I had Covid early in 2020 and immediately noticed missed heartbeats at a fairly constant rate. Quite a common after effect I've been told. Cardiology put me on a Holter and told me I had sinus node disease and second degree heart block and inserted a pacemaker to stop bpm going too low whilst asleep.
They said the missed beats (11%) were nothing to worry about, they could give me tablets to try and stop it if it made me anxious. I declined the meds.
Early 2021 I started taking 200mg of Magnesium Citrate daily and after a few weeks the missed beats stopped. But 6 months or so later they returned - but I still kept taking 150mg of Magnesium Citrate.
Then about 5 months ago the missed heartbeats stopped again and I haven't had a single missed beat since then.
Of course the missed beats could return but I think that the Magnesium Citrate is beneficial and will stay on it permanently. I think it works for some but maybe not for others - but well worth a try.
Written by
Jeff1943
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thank you for your message, if you feel you would like further information, please do not hesitate to visit our webpage, Arrhythmia Alliance: heartrhythmalliance.org/aa you will find a wealth of information and patient resources. Alternatively, please contact our Patient Services Team.
Thank you Jeff. So sorry that you were so poorly with Covid and hope you continue to improve.
I’ve always found that any infection causing a rise in body temp increases the number of ectopics I have and also raises my pulse quite significantly.
I started taken magnesium two years ago for chronic pain as recommended by the NHS pain clinic. Can’t say that it’s helped with the pain too much but I have far fewer ectopics. I think it is worth trying too.
Hi Jeff I think we have spoke before , I’ve found that magnesium taurate has help my ectopic beats , but just lately Iam having horrible long missed beats which feel like my hearts stopped for few seconds and feel like Iam going to black out .. I was hoping I’d beat it .. hey ho , think Iam going to have to get in touch with my GP , it’s leaving me with a slight headache after these turns .. does get me down 🫤 wonder if I need a pacemaker but I think that’s for a very slow heart beat which I don’t have !! Hope your keeping well now after covid …
Yes thank you, the Covid started Christmas Day 2019 and persisted through January 2020 so I was one of the first and am well clear of it now. For your own reassurance do have a talk with your GP or better still a cardiologist about the apparent pause in your heartbeat. Either way hope it soon ceases. Hearts are a law unto themselves!
Hi Jeff, thanks for your post I was getting on quite fine after getting ectopics 2 years ago. I did go on to take Bisoprolol and ramipril which I felt eventually did a grand job. That was till this week. After catching a slight cold dam ectopic have come back. I’m going to try magnesium to see if this can help. Just got the all clear from the cardiologist and about to start training for an endurance cycle and these dam ectopics came back. I know the biggest problem is in my head but find this difficult to beat. Will let all know how I get on. Take care Kevin
Hi Kevin, I know some missed beats are serious and some not. If you got the all clear from your cardiologist then it sounds like yours are benign like mine.
But we still worry when we should be accepting what expert advisers have told us and get on with our lives.
There is a strong link between anxiety and missed heart beats. Going back years I remember having missed heartbeats for a short period during stressful events. So worrying unduly about ectopics might cause stress that results in their continuation. Maybe. Either way, its best to accept the ectopics once a doctor has told you they are not worrisome and continue as normal and maybe they will go away for lack of attention. I hope yours cease before too long.
Hi Jeff agree with the link with anxiety I know that has been a trigger with me but as I mentioned I will try the magnesium see how it goes. Thanks again for your reply, appreciated
I think you have to take the Magnesium tabs for a few weeks before you notice any benefit. Perhaps in a couple of months return here and tell us how you got on.
hi Jeff hope all is well. I have been taking magnesium now for 7 months and can say there is a big difference. I have increase my fitness levels and look to do an endurance event later on the year. I still get ectopics but the magnesium has helped. I do take 400 mg (2 tablets) most days and occasionally 6 while training. I have halved my Bisoprolol to 1.25 mg. The doctor advised this as when my fitness levels increased my heart rate dropped to under 40 bpm, now at rest it’s mid 40 bpm. Anxiety is still an issue if I get too many but this has been minimal. It could be that I’m getting used to them as well which has to be factored in. My next period will be the telling point as I step up my training further. I did read that if you are training hard you should increase the supplement but this is through doctor google. I want to note my taking and dosing of magnesium is not through a doctor and the recommended dose is 200 mg per day which I am exceeding. Will post how things are progressing. The endurance event that I’m planning is cycling multiple days at an average of 85-90 miles per day.
That's most interesting K1965, magnesium supplements appear to have a lot going for them, some cardiologists seem to understand this but I suspect it's unknown to the majority. There should be clinical trials to discover how effective it really is. I continue to me free of missed beats and continue to take 150-200mg each day.
Hi Jeff1943, Thank you for writing about Magnesium Citrate and the benefits you have been having. I don't have miss beats but suffer from Paroxymal atrial fibrillation, and I used to take chelated magnesium which was not so good and I just recently moved to Magnesium Citrate from Solgar (I take 200mg) and I can already see a difference with regard to palpitations and ventricular ectopics. Back in November I had to go to A&E as I had quite raised pulse rates, and I was given Magnesium intravenously to try and bring my pulse rate down. It did work along with a further 5mg Bisoprolol.
I don't know if I will see long-term benefits with the Magnesium Citrate but it is worth a try. Take care and I hope that the Magnesium will give you long term benefits.
Thanks for recording your positive experiences with magnesium supplementation. I continue to take a modest 150mg of magnesium citrate a day and remain free of the 10% missed beats that I experienced twice lasting several months.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Help 😞
missed heartbeats 
Ectopic beats really getting me down
Does Flecainide work on stopping ectopics beats 
Anyone actually cured the skipped heartbeats? 
