulance out - paramedic said, ‘oh, you are getting a lot of ectopics’ - about 5 a minute - showed me on monitor - but said they’re likely harmless and can stay at home. Did a full ECG and said that was fine.

Have been sent to A&E x 3 this month with similar episodes (told to get checked out each time as am waiting on an ultrasound to rule out cardiomyopathy although GP said cardiology are 98% there’s nothing wrong). Each time they say it’s anxiety and that breathing exercises will help.

It’s rather taking over my life especially as they keep telling me to increase beta blockers to no avail. My pulse rate is still 80-90 at rest - even with meds.

I’m no longer sure what to do, I can’t keep nipping off to A&E constantly!

That sounds awful and it must be very worrying. And the anxiety plays into it too. I know.

I have ectopic beats too. Nothing on your scale. Like you, they said it's nothing to worry about. It doesn't feel like it because it sometimes feels like I'm missing beats too. I do find controlled breathing and trying to close my mind off from it does help.

But I can't really help you. The waiting lists for the scans are awful at the moment. But hopefully once you know that your heart actually is healthy, you can start on some mind techniques to try and decrease the anxiety.

I know had a friend, I can't remember the details, but she had a 48hr monitor, and when she felt sick, dzzy, faint,etc, she had to make a note if the time and then they matched it up with what was happening with her heart. I know you already know, but it would be proof to the doctor and might guide them to the problem and name the solution?

When I was in my 30s, I went on the world's best anti depressants - to help me get my irritation under control. I was the happiest I've ever been. But they affected my heart. The electric beat moved and started to come out of a different place. I dont really understand it, other than they took away my happy pills! I cried. (So did all my family, friends and colleagues. 😉) But maybe they could pick something up like they did with me.

Sorry if youve done all that or its a stupid suggestion. I can only infer my sympathies really.

I get them but they come and go. I've found out that they're triggered by too much alcohol, caffeine and sugar. If I have a weekend away where I over indulge in all those things I feel dreadful the next day with near constant ectopic beats. If I sleep badly (currently going through a spell of insomnia) then it's bad the next day too.
I avoid caffeine 99% of the time. Alcohol intermittently causes ectopic beats, not always. I am just mindful of looking after my diet and myself.
I'm not on medication. My GP, and I, thought it wasn't bad enough for meds and I would then need to cope with side effects of the meds.

Whether or not you have an underlying cardiac problem, getting on top of the anxiety that these ectopics are causing is really important. And also very difficult! But your life will be hugely improved if you can make progress with this.

I have a structural heart problem I was born with and when I started getting palpitations some years ago I was extremely anxious, which of course made them worse & it's all a big vicious circle. I also get ectopics but they don't bother me particularly. Mind you, a lot fewer than you: latest 24hr ECG recorded about 600, which is above normal but not horrendous.

Things I have done to help with my anxiety:
CBT - did a group course which was ok but got most benefit from the book Mind Over Mood
Getting exercise (walking every day. Only 5,000 steps target but doing it consistently)
No alcohol or caffeine
multivitamins/minerals
Healthier diet with more veg and brown rice/pasta
Relaxation techniques
Getting enough rest; slowing the pace of my life
Reminding myself that these are unpleasant but have always been harmless in the past
Keeping a list of events and looking for causes/patterns
drinking plenty of water

Probably other things too! It needs to be taken seriously as a project but is so worthwhile. I now have my life back again and though I still get episodes sometimes and they are unpleasant, I get fewer of them and I manage between without thinking about them much.

I also get frequent ectopic beats but after investigations, they’ve found no cause. I definitely think I get them more when stressed / upset and I also find that I almost get a surge in adrenaline when they occur (daft really cos sometimes all I’m doing is watching tv!). On bisoprol too. Sometimes helps, sometimes doesn’t and I have to take 2. The joys!

I get ectopics very frequently too. Every 4th or 5th beat usually and goes on for weeks at a time. Same as yoy...no pattern really but worse with lack of sleep and stress. Look up sanjay gupta york cardiology on YouTube. He's a cardiologist from York who is absolutely amazing at explaining things to do with the heart and I find his videos very calming and reassuring. He has loads on pvcs/ectopics. Also apparently magnesium supplements can help as a lot of the time stress anxiety tiredness etc can use up magnesium in the body leaving us a bit low on it and so apparently taking magnesium can help a lot of people with ectopics.

I second pp recommendation for York Cardiology but also think you should push for a heart monitor. I had one I simply stuck on my chest for 10 days (think I had only 8 days of wearing it) then simply put it in the post. You pressed it when you had symptoms, although this monitor will pick things up regardless. I had mine because of a month long run of bigeminy and frequent ectopics like you describe. No one knows how truly awful it feels unless they've been through it!
Anyway, even if they are ectopics, if they account for over 10% of your hearts beats over a day then it is still beneficial to have an ablation, but you need to push for the extended monitor.
I ended up being diagnosed with SVT, but I don't believe that was to do with the ectopics or bigeminy, however they are all electrical faults so guessing I'm just dodgy in that way

How have you got on?

Ask doctors to examine you for chronic pericarditis or myocarditis. This is inflammation of the heart or heart lining and can irritate your heart and cause frequent ecoptics. Some people are prone to this, especially after viral infections.

I suffer from severe bouts of ectopics that have nearly always followed a viral infection. In Feb I was diagnosed with myocarditis after suffering pain which was preceded by a few days of frequent ectopics.

My guess is, I am prone to this inflammation. This inflammation doesnt always show on echocardiogram or ecgs, so could be missed

The treatment would be antiinflammatorys or steroids.

The good news is, you've been suffering for a long time with these and whilst it's causing you panic and anxiety (which will likely be worsening the symptoms) they haven't killed you. So this isn't something that's going to kill you. It's something that's uncomfortable and annoying and anxiety raising.

Other than that, examine the usual suspects. Electrolytes (look at good supplements and make sure their contents are bioavailable forms).

Look at weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. Anything to alleviate pressure on the heart will help.

High dose fish oil each day will also assist your general heart health. Look at 1g of combined EPA/DHA a day. I use seven seas max strength.

Have you had a 24 hr tape and an echocardiogram, if not that is where to start . Perhaps you need to change to a cardiologist who specialises in ectopics .