Arrhythmia issues.

[Marina_D]

Hi all, I have had an arrhythmia for a few years now (from 2012 approx). It has been mostly manageable if I can keep the stress levels down (easier said than done). I have noticed that dealing with stress (usually emotional) is one of the biggest triggers for my arrhythmia. I have had a number of monitors done, 24hr, 3 day, one week, all picking up the arrhythmia. I have also had a few echocardiograms, these show my heart to be normal in function. This year I seem to have been plagued with more attacks so after an emergency admission in February where I was given IV adenosine to chemically cardiovert my heart (3 times) my heart just sped up even more (basically refusing to slow down). That experience was most unpleasant. I was then given IV beta blocker and the oral beta blocker and kept in overnight. Anyway, since then it appears that I have to take a Beta blocker (Bisoprolol) each day to keep my heart from getting 'excited' and kicking off.

It happened yesterday again when I went to have a routine 24 hr monitor fitted. I woke up, got up and my heart kicked off. I cycled to the hospital (sometimes exercise settles it) and they picked up that I was probably having Atrial Flutter and had to go to A&E for monitoring. They admitted me, hooked me up to a monitor and embarked on giving medication to slow my heart down and bring it back into sinus rhythm (no adenosine this time thankfully). So I was patched up and sent home. Fortunately my 24 hr monitor was activated and recording everything that was happening so I await the conclusion of the reading.

All I can say is that it's a real mystery as it just kicks of whenever. One thing that doesn't bring it on is exercise (not extreme). Go figure???

I wonder if anyone has had these issues too. Would be nice to compare notes.

[Carokai]

I have also had arrhythmia for the past two and a half years following two heart attacks and have struggled to understand what causes it.

Like you I have had monitors fitted several times which have identified Tachycardic and Bradychardic episodes, with no real explanations as to why. I too often find exercise, soothes rather than worsens the situation.

In the end in frustration, I started to keep a diary of what was happening (I often pick up episodes on my Fitbit). I now know that stress, caffiene, extreme heat, extreme cold, too much food (i.e. an overful stomach) and many of the drugs I took post HA all cause me issues.

I have stopped taking most of the drugs and am very careful with my other triggers. I have noticed that by deep breathing during stressful periods I can calm my hear very quickly.

I suspect that I have vagus nerve irritation. I often notice an upset stomach and severe headache accompanies my worst experiences. However, my Cardiologist dismisses that suggestion, so I have no confirmation, just a hunch.