Ectopic beats / PVCs?

[greybear99]

Does anybody else suffer from ectopic beats?

During my pregnancy I developed tachycardia and post partum hypertension. When I gave birth, I had an echocardiogram 24 hour ecg, however nothing abnormal was noted.

Although the blood pressure and high heart rate has settled a few months down the line - I've recently noticed I'm getting ectopic beats which I can really feel as palpitations in my throat. Especially notice after excerise or when leaning forward? Does anybody else have this? Is it worth going back to gp or can they be normal?

When this happens I take an ecg on my watch and it says they're 'PVCs'?

I suffered really badly with heart palpitations after I had my son weirdly. I had loads of bloods, ECG, and a 24 hr heart monitor. Picked up ectopic beats and PVCs. I was assured they were nothing to worry about and benign and perfectly normal. The cardiologist said most people actually have ectopic beats but don't notice them. I had a phase last year where I would have terrible heart palpitations, skipped beats, flutters for hours at a time. I got myself so worked up and ended up in A & E numerous times at all hours because I was convinced I was dying. It was horrible. Eventually they discharged me from cardiology and said they are certain it's anxiety related coupled with gastro issues (which I do have). Took me ing time to accept they are probable right. Also, don't trust your watch as 100 percent. My doctor told me they can wildly unreliable and inaccurate. I don't get the palpitations as much as anymore but on occasion I do get the odd missed or even extra beat.

Thank you for replying.

That's interesting. I wonder if my heart is just trying to 'settle down' after birth with everything that went on. But I agree with you. They are quite worrying and I myself nearly went to a&e but did not have any symptoms apart from the palpitations so thought better of it.

I think I might just book another cardiologist appointment to double check, but could to know they are common and they weren't concerned for you. X

Yes. They started when I was pregnant with ds2 (26). I’ve had ECG’s, 2 echocardiograms, 24 hour tape etc and nothing found. Sometimes they have been really bad, continually for several hours. I’ve been to A&E several times over the years and they once caught them on a heart monitor but by the time the got the ECG machine they had stopped. They’ve said just ectopic beats. I took early retirement 10 years ago and I’ve only had an odd missed beat since. Obviously I’m post menopause too so that probably helps.

When I was at my most scared by it (think caravan in the back of beyond on my own with two kids and a baby) I would Google all the people that have had them for years and are still alive which I found reassuring.

I get them too. It’s very unsettling. I think mine started in my late 30s, with no obvious trigger. I did see a cardiologist and was told it was just one of those things. I had a few times when I seemed to get them all day but in recent years much less - sometimes when I am lying down or strangely if I have acid reflux (I think there is a link).

Thanks for your replies. Pregnancy / hormones seems like a common theme. I had another bad episode last night after a run, it's so weird. I have a cardiologist appointment today so hopefully he can give some more insights.

I get them often and my tests also came back clear. The more I worry about them, the worse they are. So I try not to track my pulse or monitor them as it’s a know thing for those who have health anxiety. I’ve found certain things trigger them, so maybe you have some triggers too? Mine are if I exercise and don’t stay hydrated enough (low electrolytes) or if my blood sugar is low. Also if I eat anything too spicy. Hope that helps x

Thank you all.

I spoke to my cardiologist, he is not concerned as my echocardiogram was normal. He said it's likely due to not being active during pregnancy and then starting to run again is triggering them. He said they can feel uncomfortable but nothing to worry about. More a pain than anything else x

@WarriorPrincess24 me again! Please can I ask how long it took your bad phase to settle? I've been in and out of the doctors. Mine are happening every other beat and lasting for hours at a time. It feels so scary! Just want it to stop.

How are you doing now, @greybear99 and @WarriorPrincess24 ? I’m going through the same thing, like 10 PVCs in a minute or runs of every other beat; my ecg is normal but I am so stressed out and exhausted by this. Would be good to hear if anything worked for you!

@Babyshambles90 hello, I saw a cardiologist in the end and wore a holter monitor and had an echocardiogram. Everything was normal, so it was put down to hormonal changes after birth. Everything settled eventually. The cardiologist told me these are often nothing to worry about, although they can feel scary!

I suffered ectopic beats that were really noticeable. I had no idea what they were at the time and when I felt them I would slightly panic and my vision went a bit blurry.
I had a ecg.. then had a 24hr ecg and then I was sent for a heart scan where everything came back normal apart from tachycardia and ectopic beats. There was no cause at the time (I'm not a dr) but I put it down to coming off contraception. As the only change was stopping the pill. So maybe hormones?

Thank you both, I’m so glad things improved. My GP gave me a beta blocker to try and today has been so much better, I’m hoping it stays that way and I cope with the side effects!

I was going to post a very similar question so I'm glad this is here! I have low blood pressure rather than high, my acid reflux is currently bad and digestive system is generally unhappy. The palpitations are ridiculous atm and have been for 2 weeks. I had them for 2 or 3 mins straight whilst hanging washing and they didn't stop until I burped 😳 I am reminding myself that I've had several ecg's over the years and a 24 hr monitor and several bloods and nothing has come back apart from ectopic beats. This phase of palpitations has been since my stomach become dodgy 2 weeks ago and I missed a meal, then consequently had low blood sugar and had a bit of a hypo. Had to run home and eat snacks to regulate blood sugar and haven't felt normal since. Hope it sorts itself out soon. Keep wondering if I should go to the gp but that'd be another 2 weeks so... 🙄