Advice please!

[Coney1982]

Hello! I’m after some advice please in relation to an ongoing heart rate issue that’s causing me to worry!

I’m a 41 year old male, not overweight and I don’t smoke.

We were sat at work and all decided to check our heart rates on our watches. Mine went from 98bpm then down to 43bpm which I thought was quite low…

I looked back on my health history on my phone and from 2019 my resting heart rate will flick between 40 and 100..

I popped to the doctors, they took bloods and said the results were fine. I had an ECG and that showed a PVC. The doc said PVC’s aren’t treated and then booked me in for a ECG 24 monitor and sent me on my way!

Iv’e no other symptoms apart from feeling an intermittent ‘heavy’ head when leaning over to put my trainers on…

When I’m exercising my heart rate stays at a steady pace and comes down normally, same as if I’m going out for a walk.

The minute I settle down my heart goes from 40 to 90 with and vice versa within a minute…

should I be worried? I’m if being completely honest the Doctor didn’t explain much and wanted me out his office fairly quick!

[Tos92]

Hi Coney1982

PVCs are not always a cause for concern. PVCs (premature ventricular contraction) are extra heartbeats which happen in the lower chambers of the heart I believe. I asked a question around the different types of heartbeats a little while back on this forum.

However, I believe it does become a cause for concern if they are happening on a frequent and regular basis. The holter monitor test which you are awaiting is good as it will show how often and at what rate your heart beats are happening when having these PVCs.

There is treatment available for PVCs. Usually that is in the form of calcium channel blockers, which I take to keep my heart rate low/stable, or beta blockers. This would be for your GP to action should they feel it’s necessary after all the appropriate testing.

There are others on this forum which do suffer with heart rhythm disorders and I hope they will be by to give you some more insight.

All the best.

Tos

[Coney1982 in reply to Tos92]

Hello!

Thank you for the advice and reassurance! The doctor didn’t explain PVC’s, he just said we don’t treat them and not to worry. I’ve obviously searched doctor google and it’s worried me a little! Of course anything to do with your heart is a worry.

The data on my health app goes back to 2019 and my heart rate has stayed pretty much the same.

With heart rhythm disorders do people often lead a normal and healthy life it’s managed?

There wasn’t any urgency to get the monitor fitted there and then.

Sorry if I’m asking silly questions.

[Tos92 in reply to Coney1982]

Google isn’t always the best place for answers. This can increase your anxiety.

You mention that you heart rate has been more or less the same since 2019. I think this should give you some reassurance that you are not in any immediate danger, especially because you haven’t noticed them until recently when you checked your heart rate with your friends.

Yes, people go on to live normal and long lives even after being diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder. It is well managed on medication and also other methods, such as a pacemaker.

I would recommend that if you feel they are increasing in frequency, to touch base with your GP again to see if you can get the holter monitor any sooner.

Meanwhile however, please be reassured that extra beats can be normal and harmless. If you feel particularly unwell, I would call 111 and see what they suggest.

Please don’t apologise. Anything to do with the heart is concerning so I can definitely understand from that standpoint. I hope someone more experienced will come along to share their thoughts with you too.

[Coney1982 in reply to Tos92]

you’ve been more than helpful thank you 😊

[wilsond in reply to Coney1982]

Head across to the AF Association forum on here,excellent support on all kinds of arrhythmia.

[jeanjeannie50]

I personally wouldn't be worried. Even normal people with no heart problems have extra and missed beats and it sounds like that's what your watch is recording. Can you see how long your heart is at the rate of 40bpm?

Let us know how you get on please.

Jean

[Coney1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean, thanks ever so much for the quick reply!

I can’t see how long it my heart rate is at 40, but it changes fairly quickly back to what I think is a normal rate.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Coney1982]

Just wrote a long reply and lost it somehow!!

I've had AF for 18 years and here are the things that I've discovered that have helped. Try to have a diet that doesn't contain any artificial additives, artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my attacks. Drink plenty of water and never wear tight waistbands. You say you feel heavy headed when bending to put shoes on, that can be caused by carrying a little weight there or sometimes it just comes with age. Since I lost weight in my stomach I can bend so much easier, have never been fat or had to think about dieting.

It will be interesting to see what your heart monitor records, so make sure you let us know.

Jean

[Coney1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you so much

[Coney1982]

Hi Anne

Thank you so much for the response ❤️