For as long as I can remember,I have been aware of feeling missed beats, always diagnosed as benign ectopics, then the menopause hit me and they became horrendous, resulting in numerous visits to A&E and cardiologists, and always being told they’re harmless, unfortunately it didn’t help my anxiety over them, resulting in becoming agoraphobic for the last 20yrs, I do go out, but only if I’m accompanied and that’s only for about 4hrs a week, to a coffee morning and the supermarket.
I have a very sedentary lifestyle, I move as much as I can in my home, but there is only so much I can do as there is only myself, so there’s never much to do at all, every now and again I manage to do a 15 minute walk video that’s on utube, I’m never consistent with this, might do four days in a row, then give up saying what’s the point …
I must admit the ectopics have calmed down considerably, that might be due to the magnesium supplements I’ve been taking for a few years now, but what I’d like to ask is, does any of you have episodes of feeling your heart flutter, for like 5/6 seconds of very light fast heartbeat then a thump beat ? I’ve found that these make me anxious to do any exercise.
Thank you for reading.
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Emerald1953
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hi , your not alone ! I'm 35 and I suffer with them and can totally relate I've become sedentary as recently I seem to get them a lot it's hard for some people to understand how much they can impact you and your life there horrid and when I get them every one makes me panic to the point I don't want to move! I had couplets on my last ecg feel like I'm living in constant fear sorry if it's not a helpful post ! X
good morning Tabby, I see your a cat lover as I am. And thank you for taking the time to read my very long post. Dr on tv just said we should try to aim at 10.000 steps a day, my phone tells me I sometimes do 2.000, that’s on a good day, thought I’d mention that with you saying that you have become more sedentary, it’s the constant fear we feel, and I dint know how to get over this. it’s a beautiful day today here in Liverpool (uk) and I’d love to go for a walk, nice little park very near me, but I’ve no one to go with. Have you any children or partner? I have two adult sons no partner now. Our symptoms impacts them too. Would you consider counselling ? CBT might help.
It’s a new day today, and I will do the video 15mn walk 🚶♀️ on utube today, would you check that out? You’re half my age, don’t end up like me. Take care x
Hello, I'm the same age as you and have had palpitations all my life since a child. Only as an adult in my 50's did I get it checked!! Was told nothing to worry about, they're ectopic heartbeats. Over the past 18 months they've got a lot worse and can be very noticeable all day. Saw a cardiologist who assures me they are harmless and will NOT damage my heart. He put me on bisoprolol to try and regulate them, and that has worked to some extent, but still get them. I do four fitness classes a week and whether I exercise or sit still, makes no difference to the rate of palpitations. I'm so sorry they've affected your life as you've described. I am reassured by my cardiologist that it's all OK if very annoying, and yes, worrying. I find that breathing deeply a couple of times helps when I'm getting a run of 'missed beats'. I hope you're getting help for your agoraphobia. I try to ignore them, easier said than done sometimes! Penny
Good morning Penny, thank you for your reply. I have had the tests and been told the same as you by the drs. I have had counselling for my agoraphobia over the many years, I would go out more if I had someone to go out with as I’m sure that would help but unfortunately my friends work still and have their own lives and I don’t like to impose. I think your amazing doing your 4 exercise classes a week, like I said to another person who kindly replied, it’s a new day and I will do the walking exercise on utube today, as my son will be visiting soon and he insists we always go out somewhere for the day, and I always feel fatigued with not having been moving much, that’s an incentive to do the exercise.
I have had these kind of symptoms for decades and just thought it was normal, at least for me. It was only a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with a left bundle branch block. Long story short, after cardio investigation no underlying heart disease so no meds needed, which is great. I was very anxious at first worrying every time I felt a missed beat or thump that I was going to have a heart attack. However I slowly realised the diagnosis had not changed the feeling, it was just the same as when I was in blissful ignorance about the LBBB. So now I just do all the things I would normally do, in fact I have increased my exercise. Sometimes we just have to trust the medical team that there is nothing to worry about and try to move past the anxiety these feelings cause us. Also perhaps take a look at any triggers that you may be able to avoid. Stress and anxiety of course are in the top 10 and difficult to avoid but there are a lot of techniques you could try. Caffeine and sugar can trigger mine so if I do indulge then I accept that it might kick it off. But often there is no apparent reason and I just breath slowly through it then forget it and get on with it. The other thing is acceptance that none of us, even the most healthy and fit, do not know what is around the corner health wise and incidents could happen at anytime, anywhere. Worrying and putting your life on hold due to worrying about"what if" scenarios is just depriving ourselves of the enjoyment of just living a normal life. I hope you can find a way to live with your condition and push the fear to the back of your mind enough to find enjoyment in getting out and about again.
I know, we have to trust the medics, and I do, but I have always been a very anxious person about everything, learnt behaviour unfortunately, great to hear you increased your exercise. If there was someone I could go out and about a bit , I know that would help, but it is what it is.
By the way, did you get to the bottom of ‘your funny turns’? I read your post, and you were waiting for the results of some tests, I hope you got some answers.
Have you looked at Park Run. They seem to be popular as you can just go at your own pace no matter how slow you need to be. You can meet others who have to take it slow and perhaps makes some friends. I have a treadmill and a few different weights and use them almost every day. I do like to get out in nature and walk with husband too. As for my funny turns, thanks for asking. No never did, they were so intermittent and unpredictable. I have not had one for a very long time now. The last one was prior to my gall bladder removal and it was just after I ate two kiwi fruit. I can only think that maybe it was to do with the acid/sugar content and possibly gallbladder related but I don't know for sure. Just hoping I don't get any more. Take care of yourself and I hope you can find a way to reduce your anxiety.
Like you I had ectopics for years which increased massively during peri menopause and menopause. During this time I was also diagnosed with SVT or supra ventricular tachycardia - which started as short fast flutters. Eventually an episode didn’t stop and I ended up in A&E where it was caught on an ECG. I’m on Bisoprolol and more recently Flecainide which keeps it under control. The condition also affected my mental health and I was scared to go out alone. You can self refer to NHS Talking Therapies who can help with this anxiety. I would see your GP regarding the flutters and ask about perhaps trying a beta blocker.
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