For sometime I have been experiencing skipped heart beats usually noticeable when I am in bed . It wakes me up . I don't feel them during the day . I have been tested for sleep apnoea but it was very mild with no treatment. I have had 2 24 hour Holter monitors and recently a 72 hour one. The 72 hour Holter showered the subventicular eptopic beats. My GP did not understand what the report meant and is writing to cardiology for advice. He mentioned beta blockers depending on what is advised by cardio.
I don't feel that they are a big problem and I have had long periods when I don't experience them. When I do I feel anxious which probably makes it worse. I am wondering if this could be related to my Hashimoto's? I also have a hiatus hernia and feel pressure on the left side if I have eaten too much and also a faster heart beat. I would appreciate any thoughts or experiences of this. Thank you.
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Starmen
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I’ve had ectopic beats for over 20yrs. At first it was very scary and I went to A&E and had an ECG. You could see them on the read very clearly. Now I seem to have them as I’m dropping off to sleep. At the time the Dr told me they are very common and harmless.
I suppose as I’m still here my heart is ok. I’ve suffered from PTSD from that time and when my anxiety gets really bad I have more ectopics 🤷♀️
I was told it’s an extra beat as the heart is slowing down for rest/sleep so it kicks an extra beat as it’s protecting itself. Now I can’t say that is true as I’m not medical but it has helped me not worry about them.
Thank you for this. Mine are as I am dropping off to sleep too and sometimes during the night. I feel less anxious knowing you have had them for so long I am prone to feeling anxious this is reassuring to stop me worrying .
Eptopic? Don't you mean Ectopic? I have it and it's not dangerous, at least according to at least 3 doctors, 2 of whom were heart specialists. It's caused by a disturbance of the body's electrical system that controls the heart muscle. But being stressed can increase its frequency. Scary the first time it happens. We don't know what causes it.
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I first experienced it when I had stents inserted in my heart and it really does scare you! Also my GP freaked me out by telling me that I had atrial fibrillation because he didn't know what he was talking either! I must say that the state of medical knowledge in the NHS is appalling at the GP level! What is going on? What are they teaching them, or not? So please don't worry yourself, perhaps take up meditation? I know for a fact that when I was in hospital worried about my health, it was reflected in my heart missing beats but as soon as I calmed down, the rate reduced considerably as the doctor pointed out.
My GP did not reassure me at all saying 119 extra beats over 72 hours seemed a lot to him it meant nothing to me but made me anxious. I am hoping his advice from cardiology is that it is nothing to worry about too
Starmen, do the math; 72hrs x 70 or so beats per minute x 60 = 302,400 beats, so out of that number you missed 119! Not exactly a riot is it. What is it with these alleged doctors? Get a new GP. It's ethically wrong for him to scare you. Shame on the guy (I assume a man?).
Yes a man . I did start working out the maths to reassure myself as I started to think 119 is not a lot over 72 hours but he seemed so confused probably out if his depth
No, not confused, he can't do his arithmatic! What an idiot! If he had just calculated how many beats a MINUTE you were missing he would have realised what a chump he is!
It is not uncommon for people with Hashimoto's to have heart problems, but usuallu they go away with thyroid treatment.
I have Hashimoto's and also have a heart pacemaker for low heart rate (I'm not sure if the two are linked). I too get ectopic beats that I can feel if I am sitting quietly and in bed, especially if I lie on my left side. The electrophysiologist at my last pacemaker check was unconcerned about them - apparently healthy people get them as well.
Let me reassure you that they are nothing to worry about. They are not actually missed beats, they are extra beats that happen close to normal beats so they feel like two beats at once. It feels as if you've missed a beat and you get that thumping feeling in your chest.
I'm sure your cardiologist will be able to explain things to you, and I am a bit shocked that your GP doesn't understand the cardio's report.
Thanks for this it is reassuring. My GP was reading the report from the computer screen and said he did not understand it ! I was surprised. I have phone call with gp tomorrow as he has heard back from the cardiologist with an explanation I am assuming!
Hi Starmen, I get loads of ectopic heartbeats too, just had a 3 day monitor, again and this time I hope they were definitely recorded. I too have been told they're harmless, many people have them and are not aware of them but despite knowing this they really impact on my life and I feel very unwell with them at times. My T3 has been stopped 2 weeks ago because of them but they're still there so now not only have I ectopics but missing T3 too. Hope you get sorted soon and the phone call is useful. I only get a text message from mine, clever really then you can't ask any questions. It's really good to have the support from people on this site because it's good to know that others have experienced the same.
This sounds like Roemheld Syndrome which I think I have as well. Check out Dr Gupta York Cardiology, he talks a lot about this and has Youtube videos too. drsanjayguptacardiologist.c...
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Ectopic beats 
Erratic heart rate
Increased heart rate on T3
Any views on these labs and irregular heart beats please.
