Ectopic Beats or something worse?

[Maleo]

Hi,

I’m hoping to get some advice for my strange, worrying irregular heartbeats.

In 2019 I had a episode of Atrial Fibrillation (BP 190) in which I was prescribed a very strong beta blocker which seemed to have resolved the issue.

Since then Ive had numerous episodes of ectopic beats, infrequently with no apparent triggers, however recently they are becoming more frequent with the latest episode lasting a full 72 hours of irregular heartbeats. I’m 30 year old, relatively healthy, don’t smoke, don’t drink and exercise enough. They tend to come on when I’m idle and not doing much…

I’ve attached my ECG from the latest episode to see if anyone can identify what type of arrhythmia it is and how to treat it.

Thank you

[Ewloe]

Hi Maleo I can’t tell you what they are but I’ve had similar from my Apple Watch. I also have ectopics and they don’t look like that. I’m seeing an electrophysiologist in 4 weeks after having a 5 day ecg recording. Which has picked up other arrhythmia’s as well as AFib. You may need a prolonged ecg recording to see what’s going on. I gave my Apple Watch recordings to my cardiologist secretary to show my cardiologist to show what was going on and when I spoke with him - yes there not as in-depth as anything the hospital does but they did show a glimpse of what was happening.

[JoseT]

those ectopics are coming in a regular pattern (atrial bigeminy). Most likely your electrolytes are out of balance. You might be low in potassium for instance.

[EMBoy]

Hi Maleo,

I'm no expert, but your ECG is clearly abnormal. Interpretation of ECG's needs specialist knowledge, so I suggest you contact your GP an ask for a referral to a cardiologist.

[Hidden]

Hi maleo. It is worth getting checked out. I had a strange ecg which made me get sent to A and E who done checks with ct scanner. Xray and echo. This high lighted a congenital heart disease. Now don't want you worrying. But I suppose they found an issue good in one way. However when I ended up with the the specialists they gave me another copy of my ecg and said this is your trace and it is unique to you. Keep it with you. We will now look into how best to treat you.

[Palpman]

Atrial Bigeminy. Every normal beat is followed by a premature beat. This causes a compensatory pause before the next normal beat. The heart rate between the normal beats is 30 due to the pause.

This is not a diagnosis but my personal view only.