I just wanted to come on here for a bit of advice or just to share what I’ve been struggling with recently,
I’ve struggled with ectopic beats for over a year now, and they have been manageable as they have predominantly been quite spread out or predictable, and the only bad episodes happening when I’ve had a fever or flu (which I was told was normal). I’ve been prescribed propanalol which I was advised to take before I go out (as I am a student), or when I feel I need to, as I have just finished my first year at university - these could not have come at a worse time! It is hard to feel normal sometimes and they can make me feel quite lonely. Running and eating healthy helps me, also taking vit D and magnesium taurate, although alcohol seems to make them worse and I haven’t really been able to have a good time going out for over a year now. However, I have noticed that if I have a had a drink, and I begin to walk quite briskly I seem to get loads in a row, but also this past Monday, I had nothing alcoholic and I was just walking around my city and had a really horrible episode where I had loads and loads in a row and it was quite scary. I do acknowledge that I was walking uphill and possibly dehydrated - but they had never been this bad or even happened under this circumstance before. I am quite a fan of predictability and knowing what will trigger my ectopics and what won’t. When I got back to my place, they seemed to subside, I am just really worried that I will eventually develop AFib or the ectopics will get worse or something of the sort, especially since I am 19 and I was just beginning to manage them
My biggest fear is having a problem with my heart or cardiac arrest/heart attack
I have not been able to eat healthy or do running since I have been at uni, but I do walk a lot and perhaps don’t drink enough water as a should, but I know it is not as simple as that.
I’ve had an ECG although might ask for a holter from my GP, I have seen him many times in the past year and he knows me quite well now and doesn’t have a concerns. He said it is quite common in young slim women. I have also been having therapy to battle my anxiety as the ectopics began to take over my life and I was scared to go out drinking or go to nightclubs etc, and when you are a student it’s very hard to explain to people the whole concept of getting extra or missed heart beats! It can be quite lonely as I don’t think many people my age get these. And I am just worried as I am still quite young
Any advice or reassurance would be very appreciated!
Thank you
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alexandral7
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So the reassuring thing to remember is that everyone experiences ectopics, is just that not everyone is aware off them... but once you are, they are difficult to ignore. The good news is that they are usually harmless, but it's great that your GP is keeping an eye on things with you.
Now the advice bit... alcohol and dehydration make your heart work harder, therefore it is more likely that you will experience ectopics if you drink alcohol or don't adequately hydrate yourself. So you've a choice to make if the drinking is worth it... a choice we all need to make eventually, although not usually so young.
It would be easier if you had a cause for the ectopics... you've not said what type they are, but if it's palpitations and you're exploring anxiety you may find breathing exercises are enough to help reduce them.
Having the ambulatory ECG may also detect if there's anything else so may be worth seeking that... but be warned in many areas there's a waiting list for these.
Thank you very much for your advice and words 😊 it is much appreciated. Yes I have found that even as a student I only enjoy a bit of alcohol even without the ectopics. You are right it is just a case of weighing up what is worth it, although I’ll admit it is hard at university for fear of missing out! I’m actually not sure what type they are but I think I would like to know to therefore potentially understand them better.
Sorry to hear your having a hard time with ectopics at the moment. I know it can be tough especially when your young. I noticed your bio dosent show what your heart problem is or are you still waiting to be diagnosed?? Alot of us on here have ectopic beats aswell so I'm sure they will be along soon to offer more info and advice that I can 😅😉😁🙈. Few years back had a major ectopic beats episode lasted hours and then carried on on and off for about a week, at first thought it was all in my head honestly 🙈😢,then fast-forward a year or so and turns out wasn't all in my head I had a holter that picked up non sustained VT so now I'm on verapamil, Cause was getting so bad was affecting my sleep and everything making me feel light headed was awful, literally felt like my heart was jumping up and down in my chest would last for ages! Keeping me awake 😢😬😭. So I've been where you are. Really hope you find out what's causing them 😉. Take care! ☺️
Thank you for your kind words 😊 my GP said my heart was healthy and there was not a particular diagnosis or problem but in my eyes the ectopic beats are what they found to be happening. Hope you are doing well and best wishes! X
That's good that your heart is healthy! But doesn't hurt to investigate anyway 😉. Have you had holter monitor?? Thanks I'm doing ok just super exhausted really over done it this week and weather can wear out us fellow hearties 😅. Aw thanks you take care and hope you find out what's causing the ectopic beats 😌.
