Trying to deal with my ectopics

[Benno2k24]

I’ve been experiencing an increased awareness of my diagnosed ectopic heartbeats (not necessarily more) and am struggling to try to deal with them. I’m especially aware of them when I’m more active (walking). They are causing me some angst and, because how my body seems to be over reacting (teeter on the feeling of a panic attack) I’m finding I am no longer doing things I used to enjoy (like riding my bike). I am on ramipril and bisoprolol (2.5 and 3.75 respectively). What approaches have others used to help get on top of things? Really keen to find out some ‘left field’ approaches, as meditation or breathing exercises don’t seem to be doing it for me right now. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hi Benno, I have had ectopic heartbeats on and off all of my adult life (male, 68), with no obvious trigger. It's hard to quantify but it seems like they would come in phases, say I would be very aware of them for some weeks then it would calm down. When I notice them they may be every few minutes, a few fast light beats then end with a heavier beat. I am sure many others have them, probably it's a slight electrical problem in the heart from what I've read. I also know that there are a lot of other people out there for whom it is causing anxiety. I have got an age-related problem with my heart and have worn a holter monitor a few times, but the cardiologist was unconcerned about the ectopic beats (they were looking for bursts of atrial fibrillation).

You mentioned panic attacks, my personal experience with these (unconnected with the ectopic beats though I was very anxious about the effect of anxiety on my heart) is that I had very few full blown panic attacks but the fear of one was frequently there, teetering. My GP prescribed valium and propranolol to take as required, neither regularly. I rarely took them but used to find it reassuring that there was something to fall back on. I also found it very helpful to educate myself about the mental health problem through reading, books rather than on-line, and engaging with a mutual-help group.

More recently I've been on long-term paroxetine which is another story, but I don't get the panic any more. Maybe it's the paroxetine, or just because I've felt less anxiety as I've aged.

In summary, it was the mental health issue that greatly affected me, and the physical issue didn't really exist.

[PadThaiNoodles]

I take an SSRI (escitalopram) mainly for depression, but it also markedly reduces my anxiety. I also found CBT helpful (and it was reasonably short -- only 8 sessions or something?).

More recently I had double-valve-surgery, and my ectopics are now far less noticeable. But I don't know if that's due to the less-leaky plumbing or just because I was put on bisoprolol (1.25mg) after the surgery.

[Hidden in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Yes anxiety and depression, and their treatment, seem to go hand-in-hand don't they. In my case I think it was anxiety that came first, and depression would follow because anxiety was restricting my life e.g. three times I've changed jobs I liked because I found them too stressful (usually related to travelling).

I know this forum is about cardiac issues but a lot of it seems to involve anxiety.

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Hidden]

Yep, I had to tell my employer that travel could be requested but that the answer was pretty much always going to be "no".

[Identiy]

In my opinion, the problem with ectopics beats is that they produce fear - they are described in a text book I read as causing a "feeling of impending doom".

This means that we get scared that they may cause us to die.

If this is what you are thinking, then a way to cure any fear is to challenge the idea and see if you die. I undertook a cardiac monitored exercise test with a cardiologist where I pushed my heart as hard as I could.

I was able to see the cardiac monitor as I rode and I noticed when I got to around 150 beats/ minutes , the ectopics which had been frequent up to then , disappeared and did not come back during the test, even though I took my heart rate to around 175 beats per minute which was as hard as I could go.

I lost my fear of them then, as I reasoned if I could exercise this hard and they disappeared, then they were not serious as if they were, I would have expected them to get more frequent with the increase in my heart rate. eg if a car motor is giving problems at low speeds, then the problem will be more noticeable at high speed

I have had them on and off since - I was stressed and in my mid 30's when I did that test - and now at 75 years old, still exercise and take my heart rate to around 135 beats per minute.

You need to ask your cardiologist if you can do this type of test with him.

It will heal your fear.

[Benno2k24 in reply to Identiy]

This is something I have been considering, for exactly the reason you state. I’m conscious I don’t want to waste their time BUT, when it’s affecting me this much I think it’s something I now need to look at. With private healthcare, I would be paying for it too 👍. Thanks for your response. Wish you well.

[mobyfool]

I suffer with At Fib and ectopic beats and like you get really worried and panicky, tried breathing exercises , medatation, does,t work for me, I find try hard to concentrate on what I,m actually doing at work or at home reading and other things does actually help.

[Chloeb13]

I haven’t got any magical cures that completely helped me. I had chemo at 29 years old, before this I never suffered with any heart related issues. I have been told that my heart is ‘perfect’. I only joined this page as I had been told that I had heart failure, turned out that was a typo. But since then, I have suffered with PVC’s and PAC’s. Mine is without a doubt anxiety and stress that cause mine. I personally did find breathing helpful, but not just the deep breathing, it was the stimulation of my vagus nerve, so breathe in for 4 seconds and breathe out for 6, and continue it for as long as I could be bothered to. I did see a huge difference in the frequency, I was getting them all day every day, every few beats whereas now I can get the odd one through the day or if I’m anxious or stressed I may have a day or 2 when they are more frequent. I’m dealing with them alot better now but I’ve had them for 3 years now so I think I’ve just gotten used to them a bit but when they get more frequent I do panic a little bit as they are frightening for something that is supposed to be harmless to your heart.

