WORRIED ABOUT 24HR TAPE PLEASE HELP

[Aussie]

Hi Linda,
Has your Dr told you what causes these ectopic beats?
I have had them on and off for a while now and have had all the tests, 24hr moniter, ecg, ultrasounds and blood tests.
Basically, unless there is something wrong with your heart structure (which would have been picked up when you were young) it is nothing to worry about.
What happens is that the electric impulse that goes off in your heart to make it beat fires off the opposite wall causeing the other chamber to beat instead, this feels like your heart has missed a beat if you are taking your pulse, but it's just a much shallower beat that happens in a different part of your heart.
The large chamber in your heart that usually beats then fills with a little more blood than usual and has to beat a bit harder to expel it, that is why you sometimes get that thumping feeling in your chest.
The top cardiologist in my state has told me that this sort of thing happens to most people, it's just that they are not aware of it. It is perfectly normal for a healthy heart to behave this way.
Don't worry, i went thru all the tests and i'm fine. They have assured me that no one has ever dropped dead from this either!
I find that they are worse when i am stressed or have had caffine.

Hope this helps

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[alexis]

Hi Linda, nice to hear from you, long time no see, well I have same problems, STILL, I have learnt to cope with it most of the time, but sometimes it rears its ugly head agian.
As you know, a year ago, or more, i had 24hr ecg after being admitted into hospital , recently I once again got the same problem and although I was sure it was the same i returned to GP who repeated all again, to reassure me it was just very fast heart , I was offered beta blockers, but have so far resisted, still not out of the question though,it is hard and worrying when these things never seem to go away, I have improved with coping with it, and can ignore mine a lot of the time, and diet definitly can be part of it, I have had so much going on in the last year (still have) as my friend says, bad luck follows me,that although its not good, it does take my mind off it, My gp called me back, when results were normal, just fast but good rhytm, so I would try not to worry too much, easier said than done i know, pm if I can be of any help, you are not alone.Take care Linda.xx

[Jinkus]

Hi,

I too have suffered with ectopics for about 2 years now,, i have been to hell and back with them,,, i remember starting with them and rushing to A&E thinking i was dying or about to have a massive heart attack,, i remember getting up in the middle of the night and going downstairs to lie in front of the fire to take my mind of my skipped beats, i have been reduced to tears and serious anxiety with them.

I have had all test possible,, ECGS, X Rays, Barium Meals, 24hr tape, 48hr tape, 7 day tape, ECHOs, blood tests, i have seen many differnt consultants and specialists, and they have al said the same "ectopics are normal,, theres nothing to worry" this is obviously easy for them to say as there not going through what we are going through.

The truth is im still trying to find answers, i post alot on this site and it helps me a great deal with reassurance, i think its something that we have to live with,, hopefully in time, and with the right mindset they will dissapear, but in the meantime try and carry on your life to the full and not let the ectopics ruin it as its to short to miss out on.

I hope this helps and beleive me i genuinely know what ur going through,, just remember were always here for you!!

Take care and god bless.

Sean
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