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Suggest Treatment For Heart Arrhythmia
Question: Hello, I have been diagnosed with premature beats since 2009. I have had yearly ekgs since then and an echocardiogram in 09 which showed a normally structured heart. Everything always comes out good!! ;-) I am a 36 year old female and I'm 5'6 155lbs. Well in the past the ectopics have caused a large amount of anxiety. After about 3 and 1/2 years of thinking I was going to drop dead at any minute and having terrible panic attacks, I finally got my anxiety under control and have had less pacs and hardly any panic attacks for over a year now!!! Yay. Well I have noticed that around the time of my cycle I have an increase in the awareness of the pacs. And yesterday I was shopping and I was happy and fine. I had noticed some fluttering feelings as I was shopping but nothing abnormal from what I have felt for the last 5 years. Then all of the sudden I felt as if someone had knocked the wind out of me. It only lasted for about a second but it was pretty strong and caused me to somewhat bend at the waist. It was as if my body jerked and the wind was knocked out of me. I immediately felt my pulse ( as I always do because I worry about it so) and my pulse felt fine. Maybe slightly elevated but I was nervous so I'm sure that's why because it slowed down quickly. And by elevated I wouldn't say it was over 100 bpm. Anyway I have felt similar instances before but nothing near this extreme. It was a very jolting experience. Is this normal with PACs or did my heart stop and somehow start itself back? I am so afraid of SCD even though my cardiologist has ruled out any underlying condition but I'm just leery that having an arrhythmia can trigger that. Also when I squat down I feel the fluttering pretty extreme. Is all this ok if your heart is normal?
Brief Answer:
Electrophysiological studies
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
welcome to HCM.
Your anxiety is understandable; but in reality, ectopics often cause more panic attack related symptoms than actually due to heart related issues.
Ectopics are very common and are seen in 90% of individuals. However they are symptomatic only in a few.
As you have been cleared of any cardiac disease, i can assure that you will be unharmed by them. But let me be cautious to explain the possibilities.
An ectopic can suddenly cause reduced blood supply to the brain (very transient) and can cause syncopial attacks (or dizziness), what you must have had. Very rarely they can transform into an arrythmia and can be dangerous.
A structurally normal heart do not essentially guarantee against future rhythm disturbances. Hence, I would recommend you to ask your cardiologist if Electrophysiological studies will help. They can pick up the areas of arrythmogenic potential and can guide us to future treatment options. Mean while, drugs called beta blockers may be tried which may reduce the frequency of ectopics. your anxiety regarding SCD is also understandable, but is far from being common.
Please feel free to ask if you have any further queries.
All the best.
Electrophysiological studies
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
welcome to HCM.
Your anxiety is understandable; but in reality, ectopics often cause more panic attack related symptoms than actually due to heart related issues.
Ectopics are very common and are seen in 90% of individuals. However they are symptomatic only in a few.
As you have been cleared of any cardiac disease, i can assure that you will be unharmed by them. But let me be cautious to explain the possibilities.
An ectopic can suddenly cause reduced blood supply to the brain (very transient) and can cause syncopial attacks (or dizziness), what you must have had. Very rarely they can transform into an arrythmia and can be dangerous.
A structurally normal heart do not essentially guarantee against future rhythm disturbances. Hence, I would recommend you to ask your cardiologist if Electrophysiological studies will help. They can pick up the areas of arrythmogenic potential and can guide us to future treatment options. Mean while, drugs called beta blockers may be tried which may reduce the frequency of ectopics. your anxiety regarding SCD is also understandable, but is far from being common.
Please feel free to ask if you have any further queries.
All the best.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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