Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Welcome to the Heart Rhythm Conditions group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Did you know that the average heart beats 100,000 times a day? Millions of people live with heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) which occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats don't work properly. Let's connect with each other; we can share stories and learn about coping with the challenges, and living well with abnormal heart rhythms. I invite you to follow the group. Simply click the +FOLLOW icon on the group landing page.

I'm Kanaaz (@kanaazpereira), and I'm the moderator of this group. When you post to this group, chances are you'll also be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

@ms_betty Hello Betty,

I see that this is your first post on Connect, welcome! I appreciate your sharing your experiences with Connect. I am sorry to hear that you were over prescribed a thyroid med. I understand what you mean when you say, "This was all so unnecessary."

You mention in your last paragraph that you are looking for a "support group like this to lean on both for answers to questions that come up about my conditions and for some emotional support." Connect can help you with support. As we are not medical professionals so we can only share our experiences and offer you support, however many of your questions will need to be answered by your physicians.

There are some other Members who have discussed Preserved Ejection Fraction, they include @bjanderson. Volunteer mentor, @cynaburst, has also mentioned this as well. Could you please share how Preserved Ejection Fraction was diagnosed?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

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@ms_betty Hi Betty. I’m so sorry to hear about your
diagnosis. So very unfortunate about the thyroid meds.
Mine was probably caused by hypertension. Either way we are stuck with a disease that we would rather do without! Mine started with Afib and that is what brought me to Mayo. I continue to watch my salt intake and try to walk 4-5 times per week. Seem to be holding my own except for reoccurring episodes of Afib. I’m on Xarelto and metoprolol and Flecainide. Scheduled for an ablation but getting second opinion at Mayo.
Good luck to you and we are here to offer you support. Keep us posted as to how you are doing.
Barbara

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Hello @ms_betty,

I'd like to add my welcome, and as Teresa also mentioned, I do understand how dejected you must be feeling and we are so glad you've joined this group.You are in the right group, but you may also wish to read through some other discussions about congestive heart failure CHF on Connect:

– Congestive heart failure- Overmedicated? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/congestive-heart-failure-overmedicated/
– heartbeat too fast with congestive heart failure https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heartbeat-too-fast-with-congestive-heart-failure/
– Congestive Heart Failure in young people https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/congestive-heart-failure-in-young-people/

In these conversations you will meet members @gr82balive @bangel @daniquinn @colleen00 @bergordon @corjianne @ama233 @frande, and many others who have shared their experiences with CHF and ejection fraction issues.

SVT episodes can be draining, and beta blockers do help in controlling these, but I also wanted to mention that often, one of the side effects of these medications is fatigue. However, the benefits of taking beta blockers far outweigh such side effects; we have many Connect members who've discussed their Carvedilol experiences, and I would be happy to introduce you to a few, if you wish.

@ms_betty, I realize that this must be so stressful, and that you’re doing all that you can; I would encourage you to read through past messages in this group, feel free to tag members, and remember that the Connect community is here, listening.

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The only symptom I have is the flutter or flip flop feeling in my chest, sometimes making me cough. It happens every day, often on throughout the day. Sometimes it will wake me up at night. My heart rate stays pretty normal through activity and resting. Resting... mid 60's and while active, normally around 105-110. BP is also under control, taking Toprol 25 mg and Aldactone 12.5 mg. I have an appt with my Cardiologist on the 27th of this month. Has anyone been told by a Cardiologist that PVC's won't damage or weeken the heart? That is my biggest concern. I constantly worry about that.

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Hello @ppartrid

When you see your cardiologist on the 27th that would be a good question to ask. Did you by chance read the link that I sent to you in my earlier email?

The article said this about the complications from PVCs:

Complications:
Having frequent PVCs or certain patterns of them might increase your risk of developing heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) or weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). Rarely, when accompanied by heart disease, frequent premature contractions can lead to chaotic, dangerous heart rhythms and possibly sudden cardiac death.

