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What Causes Irregular Heartbeats?
Question: I had an irregular heartbeat that developed about a year and a half ago. It quit when I cut down on alcohol and quit caffeine. It developed again about a week ago. I have quit alcohol completely when it developed and stayed away from caffeine . It is irregular atrest and steady with even modest exertion. I am a 66 year old male.
Brief Answer:
I need further details.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern.
This can be an Arrhythmia.
However normally also there is a variation in heart rate even with respiratory cycles.
But pulse if totally irregular needs consideration.
Excessive alcohol , coffee can also cause transient arrhythmias.
Give me following details:
1. How did you notice it for the first time?
2. Is the irregularity ever mentioned by your doctor?
3. Any palpitations you have?
4. Any past history of diabetes, hypertension?
5. How irregular is your heart rate? When you count it for a minute, is it overall irregular or you feel irregularities in between?
6. Any history of stroke?
7. Any other medical illness?
8. Any ECG done? If yes please attach.
9. Have you seen a doctor for this?
Revert with answers of these questions and preferably in point wise manner only.
Stay Healthy
I need further details.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern.
This can be an Arrhythmia.
However normally also there is a variation in heart rate even with respiratory cycles.
But pulse if totally irregular needs consideration.
Excessive alcohol , coffee can also cause transient arrhythmias.
Give me following details:
1. How did you notice it for the first time?
2. Is the irregularity ever mentioned by your doctor?
3. Any palpitations you have?
4. Any past history of diabetes, hypertension?
5. How irregular is your heart rate? When you count it for a minute, is it overall irregular or you feel irregularities in between?
6. Any history of stroke?
7. Any other medical illness?
8. Any ECG done? If yes please attach.
9. Have you seen a doctor for this?
Revert with answers of these questions and preferably in point wise manner only.
Stay Healthy
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Noticed for the first time in about Nov. 2012. Was put on a Holter moniter by VA doctor in Jan/Feb 2013. Cut out caffeine, cut back on alcohol. Cleared up about April 2013. Stayed away from caffeine. Wasn't so careful with alcohol. Started again about a week ago. Has gotten better since I wrote, but still present. No caffeine or alcohol since it started.
No palpitations that I am aware off. Pulse is about 68-72 at rest. History of hypertension. On Norvasc -10mg. No diabetes. Have seen a doctor. I am a bit of a hypochondriac, and I don't want to go again if not necessary. ECG showed PVC s at time of first occurrence. Don't have available to send. Rythem when it happens is two to three normal beats and the one with a PVC.
No history of stroke, no other significant illness.
No palpitations that I am aware off. Pulse is about 68-72 at rest. History of hypertension. On Norvasc -10mg. No diabetes. Have seen a doctor. I am a bit of a hypochondriac, and I don't want to go again if not necessary. ECG showed PVC s at time of first occurrence. Don't have available to send. Rythem when it happens is two to three normal beats and the one with a PVC.
No history of stroke, no other significant illness.
Brief Answer:
Detail follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
If your problem subsided on stopping alcohol and coffee then you should not take them at all.
But I am worried about PVC that you have mentioned.
They require evaluation. I would advise you:
1. Get Kidney function test including Serum Magnesium and Calcium levels.
2. To get a repeat holter monitoring and echo cardiography done.
We need to rule out:
1. Sick sinus syndrome
2. Magnesium deficiency
3. Arrythmogenic Ventricular conditions.
If you have any further query please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Detail follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
If your problem subsided on stopping alcohol and coffee then you should not take them at all.
But I am worried about PVC that you have mentioned.
They require evaluation. I would advise you:
1. Get Kidney function test including Serum Magnesium and Calcium levels.
2. To get a repeat holter monitoring and echo cardiography done.
We need to rule out:
1. Sick sinus syndrome
2. Magnesium deficiency
3. Arrythmogenic Ventricular conditions.
If you have any further query please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
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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