Stress Center Peer Support

I am a soon to be 49 year old female, that is experiencing skipped heart beats.
I have consulted my Primary Care Physican, my Cardiologist,and was refered to A Cardiophysologist. After they reviewed my cardiac testing ( Echo stress, Ekg, and Nuc heart Stress, and holiter Monitor)which all showed normal, they feel thses skipped beats are "generic". The Cardiophysologist, stated that these are "stress" related, which I can understand him saying beacuse I have a lot of stress inmy life. So he perscribed a Beta Blocker ( lopressor 12.5mg) for these annoying missed beats. Hesistant to take it, I have refrained simply because I do not have hypertension. Infact most mornings, my pressure is VERY low.
My question is...

Are these common with stress? I am also curious about something. Are these common with women entering menopause?

Your helpful answers are greatly appreciated!

Definitely common with stress and I think some of my friends entering menopause had them too. There is a thread on this board about heart palpitations--check it out. Sorry I can't remember the name right off, but I think it was started by Hot Rod. A lot of people have made comments on it, so it should be helpful to you.

Try not to worry--it doesn't sound like you have anything serious, just annoying. We tend to focus in on body symptoms and then get all worked up about them. That is part of anxiety.

Hope your med helps you!

It is on page 2 entitled "Heart Fear--who struggles with it too"

Hi Kim, I am a 43 year old and I too have the heart palpitations or pvcs. I know they are in part hormonal as well as stress related. I too have been checked over and everything comes back fine and they said the same with me - benign. I'm thankful for that but I know they are sometimes hard to deal with and scary! They also offered to put me on a low dose beta blocker but I haven't taken it either as my blood pressure also runs on the low side. They pretty much said it was my choice - not a have to situation. I'm working the program and working on not letting them cause me to be afraid. It is a process. I also have two ladies that I know that have experienced them. One is through menopause and doesn't have them anymore and one is on the verge and has them. I have been having them since I was 38 years old. My dr. ran a hormone test on me and found my progestrone level very low. I have been taking natural progestrone since then but it hasn't made a difference with the palps. This past year was a very stressful one and the palps increased to every day - sometimes every few beats but they are still benign. I know that GERD can be a contributing factor too. Hang in there and know you are not alone and you can take peace in knowing you took the steps to get checked out and everything was fine!! Take care, Tammy

Kim Doc,

Once I thought about you some more, I wondered if your Primary care physician tested your thyroid function? If you are hyperthyroid, it can cause the same symptoms as anxiety. I am assuming he has ruled this out since that is where most doctors would start before they referred you to a cardiologist. But if he hasn't, it is a simple blood test that you could have done.

I became hyperthyroid in my forties and it is a pretty common condition, especially in your age group.

Thank you all for yoir kind words. They are very scary, as you all have stated, especailly after all the labs and cardiac tests show to be ok.
Like every one has said, I guess you have to learn to live with them and eliminate stress.
We all know that's easier said than done.
Thank you again for all of you help!
Kim

Hello all,
I wanted to thank you all for your support.
Samcat- I did have the Thyroid test done and it was normal. My PCP ran a battery of tests and the only thing that appeared to be low was Vitamin D.
So he recommended a supplement. My triglycerides are high but I am a statin for Cholesterol and a prescription Omega 3 for the trigs.
To all- I can say 2009 was one of the most stressful years I have ever had and it looks like 2010 isn't off to a better start either. I dont want to burden any one with my issues but here are just a few things that are happening to me. My sister is terminal with cancer. She is my last surviving family member, as I lost my parents and middle sister to cancer as well. My husband and I had to file bankruptcy due to the poor economy and the fact my husband is a contractor and has been out of work for nearly a year. Our house is close to foreclosure too.
There are more, but I don't want to wallow in self pitty.

So, do you think that stress could be playing a factor into the irregular/ skipped beats?

Just an FYI.. I started the Lopressor ( beta blocker) the last few days. It seems to help a little. I still continue to have skipped beats and it has dropped my pressure to 90/67.

Hi Miss Hopeful,

I forgot to mention that I do have GERD and am Nexium 40 mg twice a day.
I never knew that GERD could cause heart palpitations. Is there a connection?

Please advise?
Kim

Hi Kim, and a big YES on Gerd and heart palpitations being related! I had a lovely episode last night (my fault - MC'Donalds late) and was having them every other beat, then every 3, then back and forth! I HATE them!! Then this morning, I called my cardio dr. just to let him know what happened as they were quite frequent so he told me to go to the ER (again) so I was trying not to panic as I kept thinking, why is he having me go to the ER??? But everything checked out ok, thank you Jesus!
Also, I have a hiatal hernia so when it tries to push its way up, it pushes on the bottom of my heart and it kicks back!! Sounds fun doesn't it!

Kim, I also wanted to say your 2009 sounds so much like mine!! Most stressful year I have ever had in my life and the heart palpitations starting getting worse during that time. My husband's job cut way back and we couldn't make our house payments. Didn't know when we were going to get kicked out, but by the grace of God, we are still here, for awhile longer. We are in foreclosure and just waiting to hear back from the bank. On top of that, I was having my own set of health issues (probably alot stress related) and that kicked off the panic attacks and agoraphobia!! I hadn't had trouble with that in over 20 years!! Then that put stress on our marriage, etc. So another big YES to it being stress related.

I am so sorry to hear about your family. I lost my mom to cancer in 2002. She battled for 10 years. That is more stress on you so hang in there. Do you have the program? The relaxation CD is really great. Let me know if the beta blocker continues to help. They have recommended me to take a low dose but my blood pressure runs low and I don't want to take it if I can manage without! Take care, Tammy

Hi Tammy,
Thank you so much for your kind and assuring words. I hope these end soon, as they are consuming me. I just started the Beta Blocker 3 days ago and so far, no relief. I have low blood pressure too. It seems like it is making me feel light headed and dry mouthed. I have been talking back and forth to another member on the site and she tells me that worrying only makes it worse.
I have been on Nexium for about a year now and have never had skipped heart beats like this before. I am curious if it isnt working any more. I Feel so bad that you landed in the ER. It seems like the ER and I have been close friends lately. You see... I am a Patient Advocate and work in a hospital. SO it is so easy, yet so embarrassing to go there every time I am having a bloop or a scare. Frankly speaking I think the staff is tired of seeing me. My Cardiologist too. As his office is upstairs of my office in the hospital too. I just pray every day that I can wake up and feel like a normal person. This is terrible!
I would say give the Beta Blocker a try. I am taking Lopressor 25mg. The Electo cardio physiologist recommended that I take 1/2 in the and 1/3 in the pm. They are also having me take my pulse and BP a few times a day. Personally I think this is contributing to my problem too. Makes you nervous when you see the numbers.

Hugs to you,
Kim