Missed beats/palpitations

[Gayngayn]

Hi, could really do with hearing something positive right now. I’ve suffered anxiety for many years and palpitations. I’m just into menopause and things seem to be worse at the moment. I’m having ectopic beats that are making me really sad and down, I usually find it easy to ignore them and they happen less but my reaction to the ectopic beats is anxiety and it happens again. I’ve been given propranolol but too scared to take it even though I have taken 10mg previously but nothing changed so I really need to be taking 20mg but I just can’t do it. Currently worrying about everything including going to do a regular shop or visiting a family member which is making my ectopics come more often at least 10 times a day but I’m making myself worse by thinking about them and why it happened etc. can’t even make appointment for my breast screening (that I previously cancelled) as I can’t face the hospital or doctors I’m just stuck in the house overthinking, catastrophising and trying to read online positive things to help my thoughts but nothing seems to be helping. I just feel like curling up in a corner of the sofa and crying, is there anyone that could advise on how to stop these circle of thoughts leading to more palpitations thanks ahead of time. Oh and just to mention the missed beat seems to start even before I wake up then I’m concentrating on it and it’s setting me up for a day of missed beats. I believe they’re harmless but it’s hard to think this when it’s just missed a beat or two.

Mine were caused by silent reflux- could yours be linked? They were terrible, pounding and skipping and making me breathless. I had ECGs and an echo and all was fine.

Menopause frequently brings this on. In the case of menopausal heart palpitations, they are harmless.

Just take the proprananol and see if you feel better? If you've had a break they might not need to start on 20. For me it does wonders.

@JeanGenieJean thanks, I do have reflux but on medication for that so don’t think that would I have but Thankyou

@Thisissuss thanks I just worry that my heart rate will drop too much if I take more than 10mg because at the moment I’m just sitting around at home really down and my resting heart rate is low at 60-62bpm anyway. I have taken a 10mg this morning but they don’t stop these circle of ectopics and it’s these that I’m struggling to stop thinking about which then makes it happen more. Really feel like I’m in a bit of a vicious circle.

I have loads of ectopics (and a heart condition), so I sympathise. They are not fun. (My last 24hr ECG I had nearly 7,000 in 24hrs, which was a bit of a surprise to be fair) But as you have found, being anxious does not help settle them down.

Beta blockers are a good idea to calm the physical symptoms and help you get your head calmer. Do all the breathing exercises etc to reduce anxiety and you will gradually get into a virtuous rather than vicious circle as anxiety eases and you can be more rational about the things that worry you. Don't let the setbacks put you off course; you might not totally eliminate anxiety or ectopics but they can be improved.

I have irregular heart beats and POTS so it can feel like my heart is all over the place sometimes. I know the worry that that can bring. Have you had a work up on your heart? I had an echo, a treadmill test and a 48hr monitor and it really helped to reassure me that although these weird things my heart does can feel awful my heart is healthy and it's not really anything to be concerned about.

Get these all the time - i just put it down to menopause

I have a heart condition and have ectopics and AF. I'm taking calcium blockers (tildem) which do help. Beta blockers were also suggested. I think beta blockers might be the way to go because they help with anxiety as well. My cardiologist was reluctant to prescribe them because I have asthma. Have you tried any guided meditation. I find it helpful.

@HappyHolidai thankyou I’m hoping I can get some relief from the constant missed beats or even the worry of them.

@Mylegishangingoff hi, I’ve had ecg’s one seen a pvc and doctor at hospital said it could possibly be paroxysmal a fib but referred me back to my gp, she did a 24 tape of blood pressure which was fine and then sent me for an echocardiogram which was also fine except for minor valve leaks so I’m wondering whether it’s actually an afib or just anxiety as I can have times (rarely) where I don’t get any for a day or two but mostly have them everyday. They are definately linked to my thoughts as when I’m occupied I don’t notice but getting occupied is a problem when anxiety has a hold.

Have you spoken to your GP about how this is affecting you? Have you had health anxiety with other things before or is this new with the palpitations?

@ForgottenPasswordNewAccount yes I had them before menopause but seemingly not as bad, do you take anything to help ?

@BillyBoe46 hi meditation just doesn’t sink in for me, I think I’m too tuned into my anxiety and missed beats to concentrate on anything else. I’ve done cbt which didn’t help mainly because I was given podcasts of relaxation noises etc and I just couldn’t connect with it. I’ve taken a 10mg propranolol this morning and it started slowing heart rate nearly two hours later but funnily enough I still feel anxious and still getting ectopics, too scared to up the dose to 20mg. I should mention I’m also on warfarin for PEs since 2012 so I have to bear that in mind aswell.

@wordywitch had anxiety for years and yes been to docs and sent for tests etc, hospital doc thinks a paroxysmal afib and after my gp sent me for an echocardiogram the results were normal except for a couple leaky valves. I’m on warfarin anyway for a separate reason but gp said that they would have put me on warfarin anyway for an afib so none the wiser really whether it’s a fib or just anxiety. Myself I think it’s anxiety but I’ve had 2 episodes of rapid erratic heart rate over 100 bpm. Just wish it would give me a break from the constant circle.

I think you need to go back to the gp. I just a 72 hour ecg. It will tell them more. Its hard because just calling is a big deal and anxiety inducing but you need to advocate for yourself.

@Thisissuss when you say it works wonders for you, what dosage are you on and does it stop your ectopics or make you feel like you can cope with them? Really interested in different opinions of it as I’m at my wits end as to whether to just take 2x10mg in the morning (when it’s at its worst) it’s bad enough having the actual missed beats but when anxiety kicks in on top it’s unbearable. I just feel like I’ve nowhere to turn and should just give up, I’ve really got nothing at the minute just procrastination and negative thoughts.

Lansoprazole stopped mine too. I hope you get some answers

@wordywitch thanks, I can’t get an appointment at the minute which is making me worse although I try to stay away. I think either way I need some sort of medication but I’m really worried about taking it, I know this is my anxiety stopping me but can’t seem to stop worrying this time and having a hard time snapping out of it

@JeanGenieJean yes mine is also lansoprazole just 15mg every morning helps and I’ve been taking it for around 12 years but if I miss one day it comes straight back, doesn’t help with the ectopics though so I guess that’s a separate problem

Get your ferritin and vitamin b levels checked, both can cause palpitations and anxiety if low. Mine were ‘normal’ but very close to the bottom range and I would have palpitations all day long sometimes. They are much better now after supplementing. Also magnesium really helps them. I still get them if I’m coming down with a virus or at certain times in my cycle.

It would be a good idea to get a check up as certain vitamin deficiencies can cause anxiety and fast heartbeat. Have you been checked for POTS?

Getting exercise and fresh air will help as will magnesium such as supplements and magnesium flakes in the bath.

@thenewaveragebear1983 yes my ferritin and iron levels do get quite low so that’s something I can check, I’m already on b12 tablets daily as my stomach doesn’t absorb it well. Last time my ferritin levels were 11

@Maitri108 thanks yes I will try and get an appointment for gp (maybe in 3 weeks time if I can get one) to get my levels checked. Not sure if I can use any herbal remedies or bath flakes with being on warfarin but you may have a point with magnesium levels, not been checked for a while

@Gayngayni absolutely would get them checked, 11 is really low. Mine is now 65 after supplementing iron for a year. I was never as low as 11, think I went to 24, and I was so unwell- palpitations, breathlessness, hair loss, and at one point I was so anxious I could barely function