Many on this board suffer from Ectopics. With some people they are almost continual, with others they sporadically cut in and out, often with no apparent reason and depart as quickly. Doctors are sometimes dismissive of the condition. Bisoprolol helps some people but not everyone.
Most will be aware of the Vagus nerve which seems to connect up signals from a variety of internal organs. It is argued that if this becomes inflamed or irritated then that trigger Ectopics.
Some say the Vagus nerve can be soothed by sound and breathing technique. Those who sing or hum have noticed relief which could be connected with breathing more deeply and regularly, thereby disrupting the Ectopics .
A couple of days ago we went to see “Jesus Christ Superstar”. I arrived with frequent Ectopics which had been on and off for a couple of days. I had forgotten how loud this musical was, so was unprepared for the immediate huge blast of sound, visual effects and lights, all of which caused my chest to reverberate.
I realised within 2 minutes that my Ectopics had stopped! I have been mostly fine for the last few days other than short lived sporadic episodes.
Looking through my health diary over the last 6 months, I noticed that my Ectopics, which had been quite bad on entering the theatre to see “Wicked” ,and again weeks later to see “Carmen,” had disappeared during the performances. I did some research and found this article. It eventually becomes a bit “New Age” but it gives food for thought as to whether sounds, breathing differently, music, humming, singing, might help to calm Ectopics.
The link is included. It references mostly calming music which the three productions I cite certainly were not!
What an interesting post, Devonian! I do have ectopics occasionally since a triple-byass two and a half years ago, but thankfully not often. I've always felt that music, and the associated emotions it raises in us, can really affect our heart rates. I trained as a classical pianist but have a very eclectic range of favourite genres and pieces from each of those favourites can, and does, affect my heart rate, be it Rachmaninoff or Led Zeppelin and I've tested it! Personally, I feel that it's the emotional involvement with the piece that affects mine as I find more familiar pieces can affect it more than those that I don't know quite so well.
Yuja Wang is one of my favourite classical pianists and, in 2023, she managed to play all four Rachmaninoff concertos and his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini back-to-back in a two and a half hour Rachmaninoff marathon, which has never been done before. She wore a heart rate monitor during the marathon, as did some audience and orchestra members . I've attached the link if anyone might be interested:
My heart rate was also affected while I was playing when younger, but not so much these days as I just don't have the physical strength for it anymore at 64! 🙂
Thanks. Very interesting. I agree about the emotions which in themselves can raise heart rates. That comes with sad and happy things. Quite a few on here are very anxious which presumably has a negative effect.
We used to go to the Opera in Verona and that certainly made you go through a range of emotions.
I will experiment with my radio and headphones next time I have ectopics, but it may be that you need to be more deeply immersed to feel the effect.
I suspect you're right about being deeply immersed, Devonian - I find my heart rate is affected even more if I'm watching the artists perform - even if it's just on the laptop/PC/Telly! The Opera in Verona must have been an amazing experience for you. The first time I ever saw a pianist play Rachmaninoff in a concert, I left the theatre in an absolute daze with tears streaming down my face - but not actually crying! It took me about a week to recover, 😊but I'll never forget that first time. You've given me some lovely memories to think about this evening - thank you.
Hello Devonian186 I have Ectopics off and on, some triggers for me are a combination of certain things, for example, caffiene, alcohol, lack of sleep, stress and overdoing exercise. I do not take caffeine or alcohol now. I do believe that the breathing, slowing it down and meditation help me. Music mostly classical definitely helps too. I have been on this forum mentioning this before. I apologise for saying this again. I just wanted to let you know. Take care .
This condition can be dismissed by the medical fraternity as being an irritation rather than life threatening, when in reality it can have a major effect on peoples lives.
It would be good to see some proper long term real world medical studies of the condition as these seem to be thin on the ground. These need to look at likely causes and likely remediation.
Caffeine and alcohol certainly seems to be a trigger for some.
Hi Devonian186 I know some medical studies need to be done regarding, ectopics and as you said, it can have a major effect on some people. I just had an episode which lasted 2 weeks instead of 4 days. I even had an ambulance at one point to be checked. I will be receiving a Holder for 24 hours. I do feel strongly about more studies should be done. It affects sleeping and your daily life.
Yes, but so many GP's dismiss it. It may not be fatal, but as you say it can have a major effect on people and affect sleeping and your daily life.
I am not aware of any definitive books on the subject, although there are lots of bits and pieces of information, some anecdotal some based on limited studies.
All of us are different but I can't help feeling that a significant number of people with ectopics could be helped if we knew more about what caused them and what might alleviate them.
Hello again my Ectopics are benign, there is a possibility that could change, if I become Symptomatic. There is a new research book on research of Ectopics, the medical journal, from Amazon soon. I agree we are all different and yes we could do with more about why some people get it and others don't. Hopefully this new book will bring some light on the subject and help ..
