I just wanted to come on here for a bit of advice or just to share what I’ve been struggling with recently,
I’ve struggled with ectopic beats for over a year now, and they have been manageable as they have predominantly been quite spread out or predictable, and the only bad episodes happening when I’ve had a fever or flu (which I was told was normal). I’ve been prescribed propanalol which I was advised to take before I go out (as I am a student), or when I feel I need to, as I have just finished my first year at university - these could not have come at a worse time ! Running and eating healthy helps me, also taking vit D and magnesium taurate, although alcohol seems to make them worse and I haven’t really been able to have a good time going out for over a year now. However, I have noticed that if I have a had a drink, and I begin to walk quite briskly I seem to get loads in a row, but also this past Monday, I had nothing alcoholic and I was just walking around my city and had a really horrible episode where I had loads and loads in a row and it was quite scary. I do acknowledge that I was walking uphill and possibly dehydrated - but they had never been this bad or even happened under this circumstance before. I am quite a fan of predictability and knowing what will trigger my ectopics and what won’t. When I got back to my place, they seemed to subside, I am just really worried that I will eventually develop AFib or the ectopics will get worse or something of the sort, especially since I am 19 and I was just beginning to manage them
I have not been able to eat healthy or do running since I have been at uni, but I do walk a lot and perhaps don’t drink enough water as a should, but I know it is not as simple as that.
I’ve had an ECG although might ask for a holter from my GP, I have seen him many times in the past year and he knows me quite well now and doesn’t have a concerns. He said they are common in young slim women. I have also been having therapy to battle my anxiety as the ectopics began to take over my life and I was scared to go out drinking or go to nightclubs etc, and when you are a student it’s very hard to explain to people the whole concept of getting extra or missed heart beats!
Any advice or reassurance would be very appreciated!
Thank you
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alexandral7
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Hi Alexandra. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this, rather than enjoying your time at uni.
Firstly a word of reassurance. I realised I ectopic beats when I was your age. I asked my friend ‘you know like when you’re heart races and then skips a beat’. The look on her face told me it was an ‘uh oh’ moment. I’ve had them ever since & they’ve made not a jot of difference to my life. It’s only now, aged 56, I’ve had an episode of AFib, so chances are you have a very long and happy life ahead before you even need to countenance being on this forum!
Seems you have already done the right thing by being checked over and have been given reassurance that all is well. That being the case it’s just a matter of accepting the beats are just the way your heart works & that you’ll be fine. You’ve been really sensible in noticing what kicks them off and taking that into account, but please don’t let them rule your life. I found once I accepted the beats weren’t sinister, I noticed them less. I’m so pleased you’re being counselled as I’m sure this will help you come to terms with your anxiety. You seem very sensible - keep on looking after yourself and I’m sure all will be well.
Thank you very much for your kind words 😊 it’s very comforting to know that they can start at any age and just remembering they are harmless. They just seem to be one of those things that feed themselves with the anxiety they create! Do you have any advice for when you get them how to ignore them ?
I’d say that I’ve come to realise this: when I start to experience a scary health symptom - in the second my brain races to the worst case scenario - that what I’m experiencing is the fear of what might happen, not what is happening. Once I’ve accepted the symptom for what it is, then the accompanying anxiety subsides. Secondly, I have, of course, increasing hindsight with age on my side “my heart settled the last umpteen times this happened & I’m still standing, so I’m pretty sure it will again”. You too will have this as time goes on. Lastly, I pull to mind a quote out from my lovely friend who’s a nurse: ‘You will die one day, but just not today’.