I haven’t had a holter monitor but I was thinking of asking for one since I’ve had a couple episodes! Aw that is good to hear and yes I completely understand about the weather! 😅 thank you very much and take care x
I have had ectopics for 35 years and I am fit and healthy. They still scare me sometimes, especially when I get long runs but I still have a healthy heart. For some people, cutting out caffeine and alcohol works and being stress free may help. Mine have cleared up sometimes even when life has been very stressful and then suddenly reappeared. At 19 you really don't won't to start taking pills regularly although to use occasionally to give you confidence is useful. It's hard to believe that these things can happen in a normal healthy heart and what you might find helpful is some Cognitive behavioural therapy. Your university should be able to help with this. Don't let them stop you enjoying your student life. Good luck.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! First of all you have all my sympathies. I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with this at such a young age. Ectopics can be horrible things. I've had them for just over a year and learning to live with them. If you don't already have one then ask to be referred to a cardiologist or Electrophysiologist (EP). A GP simply does not have the skillset to deal with this issue. Insist on a 72 Hour Holter monitor. That way they will get a more accurate picture of what your heart is doing. The Holter will enable the cardiologist or EP to calculate your Ectopic Burden (Percentage of ectopic beats over total heartbeats in 24HRS). They will also be able to tell you exactly which part of your heart are generating the ectopic beats. This is important because it gives them a better idea of the exact type of arrhythmia you have and how it may be treated. Also request a heart MRI scan and and a treadmill stress test. The MRI scan will show any structural defects in the heart, blocked arteries, valve damage etc. The stress test is important because it will reveal if you have any serious arrhythmias. You may want to completely stop taking beta blockers, magnesium supplements etc while under investigation so as not to skew the measurements or test results. All these tests can be done on the NHS but you may have to wait. If you have the money then go private. I know all this may sound like a lot and I don't want to alarm you but ectopic beats may be benign or they may be the rigger for more serious heart problems requiring urgent intervention. Good luck.
Thank you very much for your advice and words 😊 I will definitely push for these tests as I agree they would be a good basis to continue from. Thank you for the insight! Best wishes 🤗
Have you tried eliminating trigger foods. Two friends have found eliminating caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and spicy food made a vast difference. One has actually been able to give up medication under medical guidance.
I have eliminated caffeine entirely but I am yet to fully eliminate the others, although chocolate has a strong bearing! That is very insightful thank you, I shall keep a diary. 😊
You have the stress of attending University and in addition don't eat healthily nor hydrate enough all perhaps contributing to your current problems.
Have you put on weight as a result of not eating healthily or are you eating more junk food or not exercising?
The answers may lie in your reviewing in depth your current lifestyle and to see what you need to do to get back to where you were before attending University
I have remained mostly the same weight throughout university, although my exercising and healthy eating is way better at home (running and workouts) than at university (although at university i do around 10k steps a day). But thank you for your insight as I shall look into this also 😊
Can I recommend keeping a daily detailed health diary for at least 2 weeks in which you record your food, drinks, exercise and times of sleep?
You may find something that is a trigger and identify something that is drastically different to your former life at home. I would also look into cleaning products (various chemicals involved) and whether you are getting Electro magnetic interference perhaps from a nearby server/laptop or your phone being left on next to your sleeping position.
I wouldn't rule out anxiety/stress, either causing your problems or adding to them.
Hi 👋I also suffered ectopics and ended up with a two week ambulatory monitor which showed what was going on. Sounds like you have a good relationship with your GP so asking for a holter is sensible, it may be worth asking for an echocardiogram just to rule out anything structural (if you haven't already had one 🙂)
It's a non invasive scan.
Alcohol and stress always made mine worse and dehydration is also a culprit. I think someone else mentioned this, but you also may have trigger foods, a food diary can help with tracking what they are 👍
Thank you very much for your advice 😊 I have made it my mission to drink 2 litres a day, and I will start a diary to track everything. Hope you are doing well, best wishes 🤗
Hi, I’m not medically qualified and I don’t know your medical history but I’d take a guess that your ectopic beats (or perception of them) are related to (and possibly driven by) your anxiety, rather than any physical heart problem.
