Extra beat

Posted by jadillow @jadillow, Jul 15, 2019

Has anyone else experienced extra beats that are noticeable at times? Have had full cardio workup months ago and they say all is well. I still get cold sweats at times. Along with localized chest pain. Left side not center Thoughts?

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It sounds to me like you are experiencing either PVC's (premature ventricular contractions) which originate in the lower chambers of your heart, or PAC's (premature atrial contractions) which originate in the upper chamber of your heart. With this “extra” beat, a pause usually causes your next normal heartbeat to be more forceful. This is what you are feeling. Almost everyone experiences these "disruptions" from time to time and many people are not even aware they have happened! THE most important thing to remember about these episodes is that in a structurally sound heart, they are totally benign. They are NOT an indication of heart disease or an impending heart attack. Keep in mind that your heart beats, on average, 100,000 time PER DAY! Multiply that number by your age and I think you'll be amazed at what an incredible "machine" our hearts are. As with any machine that depends on an electrical current to keep it running smoothly, there are going to brief moments when there is a slight "blip." A minor interruption of the current which self-corrects and continues to run normally. You said that a few months ago you had a full cardiac workup and your heart was diagnosed as structurally fine, which is the best diagnose we can wish for! During that exam, did you tell the cardiologists about the PVC's or PAC's you were experiencing? Did you mention the cold sweats and the chest pain? If you DID and they said your heart was fine, then your symptoms sent up no red flags for them to do any further testing. They SHOULD, on the other hand, have talked to you in more detail about your symptoms and I'm very surprised they didn't...…...especially if you told them about your concerns and fears. If these symptoms have appeared SINCE your cardiac workup, my thoughts, and definitely my advice, is to see your cardiologist again and tell them ALL of your symptoms. I am NOT a doctor and most especially I'm NOT a cardiologist, so anything I say about your symptoms is just guessing and when it comes to our hearts, the very LAST thing we want is someone "guessing" about what may be wrong. We want and need to KNOW for certain what, if anything is going on so it can be treated. PLEASE put your mind at peace and see your cardio again. I'm sorry I couldn't give you far more definitive answers, but I think everyone on this forum would agree with me that another visit to your cardiologist is the wisest move. I wish you the best and hope you'll let us know how you're doing.
RubyWitch

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@rubywitch67

It sounds to me like you are experiencing either PVC's (premature ventricular contractions) which originate in the lower chambers of your heart, or PAC's (premature atrial contractions) which originate in the upper chamber of your heart. With this “extra” beat, a pause usually causes your next normal heartbeat to be more forceful. This is what you are feeling. Almost everyone experiences these "disruptions" from time to time and many people are not even aware they have happened! THE most important thing to remember about these episodes is that in a structurally sound heart, they are totally benign. They are NOT an indication of heart disease or an impending heart attack. Keep in mind that your heart beats, on average, 100,000 time PER DAY! Multiply that number by your age and I think you'll be amazed at what an incredible "machine" our hearts are. As with any machine that depends on an electrical current to keep it running smoothly, there are going to brief moments when there is a slight "blip." A minor interruption of the current which self-corrects and continues to run normally. You said that a few months ago you had a full cardiac workup and your heart was diagnosed as structurally fine, which is the best diagnose we can wish for! During that exam, did you tell the cardiologists about the PVC's or PAC's you were experiencing? Did you mention the cold sweats and the chest pain? If you DID and they said your heart was fine, then your symptoms sent up no red flags for them to do any further testing. They SHOULD, on the other hand, have talked to you in more detail about your symptoms and I'm very surprised they didn't...…...especially if you told them about your concerns and fears. If these symptoms have appeared SINCE your cardiac workup, my thoughts, and definitely my advice, is to see your cardiologist again and tell them ALL of your symptoms. I am NOT a doctor and most especially I'm NOT a cardiologist, so anything I say about your symptoms is just guessing and when it comes to our hearts, the very LAST thing we want is someone "guessing" about what may be wrong. We want and need to KNOW for certain what, if anything is going on so it can be treated. PLEASE put your mind at peace and see your cardio again. I'm sorry I couldn't give you far more definitive answers, but I think everyone on this forum would agree with me that another visit to your cardiologist is the wisest move. I wish you the best and hope you'll let us know how you're doing.
RubyWitch

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Thanks. This actually has happened in the last month. My watch actually picked it up as well. I talked to cardio and they told me to try magnesium as I wore a holster monitor for 21 days back in April and they found nothing strange other than bradycardia. I have an appointment in two weeks. I know we are not doctor and by no means could I even attempt. Lol. I just wanted to see if anyone had any experiences with this so I know not to panic and rush to Er.

