Advice managing anxiety about PVCs/PACs

[Ix49]

I've suffered with ectopic heart beats for the past 12 years. I had an ablation for Wolf Parkinson White 10 years ago and the PVCs and PACs settled down a lot after that. I'd get periods of weeks or months where I'd have flare ups now and then but never substantial and tests always came back clear.

I had another bout of them flare up last year, after an extremely stressful life event followed by a job move. GP wasn't worried but checked it out, everything was fine and my daily burden was apparently less than a healthy and unsymptomatic version but showed small amounts of PVCs and PACs. At the time they were really powerful thuds though, so quite scary.

End of last year I had what felt like a chain of multiple followed by painful fluttering. I completely freaked out, scared of NSVT or V Fib. Was referred to cardiology, and while waiting 6 months for the appointment I was mostly ok, the odd singular ectopic but nothing major. Cardiologist was very reassuring, thinks it'll settle down, isn't worried but happy to offer ablation if it gets in the way of life.

For some reason, ever since I spoke to him they're worse and more powerful again. Still single beats but mutliple times a day, can't tolerate much exercise even walking, can't tolerate any sleep deprivation and sometimes get them out of the blue. Having my electrolytes checked next week. But it doesn't make sense that they've come back with a vengence. I'm not sure if it's anxiety, but I'm probably under the least stress I have been in years. Does anyone have any tips for learning to live with them, do they get better? Every time a strong one kicks in I get scared my heart's about to stop.

[Choccie55]

Hi, my ectopics were always worse just before my period and became horrendous during perimenopause so definitely a hormonal link for me. Stress was also a factor. I was then diagnosed with SVT. Since being on beta blockers for that my ectopics are controlled. I’m having an ablation at the end of August.

[Ix49 in reply to Choccie55]

Good luck with the ablation! I found mine helped a lot with SVT runs (even though mine wasn't for that).

Yes, mine have always acted up a lot before and during my period! Drs never really acknowledged the link when I'd bring it up so that's reassuring.

[Appleloveme]

Good morning I have had ectopic for years on and off, my triggers are caffiene, alcohol, stress an lack of sleep. Yesterday, I had an ambulance and the paramedics did an EKG. Results were showing Bradycardia, slow heart rate. I was worried of course. Results sent to GP. Awaiting a call back. I think my breathing exercises recommended on you tube by, Sanjay Gupta, helps sometimes. I do get scared when you hear your heart thumping and the missed hearbeat. You feel your heart may stop and the end is near but of course it isn't. Relaxation will help too. It passes until it can come again. Hope this helps you. Take care.

[Ix49 in reply to Appleloveme]

How do you manage the lack of sleep trigger? It's one of my biggest and I'm finding it difficult, if I have a bad night with insomnia I still have to go into work, never used to be an issue but now I get the strongest PVCs. My anxiety about sleep disruption causing them has been quite fierce.

Sorry to hear you took unwell, hope your results go well. Sanjay Gupta has been such an amazing source! I've been working my way through his videos, he's explained more than my own cardiologists ever have.