That sounds like a very good way of approaching it - I will definitely try and apply this to my own scenarios. And yes I agree, hindsight is also a very good thing, sometimes I look back and I think why was I worried about one ? When now I can get more than one and be fine ! That’s a very insightful quote also, thank you 😊
Hello! That’s very thoughtful of you thank you so much 😊 I am doing quite a bit better thank you! I’m back home now from uni for the summer and back into a healthy routine which works for me, also seeing my GP for a checkup next week so all good here - managing better than a couple weeks ago. Hope you are doing well also! Best wishes x
Hi Alexandra I am so sorry to hear you are having to deal with this at such a young age. When you should be enjoying life and experiencing your years at Uni. It sounds as if you are doing all the right things. I always had palpitations though stressful times, illness and hormonal imbalances. However last year they increased dramatically and yes it was really alarming. So I really can relate to how you must feel. I’ve now had extensive investigations a great cardiologist looking into them and it’s been confirmed as benign ectopics. I have found that cutting out completely alcohol, caffeine and eating healthy and exercising has really helped. The anxiety that surrounds it has diminished. I work hard not to allow myself to stress and avoid ‘toxic’ situations. I feel sure they will diminish for you too. My cardio said they will ‘wax and wane’ so they may well do for you too. Until then look after yourself. Keep off alcohol and the energy drinks as they are full of caffeine and be kind to yourself.
Really sorry to hear that you've been dealing with these. Remember that if you've had your heart checked and all is normal then they are harmless. I know this is easier said than done!
I've had them as long as I can remember, but when I was younger they didn't worry me at all. I just knew it was something that my heart randomly did, and it was only ever a skip here or there or a short run of them when I was really nervous - I'm a musician so at the start of a performance they always went crazy!!
Now in my mid 40s I've been getting them a little more often and as a result of tracking them myself I have worked out that they are absolutely linked with hormonal changes. In my younger years I noticed I would always get a few more skips in the week leading up to my cycle. Now that I'm almost certainly hitting perimenopause I also get them very badly in the lead up to ovulation. I have about 3-5 days where I will have several hours of skipping beats very regularly, sometimes every 4th then maybe 8th then maybe a minute without then on and on in a random pattern like that. Once I've ovulated it all settles down again until the days before my cycle starts and then I'll get a few skips here and there again. I've read that hormonal related ectooic beats are very common, especially at my age, and so even though you are a long way off perimenopause is there any way yours were triggered by hormonal changes?
Another trigger that sets mine off is if I go too long without eating. I have to eat regularly or it will set off a few hours of bad skipping that will settle down again a couple of hours after I have eaten. I can't avoid the ovulation ones but I can make sure I don't have any as a result of low blood sugar. I believe this is another common trigger.
I also don't drink alcohol or tea/caffeine as I know these can also make things worse.
Sorry it's a bit of an essay, but I really wanted to reassure you as I know how horrible these feel and I've been there worrying endlessly about them myself in the past. Now I just talk myself through them when they hit. They didn't do me any harm over the last 30 years, a recent ECG and Holter confirmed (had them because I was concerned about the increase but the Dr wasn't in the least bit concerned) so I keep telling myself that!
Hello, thank you very much for your kind words and advice 😊 I completely resonate with what you have said, as I noticed they seem to always appear just before my period! But interesting with what you said around ovulation, I will definitely track this also and see if I notice anything. I think hormones are definitely a big factor. Thank you very much for your reassurance also! It helps me feel less lonely in all this 🤗 I will keep a hormonal and general diary as I have noticed similar with low blood sugar and also after eating a big meal. PS: not an essay at all! You have given me some really insightful advice and helpful reassurance! Hope you are well and best wishes x
I had PACs PVCs post ablation. Coenzyme q10 definitely helped, it had the number and force reduced in a few days. You can't take it with warfarin. Loads of research studies on Google scholar to support using q10 with afib. It helps reduce inflammation and AFib and inflammation don't like each other.
Not wishing to get you to start taking supplements at such a young age, but magnesium turate has worked for me, had a lot and I mean a lot of ectopic's after my ablation 5 years ago but now hardly if any now.
I started with ectopic beats, since around your age - a long time ago. They really are not a physical health problem at all but can easily cause anxiety - sometimes to the point of that causing physical health problems. I was also given propranolol occasionally over the years; it might help a little, but I suspect not, as the dose will be low, and its effect is generally mild.
What's to do for the best? If you really can't get used to them (and you certainly will over time), then perhaps try to get a Holter ECG on the NHS, or there is a home version that runs for 24 hours by a company called Wellue. I bought one a few weeks back on a discount and I have been more than thrilled with what it does for the very reasonable price, producing a comprehensive AI analysis which you can discuss with your doctor. But... you will surely get used to them over time, as I did.
