Frustrated at skipped beats

[Spammy123]

Iv been taking bisoprolol 1.25 for nearly a year and they have helped alot with my skipped heartbeats, but lately the skipped beats are back throughout the whole day for the last few days. I'm just getting to the end of a flu like virus with chesty cough I don't know if this is contributing. I'm feeling very low as every day I hope to wake up without having any, and this flu has knocked me for six. Iv tried ringing and emailing cardiologists but can't get through. I'm at my wits end I hate having these symptoms can anyone please help or advise me or give me any answers

[Sennen1982]

Hi. I too suffer from them. Il get them for around 6 to 12 hours for 3 weeks at a time then a break from 2 to 4 weeks and they are back again! I get mainly pvc's. Had all test, normal. I changed from 2.5 bisoporlol to Vetapamil. I had to go back to bisopolol as Vetapamil made them worse.I'm not medical but iv heard that having a virus or being il can make them worse. Hopefully yours will settle.

Anxiety makes mine worse. I just been told not to worry about them if all tests are all normal, but I know it's hard as they are the worst feeling. Iv had mine for around 30 years.

Getting the right support helps too.

Hope you feel better soon

[Spammy123 in reply to Sennen1982]

Thankyou so much for your reply it's reassuring knowing other people are going through the same it can get lonely sometimes. Your very similar to me as in getting bouts here and there and then nothing for a while. Just want to feel human for a day or two would be nice.Is yours related to a heart condition

[Sennen1982 in reply to Spammy123]

I know, it's awful. Keeping busy helps.Iv been advised not to have chocolate, caffeine, alcohol or stimulants. I also get pac's and svt's. I cantbeat chinese or anything with MSG.

Have a look at Sanjay Gupta, York cardiology, he explains it well. Helps me! No I don't have a heart condition.if it helps you can always message when you having a bad day.

[JezzaJezza]

Hi

They really are the worst feeling and even though generally not harmful it can often induce feelings of ‘omg am I having a heart attack or a stroke or will my heart stop’.

I’m on 2.5 bisoprolol from my cardiologist and my gp reduced it to 1.25 and predictably the ectopics returned. Now back at 2.5 and only very occasional pac or pvc.

Yes I have low hr of low 40’s but I’m fit, exercise and don’t have any symptoms of bradycardia so all is good and cardiologist is happy.

Best wishes

Jezza

[Spammy123 in reply to JezzaJezza]

Thankyou for your reply, yes it's so scary having them makes my day difficult. I might ask to increase my dose to see if that helps

[wbekim]

spammy, I have had persistent afib for over 9 months which has been curtailed by pulse ablation in January this year. Unfortunately I have lots of ectopic beats daily which my ep has said cannot be “cured” only managed. I must admit my tolerance is not good and mentally they are draining. Even though you get told they are benign I defy anyone to ignore them when they happen. You can feel calm and relaxed and then they just hit you, thump, flutter, flip flop etc. Hope you can cope with them better than me.

[Spammy123]

Thankyou for your reply I too don't cope very well with them, I try to keep busy but they ruin my day. Still waiting for cardiology to ring bk but they never do they are useless and not there for me when I need them

[HollieAdmin Administrator ArrhythmiaAlliance]

Hello,

Thank you for your post. It is completely understandable to be feeling frustrated. Being unwell such as having the flu can be a trigger. If you are still recovering from the flu, this can also be a potential cause as your body is trying to get back to normal.

If you have been unable to contact the cardiology team, perhaps you could contact your doctors surgery and make an appointment with your doctor? They will also be able to advise you personally and have full access to your medical records.

It may also be helpful to start keeping a diary just so you are able to show this to your doctor and identify any triggers.

If you would like any support, advice or further information, please do reach out to our dedicated Patient Services Team via Patient Helpline or via email, please visit: heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/...

We are always here if you need us.

Kind regards,

HollieAdmin

[Spammy123 in reply to HollieAdmin]

Thankyou so much your your reply and advice. Cardiology finally emailed bk saying they can offer another 24 tape or increase my bisoprolol while I'm poorly. Hoping this will do the trick can't wait to feel normal again.

[HollieAdmin Administrator ArrhythmiaAlliance in reply to Spammy123]

You are very welcome. I am pleased to hear that cardiology have been in touch and that they have provided a plan and advice. I do hope you feel better soon. Our Patient Services Team are always here to provide support if you need us.

