Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Feb 14, 2018

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.

Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Jan 10, 2019

I worry that some might believe that, without palpitations, their A-fib is inoperative and they can get careless about taking their medications and getting their exercise and other therapy routines done. Don't be fooled. In nearly 5 years after my A-fib was diagnosed, I don't remember EVER having palpitations, but the irregular heartbeats were drawn clearly on every EKG my primary care physician administered. And here's the clincher:

Last June, I suffered a stroke. Without warning, I lost my ability to walk smoothly and ultimately tripped over my own feet and fell on the lawn. Fortunately, I escaped injury, but some loss of mobility has beset me ever since -- even to the extent of interfering with my ability to articulate words as I once did as a public speaker, actor, and singer. An MRI confirmed a "small stroke" near my hippocampus (so my memory isn't what it used to be either).

My big mistake was waiting several hours before being taken to Urgent Care by my daughter. Never again. If ever again I have even minor stroke symptoms, I am going to immediately call 9-1-1 and have emergency medical personnel take me to the hospital, calling ahead so ER staff are ready for me when I arrive. I hope my experience will be taken seriously by everybody who has heart rhythm problems, because a stroke is a shadow over you, whether you feel it or not. Don't take a chance. Martin

healthytoday | @healthytoday | Jan 10, 2019

In reply to @will76 "Hi I'm will... 43 yrs old and very concerned about my heart rhythm... it started in..." + (show)

The usual, low salt, low sugar, low stress, some exercise, positive images in music film etc., and some vitamin supplements can be helpful for some. Look up heart health online and see what you can find. Have afib every so often is part of the illness for most.

scardycat | @scardycat | Jan 10, 2019

In reply to @will76 "Hi I'm will... 43 yrs old and very concerned about my heart rhythm... it started in..." + (show)

Hi Will, this happened to me this last fall, I moved, husband had surgery, all the same time, lots of stress. Do you drink a lot of caffeine, alcohol, under a lot of stress recently? My doc also put me on metropolol, and I take .25 mg of Zoloft to help with the anxiety that these cause for me, the meds have helped immensely, but like you I still get the breakthrough ones that scare you, good luck🙏🏻

will76 | @will76 | Jan 10, 2019

Hi I'm will... 43 yrs old and very concerned about my heart rhythm... it started in early November of 2018.. I'm taking metoprolol and it seems to be working, but every so often it happens. Would love to hear opinions, suggestions or similar stories about it

eileena | @eileena | Jan 8, 2019

In reply to @healthytoday "Kettle Drum beats, could that be adrenalin from anger. That's what I feel when I'm very..." + (show)

healthytoday, Actually the hard beats happened at times when there was no negative events occurring. the doc told me it was that my heart had to work harder due to the excessive load of blood it needed to pump out of th ventricle chamber.

healthytoday | @healthytoday | Jan 8, 2019

In reply to @eileena "espivack, Your PVC problem is much worse than mine ever got . The way to use..." + (show)

Kettle Drum beats, could that be adrenalin from anger. That's what I feel when I'm very angry.

healthytoday | @healthytoday | Jan 8, 2019

In reply to @dfelix "I'm Dennis and was diagnosed with a fib just before x mas. Was put on metro..." + (show)

I'm finding this a big topic. My med team has two tools, meds and surgery. Eliquis helps relieve the chance of stroke, and that's a big deal.

dfelix | @dfelix | Jan 8, 2019

I'm Dennis and was diagnosed with a fib just before x mas. Was put on metro at that time by GP. Saw cardiologist 2 jan. Was told my Aortic regurgitation was worse. I might have to have Open heart surgery. Was put on Eliquis and told to come back in 3 months for another eco cardiogram. Right now feel fine. any comments would be appreciated.

johnpny | @johnpny | Jan 7, 2019

In reply to @healthytoday "It seems to me it isn't all physical, what about your emotional life? And all the..." + (show)

A Premature Ventricular Contraction seems to be fairly easy to observe. It is physical. One can even observe them by taking a pulse. When hooked up to an EKG or monitor it appears to be possible to speculate the location based on the image it leaves on the recording device (sometimes referred to as the morphology). Doctors often classify the PVCs according to how many PVCs are observed versus normal beats ( often expressed in term of percentage of PVCs vs normal beats, or ectopic burden). PVCs in succession or combination are also noted, as would be any evidence of other abnormal beats.

Doctors also look to see if pVC activity coincides with time of day. Sometimes PVCs are more common during periods of stress of exertion, seeming to suggest a Adrenalin like trigger.

So even if the problem is anxiety, it’s still a problem to be looked into.

territoe | @territoe | Jan 7, 2019

In reply to @predictable "I'd like to raise some doubts about proposals by @afrobin for getting off common medicines for..." + (show)

@predictable

I'd like to raise some doubts about proposals by @afrobin for getting off common medicines for treatment of A-fib and its symptoms -- first the recommendation for rigorous exercise to make it possible to cut off use of beta blockers within a month; second the idea that anticoagulants are not needed if A-fib is ended ("cured"?) due to exercise, and third that if you have A-fib you can get clear indications from your heart on whether medications are even needed. I don't feel that these proposals are wrong, just that they may be unique to the condition of one or a few patients and unfortunately fatal to a few on the other end of possibility -- myself, for example.

First, I get no signals from my heart about my A-fib, which I'm told is clearly obvious on an EKG; otherwise I'm conscious of it only by watching my heart rate's irregularity on my blood pressure meter at home. Second, my A-fib medication is a relatively strong dose of a beta blocker twice a day and a medium dose of Coumadin anticoagulant once a day; these meds have applied for nearly two years. Third, my exercise regimen is challenging, but not comparable to running a mile. I was preparing last Spring to begin a gradual reduction in my beta blocker medication over a period of two-three months.

However, out for a brisk walk in June, I was struck by symptoms of a stroke, my return home on foot was belabored by loss of balance and repeated stumbles. At urgent care several hours later, the MRI showed I had suffered a "small stroke," probably from an A-fib clot ejected into a cranial artery. Movement of my left arm and leg and my jaw was affected. I spent six weeks in physical therapy and regained my balance as a result.

Lessons learned? First, if I ever again experience symptoms of a stroke, I'll call 9-1-1 and get emergency medical transportation and care right away. Second, I'll be less determined to back down on the medications that have carried me thus far. Third, coordination with my medical team is required before I take ANY steps to modify the therapy my doctors recommend. I hope other A-fib victims find something helpful in my experience with it, especially to avoid cutting back therapy unilaterally. @afrobin's decision to follow this practice and work with a doctor is a good example for us all. Martin

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Very well said. I have been on bystolic for many years for blood pressure. For this reason, my now persistent and apparently permanent again did not cause the racing heart. Everyone is different, but I am very thankful for my bystolic and Eliquis to control the rate and help prevent a stroke.

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