Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Ectopic Beats

Support Forums
>
Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
jdm
New Member
Joined : Apr 2011
Posts : 1
Posted 4/14/2011 1:29 AM (GMT -7)
Hi

In 1981 I was diagnosed with ventricular ectopic beats.  After a lot of reassurance from my cardioligist I managed to cope with them for many years, running marathons and getting pretty fit.  about 4 years ago I had an attack of atrial fibrillation which scared the life out of me.  Around the same time I deveoped high blood pressure.  I was then treated for the AF and the blood pressure and have to take flecainide for the AF.  I have had a number of AF attacks in the interim but they tend to last about an hour and the cardioigist is not concerned.

However, in the last few weeks the ectopics have returned with a vengence and I have been put on Atenol, a beta blocker.  This has helped although my ability to exercise is limited.  I have found the frequency of the ectopics have decreased but they seem to feel different when I get them now.  Before the beta blocker I could feel the missed beat and then the thump as the normal beat resumed.  The gap between normal beats was pretty consistant.  Now when I get one, the feeling is not as pronounced and the gap between beats is less, almost like I have missed a half beat!  Unfortunately due to my problems with ectopics over many years and my running career I am VERY conscious of my heart beat and an expert at taking my own pulse.  I am also quite anxious by nature so that doesnt help.

I now feel I am now just taking drugs to get me through this and not interested or able to exercise properly.  The end result is that I am now pretty depressed about the whole thing.  I am not sure whether it is an age thing (I am now 56) but my ability to cope seems to have lessened with time.

I know the doctor will tell me that everything is fine but somewhere in the back of my mind I am thinking that over 30 years of ectopic beats and AF cannot be good for my heart in the long run.

Thanks

profile picture
vikx
New Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 9
Posted 4/14/2011 11:20 PM (GMT -7)
Hi there. I agree with you but am not an expert. I keep getting "reassurance" as well on my heart issues (mainly hard thumping palpitations and PVCs). It is disconcerting and scary to say the least. I'm wondering if there's nothing the doc can do so he says it's normal.... Hope you find better answers than mine.
profile picture
Dazzler123
New Member
Joined : Apr 2011
Posts : 5
Posted 4/15/2011 10:54 AM (GMT -7)
I have to agree. I have had heart arrythmias for over two years. I have had small instances of AF which make me feel like passing out and I have also had atrial flutters and ectopics - as well as SVT's!! all harmless I'm told!! I am 44, so I don't think age can ever be a firm factor. Coupled with the fact I have recently had two heart attacks- I am beginning to wonder if there is a link.
However, beta blockers do tend to stop my AF which is the arrythmia I dont like. I can live with the odd missed beat here and there, but AF just freaks me.
I am still being investigated, but the electrical side of the heart is a tricky one to diagnose I think.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply

More On Chronic Illness

Get Moving With Chronic Illness

Get Moving With Chronic Illness

Hepatitis C:  The Silent Epidemic

Hepatitis C: The Silent Epidemic



HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
FacebookFacebook TwitterTwitter InstagramInstagram PinterestPinterest LinkedInLinkedIn
© 1997-2021 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.