Take care,

HollieAdmin

[Martgai]

Hi Spammy123, I have been taking Bisoprolol for at least 15 years. At the present time I'm taking 5 mg a day. Sometimes I think I shouldn't take it any more but somehow I keep taking it because if I stop for one day I feel the ectopics more frequently. I don't get too many, but even so it's not a great experience. I had an ablation 3 years ago and the horrible AF episodes have now stopped. I think I was lucky because some people have to get the procedure done more than once. Although it wasn't scary I still keep my fingers crossed hoping that the AF doesn't come back and I would have to get another one done. Anxiety is not good for us, so try not to get too stressed out or anxious, I get more ectopics when I'm too stressed and I try to relax. I do yoga and that helps also. Since apparently there is nothing that can remedy or stop the ectopics we just have to get used to them and hope that one day soon someone will find a cure.I hope you feel better. M xx

[Spammy123 in reply to Martgai]

Thank you for your reply. I keep reading about an ablation. Are they invasive and are they safe? If mine don't improve I may look into it. Do you have to be in a certain criteria to get it done. Use to do alot of yoga going to start it bk up I think maybe tomorrow

[Malayabalaya]

Hi Spammy 123 Sorry to hear the PVCs are worse but as others have said maybe they’ll lessen again when the virus goes completely. If not increasing Bisoprolol is an option. It didn’t work for me but the anti-arrythmic Flecainide has cured them completely so could be an option taken with Bisoprolol. All best

[Spammy123 in reply to Malayabalaya]

Thankyou for your reply. I read somewhere you can't take flecainide if you have a heart condition is that correct? Also is it a safe medication and are there any side affects. I'm hoping I feel a little better once this cough has shifted

[Malayabalaya in reply to Spammy123]

Hiya You can't take Flecainide if you have heart disease eg blocked arteries but you can with arrythmia eg PVCs or atrial fibrillation. The Bisoprolol is protective to make it very safe. I haven't had any side effects fortunately. Take care

[Spammy123 in reply to Malayabalaya]

OK thankyou. Iv had two surgeries for hole in heart and leaky valve so probably wouldn't qualify

[I-a-n-]

Hi Spammy, haven't been on here for a while. I get runs of ectopics too which can last for 2 to 5 days. Then generally fizzle out. I got these since having an ablation a/flutter a few years back. I know how they make you feel.. just anxious and troubled. I don't fixate on them as mush as I used to and x when I do that they seem to resolve quicker. Also I have Bisoprolol (pill in pocket) if ever they're particularly "thumpy". I've no idea what causes them but I'm kind of leaning towards being dehydrated. Keep well hydrated throughout the day and try not to focus on them. Just accept them for what they are - harmless. Mindfulness meditation may help too. Best wishes.

[Spammy123 in reply to I-a-n-]

Thanks for your reply very appreciated all your comments really help so so much. Isn't an ablation meant to stop flutters not create them? What was your reason for having it. Iv just taken my bisoprolol now. Might start taking them first thing in the morning instead of night to see if that helps in the day. I try to ignore them as much as I can, sometimes when I have a glass of wine and relax they settle a lot, going to try some yoga tomorrow and have some down time

[I-a-n- in reply to Spammy123]

Oh I had ablation for atrial flutter which is a heart rhythm disorder. My rhythm was all over the place! I'm normal sinus rhythm now and have been since but get ectopic (delayed or premature beats) which are apparently harmless. I'd have hoped the ablation would be the end of it too but the ectopics are most definitely much much lesser of two evils and i can go weeks without any! Best wishes.

[sh4166]

Hope you find some relief. So many things can trigger my PVCs. I notice my mine more seasonally around March and October when the pollen around here is crazy. Taking something that slows my heart rate like some antihistamines can cause more for me as well after I stop taking them, especially Benadryl. Indigestion and a full stomach makes them worse too. I have been on a beta blocker for the last 23 years for SVT, but my PVCs can sometimes get way out of control. About 4 years back my heart kept sticking in PVCs happening every other beat for about 10-14 beats and happening all day and night for about a week. It finally resolved itself and it hasn't happened again that bad, thank goodness. My cardiologist did a battery of tests and offered to put me on an anti-arrythmia medication, but I decided against it.

[Spammy123 in reply to sh4166]

Thanks for replying. How often are your skipped beats now and do you have a heart condition. Hope yours are better than they were and the beta blocker is working. I'm trying to still figure out what triggers mine. I think obviously being under the weather and possibly hormones too play a part.

[dinotoro]

I have worn the monitor several times and the cardiologist always says there’s nothing that can be done. When the skips come, and it is crappy, it always feels like a heart attack or something is just around the corner, but eventually passes until they return again. I had them November to January and currently enjoying a couple month break of normalcy.

Hang in there, and laugh in the face of the Reaper.

[Spammy123 in reply to dinotoro]

I'm actually in a and e at the moment. Iv been told to double my bisoprolol dose until I feel better. Just had chest x ray too. Do your skipped beats last all day sometimes I'm terrified of something bad happening.

[dinotoro in reply to Spammy123]

They come and go for me, the frequency increasing as I get older (I’ve had them since I turned 50 and 56 now). Of course it’s terribly unpleasant, but I have learned to dial down my feelings of panic because that just makes it worse. My last visit of skips lasted 2 months all day every day, usually minutes apart. Then suddenly gone (for now). I’m not taking any prescriptions because my blood pressure is already too low to handle it. All you can do is try your best to relax and be strong.

[Elva444]

It can be virus you've recently had. Was the same for me and my partner for a couple months ago. Out hearts behaved crazy about 4-6 weeks after we've caught virus, but they hade eventuelly calmed down once we got better. We were also very tired during this period. My partner had to go to A&E but they could't see what was wrong. Just wait out and don't worry, it will pass.

[Spammy123 in reply to Elva444]

Thankyou for your reply praying each day to feel normal