Thank you very much for your reassurance and advice 😊 yes I am prescribed 40mg which most of the time works but also sometimes doesn’t. I will definitely take a look at Wellue thank you! Best wishes
"Common in slim young women" - get another doctor if you can preferably a female one. Misemifein's reply is good. Try to keep a record and see if there is a connexion with your menstrual cycle. During the second half of the cycle after ovulation it is common to get dropping blood sugar and to have to pay more attention to gaps between meals. Low blood sugar can definitely bring on ectopics. Definitely do not overdo alcohol. This might seem hard when you are 19 but having had what used to be called a misspent youth I can assure you that the less alcohol you drink when you are young the gladder you will be as you age!
Thank you very much for your advice 🤗 I think there is definitely a link to my menstrual cycle among other lifestyle changes I may need to do. You are right! Sometimes not drinking as much as everyone else can have its benefits, as you get to laugh at the drunk ones! Best wishes 😊
I was the same way. I would drink a large glass of ice tea, go walking and would get them. I think you are dealing with a vagal issue which I dealt with too. I’m thinking I have a sliding hiatal hernia which is impacting my vagus nerve and sending electrical signals towards my brain and being intercepted by my heart. I’m perfectly fine until I eat something and usually get them when I’m sitting but then if I eat or drink a lot, I get them as I walk. Sometimes they’d put me into Afib. Luckily I was able to find a surgeon here in the US who did a mini maze and while I still feel the signals the pathway has been blocked with scarring. Try and keep a diary for two weeks or so on everything you do, eat, drink, sleep, hormonal changes, etc. and see if you can pinpoint triggers. Good Luck!
Thank you very much for your insight and advice 😊 I also find that to be the case too! I had read about links to the vagus nerve and will definitely look into that! I will start a diary with everything like you said! Hope you are well and best wishes!
Thank you! I’ve had a mini maze and I’m off all meds and don’t take a blood thinner because I have the atriclip on my left atrial appendage. And no Afib episodes since my surgery on 3/1/2022. I also take Magnesium Taurate for ectopic beats.
Good luck and if your Afib burden increases look into a mini maze in the UK. On the Wolf Mini Maze Facebook page there have been people who have gotten the surgery in the UK. I had two failed ablations here in the US.
I started having ectopics at around your age. It took over a year of various tests for them to finally be seen on any of the tests.. I Had ECGs, a holter monitor etc and they just never happened during any of the tests. Finally I was sent for a stress test (the treadmill). yet again nothing happened during the test but when I sat down to recover,t hey happened to leave the electrodes on and the machine running and lo and behold, I finally had quite a long run of ectopics. They explained which part of the heart they were coming from and that they were completely normal and harmless. It still took me over a hear to accept and come to terms with what they said but as the worry and anxiety gradually reduced, so did the ectopics. Anxiety and stress are huge causes of ectopics. I'm now 75. Obviously they did me no harm at all. I still get very occasional erratic beats but I ignore them and always realise that I've been stressed at the time. You need to persist in asking for tests until they show up and can prove they are harmless and learn how to control your anxiety.
Thank you very much for your insight and reassurance 😊 I will definitely push for the tests just to get a good basis to continue from. I have had one ECG in the past but as you said they never happen during the test! It is going to be a journey but I am determined to push through 😊 Hope you are well and best wishes!
I had umpteen ECGs but they do only record a few seconds. I think if you had persistent AF they would probably show it but it would have to be constant. A holter monitor for a full week just might but it was pure chance they left the electrodes on me to catch it after the stress test. It could take a long time. My GP was never concerned but he did order tests for my peace of mind. He knows I suffer from health anxiety. I'm fine once I know what's happening and why.
Last year I did get a very erratic heartbeat straight after my 3rd Covid booster and that did show on the ECG . I only noticed because I felt very tired and took my BP a few times and it always showed the little wobbly heart symbol. I didn't actually feel them until about week 3. I got a holter monitor within a week which showed 5000 ectopics from both chambers of the heart within an 8 hour period - then the monitor fell off LOL. Thankfully they slowed down in week 4 and stopped completely after about 5 weeks. The docs decided they were definitely caused by the booster; totally different to my usual ones. They have never come back but I have refused another booster.
