I was recently diagnosed with SVT and now awaiting Outpatients appointment for an Echocardiogram.
Recently have been getting ectopics every 5 to 40 heartbeats at certain times of the day especially ally when I lie on my side at night
Would appreciate if anybody else has as many and should I worry.
thanks. Linda
Ectopics are a nuisance but are generally thought to be benign. Having said that, there are some remedies which may help -
Lying on the left side can make the heart more prone to misbehave. Either try the right side or prop up on an extra pillow.
Try a slow breathing exercise which has helped many of us to stop or lessen the number of ectopics - sit or lie comfortably, breathe with your diaphragm (not your shoulders) slowly in and out no more than 6 breaths per minute. I always count - 5 count in and 5 count out. Continue for at least 5 minutes - longer if necessary - I always need 10 minutes.
Try to divert your attention by doing something else - mine used to start every day at 5pm and I found myself waiting for them. Once I decided to be otherwise occupied at 5pm with painting or walking, it seemed to work. Hope you can get some relief.
Thanks Finvola for your reply.
I can’t lie on my right hand side as broke my shoulder in October last year. But I do find that they ease a bit when I lie on my back slightly propped up. When they go they usually go for the night. I will try the slow breathing as you suggested.
And yes you’re right they seem to go when I am busy.
It’s weird how this heart condition seems to go from one symptom to another every few months. I had similar to this about 10 years ago but only for a few months now it’s back. All so random. We never get complacent
Thanks again. Linda
I have this but it waxes and wanes. It's not the nicest thing to have, is it? Some of mine join up into long runs that feel to me not much different from AF itself, although the pulse is at a normal rate, if a bit high (perhaps from anxiety?).
I use my Apple Watch to track them, or, when especially troublesome my Wellue AI ECG. Both the specialist I saw and my GP tell me not to worry, as I am sure yours will. The echo-cardiogram is needed to rule out any structural issues. Mine was followed up with an MRI as I was covered by private insurance at the time. It was sound, as I fully expect yours to be. These electrical issues are a separate aspect of the heart and it seems the cause is hard to determine. I was found to have a "wide QRS", but told not to worry. It's something I live with - but wish I didn't have to. Some people sail through life, relatively worry free, others not. But life goes on and can still be enjoyed to the full.
Steve
Thanks for reply Steve. Mine happen on and off through the day and again I am sure they are spurred on by vagus nerve. I am not an anxious person although am very anxious about my ectopics. In the past I would have an occasional one which would sometimes lead to an hours long tachycardia episode but now they can happen every third heartbeat if I lie on side. But have found lying propped up coupled with slow deep breathing cuts them down slowly until they are gone..that is until I lie on side again. I also find walking helps them go.
It sounds more like a physical irritation of the heart muscle itself as the vagus nerve link is unproven and (at least as I was told by a teaching professor) more of an internet myth. The heart it easily caused to palpitate when pushed about, I was told and, especially, if it becomes stretched in any way (through obesity for example). Also. many people have a heart that all-but lies on their diaphragm (as in yours truly) and that means a gassy stomach and constipation issues can cause palpitations. Others have a food pipe that presses tightly against the atrium of the heart and gulping or drinking cold beverages can spark of ectopic beats, I gather and, from them, even AF.
Steve
It was the consultant at hospital who confirmed definitely vagal. Turning my head to the side or chin to chest can start one. I do vagal manoeuvres to stop them but they do not always work. I will know for sure once I get my echo hopefully.
That's interesting. Mine told me that vagal irritation is very unusual and causes much more than tachycardia, with swings of severe brady to tachy and other organ involvement in areas innervated by the nerve.
Steve
Yes that’s odd. I find that every doctor I have see has given me different info. But now been diagnosed at a good hospital with probable SVT and now awaiting an Outpatients appointment for an echo but it could be at least a 3 month wait in the UK. Not complaining as I feel ok..so far. Just hard to sleep sitting up
Linda
Hello Linda. I’m sorry to hear you are experiencing this. I too have lots of ectopics, along with fairly mild Afib. I have had an echocardiogram since these beats became more noticeable, but the medics are not concerned. My GP said that unless I feel faint, get chest pains or become breathless, there is nothing to worry about. That said, that is just me. I do find them worse ( or perhaps more noticeable ) when resting, so that would indicate that for me, distraction is helpful. Anxiety about them is likely to make them worse, but it’s difficult to distract yourself in the middle of the night - unless you become nocturnal ! I am so envious of the people on this forum who find controlled breathing helpful, because whenever I try that, it just seems to make the ectopics more noticeable ! I do hope you find it helps you though.
Annie.
Thanks for reply Annie. Good news that your echocardiogram was ok. I am hoping mine will be too. It’s the usual advice from doctors come in if you feel faint pains in chest etc. they don’t seem to realise how frightening these ectopics are. I have found that if I lie on back propped up slightly and do the deep slow breathing it helps. Linda
Taking 25 milligrams per day of extended release Metoprolol has for the most part eliminated my ectopics, or at least my feeling the ectopics. Getting a good night’s sleep also helps.
Thanks for reply Tiburon. That’s good your medication has helped your ectopics
I have been on Atenolol 25mg for over 20 years. I think I am also having ectopics during the day but most at night in bed which is when I take my Atenolol. Have discovered that if I prop myself up slightly along with deep breathing it helps.
Yes a good sleep would be wonderful
Hi,
I hope this will give you some encouragement.
I was recently diagnosed with SVT and bigeminy after many years of occasional palpitations, which became more frequent until I had them constantly 24/7.
My echocardiogram showed a healthy heart, I also had a chest x-ray which was fine and blood tests etc.
My only problem is that the electrics aren't working properly and I am prescribed verapamil to bring my heart rate (a constant 160-200) down. It is beginning to work.
I have always been healthy and looked after myself🤞 and although I don't want to be on medication the constant hammering in my chest was unbearable and frightening.
I assumed this was the start of heart problems, I was on the slippery slope, and having just retired I felt a bit low at the prospect.
I joined this group last week for support and found everyone so helpful.
Someone suggested that my problem can be self-righting in time and I'm hoping that will happen and I will no longer need the medication.
That is what I am focussing on.
Try not to worry. It always seems worse at night, when everything around you is peaceful and you have a bass drum banging loud and fast inside you.
Thanks for your words of encouragement. The ectopics are giving me a wee breather right now. Yes you definitely feel them more at night especially lying on left side which I do. Now on back propped up. Hope you can get off the medication although I don’t mind being on Atenolol. It does not stop tachycardia episodes but they are not so severe.
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