Ectopic beats are ruining my life

[Key34]

Hi hope anyone can help, I am currently 6 months pregnant and suffering with terrible palpitations or ectopic beats, I am getting at least 10 in a row which makes my heart feel like its beating irregularly and it is so scary! I hate it and am not coping very well. I used to have svt but had it ablated in 2017 successfully so I'm not sure what this is but I dont recognise these symptoms as svt so I'm thinking it's something else and I'm scared

[N1kk1B]

Hello.

So sorry to hear of your problem. I also suffer from ectopic beats and palpitations. They can be very scary at times, but it's important to remember that anxiety can make them worse. I tend to stop, sit if possible and try to remain calm and focus on my breathing.

Speak to your midwife or GP about your concerns, I'm sure that will help.

Take care x

[Hidden]

Hi,

I have ectopics and have had 2 pregnancies.

Palpitations in pregnancy are quite common. The nhs site says that hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause them.

nhs.uk/conditions/heart-pal...

As N1kk1B said, palpitations without other symptoms are usually nothing to worry about.

And I agree that a GP or midwife appointment is probably a good idea to get checked over.

[Hidden]

Hi, I agree with possibilities of hormone change (my palpitations rocketed at menopause) and periods of high stress or emotion. I didn’t believe calming would help me, but a doc told me that REALLY slow, long breaths would encourage heart to reset itself (or something). I do find this helps, as does immediately stopping what I’m doing and standing /sitting still for a bit.

Whilst I think /hope you may have such less “worrying” triggers. Id still speak to someone, given you’re having 10 or so in a row.

Personally I’d doubt your GP could get to bottom of it, if you have cardiology contacts from your svt/ablation, I’d ask them.

Or go to A&E if you can stand some waiting, and get them to call a cardiologist, maybe your previous cardio hospital? this route has proved most useful for me, as Brompton give great advice / instruction to A&E on what to test, and then I transfer to Brompton if serious.

Best of luck with heart & baby

[Qualipop]

I agree , either midwife or doctor. Your worry is normal after having had SVT so you need to get it checked if only a 24 hour monitor to see where they are coming from. I've had benign ectopics for many years; very unpleasant but at least I know they are not dangerous.

[Key34]

Thank u for your replies, I am due to see a cardiologist at st barts 9th march about it but its just the wait 😔 the worrying of when its gonna happen again and will I be ok?! After my ablation I was told I could have another baby and live my life again so i did but since falling pregnant these horrible symptoms have returned! I know it can be hormonal and I'm praying that's all it is but I always think the worst! I had a24 hour tape 2 weeks ago but didnt have a bad attack so pointless! I need at least a 3 day recorder so gonna ask for that on the 9th

[Gowers in reply to Key34]

I requested having the monitor for 7 days because, like you nothing picked up in just a few days. Do let us know how you get on. Ectopics etc are not easy to cope with & being pregnant must make the situation feel worse

[Hidden]

Hi,

I was just wondering how your cardiologist appointment went, and if the ectopics are still bothering you.

Hope you are feeling better.

[Key34]

Hi 🖐 thanks for your replies. The appointment with the cardiologist went ok, he reassured me that with a structurally normal heart, ectopics are not dangerous. He said he would do an EP study on me in 6 months time, once I have had the baby and left it a few months, hoping things settle on their own, if not, I can have an EP study and ablation if the ectopics are still causing symptoms and anxiety. So I guess I will see him again in 6 months. Till then I guess I just have to live with them 😔 but I will struggle as I find them very scary.