Ectopic heartbeat - worried

[AOMum14]

Hello,

Last year, when I was pregnant, I developed ectopic heartbeats. They were horrendous! Multiple trips to A&E and ECGs and 48 hour heart monitor. Typically, my heart was the best it was but they did spot an ectopic heartbeat. No one was worried whatsoever and I was sent away and told it was pregnancy causing it.

After I gave birth to my baby 11 months ago, they have mostly stopped. Now and again I will still feel one. This week however, I have around multiple ectopic heartbeats. I have been under a lot of stress and anxiety in the last month, it's been quite intense but the heartbeat is not happening while I'm having anxiety if that makes sense. It's when I'm watching TV ect.

I don't know whether to go to the doctor about it. I have been so often due to my anxiety recently I feel embarrased. My worry if that they sent me on my way last time because they believed they were due to pregnancy.

I'm TTC for another baby at the moment which is adding stress as due to losing a baby in 3rd trimester previously, I am worried about losing another if I was to get pregnant.

Just wondering if anyone has any reassurence they can share?

I have ectopic heartbeats all the time. I’m told they are nothing to worry about. Live as healthily as you can I suppose. I’m really sorry for your sad loss.

Hi,

I have ectopic beats, mine were discovered after my heart went a little doolally and I got diagnosed with SVT as well

I also suffer with anxiety which doesn't help and mine will just randomly pop up too, not necessarily when I'm anxious

Often mine can coincide with needing to burp, I don't know if that could be something you're experiencing?

Either way, I've had them for years and they're just a bit annoying but I've always been told they're nothing to worry about. I hope that helps.

Having said all of that, if you do need some reassurance the best person to see is your GP, they don't mind you going and checking as your heart is important.

Best of luck TTC and I'm sorry for your previous loss

Hi,

I also have ectopic heartbeats and they do feel strange. Based on conventional ECG and 24hrs monitor doctors (and dr. Google) say it's okay. I bought a single led home ECG and it reproduces the results of the doctor's. When I need reassurance that my heart is okay, I measure what's going on, and see that it's doing as usual.

I found that the amount of ectopic beats can be reduced by drinking only decaff tea (am not coffee drinker). I'm also experimenting with eating less sodium, but more potassium (eg. in baked potato), getting my vitamin D from sunshine instead of a pill, but having omega-3 pills. I think, these work for me too.

I have just been told I have them after a24-hour monitor. No concerns - I didn’t even feel the ones they picked up but do at other times. I had an op just after results and the anesthetist wasn’t concerned.
ive seen a few cardiologists over the years and this was the first time they’ve shown up on ecg. Being dehydrated makes them worse. I also had quite a few when pregnant (over 20 years ago!).

DH has atrial fibrillation, finds his Apple Watch useful for checking if he feels some irregularity whether it's just ectopics. He's got an app which analyses it.

Often mine can coincide with needing to burp, I don't know if that could be something you're experiencing?

Yeah,that's a definite thing he notices

I have them too. I’m going in for a scan today and a 2 week monitor.
Ive had them since my pregnancy ten years ago and they come and go. They aren’t dangerous (apparently) but I’m seeing a dr privately now as I am sick of wasting energy on worrrying about them!

Agree with others, dehydration and Illness makes them worse. Pregnancy due to the hormone fluctuations

I've got ectopic beats, apparently they happen more often when your heart is beating slower (at rest) because that's when there's actually time between beats for your heart to do a mini accidental twitch (which is what an ectopic beat is).

I should add, I’ve had a few ECGs, a 24 hr tape and a scan previously. If you are worried about yours push for this with your GP.
I always feel it’s not worth messing around when it comes to your heart and there are two types apparently. Some aren’t dangerous at all, others can be

Mine also developed during pregnancy and now come and go when stressed or under the weather. I find them very distracting and unpleasant so I did go to my GP who proscribed me propranolol (a beta blocker) to take when they really kick off. They actually help a fair bit so it's worth exploring that option with your GP if the ectopic beats are causing you distress.

I've had them years and stress does make them worse but weirdly I also get them really bad when im anaemic. If they stopped and then come a trip to the doctor would do no harm

The main thing to keep in mind is that ectopic beats are not harmful at all. They just feel strange.

I have had a few ECG's last year and a 72 hour tape. I haven't had a scan but after the previous checks they didn't see the need! I'm trying to be calm and not worry - thank you so much for your response!

You might be low in magnesium, and that can lead to them developing. Try taking a magnesium supplement every night before bed and see if they calm down.

You could also try taking some iron and Vit D while you are about it as they are also helpful

Thank you everyone!

I ended up going to A&E yesterday and have another ECG and a lof of bloods. Everything has come back normal.

They decided not to do an xray as I am currently in two weeks wait as I am TTC and didn't feel the need to do another u2 hour heart monitor.

Typically, I have had another two big ones today but I am trying to trust that a doctor wouldn't send me on my way if she thought there was something terribly wrong!

Thank you again for all of your help!

Thought I would update this post - I am currently 23 weeks pregnant. I was unknowingly probably around 1 week pregnant when I posted this!

My ectopic heartbeats in the last few days have picked up the pace - in the evenings I can have 10 in one minute and it's horrendous. I have been laying my head on my partners chest listening to his heart so I'm not distracted by mine. I had another ECG in August when they were not too bad and it came back (suprise suprise) as normal (didn't pick up on any missed/extra beats).

Spoke to my doctor on Friday over the phone so said to only worry if they are non-stop and painful/breathless. My issue is I don't know what he means by non-stop? In the evenings I'm getting so many but will only have a few in the day. I'm busy in the day of course so may not notice them as much.

I don't want to spend hours in A&E - which is basically what the GP said. Don't come back here if you are still concerned.

I'm trying to be logical - I have had countless ECG 1 minutes checks in two years, my bloods are normal and a 24 hour monitor in the last two years as well. I'm just trying to reassure myself that this is just how my heart responds in pregnancy!

Does anyone get them as often as what I am describing? Whether that be in pregnancy or not

Ectopics are not unusual, most people have them and don't notice. Once you notice you become more aware. Stress and anxiety can cause them and being busy and distracted will stop you noticing.
I have SVT which is a condition where the heart rate shoots up to very high rate for no reason. Had lots of tests, ecgs, tapes and EP studies. They all show lots of ectopics. Cardiologists don't get to concerned about ectopics.
I have learned to ignore it.
You have been thoroughly checked and reassurred that nothing is wrong with your heart. Try to be busy doing something else and forget about it unless you have pain or pass out or are short of breath as your doctor has told you.