PVC's (extra heartbeats) without a pause and compensatory beat afterwards?

[Mellisfavorite]

Been very stressed/ anxious lately, and I keep noticing PVC's without any pauses and compensatory (very hard) beats afterwards. Usually I get the "regular" PVC's with the pauses and hard beats after. But this is different.

It feels just like a normal, slightly harder beat in between the normal beats. A little hard to explain. Can't find any info about this whatsoever.. is It dangerous, unlike the "regular" PVC's? I've checked my heart twice with ultrasound, and everything is normal.. the latest was about 4-5 years ago. Can something change in that time? Should I do one more?..

Extremely anxious about this.. can't sleep, eat or anything else. Just constantly feeling my pulse and worrying, so any answer is appreciated..

[ChicagoGirl1961]

I think it would be worth seeing a doctor and have an ecg and perhaps a 24 hour holter monitor so your doctor can get a clear picture of what you are experiencing. Most likely it will come back as ok as pvc's are quite common and usually harmless, but with the other you have described I'd follow up with a physician qualified to diagnose any potential issue. Right now you are naturally hyper sensitive about your heart and anxiety can certainly cause our hearts to feel out of rhythm so to speak. Don't stress about this or you will likely intensify your symptoms as a result of anxiety. See your doctor and you will get a clean bill of health or perhaps an easy to fix rhythm issue that doctors can frequently rectify with medication and modifications to diet such as eliminating caffiene, etc. Good luck, don't worry, and be well.

[Mellisfavorite in reply to ChicagoGirl1961]

Hi ChicagoGirl1961 ! I've done a bunch of ecg's and 2 Holters with good results everytime. Only a few pvc's registered. But my heart was never acting up during the tests.. I think I'm gonna see my doctor and request some kind of longer monitoring, like a week or so..

It's very hard for me not to stress about new symptoms that I discover, like this one. I instantly feel like my heart will give out and I'm gonna die any second.. especially when I can't find any info on my symptoms. But I will certainly contact my doctor and have this checked out. Thank you for your kind words!

[Dramlouie]

First off go see your doctor, take a friend to support you. Have you had your iron tested, there can be so many things to cause this and worrying about it isn't helping but could be the cause. My friend was getting palpitations and was very worried, she went to the doctor and was given the all clear and they cleared up quickly. Also try a naturopath, you could be low on magnesium or mineral, vitamin. My naturopath diagnosed I was low on magnesium as not enough in our food and also other minerals. It also sorted out my anxiety. I take LTheanine at night, good for anxiety along with magnesium. Get the courage, make an appointment, and get to the doctor. You are over sensitive with your heart which anxiety does, with reassurance it will help.

[Mellisfavorite in reply to Dramlouie]

Yeah I've been to the doctor too many times to count about this problem. I really don't get any calmer from the positive results anymore since I'm convinced that the tests missed something..

Interesting! I'm taking multivitamins everyday but it contains only 38 mg of magnesium/day, which the box says is about 10% of the daily recommended. Should I try taking more?

Thank you for your answer!

[Dramlouie in reply to Mellisfavorite]

Do some research on magnesium. I take magnesium malate providing 425mg per tablet 3xs a day. I did take magnesium citrate but it gave me a runny tummy, so good if you are constipated. If you have been to the doctor then he will know that there is nothing to worry about. This is where anxiety kicks in because you get worried about things which makes it worse. Trust your doctor and go to a naturopath who will give you proper vitamins/minerals and herbs to support you. Multi vitamins are the bare minimum and probably just a cheap magnesium which is oxide which is difficult to absorb. 38mg is nowhere near enough. You are sensitive to everything your heart does, so you need to calm your nerves. I am pleased to went to the doctor now is the time to move forward with a natural therapy, they do work wonders. Keep off sugar because that gives palpitations and possibly gluten. You might have a food sensitivity so make a food log. Gluten can have an effect days after taking it. Look after your health, take some mindfulness walks, be aware of the birds etc. Have you had your thyroid checked, tests needed at the minimum are T4, T3 and TSH. Could be your low or high. Dr Sinatra has good info on his US website, it helped me immensely. Relax and slow down your life. Do more things for yourself, have a massage, a hairdo and go out with your friends. Try breathing techniques, give it time and I am sure it will pass. x

[Mellisfavorite in reply to Dramlouie]

A lot of great tips here, thank you!! I will definitely read up on it. Food log sounds like a good idea, since I easily get a bloated stomach. I'm thinking there might be a connection between that and my ectopic beats (check my latest post). I've had my thyroid checked at it was fine according to my doctor, but I'm not sure what tests they did exactly. I will check that website! Thank you again for your answer!

[jodary]

I am too goimg through this. I have had the ectopic beats for quite a while. Ecgs showed nothing wrong and I had a echocardiogram last week but as yet have not had the results However since having it done they have become more frequent which I think suggests anxiety. I am also hypothyroid and have read that low thyroid hormone can cause these. .They are horrible and my anxiety is really increasing which probably makes them worse. At least I know others are experiencing this

[Mellisfavorite in reply to jodary]

Hi jodary! I'm certain that the anxiety causes more ectopic beats! Yes I've heard that it is common for people with over/underactive thyroid to experience this. I hope you are getting treatment for that. I'm certain that balancing your thyroid will help a lot! They are indeed horrible.. a simple ecg can show a lot of information about how your heart is performing, so the fact that it showed nothing wrong is good news! Did you experience any ectopic beats during the ecg? Did one yesterday and everything looked fine, but I didn't feel any weirdness during the test..

Hoping that the echocardiogram test result will calm your mind and help with the anxiety/ ectopic beats. Wishing you all the best!

