Ectopic beats, tachycardia? Vagal nerve?

[Kins1991]

Connection between vagal nerve and tachycardia/ectopic beats? I've been having events of tachycardia since may once a week or so, usually is comes on with a presyncope experience then general muscle weakness then tachycardia and a blood pressure spike. I also shake uncontrollably and feel freezing at the same time. The tachycardia can be 150ish or less and bp can go up considerably from normal to around 165/110 from 107/78. Usually resting heart rate is 67ish and can jump to 134 in a few seconds with these events. No arrhythmia associated so far with the event. I have ectopic beats though in the am, when I wake up for a few hours and usually after a hot shower before bed for a few hours. PACs can be in runs of 3 or more. They're maddening, if I move my arms or body while laying down it makes them worse if I lift my arms over my head or stand up to quick they can happen. I find them incredibly annoying. I know PACs and PVCs are usually benign and aren't harmful nor do they mean anything typically. I just hate the sensation of the extra beat through my body and sometimes they can make me dizzy which I know it's because of the blood flow etc. I have other pictures of PVCs as well and what looks like PACs. I have started deep diaphragm breathing which seems to help some. The events and ectopic beats do not seems to be related at all they're 2 seperate events. They have checked my heart and everything seems fine structurally. Blood work always comes back fine as I've been to the ER so many times I can't count (at first the events scared me so bad it felt as if I was gonna pass out) now they don't scare me so much and are just an annoyance and inconvenient. Some days I feel weaker than I should.

The ER dr brought up possibly have a pinched nerve as I've had back and neck pain now for weeks that can be debilitating as well. I also have severe chest pain in specific areas and some areas are painful to the touch. I have some specific locations on my back that are the same way. I know the vagal nerve can cause issues with all of this stuff wondering if something has damaged or pinched it or something else

Just wondering if over time this will all cause harm to my heart or damage the muscle eventually. Anyone else deal with issues like this? Any advice? I may find another cardiologist too that isn't so.. quick in the room.

[CDreamer]

Hi Kin’s - if you have been checked out and no explanation forthcoming have you looked at the possibility of Autonomic Dysfunction which would certainly explain a lot of your symptoms?

If you have poor posture, are over weight or have weak spinal alignment because of weak muscular strength then the explanation of pinched Vagal Nerve may also explain but as vagus nerve is part of the Autonomic System, both tend to go together. I have some hyper mobility which means I have to work quite hard to keep my spine in alignment and when it’s not I certainly know about it as it upsets Vagus nerve which affects my BP, heart and digestion. I see a Chiropractor about once a month and ensure I do Pilates/Yoga like exercises to maintain good posture. 10-15 mins of specific exercises and practicing good posture when sitting and walking really help.

You will also find that breath exercises for calming Vagus nerve will also help PACs & PVCs as you need to maintain good alignment in order to follow the breath exercises.

Here is a selection recommended by one of the UK’s top Lifestyle Doctors - Dr Chatterjee - posture and breathing are interrelated. You can’t breath properly if your posture is poor and that has a huge affect on our body, especially heart and BP.

drchatterjee.com/5-breathin...

You might also research Patrick McKeown’s YouTube videos on nasal breathing which have helped me so much.

Hope something there helps.

[Tryfan]

I'm not medically trained. However, I have practised Tai Chi and Chi Gong for over 25 years. For the last few years I have also been adding acupressure to my routines. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture. Using your fingers and hands instead of needles.

I have used acupressure on myself almost daily since the advent of the Covid pandemic as a body stimulation. I do not claim any ethicasy. But it seems to work for me. No claims either on its use in the prevention of Covid. I am awaiting my 3rd - booster on the vaccination front. But do use it for general health and Vagus stimulation.

This what I do. In your ear move up over the ridge above the ear canal. With your finger find the small indent behind the ridge and gently massage pressing gently towards your head. Just for a couple of mins. Then do same to the other ear.

Then move down to the entrance of the ear canal just inside and massage the entrance. Again you might find a small indent or slight channel or gap between the ear cartilage and your skull. Both sides for a couple of mins. This area also corresponds with heart and lungs.

Then gently push up the skin on your head just behind your ear on the hair line. Use two fingers. Gently push up. Repeat on other ear. Then gently pull down then finally pull towards your neck. On both ears.

If you like to complete the set work down your ear lobes from top to bottom gently massaging between finger and thumb. Do this again for a couple of mins, first one ear then the other. You can whist massaging gently pull the lobes up down and out . According to Chinese medicine there are at least 39 acupoints on and around the ear corresponding to the internal organs in the body.

There is one further Vagus stimulation that I suggest to use with some caution. It is massaging deep into the Umbilicus (belly button). To start this I would suggest using your palms to massage gently in circular motion above and below the button. When you feel fully warm you can gently pat the area with cupped hands for 2 or 3 mins. More advanced practise, using your fingers to press into the umbilicus as if you are playing a drum -tap -tap.

Use the deep breathing exercises as recommended by CD at the end and before sleep. They are excellent.

Hope this helps, or, gives you a base for your own research. If in any doubt seek proper medical opinions.