I hope you find something that helps ease them up, I know what a burden they can be.

It might be worth noting that I have cut out caffeinated coffee, I was only drinking one a day but I did notice a difference with my ectopics and anxiety so I switched to decaf.

[Benno2k24 in reply to Chloeb13]

Thanks Chloeb13. Caffeine is something I’ve cut down on a lot. Also big meals, eating at silly times and alcohol (oh what of bundle of laughs I am 🤦‍♂️😂). I love this site as it’s just good to know the support’s there if only as a way of getting reassurance. Take care.

[Chloeb13 in reply to Benno2k24]

It’s fine, I live a very sheltered life compared to pre cancer, I don’t drink anymore either, that set things off too haha reached the age of 33 and I’ve become a little old lady!

[Kbkk]

Hi, If you haven’t seen already I found watching Dr Sanjay Gupta (York Cardiology) on YouTube really very helpful. He’s made a few videos on ectopics and although I still absolutely hate them I don’t get a feeling of panic anymore which has really helped me live with them. May help you overcome the feeling of a panic attack……

[Benno2k24 in reply to Kbkk]

I’ve watched him. Def helped when I was really struggling to come to terms with them 👍

[SchnauzerOtto]

I found that in particular Bisoprolol made me very lethargic. My cardiologist agreed I could stop it and see what happens. I've been off it now for 3 weeks and started 5k runs again. I still do have side effects coming off them but feel generally fitter and more active. I have heart block so slightly different medical background, but I have also heard from others that switching to Nebivolol made a difference in their activity levels.

[Sambobs17]

hello to everyone - it’s a minefield trying to figure out why we have these ectopics and moreover trying to find a cure! There doesn’t seem to be a standard answer think we’ve all done our own research and tried various methods some work some don’t - I’ve had them daily now for 5 months awaiting an appointment to rapid access chest pain clinic, when I worked in general practice the patient usually received an appointment within 2 weeks I was referred beginning of October I don’t think I will get seen before Christmas point being it all adds to the ‘anxiety’ - last few days they have been particularly bad for me but I know if I went to A&E as long as I wasn’t in a life threatening situation they would send me on my way to wait for the appointment, the same applies with the GP so it’s no man’s land at the moment - thank goodness for this site as I think I would literally be going mad so advice and reassurance on here gets me through the day - hope everybody gets well soon 😊

[Benno2k24 in reply to Sambobs17]

Sambobs17 - this site is so good and just small nuggets of advice and wisdom help, hence why I’ve reached out for advice. I’ve accepted that my ectopics aren’t bad (I’ve had every test under and check-up under the sun) but now it’s trying to introduce coping mechanisms to alleviate (or just accept) the symptoms when they’re more bothersome. The main thing for me is steering well clear of that self-destructive thinking of ‘…but have they missed something’. Acceptance is massive. Keep us updated and wish you well 👍

[JezzaJezza]

hi I suffer from SVT and palpitations - both extremely well controlled with Dronedarone and bisoprolol 2.5.

When I do get palpitations I can usually identify a trigger. Things that work for me to manage them are:

1. I cut out all alcohol

2. I cut out all caffeine including chocolate and fizzy drinks. I also weirdly found that decaf coffee has something in it that sometimes triggers them so that’s gone

3. I drink min 2 litres of water a day

4. Regular exercise and raising the HR helps me

5. Regular meditation

Hope this is some help.

J

[Hephzibar]

Hi! I have had ectopic beats on and off for many years now and am going through a spate of them at the moment and have no idea why!! No caffeine, minimal alcohol and a relatively quiet life, although suffer from tension headaches.I am now on Bisoprolol 1.25mg following tachycardia events, but all tests show no concern, and a low dose of Amitriptyline for the tension headaches.

I do not notice them when I am busy and occupied, but when sitting quietly or in bed I am far more aware.

I find them tiring as I never feel totally relaxed and more anxious when they are bumping away. Breathing exercises can stop/reduce them for a few hours, but then they just pop back up to remind me that they are there!!!

Just wish I had a way to get rid of them……or to stop being aware of them!! Not that I would wish them on anyone, but it is good to know that there are others who share the same struggles. Take care everyone!

[Binnick]

I. Have had ectopic beats all my life! I can remember being anxious about them a lot at school. I am now 78 and learned years ago how slow deep breathing would calm them down. A couple of years ago I was advised to take magnesium supplement and have seen a great improvement!

Dr Sanjay Gupta (York Cardiology) has a video on utube all about ectopics and I found it very helpful.

Hope you get relief soon

[Benno2k24 in reply to Binnick]

Def got to try the Magnesium. Thanks Binnick 👍