[jodary in reply to Mellisfavorite]

Thank you for replying, I am finding them quite miserable today and hardly got any sleep last night. Its a loop of ectopics then anxiety then more ectopics. I I have been hypothyroid for 30 years and on the same replacement dose until Christmas ehen my new gp decided to alter it and has put it down , up again and now on alternate days a different dose. I also suffer from anxiety so I don't know whats causing what.

[Mellisfavorite in reply to jodary]

Yeah it's the same for me.. the past couple of days have been horrible. I'm getting about 5-10 a minute. I'm trying not to be anxious about it, but it's very hard.. It sounds to me like both the anxiety and the thyroid are contributing to the ectopic beats in your case. It's very hard not to be anxious about it but I'm certain the anxiety is a big factor. I've been struggling with health anxiety for many years now, and I can definitely feel a connection between my level of anxiety and my heart rythm.

[jodary in reply to Mellisfavorite]

No I didnt have any during the ecg, its very quick! I did feel a coupe during the echo but no results yet.

[Mellisfavorite in reply to jodary]

Yeah it's super quick, so it can be quite hard to register arrythmias in some cases.

[Hidden]

I can totally relate to what you're going through. I've had these for many years and have experienced the same feelings. I've had holter monitors, echocardiograms, stress tests, blood word, EKGs and they've always come back fine. They diagnosed PVCs when I first started having anxiety symptoms and I've gotten used to them and try to ignore. Sometimes they're just a fluttery feelings, others is the "skipped beat", and once in awhile is a few rapid beats then back to normal with a few seconds. When you're the one feeling them, every doctor in the world can tell you not to worry but when you have anxiety, especially health anxiety, it's much easier said than done. You're not alone.

[Mellisfavorite in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your answer lovemybear!

I'm glad the tests came back fine! Its sooo hard to try and ignore them.. it's like your describing me exactly!! I get all these types of beats. Flutterness, the skipped beats and the few rapid, sometimes very hard ones.. but lately it's mostly been 1 or 2 hard rapid ones in between the normal beats. I get like 5 per minute and its driving me insane.. I never got these so much before and I'm really worrying as to why..

as I said I've done all the tests, just as you, but they never caught any of these 3 types of beats that you and me are experiencing, so I don't understand how the doctors can just draw the conclusion that "everything is fine and it's just anxiety" when they haven't even seen what I'm suffering from??? How can they say that it isn't dangerous? I don't understand..

I'm constantly afraid that these are the "bad" types of extra beats that can cause the heart to go into electric chaos, and that will be it... I have absolutely no motivation in life anymore because of this thought..

[jodary]

This is just what I experiencing, I am quite used to the skipped beats but these are more frequent and a harder beat. Anyway have been discharged from cardiologist today. Echo showed everything was fine. He thinks its anxiety related and suggests low dose of beta blocker, antidepressants or just wait and see if they improve now Ive seen him. Hope that reassures you x

[Mellisfavorite in reply to jodary]

I'm glad the test came out fine jodary! It sounds like you are having exactly the same ectopic beats as I'm getting at this very moment. They are frequent and hard, much harder than the regular beats, it's super scary..

You said earlier that you felt these beats during the test, If I understood correctly? And it still came out fine? That makes me feel a little bit safer. Thank you for updating me!

I hope that they will disappear now that you've gotten the positive test results! Wishing you all the best

[jodary]

I felt a couple but since I had the test they have been more frequent. Cardio said due to the anxiety I was feeling about what the test would show. Also today have been told to increase my thyroxine so hopefully being low on thyroid hormone may help.

[Mellisfavorite in reply to jodary]

They didn't mention anything about them? Like what type of ectopics? That sounds like a plausible explanation.

I'm hoping it will help! keep me updated.

[jodary]

Strangely I am feeling them worse than ever and very frequently. It is making me very anxious. I am trying to be reassured that Ive had the tests but like you I keep thinking what if it didnt show anything because it wasn't actually doing it at the time. We sound like we are in the same situation , its horrible. And now my husband just keeps saying 'theres nothing wrong with ypur heart ' I feel so alone x

[Mellisfavorite in reply to jodary]

I'm in the exact same situation right now. They are worse than ever.. the anxiety is starting to be too much to handle.

It's very irritating to hear from someone that "there's nothing wrong" when you undeniably feel them. How does yours feel? One or two HARD beats in between two normal sinus rythm beats? Kind of like someone kicking inside the chest.

I feel alone too.. but you're not! A lot of good supportive people on this site . And I'm here for you! As you said you and me seem to be in the same situation. I can definitely relate to what you're going through, so write anytime! x

[jodary in reply to Mellisfavorite]

Yes exactly like that ! And all day ! Driving me mad And my husband keeps saying well uve been checked and there's nothing wrong! X

[Mellisfavorite in reply to jodary]

Yeah for me too.. I'm thinking about going to ER so they can finally catch these extra beats on ecg.. I don't know what to do otherwise.. these beats are ruining my life.

[Minnie87 in reply to Mellisfavorite]

Sorry to butt in on your chat!

I totally agree with everything that has been said.ive suffered for years and years with these.and a racing heart which has landed me in hospital 4 times this month.

After all the tests they say tachycardia but I’m still being referred to a cardiologist.its really awful and I sympathise with anyone dealing with this x

[Mellisfavorite in reply to Minnie87]

No need to say sorry! Yeah I've been struggling with the racing heart for a long time now as well, still keep waking up with a racing heart and just in general a high heart rate. But these new extra beats are so scary..

I even tried betablockers, but that didn't help the extra beats, it only slowed the heart rate down. I still felt the extra beats. Awful indeed x