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Is It Normal To Have Ectopic Heart Beats At Night?

Posted on Tue, 30 Jun 2015

Question: I have been exercising and climbing stairs several times per day to show myself that it was just anxiety causing the palpitations. I have felt better. Along with eating healthy and deep breathing. I do still notice that I get some etopic beats at night and when I wake up in the morning. Also I notice some days even when standing that my heart rate is at 60 bpm and sometimes goes lower for a few beats. Is this ok?

All my cardiac tests came back normal 4 months ago. Structurally normal heart and I passed both stress tests. My Holter showed 400 pacs and 15 pvcs over 48 hours which my cardiologist insists are due to anxiety and that my heart is very healthy

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
Once again I read your query and understood your concerns.

What you are feeling is quite normal and you shouldn't worry about that.

It's great that you have increased the physical activity and you feel great. Moreover I encourage you to continue with healthy diet.

Although you are experiencing some ectopic beats at night or in the early hours of the morning you shouldn't worry as long as cardiac examinations were normal.

They are harmless and are caused from adrenaline increased secretion in
the early hours of the morning.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (24 hours later)

Hi doctor thank you for your reply. I just was outside doing some walking at the beach and I started to feel some discomfort in my stomach. This was right after eating lunch. I noticed my heart started racing and I was getting the feeling of anxiousness in my stomach. Is this normal? Do you think it's because of the exercising or anxiety?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

What you have experienced is not related to physical activity and exercising. Your present symptoms are related to meal and are typical for GERD ( acid reflux disease ).

Moreover you shouldn't worry and avoid over thinking about them. They are harmless.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (4 hours later)

Doctor thank you for your reply. Tonight after work I sat down to eat after a very busy day at the restaurant. As soon as I put some food in my mouth I got a few etopic beats in a row. This scared me and I got very anxious. Is this normal and am I in any danger?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX!

You shouldn't worry about ectopic beats, they're normal and typical for GERD.

Yoy should stay relaxed because ectopic beats are harmless and you aren't in any danger.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (6 hours later)

Doctor one last thing. My wife and kids came down with the flu. Nausea and cough and sore throat. I feel like I'm getting it as well and I've noticed that I have an increase in palpitations and etopic beats. Is this common and is it more dangerous if I get the flu and the palpitations?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It's very common to have an increased of HR and palpitations when you have flu. What you are experiencing is a normal thing and there's no added danger to your health. Please stay calm and relax, the flu will pass within a couple of days, without causing any problems to your health.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (2 days later)

Hi doctor today I had a meeting with someone about taking over their restaurant. I felt very anxious driving to the meeting as it is a very good opportunity for me. When I got there I started to feel lightheaded and a little numb on my face. I checked my pulse and it was difficult to find as I felt numb and my pulse was weak and slow. I kept on with the meeting and it passed after a minute. Then my heart rate felt faster over 100. I did not eat before the meeting and I felt a few etopic beats while driving there. What can this be? I'm very worried

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

You shouldn't worry, your symptoms seems to be related to anxiety and hypoglicemia. You say that you haven't eaten before the meeting. these combined with anxiety have caused hypoglycemia, that is manifested with lightheaded, numbness etc.

The feeling of lightheaded and numbness increase the anxiety which cause tachycardia and HR alteration (between tachycardia and bradycardia).

I recommend to eat or drink something sweet and to think positive in order to avoid unnecessary stress.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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