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Suggest Treatment For Heart Arrhythmia

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Posted on Wed, 15 Jun 2016
Question: Dear cardio,

I had developed skipped heartbeats 3 years ago. On and off they were there. There were a period of time for 6 months it completely went off only to come back again. Did a ecg 2 years ago and Doctor told me mild mvp slight regurgitation but nothing to worry about. Told me to do exercise and less stress.

The skipped Heartbeats came off n on. Life goes on. I had lunch and drank a cup of tea. And with a full stomach, I bend down and picked up some heavy stuff. My heart then went out of control !!! They were fluttering like crazy!!! I put my fingers at my pulse in my neck n the beats were strong , rapid and skipped several times during this espisode!!!

It went one for about20-30 seconds and cooled down. There were no other symptoms !!! What's happening? Heart? Gas? Reflux? Whatever .., wat went wrong ???
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I would recommend performing some tests:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to cardiac arrhythmia.

I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests:

- cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac structure and function
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends for a prolonged time
- some blood lab tests ( complete blood count for anemia, blood electrolytes for electrolytes imbalance, thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction).

As your symptoms occurred during bending after eating I would also recommend performing a fibrogastroscopy to exclude possible hiatal hernia or gastro-esophageal reflux, which could trigger this situation.

I recommend discussing with your doctor on the above tests.

Hope to have been helpful!

Kind regards!

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Dear dr thanks for your reply.

Over the past 3 years I had done 2 ekg-normal , 2 holter monitor- first one showed 261 skipped beats with no other issues , second one a year later showed 360 skipped beats otherwise ok. Did an echo after the second monitor and report says mild mvp with slight regurgitation. Dr told me not to worry n less stress and exercise . No medicine was prescribe . Went to another town to see another doctor n showed him the report. Doctor said that no one had a real 100% heart! He listened very carefully with his sethescope too. He prescribe some q10 supplements for me .

I quitted my job and for 6 months I swam 1 hour almost everyday. The probably tat helped to stopped my pvc for 6 months. Got a new job later n the skipped heartbeat came back till now.

My questions is how bending over can exacerbate the skipped beats to a atrial flutter?
The flutter had happened before once a long while but the recent one is longer that the previous one.
Does it mean that the heart becomes weaker , deteriorating fast and more life threatening ?
Why did the skipped heartbeat went away totally for 6 months n come back again ? If mvp causes it but for the full 6 months or should still be there isn't it? How can it disappear n come back again?

How can stomach gas affect the heart?sometimes I get pvcs n after I burp it felt better

At this moment I considered myself good weight and smoke and alcohol free. My diet is pretty balance too. These recent years my heart is giving me all these issues.. I'm afraid I will just die in the sleep or drop dead anytime
I want to add on that the heart feels quivering fluttering at the upper part of the chest . Not the usual panic attacks or heavy exercise heart pounding feel.
What happened in the heart when we bend over? Is it hear or stomach issues ?

I went online n do research ppl with similar issues can't find a solution after all. End of the day is beta blocker etc.

Pls give me ur best advice thk u
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

First of all, I would like to assure you that nothing dangerous is happening to you.

Those rare ectopic heart beats and even isolated supraventricular arrhythmia (like atrial flutter, etc.) are not life-threatening conditions and besides the unpleasant feeling, are not an indication of any serious cardiac disorders.

These arrhythmic events may show a recurrent pattern, depending on the presence of several triggering factors, such as:

- Excessive physical exertion,
- Psychological stress,
- Unbalanced diet or any potential digestive disorder (acid reflux, hiatal hernia, etc.)
- Thyroid hormone imbalance,
- Blood electrolytes imbalance,
- Fluctuant mitral regurgitation,
- Caffeinated beverages, etc.

The fact that ectopic heart beats exacerbate when bending over, burping implicates a possible gastro-esophageal reflux as a triggering factor (acid irritation of neural endings or adjacent mechanical impact of hiatal hernia over the heart).

In such case, gastric anti-secretor drugs (like omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.) would be helpful in relieving symptomatology.

Also, a fibro-gastroscopy is recommended for investigating possible hiatal hernia and acid reflux.

All the above situation does not imply any deterioration of your cardiac conditions, but just an adverse influence of some extra-cardiac stimuli over heart rhythm.

Once the triggering factor are controlled, all your recent symptomatology will diminish or disappear.

The obvious improvement during those six months (no stressful situations, optimal physical activity and diet, a balanced life-style) confirms the above opinion.

So, some tips to follow:

- more physical activity (walking outdoors, cycling, running, etc.)
- avoid spicy foods, follow a balanced diet,
- avoid caffeinated drinks,
- avoid certain foods producing excessive gas (beans and lentils, Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions, pears, wheat, and certain soft drinks, etc.)
- better control of psychological stress (yoga practice, meditation, etc


In addition, I recommend performing:

- fibro-gastroscopy,
- thyroid hormone level,
- blood electrolyte level,
- periodical cardiac ultrasound for quantification of mitral regurgitation,


You should discus with your attending physician on the above recommended issues.

Regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 days later)
Dear dr thanks for ur prompt reply.

I somehow felt tat those heart flutter and skipped heartbeat had something to do with other upper gut organs. Maybe the stomach of chest area.

I felt it more when I'm hungry for a long time or too bloated . Like feeling gassy or not digesting well? Do u agree that all these gas and acid reflux can trigger the vagus nerve n irritate it? How did it happened?

How can IBS directly or indirectly cause the heart symptoms ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Regarding your concern I would explain that abdominal distension can lead to activation of vaso-vagal reflex, which is normally activated during eating in order to provide a propulsive movement of the food in the gastro-intestinal tract.

In sensitive persons, a hyperactivation of vagal reflex can lead to possible heart rate changes, including ectopic heart beats.

Another explanation would be the distension of the diaphragm from abdominal distension which can stimulate the vagal nerve, thus leading to palpitations.

IBS can directly cause such symptoms by abdominal distension.

From the other hand you should know that IBS is related to anxiety and to a high emotional stress, thus leading to palpitations (which are related to overctivation of the sympathetic nervous system).

Anyway, all these conditions are just physiological. There is nothing to be worried about!

Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties.

Regards,

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

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

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9545 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Heart Arrhythmia

Brief Answer: I would recommend performing some tests: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to cardiac arrhythmia. I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests: - cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac structure and function - an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends for a prolonged time - some blood lab tests ( complete blood count for anemia, blood electrolytes for electrolytes imbalance, thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction). As your symptoms occurred during bending after eating I would also recommend performing a fibrogastroscopy to exclude possible hiatal hernia or gastro-esophageal reflux, which could trigger this situation. I recommend discussing with your doctor on the above tests. Hope to have been helpful! Kind regards! Dr. Iliri