PMR and heart disease?

[SandyBoots]

Hello,

Question about PMR and heart palpitations. I am wondering if any of you have experienced arythmias? I realize that they can be quite benign, but something just doesn't feel right. I read in a pubmed study ( I think) that people with PMR have a 2.5 x greater risk for a vascular event than matched controls. Although i don't think there is an association with an aortic stroke?

I have an email into my G.P. to see if I should see a Cardiologist.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[SheffieldJane]

I am a great believer in “ something just doesn’t feel right” keep pushing. Wishing you all the luck!

[Smokygirl]

Strangely enough I used to get them some years ago before I had PMR and saw a cardiologist. The advise was to try life style before drugs and I had to stop all alcohol, coffee ( decaf is OK) and caffeinated drinks —— also chocolate in moderation. In other words cut out all heart stimulants. It worked! Now, some years later I find one glass of Champagne is OK—— but two starts them off again 🤣

Try it! Good luck! Xxxx

[Suffererc in reply to Smokygirl]

Very similar for me. Have decaf everything. In the passed few month the rushing has started again . Leaves me with a sore chest. GP checked, had ecg but all fine. Surely something wrong because so much discomfort.

[Smokygirl in reply to Suffererc]

Oh so sorry to hear that —— have you tried sleeping on your left hand side? It does seem to ease the palpitations. However if you are in such discomfort I would press for cardiologist referral xxx

[Suffererc in reply to Smokygirl]

Yes I have tried changing positions. Thought that was in my imagination, but it does ease it. I think I am having a flare at the moment and the palpitations are an added extra this time. Oh to be normal😊. My GP Doesn’t think I have PMR anymore. Diagnosis made over phone. I know differently,

[Mary63]

I have had PMR for nearly six years now. Last autumn I had crescendo angina and two stents fitted. Then this year my Apple Watch noticed an intermittent rapid heart rate, between 120 and 210, happening with no rhyme or reason, though I am mostly asymptomatic. I am still undergoing investigations, which are showing atrial fibrillation. I have been advised to increase beta blockers to try to stop it happening, and also started on anticoagulants to stop the risk of stroke. PMRpro has atrial fibrillation as another auto immune add on I believe. She also has details of incidence of heart disease and PMR I think, so hopefully she will be along later. I have tried to see if my episodes are affected by coffee and alcohol, but so far can see no link.

If I were you I would definitely follow this up….GP first, who may refer to cardiologist (long wait at the moment) and any organise 24 or longer ECG. If you are not feeling right, definitely push for some action. Good luck.

[diana1998]

I had terrible palpitations when on a high dose of pred. As I dropped down, they disappeared.

[Daffodilia]

I have extra heart beats - discovered when I went into A and E with pain from gallstones - no symptoms so told lots of people have them and not a problem but to be aware of them - have yours checked out - good luck

[Loyd]

I can only tell you I got my palpitations at the same time as I got PMR. Had all sorts of tests and had to wear gadget for a week. They assured me all was nothing to worry about. Had them for two years and now they have all stopped. I’m down to 6mg and hoping it could mean my PMR has burned out. Hope all goes well with you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have atrial fibrillation which started about the same time as the first PMR symptoms. The cardiologist here is confident it is due to the autoimmune part of PMR having damaged the electrical cells in the heart that govern heart rate. It wasn't identified easily - not until I had a reaction to a drug that causes a/f when given as an infusion. Once it was sorted out and treated I realised the episodes I'd had previously had gone. I can have a 24 hour ECG that shows nothing - it is paroxysmal and the ECG only catches it when it happens while the monitor is on. GPs tend to forget that. If you didn't notice it during the ECG - they won't see it.

It IS worth looking for your triggers - unfortunately G&T is a real trigger for me Wine and prosecco don't have the same effect - at least, not 1 small glass(110ml) with dinner doesn't so not giving that up! Rarely drink coffee, tiny nibbles of chocolate, so can't really say if they do it for me. I'm on bisoprolol and propafenone for the arrythmia - works OK but not outstanding. A friend swears by flecainide - once her cardiologist tweaked the dose. But a GP really isn't enough.

[Mgt1234]

Hi, I’ve had PMR and GCA for many years and currently take 11mg of Prednisolone to manage it. I started with SVT’s 3 years ago which was very frightening, heart rate went to over 180 bpm for nearly 2 hours without intervention, which saw me being admitted to the hospital. Outcome managed with Bisoprolol 3.75mg and Flecainide 50mg, I cut out all caffeine, I’ve never drunk alcohol and drink more water, as I’ve found if I am not fully hydrated, I can trigger an episode and of course being over tired too can trigger an episode. I was offered surgery in an to attempt to fix the faulty electrical impulses but I declined at this time (Covid numbers too high around Lancashire) as it’s well managed by medication. I hope this helps.

[SandyBoots in reply to Mgt1234]

Thanks to all. One of the most unfortunate themes running through many of the replies is alcohol and coffee - Dang! what will I do without my cup of coffee in the morning and glass of wine with dinner? Oh to have discipline.

I do plan to get it checked out however since my Mom had afib, my Dad had cardiomyopathy and my brother has an ejection fraction (electrical issue) with his heart.

[Kendrew]

Hi SandyBoots. I have had palpitations on and off throughout my life but once on pred they re-emerged after a long absence. I was referred back to my cardiologist and fully checked out again and as previously, I was experiencing ectopic beats. Harmless but sometimes quite scary and uncomfortable, as feels like heart rhythm is missing beats, stopping, speeding up, and completely out of kilter. It even made me feel like I needed to give a little cough to try and jig things back into normal rhythm sometimes. Everyone experiences ectopic beats, but for some they can be much more noticeable when they happen and more frequent.

I was prescribed 40mg propanolol daily (a beta blocker) and rarely have any problems now. As already mentioned, alcohol, caffeine, tiredness or over-exertion can trigger an episode so I'm now always mindful of those things. With any heart issue, you must get it fully investigated but hopefully it'll turn out to be something fairly minor like mine.....inconvenient but not life-threatening.

[Karenjaninaz]

I had palpitations and did visit a cardiologist. But since I have a medical background I suspect it was something I was taking. Prednisone and acid blockers diminish our magnesium. Magnesium is important for the heart rhythm. I found a magnesium preparation that I can tolerate - magnesium glycinate. I started to take it before I visited my cardiologist.I was fitted within 24 hour monitor and other tests. By the time I had started taking magnesium and going to the cardiologist palpitations were gone. I also tend to get palpitations with allergy medication. The dose I took was 50 mg to start and now just take about 150 mg a day. I seldom have an extra beat. By the way magnesium has been shown in, several studies, to improve bone density. This is being done with the knowledge and approval of my cardiologist.

[SandyBoots in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Thank you. I take bone strength everyday for my osteopenia, but I am going to run to the medicine cabinet and see how much magnesium is in there.