Fears about ectopic heart beats and PSVT's. Doctor not concerned.
I started having these darn heart skips in my late 30's after mom had her first heart attack. I wore a 24 hour holter monitor and I only had a few ectopic beats, nothing else. Well, I had them off and on and some PSVTs (Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia)as well, but nothing major, but they scared me. I was fortunate that I never had a lot back then. After mom died from complications from vascular surgery, they started again and this time a lot more and more atrial runs. I wore 7 day events monitors , and had a couple of echocardiograms
This was when I was 49 to 54. Daddy died from cancer, and then the skips got worse again. I married a man from New Zealand and I moved there when
I was 55(I live here now)and the ectopic heart beats and PSVTs have taken a turn for the worse. I am now 68 and I live every day in constant fear of them. Every little strange best sends me into panic and I cry. I have worn two 7 day monitors once a few years ago and one a couple of months ago. I had an echocardiogram a year ago. All "normal" results. I have lost track of all the times I have gone to the ER, again, I am always discharged because all blood work and EKGs are normal. I just now had a short run of PSVTs, at least I think it was that, I am petrified of having A fib. I am sick with fear, no matter how hard I try, I can't stop being frightened. I am going to see my GP tomorrow to see if she'll refer me to have another echo done. I wasn't happy with the first as it said on one part that the image quality was only fair and poor subcoastal windows. I paid a lot for the exam, I want it done right. I should have said something earlier, but I didn't think about it. Lately, I have been having the ectopic heart beats all day and night which are horrible, they are not sustained but persistent all day. I don't know how much more I can take. That's when I really studied the echo report a few days ago and it concerns me, I am surprised that I haven't been called for another actually due to the fact of what it said about the images. Also, the cardiologist said it was "an essentially normal echocardiogram" It did show MAC-Mitral Annular calculation, but no stenosis and just very trivial MR. The aortic valve had some thickening valves, but no stenosis or AR. The rest of the report was OK. I am concerned that he didn't mention another review as it's been a year. I am so scared I can't think straight. I didn't think much about it when I got the report, but now that AI answers questions, I feel like I know more and I am doubting my doctors. I just can't stop being scared. Oh, ejection fraction good, it was 72.
I also have fibromyalgia, a hiatal hernia and costochondritis, I get sternal chest pain at times and that scares me. Again, all blood work and EKGs and time on the monitor while in the ER are "normal".
I have to have relief from these ectopic heart beat fears. I am feeling weird again in my tummy and chest, this usually precedes the skipped beats, I am scared. The doctor told me to take Ativan,but I am scared of it, I am 68 and have glaucoma and those are two things that the warnings on the drug say to watch for and to not take it. She said to cut it in 4ths, but I am still scared. I know lots of people that have these horrible heart beats take Xanax, but I don't feel safe in doing so. Beta blockers really aren't an option as my blood pressure is low normal and heart rate in the 60s to 70s even during the skips, it is elevated when I have PSVTs.
I also get them after I eat or drink water. I probably don't drink enough water due to fear of the skips starting when I do. Bending over and lying down can also be a catylist. I am a mess.😭
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Hi Suzieq1957!
Firstly let me reassure you from the tests you've had that physically you are fine. That comment i just wrote talk me a long time to accept myself after 4 years of hell but only now am I able to live with these rather than suffer the panic they cause. I totally understand everything that you are saying!! I have been there. I'm a 49 year old male in the UK. 2019 I started suffering palpitations. Long episodes. After many trips to hospital I was told the usual. Ectopic beats and go home. Well these episodes got worse. I was having longer runs and back to back pvcs. Eventually my pvc burden rose to 20%. At its worst I was having 20,000 pvcs a day. I was bed bound with fear. Life had ended and I couldn't function. I spent four years in and out of hospital feeling unheard and without help. The debilitating affect this condition has on people is misunderstood by the medical profession and needs looking at. Eventually I had to have a cardiac ablation in sept 2025. Luckily it was successful however not a complete cure and I still feel ectopic beats daily and sometimes get long runs. However I have had a 90 to 95 percent reduction most of the time but as I say it does flare up. The difference between now and then is knowledge and the support of others who deal with this daily. I am finally able to live my life without fear and I even workout when they are happening safe in the knowledge I will be ok. And that really is the key. It took me a long time to accept but the anxiety can be beaten and you will overcome this. If they are too much and affect you to much I would push maybe for an ablation if the burden is high enough . But please rest assured you will be ok and brighter days are ahead! I hope this helps, all the best.
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1 Reaction@hopeseeker22
Do you take any magnesium or coq10 or both?
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2 Reactions@713j I take a good magnesium glycinate supplement, I haven't tried CoQ10 yet. I think I will try some however.
@susieq1957
What is your good magnesium supplement?
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1 Reaction@713j It is by "My Pure Magnesium" it's Magnesium Glycinate, one of the best forms for heart issues and one that many cardiologists recommend. I started taking in August for my horrendous sciatica pain and it helped lots. I am continuing to take it now for my heart skips. It also helps me sleep better.
@susieq1957
Thank you
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1 Reaction@713j You're very welcome.
@susieq1957 I forgot to ask how many mg of magnesium do you take?
@713j The tablets are 150mg of elemental magnesium, when I was hurting so badly, I took 2 in the morning and 2 at night to equal 600. I am now taking 1 in the morning and 2 at night.