Ectopics /chest pain

Hi there

This is my second posting and I was most grateful for the previous helpful advice and comments from the group

I am interested to know whether group members experience the same symptoms as me and what they think

By way of background I have not had full blown af for a couple of years following a major heart op I now take 100 mg of flecanide ,5g of apixaban twice a day and 1.5 of bisoprolol each day

I am now having regular bouts of ectopics have had 3 holster monitors to check it out and have been advised that I have had both ventricular and atrial ectopics (sometimes multiple ) over this period i cant tell the difference but I am experiencing two sets of symptoms

Apart from the anxiety when the ectopics occur out of the blue mainly when at rest or after exercise which I am very much encouraged to continue I also experience a feeling of nausea and sometimes overwhelming tiredness and the inability to do very much (I’m sure this is the bisoprolol even at a low dose)

The other symptom (not at the same time as the ectopics ) this sounds crazy is that I occasionally get a one off jolt or stabbing pain in the left side of the chest which is then followed by left sided chest pain for a few days that dissspates after a while but feels very uncomfortable and worrying

I have seen both my GP and consultant over these symptoms (I am sure they must feel I am a hypochondriac ) There has been little progress in resolving these issues apart from suggestions to increase the medication which I am loath to do and the GP suggesting the chest pain is muscular or the consultant wanting another monitor by which time things seem to settle

These bouts are becoming more regular of late and I would welcome any further advice or suggestions

Having read some of the other members problems I feel relatively lucky matters are better than they were pre op

Best wishes and good health to all M

[Buffafly]

A few questions, what kind of exercise, are you female, and have you had an angiogram?

I guess the reason for the first question is obvious, but I ask the other two because symptoms of cardiovascular disease in women are different to those in men. Another possibility is artery spasm but I have that sometimes and it is nothing like you describe which does sound more like a pinched nerve. Could you arrange to have an ECG at the time you feel the chest pain? Any cardiovascular problems should show up.

The BHF forum or website might be more helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks for the response

I’m male and have had a couple of angiograms and have clear and no blocked arteries excercise is moderate swimming cycling or walking

Trying to get an ecg when I have a “ jolt “ is nigh on impossible timing wise and the acheing at ecg shows nothing significant

I liken it to a muscle that reacts as though as has been kicked but hard to explain

The ectopics it seems there is nothing that they can do about it apart from increase drug dosage

I am getting resigned to the fact it is a consequence of open heart surgery for a congenital heart disorder but still difficult to live with coupled with the associated anxiety

[philologus in reply to Hidden]

I had lots of ectopics (30 - 40,000 a day) and I used to get the chest pain that you describe - or at least it sounds the same.

Mine used to wake me up in the middle of the night sometimes.

I put it down to the fact that the ectopics were causing my heart not to know when to do what as it was getting so many conflicting signals.

I think the "big ones" came when my heart had been confused and had not emptied the left ventricle very much and then had to cope with that and the next lot that was coming through. It left me feeling sore for a day or two afterwards. It became a frequent occurrence so that I could expect a couple of "big ones" every day.

I have a Kardia device but you can't catch these episodes because they are not predictable are they?

My ectopics and heart failure were caused by my taking Tramadol for a few years. for arthritic pain and sciatica.

Even though I stopped taking Tramadol, the ectopics and HF remained until I read a post on here about using Iodine. I researched this for a month before I jumped in and tried it. I'm glad I did because my ectopics are below 300 a day now and no "big ones."

If you decide that this might help you make sure that you research it properly as Iodine can effect other medication - especially medication for thyroid problems.

[baba]

I had very frequent etopics (felt and recorded) when on Flecainine, not felt one or seen one on Kardia ECG since I have been off Flecainide

[Hidden]

I was told by my GP that ectopics did not indicate that Afib was impending (I have PAF). However, I have never been entirely convinced by this. Whenever I have had an episode of PAF ectopics have preceded it and followed it. Ectopics sometimes seem to recede if I breath slowly and deeply (4-2-6 breathing) for about 15 mins or so. Anxiety, which you mention, could certainly be a factor.