6 days erratic heart rhythm

[Qualipop]

Last Thursday night my heart rhythm felt fluttery so next morning I decided t o take my BP, not for the BP reading but to see whether the machine showed ectopics. During Fri, Sat, Sun I only had 3 readings that did not have the ectopic symbol but also my BP had shot up from its normal 120/74 range into the 140/88 range on every reading . Heart rate was normal . I decided to wait for Monday and contact my GP. Monday BP was back to completely normal but every single reading showed the wobbly heart symbol and still does. My actual heart rate is what it normally is. I rang the GP yesterday and got told there were no appointments and I shoudl fill in the online form which can take 5 days for them to read. Rang again today and a nurse will phone me back.

I've had 3 bouts of arrhythmia in the last 2 years but they've only lasted a day or so. 4 days in hospital with arrhythmia in Oct 23 just showed 5% supraventricular ectopics and 10 broad complex tachycardia. I suspect by the time I got seen in A&E it had settled down. The acute medical team referred me to cardio but it's never happened.They blamed it on a vaccination booster.

I had a massive flare of spinal pain start a month ago. Could the severe pain cause this or is it AF that's been missed? I've had no other episodes since Oct 2023.

It feels as if my heart's belly dancing. BP completely normal, heart rate completely normal. Heart rhythm crazy. What the heck's going on? BHF nurses say insist on a 12 lead ECG and holter monitor and bloods but I just had my annual bloods done in January and by the time they get round to any tests I'm sure it will show nothing.. I have to wait until March 19th just for a Vit D test.

[Vonnegut]

I was introduced to having a Kardia ( and smart phone so I could use it) by the EP I saw privately after the lowest dose of Bisoprolol proved too much for me to take daily and my surgery couldn’t come up with anything else! After I’d sent him a recording of my heart in AF, he sent a prescription for me for Flecainide to take as a PIP when it stopped episodes in a few hours and I was able to follow what was happening. Hardly ever use it now my heart is controlled well but it and the phone have changed my life!

[Tapanac]

flecainide was for me a brilliant drug as it stopped “wobbling like a jelly” heart in a couple or so of hours

Good luck

[Qualipop]

Well I've no idea whether it is AF but am guessing it must be. I have luckily managed to get an ecg booked for this afternoon. Last time I was given bisopralol after a heart attack I was like a total zombie. Still fluttering. Can't afford a Kardia and the 12 lead seems to be not compatible with my phone which I only just bought. . I see Omron have a new BP machine that identifies possible AF in a different way and a dearer one that does an ECG. NO idea how good they are.

[Ppiman]

Irritable atrium? Mine produces ectopics much of the time, and AF every fortnight or so. You don't give your age, but I have come to think that the electrical conductivity of the atrium can degrade with age and produce arrhythmias.

A systolic BP of 140mm can be for any reason such as stress, or much else. I have come to trust my Contec PM20 Portable ECG Monitor, having worked my way through other brands. Have you anything similar?

Steve

[Qualipop in reply to Ppiman]

No I don't have anything like that. I'll look it up.

Superb appointment, was supposed to only be ECG but she also did bloods and i got to see a gp too. Supraventricular ectopics around 80%. Doc wants me to start propanolol. Thank goodness it's not AF.

[Ppiman in reply to Qualipop]

I made the name up! I was just meaning that the atrium can tend to be jumpy and arrhythmic as we get older. AF is broadly similar except it carries the risk of blood clots forming, which the ectopic beats don't.

Steve

[Qualipop in reply to Ppiman]

Sorry I meant I hadn't heard of the Contec PM20 Portable ECG Monitor,. I've just been looking at the Kardia but the 12 lead isn't compatible with my phone. Omron has a BP monitor that can also diagnose possible AF but neither are suitable. Both my rate and my BP are perfectly acceptable. I've had ectopics for years but never like this, so frequent and constant and they don't even feel like the bumps you get from ectopics. In hospital 2 years ago they detected just 5% ectopics but at the moment it's more like 80%. I asked about having a PIP rather than taking beta blockers constantly because I think this will settle down again but was told they can only be prescribed by the hospital and I've been waiting nearly 2 years to see someone.

