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Suggest Remedy For Fluttering And Skipped Beats

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Posted on Fri, 25 Sep 2015
Question: Hi Doctor:

I have been on your website to find it very helpful.

I am trying to deal with cardiac pvcs that I have had now for approximately five years. I have since then stopped eating chocolate, watch my sugars. They have gotten better, but for the last several months my heart has been flip flopping, fluttering; and skipped beats. I try not to palpate my pulse cause that makes me more nervous which increases them even more. I have been under a lot of stress on my job and family issues. Seems I have too much adrenaline. I don't appear to feel anxious. I am thin, in good shape. Although I recently had a lipid profile and cholesterol is 226. So now I am on a diet to lower it. I am on Atenolol 25mg although I take 12.5 because the 25mg lowers my bp. I do not get the pvcs when walking running working, but as soon as I relax, they fire. I don't know what else to do. Exercising keeping fit, they are just so distracting when trying to relax. They pound out of my neck and chest and I feel them just about everywhere. Cardiac workup shows pvcs and all else normal. Can these cause heart disease. Why am I so focused on them. I try to distract myself from focusing on them, but they are so annoying. Please advise. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms seem to be related to excessive anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

I passed carefully through your medical history and understand your concern.

It seems that your palpitation feelings (ectopic beats) are related to excessive anxiety and don't look to be an expression of any organic heart disorders.

So coming to this point, I would suggest you not to worry too much.

As your palpitations disappear during physical activity, I recommend you to enhance a physically active daily lifestyle and an engage in more recreational activities, such as aerobics and walking, etc.

Please, could you upload your cardiac tests, especially Holter recordings, to review your ectopic beats quantity and their day-night trend.

Probably I could suggest you an effective alternative strategy for the management of your palpitations.

I would also advise you to perform thyroid hormone levels, to exclude a possible thyroid dysfunction related to this symptomatology.

Meanwhile try to continue the anxyolytic therapy but with caution (xanax shouldn't be used for prolonged periods, due to its side effects like dependence and tolerance).

An antidepressant would be a more effective long term therapy option, to help you manage your anxiety.

Hope to have been helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9542 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Fluttering And Skipped Beats

Brief Answer: Your symptoms seem to be related to excessive anxiety. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I passed carefully through your medical history and understand your concern. It seems that your palpitation feelings (ectopic beats) are related to excessive anxiety and don't look to be an expression of any organic heart disorders. So coming to this point, I would suggest you not to worry too much. As your palpitations disappear during physical activity, I recommend you to enhance a physically active daily lifestyle and an engage in more recreational activities, such as aerobics and walking, etc. Please, could you upload your cardiac tests, especially Holter recordings, to review your ectopic beats quantity and their day-night trend. Probably I could suggest you an effective alternative strategy for the management of your palpitations. I would also advise you to perform thyroid hormone levels, to exclude a possible thyroid dysfunction related to this symptomatology. Meanwhile try to continue the anxyolytic therapy but with caution (xanax shouldn't be used for prolonged periods, due to its side effects like dependence and tolerance). An antidepressant would be a more effective long term therapy option, to help you manage your anxiety. Hope to have been helpful! Best wishes, Dr. Iliri