1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

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.

scardycat | @scardycat | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @lksalter "I was on 50mg now I'm on 150mg" + (show)
@lksalter

I was on 50mg now I'm on 150mg

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Thank you👍🏻

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lksalter | @lksalter | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @scardycat "What mg Zoloft are you on? I also take to help with anxiety from these, Thanks" + (show)
@scardycat

What mg Zoloft are you on? I also take to help with anxiety from these, Thanks

Jump to this post

I was on 50mg now I'm on 150mg

REPLY
1 reply
scardycat | @scardycat | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @lksalter "Hi Will. I've always had an irregular heart rhythm and was taking Propranolol. In November I..." + (show)
@lksalter

Hi Will. I've always had an irregular heart rhythm and was taking Propranolol. In November I started having more and more palpitations. I wound up at the ER with my heart bouncing all over the place. They called my cardiologist and he changed my medication to metoprolol and sent me home. The following Monday for the entire week I had every cardiac test they could do. Bottom line was my heart was in great shape I just have PVC's and they may go away or stay. Great :(. My primary doctor asked how things are going and I had to tell him things weren't easy. My husband was going to Germany for 3 months after traveling 2 weeks every month for the last year and a half, I retired from nursing and my daughter got married. He increased my Zoloft, reassured me that these things were normal and said one day they may just stop. I noticed when I get a little more stressed my palpitations increase, but with the increase in Zoloft my palpitations have decreased immensely.

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What mg Zoloft are you on? I also take to help with anxiety from these, Thanks

REPLY
1 reply
lksalter | @lksalter | 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)
@will76

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

Jump to this post

Hi Will. I've always had an irregular heart rhythm and was taking Propranolol. In November I started having more and more palpitations. I wound up at the ER with my heart bouncing all over the place. They called my cardiologist and he changed my medication to metoprolol and sent me home. The following Monday for the entire week I had every cardiac test they could do. Bottom line was my heart was in great shape I just have PVC's and they may go away or stay. Great :(. My primary doctor asked how things are going and I had to tell him things weren't easy. My husband was going to Germany for 3 months after traveling 2 weeks every month for the last year and a half, I retired from nursing and my daughter got married. He increased my Zoloft, reassured me that these things were normal and said one day they may just stop. I noticed when I get a little more stressed my palpitations increase, but with the increase in Zoloft my palpitations have decreased immensely.

REPLY
1 reply
scardycat | @scardycat | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @predictable "I worry that some might believe that, without palpitations, their A-fib is inoperative and they can..." + (show)
@predictable

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

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Thank you Martin for that great advice, God Bless

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @predictable "I worry that some might believe that, without palpitations, their A-fib is inoperative and they can..." + (show)
@predictable

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

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@predictable
Thanks, Martin. We do need to take A-Fib and stroke symptoms seriously. It can be debilitating as you have said. I hope that you are recovering well from your experience last year.

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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

REPLY
2 replies
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)
@will76

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

Jump to this post

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.

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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)
@will76

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

Jump to this post

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🙏🏻

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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

REPLY
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