[Ppiman in reply to Qualipop]

So far as I know, rate control drugs like beta-blockers can be prescribed by a GP and are relatively safe drugs in comparison with anti-arrhythmic drugs such as flecainide. These need to be started by a specialist who has checked you heart for any structural damage by scans.

I prefer the Contec PM20 as it’s a fair price, compact and, unlike the more expensive Kardia, is complete in itself thanks to its excellent sharp little screen. The AI it uses is built in and seems very accurate and wide ranging in what it “finds”. There’s no extras available for a monthly fee, so adding to its value. A good laptop or phone app is also freely available for saving the ECGs or sending to a doctor but it stores a good number without that.

Steve

[Qualipop in reply to Ppiman]

It was prescribing a PIP the GP couldn't do. My heart rate and BP are perfectly normal so I don't really want tablets especially beta blockers. Haven't had an attack like this for almost 2 years. Had bisopralol after my HA and was like an utter zombie. Thanks for the tip on the machine. I only recently got a new phone but it's not compatible with Kardia 12L and the Omron thing literally only does BP and detects possible AF. It doesn't do an ECG. I've been waiting nearly 2 years to see cardiology since the last time this happened so I don't hold out any hope of seeing anyone soon.

[Ppiman in reply to Qualipop]

It's bad news having to wait. I paid in the end - £200.00. That set things in train, so I see it as a shame but money well spent. Bisoprolol as PIP worked well for me for well over a year. It's not ideal as it takes about an hour to exert its effect but did the trick well enough. I can't see why a GP cannot prescribe it that way? I certainly wasn't happy to move to daily dosing but, in the event, my condition has become much more frequent so I accept that not (1.25mg daily).

Steve

[Qualipop in reply to Ppiman]

I can't tolerate bisopralol at all but that's all the hospital suggested in 2023. Because the attacks were then short lived and over 6 months apart, they weren't bothered. I'd much rather just take a one off tablet to see if it stopped things and for how long. I'd rather see an electrophysiologist. I didn't like the cardiologist I saw but I object to paying. Our hospital just isn't doing preventative treatments.

[Ppiman]

My feeling regarding "EP"s is that they are trained cardiologists but with training in ablation procedures. No more. The quality of each will differ as people do and their individual knowledge on the treatment of arrhythmias is likely to be similar.

Nebivolol might be worth asking for as I gather it has a somewhat different mode of action and metabolism?

Steve

[Qualipop in reply to Ppiman]

I've been given propanolol very low dose to see how it goes but that's for rate not rhythm. My rate never alters. She wanted it down to 60 but it's been in the 80s for at least 40 years. It doesn't rise even during the attacks. I know how bad I felt when bisopralol reduced it to 6o so I'm not at all keen.

[Ppiman in reply to Qualipop]

If it’s always been in the 80 region, I wonder what her rationale is for lowering it? That’s interesting.

Despite my natural scepticism towards certain medical decisions, from all I’ve read, beta-blockers, along with statins, seem to help prolong healthy life (i.e. perhaps by counteracting the excesses of modern lifestyle).

Steve

[Qualipop in reply to Ppiman]

She just said she wanted it down to 60 but when I had bisopralol it dropped that far and II couldn't do a thing. Just realised this has probably been going on since Jan or before. The nurse at my check up commented on an erratic heart beat.Can't say I want to prolong anything. I'm in so much pain constantly despite huge doses of oxycodone.

[Ppiman in reply to Qualipop]

I am sorry to read that. you have a battle on your hands. Oh my. I'm having struggles myself coping with yet another diverticular flare up. Three lots of antibiotics so far and a dreadful day yesterday. Some people draw different length straws for sure. I hope things improve for you soon.

Steve

[Qualipop in reply to Ppiman]

I can't see that happening. I've had spinal pain for almost 30 years and now oxycodone no longer works. This one's the worst flare ever. I have occasional diverticulitis so you have my sympathy. If I co udl just get these ectopics stopped i Might have the energy t o deal with the pain.

[Ppiman in reply to Qualipop]

Nothing stops mine. I’m on a waiting list for an ablation that might stop them and my AF. We’ll see.

Best of luck with getting things on a more even keel. 🍀

Steve

[Qualipop in reply to Ppiman]

I've had occasional ectopics ie palpitations for years and managed to s top those but these are constant now. I don't want them to develop into AF.