I get ectopic beats. Unless you have some underlying heart condition that has been diagnosed, ectopic heartbeats are quite normal. Yes ectopic beats can come from nowhere and some days they could be horrific. I’ve learned stress can cause them and so can certain types of foods and they can also come out of the blue, out of nowhere for no reason. Some nights I wake up and it feels like my heart is going to come out of my chest, even though my pulse is 45/50 bpm but I can really feel the ectopic beats. The problem is you become aware of them. Many people get them but they cannot feel them. Breathing exercises really help. They can really calm the ectopic beats. I went through rigorous testing by a cardiologist and he said my heart is structurally sound. He told me he had ectopic beats too but couldn’t feel them. A healthy heart can do funny things. My doc told me a PIP is definitely not required. Your anxiety becomes the biggest problem.
Thank you very much for your insight and advice. It is annoying how unpredictable they can be as I would rather know what foods/drinks to avoid and what I can enjoy, or simply what lifestyle factors trigger them. It is all very strange isn’t it. Best wishes!
Even as you learn to live with it, you’ll find at the most in opportune time, they’ll rear their ugly head, like 2am when it’s so quiet. The most important thing is to see a cardiologist, so they can stress test your heart and rule out any underlying issues. Once your heart gets a clean bill of health, you can begin to relax.
hi i find it’s the sugar hit that gets me going and sometimes eat too much or too quickly. Sit for 15 mins after you eat, don’t drink too much while you eat. Back in January knowing I was going to play 4-5 hours of golf in the heat I started the day with 2 large juices, then drank 2 gatorades during golf then a large ginger beer after golf then went to dinner with my wife and had 2 zero beers which have sugar and then a custard desert. Got up to walk home and the ectopics hit me and lasted 5 days! Since then I’ve adjusted sugar intake and guess what, the odd ectopics only and gone with in a few minutes.
Don’t stress as they can actually make it worse. I’m a believer in a book called Breath by James Nestor, reminding us how how to breathe, I’m sure that’s made a difference in my case. Good luck and go and enjoy life!
Hello! Thank you for your insight and book recommendation 😊 I will check it out. I completely resonate with the food and drink situation! Hope you are well and best wishes!
I’m well thank you , I forgot to mention exercise and good sleep have become my mantra this year and so far all good. Diagnosed AF 1993 and get episodes average once every 4-5 years
My EP said unfortunately if you get ectopics you will get AF in the end. I had them form 21 after surgery and they would come on if I was tired. I never got them when exercising though so you should get a holter test if your GP agrees.
you need minimum an echo and 7 days holter before discussing the next steps. In the meantime we can live without coffee and alcohol. I absolutely understand you need to go out with friends and drink alcohol but in your case, it is the choice you have to make for your own sake. I go out with friends all the time and I don’t drink alcohol and we need our mutual friendship and the fact I don’t drink alcohol does not bother them or me at all.
Thank you for your advice 😊 I will push for the tests definitely as I need a basis to continue from. I have switched to decaf although may just cut it all out entirely. You are right, it’s the weighing up of whether to drink or not. A couple of my close friends understand completely which is nice. Best wishes!
I'm just wondering if your GP would recommend daily natural magnesium supplements. I suffered a major AF episode about 18 months ago and my Cardio put me on Bisoprolol, Apixaban and recommended magnesium to relax the heart. I was amazed at just how quickly the mag. worked: I ordered Magnesium Bisglycinate as it doesn't cause diarrhoea or gas as other magnesium supps. can, and immediately my sleep greatly improved, as did my relaxation. If my heart starts beating fast I take one capsule or two, and it does help relax the heart muscle. You will need to ask which magnesium is best for you. I believe Taurate is another version that helps. I've researched Dr Sanjay Gupta in York, Dr Berg and other treaters on YouTube for their very helpful advice and apparently women in particular can need magnesium, especially as they get older (which doesn't refer to you but you may have a deficiency, which I think I had due to the improvement I've had since taking them. Hope it helps. You will get MUCH helpful info from Dr Gupta on YT - he is excellent regarding things of the heart and you can email him with questions.
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