Wondering if there is anyone else with a similar profile to me going through something similar...I'm a 34 year old female, fit (used to train muay thai 2 hrs a day) and have a super clean and balanced diet.
Been having some wild ectopics last few months and it now lasts all day every day, but most particularly at rest - heart seems to be much more consistent during walking/exercise. HR can go from 70 to 35 in a second, its just all over the shop for 10-15 mins at a time, almost every 2-3 hrs.
Done every test under the sun inc MRI, stress, CT, holter, you name it and it all came back perfect apart from the ectopics in the ECG. My cardiologists (have seen 3 different ones now) also have no idea, say its benign and have given me flecainide as a pill in the pocket (50mg).
But I can't help but worry if I'm missing something or if I'm not looking for the right thing or in the right direction?? Any advice for any other tests or specialists I should consider would be greatly appreciated! 🙏🙏
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C2sam
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Do you have any idea what the burden of your ectopics are from your holter? As in, how many you’re having per day? Usually, medication is prescribed if you have a large burden of ectopics.
Tests wise, it really does sound like you have exhausted most of them.
What is your concern regarding the ectopics? For the most part, they are considered benign. Where they appear to be troublesome, medication such as a beta-blocker is often prescribed. I can see you’re on a sodium channel blocker. Would it be worth discussing a beta-blocker like Bisoprolol with your GP or cardiologist to see if that is an option and whether it makes a difference?
The holter I did a few months back showed a low burden (about 5-6%) but I wasn't having many a day, so going to ask to do another since they're becoming so frequent now. I did try bisoprolol and verapmil but they messed me up big time and ended up making the ectopics worse.
Just trying to get to the bottom of it so I can manage it better - I'm on the verge of passing out a lot of days which makes me worry since I'm often alone with my child (my husband travels a lot and we have no family here). Honestly hoping it just clears itself up but thought I'd see if anyone found answers through checking a completely different part of the body or tried alternative methods of therapy that worked.
Do you have any way of measuring these ectopics? For example, I have an Apple Watch and when I’m feeling particularly unwell with ectopics, I will perform an ECG on my watch. Some people also use a Kardia for their mobile which also has some really good reviews. If you were able to catch these episodes at home, you could have a cardiologist look over them to determine a pattern.
I had something similar at your age and worried and investigated myself into an anxiety disorder. They went on their own after some time, can’t remember how long maybe a year or so without medication or treatment . And here I am 68 next month I wasted a lot of time worrying . If you have seen three cardiologists and had all those investigations I would accept what they are telling you. Worry makes them more frequent
Thanks Peony4575, great to hear yours went away on its own after a while! Fingers crossed mine will do the same, I know worrying and stress definitely makes it worse so working on meditating as well! 🤞
one thing is for sure hearts are amazing things that do weird and wonderful things without causing detriment to their person , and your age group seems prone. Both of my children had SVT in their twenties which was never treated and went away on its own , they are now early forties , so try and trust that you are ok. The miracle is that hearts beat regularly most of the time. The fact that it improves with exercise is a very good sign so try not to worry 😊❤️
I too have those. I literally emailed my doctor Sunday night because I was at 5am having flutters. I was told they were PACs (pre atrial contractions) I’ve also been diagnosed with having PVCs (pre ventricular contractions). They are all normal and not life threatening. I found that I get them most when I’m deficient in magnesium and potassium. The Moment I take a supplement, they disappear! I’ve have them since 2011 but was able to recognize the reason and now it’s easier to deal with.
it’s my understanding that ectopic beats are benign. However, atrial fibrillation is not, and if you are experiencing AFib, you should discuss anti- coagulants with your doc to prevent stroke. I had similar diff getting A Fib diagnosed as it never showed up on halter test. Finally, my GP told me to report to A & E next time I had an attack. I did so. I was in chaotic A Fib with a ventricular response and a HR of 140! Finally I was taken seriously.
I learned later that there are phone apps that will give relative accurate measurements of AFib and do print outs you can show your Doc.
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