Sudden onset of frequent PACS - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Sudden onset of frequent PACS

Pauldx profile image
16 Replies

I had been dianosed at 45 with paroxsysmal SVT. That has never been a problem but at theh age of 63 (2 years ago) I started to get other heart arrythmias. I had a semi faint on one occasion and was advised by the UK helpline to go to A & E, I had ecgs and found no problems but was advised to get an Apple watch to check for AFIB as a possible cause of the semi faint.

This has always shown a sinus ryythm except once when it showed AFIB. Because of that I bought a

Wellue 2 point ECG chest band to wear more permanently. This showed occasional PACs, PVCs and SVT but nothing to worry about. After about 9 months I stopped wearing it as I seemed to have no obvious issues....until today.

Today i started to feel the odd sensation that I recognised as some arrythmia. After about 2 hours I went home and put my ECG band on and after 1 hour and 5 minutes it showed I had 745 pacs. That was alarming as I have read that the threshold to worry about pacs is way below that.

My question is 'does anybody have any idea why the sudden and lengthy surge (it was high for at least 4 hours at time of writing this)?' Should I go to A &E (ER)?I have taken a beta blocker and it has dropped a bit since then.

Thank you in advance of your thought?

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Pauldx
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16 Replies
Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1

hello I know nothing about PACS but you wrote your post 4 hours ago and no responses earlier.

Golden rule for me is if you have a sudden or recent change in current symptoms or an onset of symptoms out of the blue then seeking medical advice / attention is advisable.

I hope someone on here who knows more can advise better but if your not improving at least as a minimum contact 111 if it can’t wait for a GP appointment. They’ll advise A&E if required.

Good luck 👍

Pauldx profile image
Pauldx in reply toFanfab1

Thank you for the response. I called 111 and they said go to A & E. They gave me a 3 second ECG and said there was no PAC. I was having them every 5-11 seconds so a 3 sec ecg could easily miss them. That said, he said there was no evidence of damage (from the blood test) and so that has relaxed me. Thank you again

Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1 in reply toPauldx

It’s good you’ve been checked for any immediate problems, 3 seconds doesn’t sound ideal though. Maybe follow-up with GP?

Wish you the best and hope you get the help you need👍

Pauldx profile image
Pauldx in reply toFanfab1

Thank you, it’s appreciated

Ennasti profile image
Ennasti

Have you recently had COVID? There is a growing body of evidence that the virus can cause ectopics and arrythmias for some people, during and after infection. If you already are prone to ectopics, it can cause them to flare. Its being classified as another symptom of long COVID.

DWizza profile image
DWizza

I would now contact the BHF on line nurse and explain what happened and ask their advice on how to go forward . They may suggest going back to GP ( or A& E if it happens again) or take a certain course of action. Do you still have any contact with a consultant? I wouldn’t sit back , I’ve found that you have to push to get seen or into a system for treatment. Don’t rely on NHS and r GP admin.

Pauldx profile image
Pauldx in reply toDWizza

Good advice thanks.

devonian186 profile image
devonian186

Whilst its fresh in your memory it would be worth writing down the circumstances under which you started to have these episodes.

Something you ate or drunk? Stress? Exercise? Use of a new phone or a server in a new place causing EMF? New cleaning fluids?

Pauldx profile image
Pauldx in reply todevonian186

Interesting. I will thanks

Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1 in reply todevonian186

you’ve made me curious - why do those things cause symptoms? And what’s EMF?

Cheers

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply toFanfab1

EMF stands for electro magnetic fields

hse.gov.uk/radiation/nonion...

They can affect health in a number of ways explained in the link. An emf such as given out by a server in the bedroom MIGHT affect the electrical rhythm of the heart. Its easy to get into conspiracy theories such as with 5G towers, but the number of people with heart problems related to their electrical activity seems to be increasing in the modern world. It is suggested for example that a smart phone should be kept at a distance from a sleeping person. A modern home has numerous likely sources of emf as does the outside world.

Foods and drinks are well known to affect the vagus nerve which can affect digestion and the heart. An interesting topic in itself.

Many modern chemicals such as cleaning fluids also are known to affect the heart but that tends to be quite personal. For example I was badly affected by the chemical used to give a shine on granite type worktops for kitchens. my wife, not at all.

Stress and anxiety are well known to cause heart disturbances and I would observe that for good reasons many people-such as on this board-have health related anxieties.

Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1 in reply todevonian186

Thanks for explaining, these things are worth considering. Always keen to learn. Common sense tells me electronics must be emitting something. 👍

Stuartc100 profile image
Stuartc100

I get ectopics for at least a week on end, ive had all the heart tests going, heart is fine, we now think its gastro in origin, i have a hiatus hernia and suffer with GERD, recently been diagnosed with SIBO, so just because your heart is flip flopping it might not be your heart, the vagus nerve can get over stimulated and cause all sorts of weird things to your heart (your stomach and heart arent that far apart) as others have said perhaps look at what youve eaten/drank (coffee for example)

Pauldx profile image
Pauldx in reply toStuartc100

Thank you for that. I have wondered if it was gastro in origin as it does feel there is a relationship

Pudin profile image
Pudin

Had 3 months of frequent Pacs as in 7000 a day and previously holter monitors picked up levels of 3000 a day, but cardiology don't seem concerned unless I have symptoms of chest pain or syncope. Have had echo's and Cardiac MRis.York cardiology on YouTube does have some interesting info on these and link between heart and stomach re vagus nerve.

Like you was diagnosed with PSVT in 40's and no meds,but in 60's had longer episodes so put on low dose bisoprolol ( 1.25mg) can't tolerate more as get chronotropic incompetence.

Pauldx profile image
Pauldx in reply toPudin

Thanks, I have seen his videos and will look gain now that I have had this experience

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