It is easy to get into a vicious cycle of where you notice them, which makes you anxious, which perpetuates them, and then all you do is focus on them to the exclusion of anything else.
I hope you find that the therapy is useful. If you haven’t done so already, it may be worth considering learning about, and practicing, Mindfulness.
My only other advice is to ensure they don’t take over your life, live with your ectopic beats and focus on enjoying university life to the full! Don’t allow them to stop you doing anything you enjoy – including running, which is really good for your heart. I bet you won’t get ectopic beats when you’re running.
BTW, I wish I was a 19-year-old university student again – but that ship sailed a long time ago!!
Thank you very much for your advice and words 😊 you are completely correct, I also seem to be quite vulnerable to intrusive thoughts and the anxiety surrounding my heart has also manifested this way with fearful thoughts of ‘what ifs’ relating to my heart etc. My therapy has helped me with this. Yes you are right! I only get one or two singular beats when running even when pushing myself!
I re-read your original post where you said "I haven’t really been able to have a good time going out for over a year now." Please do not allow these wretched ectopics dominate your life! Just accept their existence and enjoy your life as normal!(By all means request a 24 hr holter monitor, which will allow your GP/Cardiologist to assess, amongst other things, the overall frequency of ectopics. Hopefully, this will put your mind at rest.)
Just an additional thought. Look at Dr Sanjay Gupta of York Cardiology. He's on Facebook and posts lots of useful information about ectopics. They are scary but they are almost always benign especially in a young person... not my view but the advice of every cardiologist I have ever seen (and I have seen quite a number). Best wishes
Thank you very much for this recommendation 😊 I have seen a couple of his videos before and the magnesium I take is the one he recommends. But I will definitely take a look at some more of his videos 🤗 best wishes x
Hi Alexandral7, So sorry to hear that your ectopics are causing you grief . Like others have said, for me stress is a major trigger. I also find that alcohol makes them worse and if I am going to drink socially, ( moderately ), I arrange to do it earlier in the day so the alcohol clears from my system before bedtime as I find it's when I lie down I am most aware of my ectopics. When they first started in earnest a few years ago they dominated my life. Now when they start, I use abdominal breathing to calm myself down and to focus my thoughts on the breathing or something else. Sometimes I listen to music. It was difficult at first, but with practice I've found that it really helps. Try and find out what works for you. A holster for a week or more seems a good idea, not least because it can give reassurance and your GP can see what you are putting up with. Maybe also a simple scan like an echo. The warmest of wishes and good luck for the future. You can always come to the forum for support .
Hello, thank you very much for your kind words and advice, it is much appreciated 😊 That sounds like a good technique for when they happen, I will try and learn some abdominal breathing. It is a shame that alcohol is a large trigger for many people, I am not a heavy drinker but I would like to get to a point where I can have a drink and not worry 🤗 Hope you are doing well and best wishes x
Hi Alexandral7 sorry to hear you are suffering from unexplained ectopics,these can be quite scary, I know.Have you had any blood tests done to check for fbc,u+e,lft ,tft? All basic ones.
What is your blood pressure like?
Yes ,do go ahead and ask for the holter monitor.There is usually a big wait for this test anyway.
I wonder if you might be anaemic?
Do take care of yourself and try not to worry ....easier said than done,I know.
Thank you for your words 😊 Yes I had a blood test in beginning of 2022 (where they found I had low vitamin D levels) and this December just gone (where they didn’t reach out so I assume was all okay?). My GP says blood pressure is fine every appointment, although I also had suspicions about potential anemia, I am trying to eat more iron and protein to get the recommended daily amount for my age 😊 best wishes x
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), I arrange to do it earlier in the day so the alcohol clears from my system before bedtime as I find it's when I lie down I am most aware of my ectopics. When they first started in earnest a few years ago they dominated my life. Now when they start, I use abdominal breathing to calm myself down and to focus my thoughts on the breathing or something else. Sometimes I listen to music. It was difficult at first, but with practice I've found that it really helps. Try and find out what works for you. A holster for a week or more seems a good idea, not least because it can give reassurance and your GP can see what you are putting up with. Maybe also a simple scan like an echo. The warmest of wishes and good luck for the future. You can always come to the forum for support .
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