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Can't get over constant fear of heart flutters

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Posted 8/9/2014 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, my name is Grace. I'm 18 and I've posted heart flutter questions on here a few times before, but I'm so out of peace of mind with this and wanted more information.

My heart flutters/skipped beats come and go. It's been a year now since they first popped up. They come and go, and some last ALL day long in episodes of beat one, skip one... can't go 1 minute without one. They make me panic. I sometimes get a single one when I bend down, finish exercise, or for no reason at all. Just the other night, it started and it took me about 3 hours to get to sleep because it wouldn't let up.

I've already been to the doctor twice about it, and on one of the EKG's it did in fact show one of them... but the Dr. said they are most likely adrenaline?

Now, it's gotten to the point where I'm so scared for the next one I am going to get. I did have a huge history with OCD and anxiety. I can't seem to get these panic feelings out of my mind about when I'll have the next one, even when they aren't going on.

My Grandma and my Aunt (both on my dad's side) have these too... is it possible that I just inherited them from them? Any ways to instantly get rid of them? (I don't drink caffeine, am healthy and fit, on zoloft...)
Posted 8/10/2014 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
I can understand the OCD and anxiety aspects. If you've been examined and determined to have benign rhythm issues, it's really more dangerous to treat them than it is just to live with them.

Beta Blockers are considered safe in treating them, though, and do so by slowing your heart rate (which can eliminate them for some people) and reducing the contractile force of the heart beating (which makes the ones you still get less noticeable). Ask your doctor to see if Beta Blockers would be appropriate for you. Oh, Beta Blockers block the effect of adrenaline on the heart (and depending on the Beta Blocker, may block adrenaline effects in other parts of your body).

Calcium Channel Blockers are also considered safe for treating certain benign rhythm issues.

I get premature ventricular contractions, I had 6000/24 hr on my first Holter this year, and 3900/24 hr on my second. How many do you get per day. In terms of the strength of the heart, for benign rhythm issues, the use 20,000/24 hr as the point, where if these went on day after day, that medication or ablation would be necessary, and at 20,000 that's 14/minute/24 hours a day.

Irregularities in heart rhythm, in otherwise healthy hearts, is quite common, and incredibly, most people that have them don't feel them.
Posted 8/10/2014 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
hello,

I can relate to all of your feelings. What JungRulz said is so true.
these skips come and go, and they cause so much discomfort. I wish there was something that could be done, to alleviate the sensation or discomfort since a lot of people do not feel them. I suppose they are lucky, although my latest cardiologist claims that it is good that I can feel them. anyway, for many years, the best thing for me to do, is to get involved with something I like to do, to take my mind off of that dreadful skipping feeling. keep the forum posted. :-)
Posted 8/11/2014 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you both so much for your replies, it means so much to me! That's wonderful advice to just get involved in something to do to take your mind off of it. It's not the end of the world, after all. :) It always gets better! Thanks for all of the information.

~~ Grace
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