Yes, I have ectopic arrhythmia and I think it's connected to stress levels, although the actual cause appears to be a problem with the body's electrical system and the body's 'clock'. A consultant on a visit to the hospital noted this when checking mine.
I can’t be 100% sure but I think stimulating my vagus nerve is what has helped me. I suffered with them all day every day. They were ruining my life and the first 4 months after having my son. I suffer with health anxiety due to a cancer diagnosis 3 years ago at 29 and so after my son was born it was especially bad so I got help through talking to someone through my local ‘mind matters’. I had never been told about the vagus nerve, but he suggested to breathe in for 4 seconds and exhale for 6 and it might help with the ectopics, I was very sceptical as I thought how much can that really help. Within 24 hours of doing the technique (not all day but when I was just sat still etc) they stopped. I still have episodes here and there but they are no longer every day and not as intense, which I’ll take. So yeah, I definitely believe stimulating the vagus nerve helps
I have them off and but not very often. I just relax and do the breathing technique I learnt while pregnant. I was born with a small hole in the side of my heart and have PAF take Flecainide and Apixaban. Last free months had problems with water retention but having BT for my heart in couple of weeks as all the normal BTs normal and my cholesterol down from 5 to 4.4. Only found out about the hole in 2020 / 2021 when I stated the tablets. MRI showed connections to the chambers of my heart intact and strong heart function.
I was also born with the rare hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3 only diagnosed because my new neurologist had my whole genome genetically tested. And had the results in March 2022 . I was given the news on 1st April 2022. But since 1988 had limb jerks and 4 seizures but my neurologist put me on Clonazepam in January 2020 within 2 weeks my limbs didn't jerk or have any seizures. It was bliss.
I have been in constant pain in my legs since a very young child and fell all the time . My parents where told it was growing pains and I was clumsy.
Loud noises ,bright lights and unexpected things makes my body stiffen and I fall. Plus a whole hosts of other symptoms. I have trembling hands all the time. In May I went to Berwick upon Tweed and went on a 2 hour boat trip with a friend .My hands never trembled the whole time and my balance was perfect and could walk normally . My friend had very arthritic knees and they never hurt her during the voyage . We laughed we needed a boat engine attached to us permanently.
As soon as we got off the boat all our symptoms where back.
Funny how things around us can effect our bodies . I am 66 now.
So you reckon it was the vibrations from the boat engine that gave you relief for 2 hours? Or could it have been the motion of the waves. Either way, that is interesting.
The sea was calm that day not even a sea breeze that's why we thought it was the engine. Glad you found it interesting.
I found your post very interesting that's why I replied. Our bodies are a mystery..
I was born disabled and had problems my whole life. But my fit healthy husband got cancer and died aged 47 in 2004. But that's life and no matter what happens in our lives we have to make the best of everyday no if onlies or what ifs . We only have one life and I owe it to my very wise husband to live my life to the full . He gave me a series of promises knowing he was dieing because he knew what I needed to live without him and I would keep them and I do every day. He is still my husband and I live with my grief everyday. But the rage and anger at him dieing I use to get me through whatever life throws at me . As the years go by the grief gets worse as he has missed so much. So I live my life to the full for him and me .
Hmm that’s an interesting thought and you know I think you might be onto something - hadn’t actually thought of this but in June I went to see an old fave band I used to love who reformed (Wasted Youth) and small venue and LOUD, could feel the reverberation all through me and at a point even though God hope this is Ok kinda thing - but point is my ectopics have stopped since
As I wrote this, the old phrase "music has charms to soothe the savage breast" sprang to mind which apparently dates to 1697. This link deals with music and points out it is used in therapy to counter high blood pressure, anxiety and provide calm. This was all apparently known back to Roman times
My experiences with the very loud music during the three productions I attended, plus your anecdote of the loud band you saw and the motor engine of the boat, all suggest that sound/reverberations of one sort of another has an impact on our physical and mental well being-probably through the vagus nerve. So all that's needed now is a £5 million grant to investigate this further!
Very interesting thread. As someone that suffers very badly from this issue I've noticed there are many factors which seem to make the problem better and worse. I will perhaps try to see if I can replicate your findings!
there is now scientific evidence that music / sounds can help reduce stress and anxiety.
I’ve frequently listened to a crystal bowl soundbath and it is immensely calming and on occasion has stopped my palpitations and slowed my heart rate .
This is based on frequencies that resonate with the mind . Always worth a try and the least it can do is relax you .
Yes, I believe we all have "internal" frequencies that will soothe such as the very important vagus nerve. These may take a number of forms from loud to soothing music, vibrations to chanting or perhaps exercise and deep breathing. It is a matter of trial and error to see what works for the individual
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