I would encourage you to read the entire article (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ventricular-contractions/symptoms-causes/syc-20376757). By reading this article you have a better understanding of this disorder and it might also help you to be better prepared when you discuss this with your cardiologist.

I look forward to hearing from you again!

Teresa

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@ppartrid

I'm not sure I qualify for this group. I'm dealing with frequent pvc's and it's quite unnerving. Everything else is okay. BP is under control...Pulse is normal range...no fatigue or chest pain. Feel just fine except for those PVC'S. Can they weekend or damage your heart? I've had them for years (23 yrs old) but never as often as I'm getting them now (63 yrs old). Scared it can effect my heart. I have no known heart problems that I'm aware of.

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I have had pvc s for 18mos and have a loop I'm for 24hr 
monitoring
I have been taking magnesium supplement and the have lessened to almost nothingSo far so goodI have had two ablation for afib and no reoccurencesDon't give up you can control these thingsRek

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail

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@ppartrid

The only symptom I have is the flutter or flip flop feeling in my chest, sometimes making me cough. It happens every day, often on throughout the day. Sometimes it will wake me up at night. My heart rate stays pretty normal through activity and resting. Resting... mid 60's and while active, normally around 105-110. BP is also under control, taking Toprol 25 mg and Aldactone 12.5 mg. I have an appt with my Cardiologist on the 27th of this month. Has anyone been told by a Cardiologist that PVC's won't damage or weeken the heart? That is my biggest concern. I constantly worry about that.

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Pc's are more of an emotional burden than anythingThey can be controlled many waysMagnesium.  Surgery.  EtcDo not give up you can get good help and remediesRek

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail

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@ppartrid

The only symptom I have is the flutter or flip flop feeling in my chest, sometimes making me cough. It happens every day, often on throughout the day. Sometimes it will wake me up at night. My heart rate stays pretty normal through activity and resting. Resting... mid 60's and while active, normally around 105-110. BP is also under control, taking Toprol 25 mg and Aldactone 12.5 mg. I have an appt with my Cardiologist on the 27th of this month. Has anyone been told by a Cardiologist that PVC's won't damage or weeken the heart? That is my biggest concern. I constantly worry about that.

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@twptrustrek

I was interested in your comment about magnesium. Can you tell us more about how that has helped you?

Teresa

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What are some meds you can take instead of multaq?

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@chica

I need someone input about icd my doctor told me about implanting a icd iam a little afraid dont know weather is a good option or not could someone hep with input thanks for allowing to join this group

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(shortshot80 Nancy) Pacemaker battery replacement is not a hard thing to go through. I had to be at the hospital at 6:30am, (j Had to leave home at 4:30am drive about 75 miles. Surgery at *am. The doc does not have to put you out (any more) except little old ladies,
like me (85). I was asleep for 45 minutes. (not a deep sleep either). was back in my room and had some breakfast , got dressed and came home by noon last Monday April 2. Doc changed the battery and repositioned the pacemaker and then glued me back together.
I still have a little glue left but another shower or two should take care of it. My pacemaker had quit the week before surgery and all that happened was.... I kept getting really super tired. The tiredness is going away, not ready to run a race or anything, but feeling much better. My pacemaker lasted about two weeks past the 10 year mark. It will take a while to get up to speed, but that's ok. While I'm here, I need to tell you that (due to the cancer, my brain told me I couldn't sleep in my bedroom, because I couldn't breathe in there.. So came out into the front room slept in a chair. Also couldn't eat. (Mind playing tricks) So went to primary care doc. He gave me so LoRazpam (sp) which has helped me to understand what has been happening. I even ended up in the hospital for four days, because of my mind going crazy. Believe me this has not been fun! After the medicine I am able to sleep in my bed, and even fix something to eat. Yes I list some weight. Doc was not pleased either, but understood what I was telling him. I'm getting much better and even eating better. What happened was all mind games and if you can recognize (with out going crazy) check with your doc and they do help, without any problems. At least for me, I was able to understand what was happening.. Some time a swift kick cam je;[!
Nancy

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