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Yes, I have Afib and an extra beat or beats as well. They tell me it's nothing to be concerned about. Tests they have run all come out good. I have an apple watch and it does show up on there if I do an ECG on the watch.

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my cardiologist told me that of 10 people who see him with an arrhythmia, he only medicates one. He said that only if a person is short of breath or feels faint, does he consider it worthy of treatment.

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Ok thanks. I have a follow up in two weeks. Hopefully it’s the other 9 out of 10. Do you experience any other symptoms with this? Referred pain?

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Also if it’s any help the past week I get a pain in the middle of my back. Sometime lower sometime higher. I have reflux and have heard this can cause this as well. Just don’t know that to do

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OMG...I have had the same thing lately. I have been suffering with reflux for years but lately I get that pain in the middle of the back. I have to bang my back against a door frame until I burp and that relieves it to some extent. I take Tums and it also helps a bit. It feels to me like when I was a kid and a Corn Flake got stuck in my esophagus. It is very painful. It reminds me to go to bed with an empty stomach and to lie only on my left side. If need be: propped up as much as I can. Diet time! And avoiding spicy foods, tomatoes, juices, soft drinks, bread and sweet foods which bring on the pain.

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@afrobin

OMG...I have had the same thing lately. I have been suffering with reflux for years but lately I get that pain in the middle of the back. I have to bang my back against a door frame until I burp and that relieves it to some extent. I take Tums and it also helps a bit. It feels to me like when I was a kid and a Corn Flake got stuck in my esophagus. It is very painful. It reminds me to go to bed with an empty stomach and to lie only on my left side. If need be: propped up as much as I can. Diet time! And avoiding spicy foods, tomatoes, juices, soft drinks, bread and sweet foods which bring on the pain.

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Does is sometimes feel between shoulder blades as well?

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Yes, the pain is between the shoulder blades and lower, too...as I recall. I think they are right when they say that pain has no memory. I ask my husband to bang on my back (like burping a baby!) to release the air and get relief!
Are you concerned that the pain is heart related? My cardiologist who treated me for Afib, asked me if I had any pain that MOVED. He said that heart pain, wherever it is located, does not tend to stay in one location. It moves down the arm, up to the jaw and doesn't stay still.
This pain that I have is definitely reflux/GERD related. I don't want to go on Nexium. I know that I should go on a special diet AND lose weight and not go to bed after having eaten. I can fix this without drugs which is what I prefer to do and must do. The pain which usually comes on at night is very painful. I pace around and keep banging my back on the door frame to try to eliminate the pain and trapped gas.

REPLY
@afrobin

Yes, the pain is between the shoulder blades and lower, too...as I recall. I think they are right when they say that pain has no memory. I ask my husband to bang on my back (like burping a baby!) to release the air and get relief!
Are you concerned that the pain is heart related? My cardiologist who treated me for Afib, asked me if I had any pain that MOVED. He said that heart pain, wherever it is located, does not tend to stay in one location. It moves down the arm, up to the jaw and doesn't stay still.
This pain that I have is definitely reflux/GERD related. I don't want to go on Nexium. I know that I should go on a special diet AND lose weight and not go to bed after having eaten. I can fix this without drugs which is what I prefer to do and must do. The pain which usually comes on at night is very painful. I pace around and keep banging my back on the door frame to try to eliminate the pain and trapped gas.

Jump to this post

Yes I am worried it’s heart related. At times I get cold seats but I think it may be anxiety kicking in. As far as my back goes it starts in one spot and moves after a few minutes

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