palpatation

[Wum1t1gs2s]

I had a crying ablation in May this year. The lat 3 weeks I have been suffering really bad strong thumping palpatations. I am led to believe this is not dangerous, however it is sometimes debilitating and at least very uncomfortable. Any ideas?

[10gingercats]

I had this two years ago over a couple of months and was sent to AAU section of A and E at local hospital after going to A and E. Best thing that had happened to me re. heart for a long time. Covid had caused my GP to rather pass me over but the AAUnit sorted everything out......bloods, weird thumping heart episodes, changed Verapimil , which was doing nothing and also sorted out thy roid to name but a few of the issues they dealt with. Sometimes you can just walk into the unit.

[AblationQuery]

I had undergone a radiofrequency ablation for SVT in July this year and since then had many episodes of these hard palpitations that lasts for about 2 weeks these are always accompanied by indigestion which is odd. Consulted my cardiologist and they seems to reassure that everything is fine and I have nothing to worry about. I have just convinced myself that this is a part of the healing and trying not to overthink about it.

[Ppiman]

You might already know what palpitations are, but if not, this is an explanation. Please ignore if it's old news!

The "thump" feeling comes from a particular kind of palpitations that are being caused by "ectopic beats". The word palpitation itself is vague, meaning only an increased awareness of the heartbeat, which can have physical or psychological cause. Almost everyone with a heart condition, real or imagined, will feel palpitations. I get them daily and the number I get waxes and wanes. Since taking a daily bisoprolol for my AF last March, they seem to be fewer.

An ectopic beat is a physical occurrence, measurable by feeling the pulse, through a stethoscope or by using an ECG. These beats can be singular, which everyone has at least once a day, or they can arise in pairs, threes, runs, and so on. Runs of three or more ectopic beats, if they arise in the atrial cells (PACs), are called "atrial tachycardia". Ectopic beats from the heart's lower chambers are called PVCs (premature ventricular contractions).

Normal sinus rhythm, or "NSR", is so called because the heartbeat arises in a specialised group of cells, situated in a "sinus" or space high in the atrium called the sino-atrial ("SA") node. These beats spread evenly, quickly and their regular rate varies to suit the body's demands for oxygenated blood.

Ectopic beats are different, arising from the wrong place, which can be any other heart cell. These give the sensation of a "missed" or "skipped" beat but the beat is, actually, always early ("premature"); they cause the heart to have to wait a little till the next proper NSR beat arises, causing a "compensatory pause". This allows time for extra blood to flow into the atrium, needing the valve to shut more forcefully and causing the "thump" sensation which you describe.

These beats are considered "benign" as they do not cause the clots that AF can, and, hence are not a worry in that way. Also, everyone, even children, get at least one a day, evidence shows. In general, they are considered harmless, but they can be a sign of - or the result of - other heart issues, which your doctor will know.

Steve

[listerines]

It is very possible these palpitations are the result of ectopics [pvcs or pacs] explained in excellent detail in the post above. One way to check at home is to get yourself a device such as a kardia and pay the monthly additional algorithm fee and it will be able to advise on whether these are ectopics (peace of mind).Do know that post ablation your burnt/frozen heart is healing and is subject to periods of instability including a higher degree of ectopics. In many cases these will wax and wane over time as the heart heals fully from the procedure. If they continue and increase then you would want to journal track this and discuss with your care team. For me intense periods of ectopics (1000s a day] can trigger tachycardia episodes which I turn can trigger my afib (of which I have had 3 ablations over the past few years). Keep safe

[BaileyC57]

Have you ever had a converion , when they stop your heart and shock it , I guess!