Ectopics when I move

[Jipjip]

Hi,I am a 60 year old female . Had ablation for AF 7 years ago and have since had ventricular ectopic beats since which are really getting me down. Seem to have a pattern to them as come on when moving around/walking or bending. Had echocardiogram, 24 hour holter,all came back ok. Don't particularly have a high heart rate usually 55-60 bpm. Tried betablocker but at very low dose as anything too strong just knocks me out. Drs don't seem to want to know. Anyone else experience this,would be grateful for any advice.

[BobD Volunteer]

Have you tried slow deep diaphragmic breathing. Use stomach not shoulders and slow to no more than six breaths a minute for at least five minutes. VERY effective once you practise properly.

[Rainfern]

Hi Jipjip, I’m noticing a few ectopics since my ablation some months back. I don’t know what sort they are, but I agree with Bob - the deep diaphragmatic breathing works really well. It also helps more generally with keeping a calm mind. Not sure I’ve ever kept going 5 mins! I hope you find the best route for you.

[Ppiman]

If you’re like me, you’ll get somewhat used to them over time - never completely as the heart has its own way of creating anxiety and fear.

Feel safe in the knowledge that your tests have shown that they aren’t caused by any heart disease or weakness and that they are harmless physically, in the sense that they don’t need treatment and don’t bring a risk of stroke as AF does.

I’m sitting here typing this with them. And yes, especially in the morning, exercise makes them worse.

Steve

[loghousegal]

I have supraventricular ectopics just about every day. I had an ablation in December. I think I had a few ectopic beats before. Sometimes they feel like the afib is returning. I check my heart rate with the KardiaMobile and get reassured that they are just ectopics and nothing to worry about. Like you I wonder why.

[ruskin10]

Yes I do., almost always after eating or drinking. It does get me light headed and fed up.

[Barny12]

Yes, I've had AF for 5 years and had ectopics on exercise for all that time, too. I think I was getting them for a few months before the afib actually kicked in and I'm fairly convinced that, in my case at least, the cause of both ectopics and my AF is ischaemic - some coronary artery blockage that is small enough not to show on a stress test.

Dr Sanjay Gupta (York Cardiology) has some good info on ectopics on youtube.

[Singwell]

This is my version of the slow breathing Bob mentions. There are other ways to do it but this suits me.

1. Sit or lie comfortably so that your stomach can move easily when you breathe in. If you're lying down, this is easier on your left side.

2. Take a breath in.slowly through your nose. I usually count a slow 2. Let your stomach relax when you do this so it moves out gently.

3. There is a natural pause for most people after the inbreath

Try to tune into it but don't force it.

4. Let the breath out again all in one go - don't worry that you'll be out of breath - there's always air in the lungs right up until our last moments

5. Don't be surprised if you feel like another pause after the outbreath but again - don't force it. Keep tuning in either to the feel of the air moving through your nostrils or the sound.

6. If you need to breathe out through your mouth purse your lips slightly as it helps to feel the breath and know we're in charge of it.

6. Repeat.

Typically your breathing rate will calm and slow down. You may even feel like you're about to drop off to sleep.

This technique is one of many used by breath practitioners to help calm our systems and regulate breathing. I have often got my HR down by 15-20 BPM using this technique and sometimes seen my AF off. Also helps me if I cannot go to sleep

[theonethatgotaway1]

Yes have had ectopic since my mid 20s. Sometimes it feels like heart has literally stopped and I start to flap and feel a rush to head. Horrible for aniexity. Plus aniexity causes them too. Had had a heart attack at 35 and still get them. Actually went away for a while but seemed to have come back this last month. Quite enjoyed the break

[Anafib]

Could be a magnesium deficiency. It was for me. Started on magnesium citrate in the morning and magnesium taurate before bed. Mine pretty much cleared up within days with only an occasional ectopic beat since.

[OzJames]

my ectopics have reduced now since my bloods showed I was low in VitD3 and magnesium so I started 1000iu then went to 2000iu vitd3 daily and magnesium taurate and glycinate daily one in the morning one at night