Irregular Heartbeat

[jub70]

Hello all, I'm looking for some advice and reassurance please. About 3 years ago aged 49, I experienced my first episode of heart palpitations which happened a couple of times over a week or so. Fast forward to March this year and I have now had 5 visits to A&E( on advice from 111 and GP). The episodes now occurr almost daily, can last up to a few hours, and occasionally make me feel like I am going to pass out. In July, A&E managed to catch the irregular rhythm on ECG and I was admitted for a few days when AVRNT was diagnosed. I was prescribed 2.5mg of bisoprolol and given an outpatients appt for 24/12/21. I am becoming quite distressed now as this is a constant worry, wondering at what time of day my next episode will start. I have had my bisoprolol increased to 5mg gradually but the GP has said I need to see cardiology to discuss next steps. They have also mentioned SVT, ectopic beats and mild AF? I also wonder if this could be perimenopause related after reading other posts/forums but whenever I mention it to a medic, they don't take me up on it. I apologise for the long post but this seems to have taken over my life.

[Hidden]

Hi It seems the heart is a complicated muscle ! It’s 2 years now since start of fatigue and breathlessnes, on and off bisoprolol,.The last findings over the last year are MV regurgitation which they say causes my AF and now bigemenyHaving a 24hrECG next week, have had 2 echos,1 angiogram,1 TOE !

The only thing that seems to help is Verapamil 60mg tds, All diagnostics seem to take months! Was fit healthy,with controlled BP. Hang on in you will get there in the end,especially as you are young. Wishin g you luck,try not to worry too much

[jub70 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your reply 😊 wishing you all the best

[PeterGabriel]

I strongly suggest you see a cardiologist, preferably one who specialises in treating Atrial Fibrillation. If you are having persistent irregular heartbeats, then you need treatment either with drugs or with a cardiac ablation procedure. If it is untreated it puts you at risk of a stroke. The bisoprolol merely slows down your heart rate, other drugs control the rhythmn.

[jub70 in reply to PeterGabriel]

Thanks for your reply. Next appointment with cardiology is 24/12 despite 3 letters to them from GP and A&E asking for the appointment to be expedited due to my episodes being pretty much daily. GP has said only cardiology can prescribe any other medication to control it. Just feel like I'm not getting anywhere 😕

[PeterGabriel in reply to jub70]

I understand and sympathise, there are huge problems right now, even just seeing a GP. Try not to worry. I went into persistent Afib.....continuous palpitations 24/7 where I was fainting nearly every time I stood up..... for a year before being (hopefully) successfully treated. Good luck.

[jub70 in reply to PeterGabriel]

Thankyou. Wishing you all the best.

[Grandadmac]

Hi I have had similar problem with palpitations caused by ectopic beats and really heavy angina attacks over the last 15 years. Like you many visits to A&E followed by hospital stays. For your information I have had 4 angiograms over that time a couple of echos a nuclear scan and an MRI scan all have shown some blockage but expected for my age ( 78) and not treatable. The NHS are reluctant to talk about Micro Vascular Angina they dont seem to like the term. There are articles on the BHF website and they seem to cover my symptoms right from the onset of my condition. The last cardiologist I saw spoke of problems with the small vessels in my heart but would not use the term. Now to the point of my reply over the years I have been treated with various drugs with varying success I'm afraid its trial and error. Its not fixed and has to be tweaked from time to time. At the moment I take a high dose of bisoprolol along with six others. I am ok at the moment with the occasional twinge as a reminder that its still there. So keep your chin up and take the tablets let them know when they don't work.

[jub70 in reply to Grandadmac]

I've let them know on numerous occasions that the tablets aren't working but just get fobbed off. It's a horrible thing to live with. Glad to hear you're doing ok at the moment and thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Donks21]

Hi I've been experiencing palpitations for a few months. Doctor sent me for a 24hr heart trace back in July and it came back I was having ectopic heartbeats. My gp told me it was due to me being perimenopausal, I am 44 and have been peri for 12months. My gp prescribed be 1.25mg of Bisoprolol Fumerate and told me not to take it unless I feel necessary. She said the ectopic beats are normal for perimenopausal women. They're setting my anxiety off also which is making the palpitations worse.

[jub70 in reply to Donks21]

Totally agree with the anxiety but it's difficult not to panic. It's reassuring to hear your GP has said it's menopause related. Thanks for replying and take care.

[freddiefox]

The situation with trying to see a consultant is dire atm. I don't know your financial position but is there any chance you could see a cardiologist privately, to ease your anxiety. Mind you, you may not get an appointment before the 24/12, as a lot of people are going private now because of the horrendous wait. There is a great doctor on you tube - Dr. Sanjay Gupta from Bath Cardiology. He's done loads of post on everything from ectopics to SVT's, beta blockers, atrial fibrillation, basically, anything to do with heart problems. He has helped me a lot while I waited to see someone. Worth a try. Good luck to you.

[jub70 in reply to freddiefox]

Thankyou for taking the time to reply xx I will have a look, any reassurance would be good right now xx