Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Hi,
My name is Loli. I started having heart palpitations when I was 30. I am 67 now, and have not taken any medication for it. I have had the recorder they connect you to twice. Nothing came out of it. So I have benign palpitations that come and go and sometimes they are unnerving, but that after 37 years with them, do not bother me that much. Many times I cough them away. I recommend that you find the source, and if there is none, just relax and live with them.

Hi,

I'm Ronnie. I am 63 years old. I am a wife of 43 years. I am a mother of a son (39 years old), and a daughter (42 years old). I am a grandmother of 3 who stole my heart (pardon the pun). A 7 year old granddaughter (my daughter's daughter), a 6 1/2 year old granddaughter and 4 year old grandson (both my son's children). A mother-in-law to the best kids. I am also a retired educator.

About 4-5 years ago I was having a rapid heartbeat and I did not feel well. My husband and I were about to leave on a trip and he wouldn't go until I went to our doctor. Now, I've always had a rapid heartbeat when I went under for surgery, but not just like this. The doctor sent me right to the hospital. I didn't have any pain but she was concerned. When I left the hospital, it was suggested that I have a full cardio work up. I did. Nothing was wrong except for the beating of my heart which was rapid. The doctor said that it is just my natural heart rate.

Two years ago, I began the process for weight loss surgery. Part of the process was having a full cardio work up. I did and the results were the same. My heart is fine. My heart rate was up during surgery. Again, it is a natural part of me. I let all new docs know and when I have a procedure where I will be put under, I let them know as well.

Today, my heart rate fluctuates depending on my anxiety and pain level. I suffer from anxiety and chronic pain. Even when I feel good and have no pain, my heart is tachy. It is something I have to live with.

So I am happy to get to know others like me.
ronnie

Hi Loli,

I've been living with it for years as well. I've had 2 extensive cardiac work ups and other than my heart beating fast, there are no physiological issues. My heart is fine. When I get my BP taken, it is funny to watch the fact of the person taking it. I explain it is normal and that it was looked into twice.
ronnie

Hi Ronnie! We have so much in common! I am also a wife for 43 years, and have three children and seven grandchildren. Six boys and the one that stole my heart, Lucie who is five. She tells me I am the love of her life! My heart skips beats when I think of her!

Hi Loli,

They all steal our hearts. My oldest actually lives around the corner from me so I get to see her often. My other two live out of state. Anyway, my oldest, Sophie has me wrapped around her finger, as they all do but because she is so close, she benefits from it more. LOL. Whenever I see her, I tell her several times that I love her. After a while, she'll ask me to stop. I tell her I want to make sure she knows how much I love her. Then she'll tell me she knows. When I ask her how she knows, she tell me because I'm always telling her. Now that is something I want all my grands to remember about me.

Does your family live near you??

I have had infrequent heart palpitations. My doctor recommended avoiding all caffeine products (coffee, tea, sodas, dark chocolate, etc.) and alcohol. Now I only have  palpitations if I break the rules. 

Hi, I am Ryman. The first I really noticed my palpitations was back in the summer. I was kneading bread and my heart just started pounding. In October my heart rate dropped to 20. So I received a pacemaker. Actually, I have had a lot of trouble with it. They replaced the lead in January. The last two weeks while grocery shopping I had pain and a pounding heart. They checked my heart and the pacemaker and said they were both fine. I am having a stress test tomorrow. I have a daughter and two grandsons. My husband passed away 4 years ago. So I live with my oldest grandson.

Hello, my name is Charlotte, I am happy to join this group, as I have A Fib and am trying to control it. The information that I receive in the Mayo Connect is invaluablle, as it really helps to talk with someone who has experienced the same problems.

What happened to your lead? Did they leave the old one in place when they replaced it? I am facing the same issue.

@kanaazpereira

Thank you for starting this discussion group! I too, had my first experience with tachycardia (fast heart beat) when I had a minor outpatient surgery. After that experience I obtained the anesthesiologist's records from that surgery (that showed when my heart rate increased and what meds they used to bring it down) and any time I have surgery at a different hospital I take that record with me and show it to the anesthesiologist. Most anesthesiologists gladly look at it and assure me that they will keep a watch out for tachycardia.

Since that surgery, I've had other times when my heart rate has increased, once during a stress test, and once when I got very busy and tired. I now take a small amount of a beta blocker at noon and that keeps everything under control.

Once when I had the rapid heart rate during a stress test, the cardiac RN suggested coughing, when that didn't work she suggested "bearing down" like you were trying to have a bowel movement. When that didn't work she gave me an injection which brought everything back to normal, but I certainly was tired when all was said and done.

Someone mentioned staying away from caffeine - I have a friend with A-Fib and she told me that caffeine is often in cosmetic products and they affect her A-Fib as well. So we should all read the labels of skin care/hair products before using.

I'm glad to hear of everyone's experience. I learn so much from hearing the experiences of others.

Teresa