Palpitations

[Tellingfibs]

I know about the risks of stroke when you have Afib, and I take Warfarin, but just out of interest, do ordinary palpitations, like PVCs and SVEs also present a risk ?

Annie

[Jalia]

My understanding is that excessive ectopics do in fact carry a stroke risk.

[Tellingfibs in reply to Jalia]

Thank you. Jalia. Yes, I did think that although it’s not the same condition as Afib, if the heart isn’t beating regularly, then the pooling effect in the heart will be the same. Thanks for responding.

Annie.

[BobD Volunteer]

Palpitations just means a person is able to feel their heart beating so it is important to actually know what is happening to make a judgment call. Ectopics are generally considered benign by cardiolgists but long periods of ectopic activity may possibly carry a risk element.

[Tellingfibs in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob. For the last couple of months, I have had reduced episodes of Afib but increased episodes of the palpitations, which my Kardia tells me are PVCs and SVEs. They don’t bother me really, but just now, I did wonder if they increased the stroke risk. My GP mentioned it to my cardiologist and a couple of weeks later I was sent for for an echocardiogram - that’s what I call service ! Apparently I am having a Zoom meeting with a ‘Clinical Physiologist’ in a couple of weeks so I will be able to run my questions past them. However, I do appreciate considered opinions from such as yourself on this forum. 👍

Annie.

[secondtry]

The latest advice from my cardiologist this year was you need to start taking anti-coagulants if you have an AF episode lasting 12 or more hours, so I would have thought intermittent palpitations etc are unlikely to be a threat to the majority.

[Tellingfibs in reply to secondtry]

Thanks, that’s reassuring.

[Ppiman]

From what I have read and been told, no, not at all, thankfully. Ectopic beats, such as PACs (less common) and PVCs (most common) are called "benign" for that reason and because they don't affect the heart muscle negatively over time. I gather that if the frequency of them is high, however, say 20-40% of all beats being ectopic, then that might not be the case and they might need treatment; also, PVCs occurring because of pre-existing heart disease can need treatment.

As an aside, it's not fully certain, I gather, that AF itself causes the micro-thrombi that can cause an embolism and stroke. These form in the top of the heart in a small multi-shaped sac, a remnant from our foetal heart called the "left atrial appendage". It has been shown that those of us with an LAA shaped like the florets of a cauliflower are at the highest risk of clot formation.

Steve

[Slm1476764]

Hi, I have 22 percent ectopics and take bisatropol. I had an op recently and the anaesthetic said to me I would be ok if my heart stayed in the rhythm it was in but if it changed they would be there to resuscitate me! As it was just before my op already on the table waiting to be anaesthetised, when i came round I thought I must have misheard. I coincidentally had an appointment soon after with my cardiologist who told me this was correct but sudden death ( I think what happened to Paul O' Grady) normally only happens if the heart is damaged and apart from moderate leaky mitril valve mine isn't. Still, on the plus side I had a good clear out in the house and put affairs in order lol. Thanks to everyone on here I always read the posts. I particularly like Bob's down to earth responses . Have a good long bank holiday weekend 😘

[Tellingfibs]

Thanks for the detailed an informative response. I hadn’t heard those details about the LAA. You’d think they could be seen on an echo . I only notice my ‘palpitations’ when I am sitting very quietly, and if it wasn’t for my Kardia, I would probably believe they are less often than they are. It’s just that when I take a reading, ( I am taking quite a few so I can show frequency of Afib events for my cardiologist ) I quite often have to take - say, 3 readings , which are PVC or SVEs before I get a NSR. Then later I might get and immediate NSR. Obviously, between the readings, I must be getting more of all types, but at least I feel ok 🤞Thanks again for replying Steve.

Annie.