MY ECTOPIC HEARTBEAT, MY THOUGHTS, AND AFIB

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Is it Ectopic heartbeats, AFIB or both?

ECTOPIC HEARTBEATS GETS PERSONAL

I have mentioned ectopic heartbeats in a few of my previous posts, and have spent many hours researching it and watching videos about it. The main reason is because I experience it from time to time. But whenever it strikes it gets personal.

It is one thing to read and write about it, but feeling it in your chest is something else. Then you get a real sense of this thing, this monster and the thoughts he brings with him.

MOST RECENT “ATTACK”

We were driving home, from Cape Town, two days after I did the Cape Town Cycle Tour, which I plan to write about when I felt something in my chest. Yes, it was my heart but the thing was I could feel it. For me, with my AFIB history, that usually is not a very good thing.

For now, I do not think that there is a link between my “possible” ectopic heartbeats and the 4:46 hour time of my 109 km Cape Town Cycle Tour.

My first worry was “is it AFIB”.

I started to concentrate on my heartbeat, and I try and get an idea of what is going on. Is it irregular beats or just “hard” beats that I’m feeling? It’s not constant and I only feel a few “hard” beats every now and then. About 6 to 12 “hard” beats, a sense of relief, and then normal heartbeats that I actually cannot feel.

I feel my pulse and it feels like a normal in rhythm heartbeat. And then just as I relax I feel those few “hard” beats. I also experienced a little bit of dizziness for brief moments. Nothing serious.

NOW IT’S MY THOUGHT’S

I started to think too much! Is it AFIB, must I go for another cardioversion? Is it only ectopic beats, what did I eat and drink. What can I do about it? Battlefield of the thoughts. Which thoughts are going to dominate my mind? Am I going to crawl into a corner, be angry, worry the whole time and hold my breath every time I feel those ectopic heartbeats?

WHY DID I GET THE ECTOPICS?

Although I know that there may not be answers every time. I want an answer. What did I eat or drink or do? The only thing that I could think of was some red wine tasting at Groot Constantia wine farm the previous day. In total it was only about one glass of red wine at about 15:00 the previous day. I dismiss it, but it’s the only thing I could think of.

My stomach was a little bit bloated and did not “go” for about a day. I’m usually very regular and my stomach goes at least once a day and usually in the morning.

THE VAGUS NERVE CONNECTION

I know that there is an ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve connection. I always am very conscious of how my stomach is feeling and if it is bloated. I usually do not overindulge in food or drinks. On the other hand, I eat anything. I like to try out different types of food.

At first, I thought that it would quickly go away like it always does, but it goes on the whole day until the next day. I start to eat a bit less to give my stomach some time to “recover” and follow my own advice and start to do some breathing exercises. I also drink more Rooibos Tea which I know also helps my stomach and overall wellbeing.

I visit a doctor just to confirm that it is not AFIB(because I’m not a doctor). The doctor, in the few minutes, that she feels my pulse and listens to my heart, does not feel any ectopics and my heart is in rhythm. She suggests that I go for an ECG at my cardiologist if it bothers me too much.

OUTCOME? CURE?

A day or so passes by and I get busy with other stuff and eat a bit less. I do regular breathing exercises and pray for it to go away. The ectopics do not go away immediately but do get less “feelable”, my word for not that intense anymore. It does not impair my life or exercise routine in the morning and I carry on with my life. For now, I’m still searching for that wonderful miraculous cure to stop ectopics immediately. I will continue to act proactively and watch what and how much I eat and drink.

Eventually, it just faded away, but I feel it every now and again. I will continue to write about my heart’s adventures.

14 thoughts on “MY ECTOPIC HEARTBEAT, MY THOUGHTS, AND AFIB”

    1. Hi Jojo
      I’ve been on Bisoprolol 2,5 mg (also known as Zebeta, it’s a beta-blocker) and 100mg of Asprin(Disprin) for about 10 years.

      Reply

  2. Hi, I also get ectopic beats and afib occasionally ( like every 4-6 months). I am 69yo and been getting afib on and off for 15 years. Anxiety and /or excitement definitely plays a role, and I’ve learned to breathe properly to help this. I do healing codes before I go to sleep, specifically on anxiety and the heart, and this has pretty much stopped my night time afib. Stomach gas (and associated anxiety)seems to be part of the problem with afib. I am currently reading Anthony William’s book called Liver Rescue. He says the EBV causes problems in the liver and this can also cause heart palpitations. He has a solution to this and I am starting his program to see if it had a positive effect. Cheers, Trevor from Adelaide SA

    Reply

  3. God bless you, with your story . Have your drs.tried Verapamil ?? I take Verapamil 180 mg. It seems to help me. It’s for palpitations, but mine lasted 40 mins. One time. So that is AFIB. I think it is a gut heart issue too. Bowels ect. The Vagus Nerve is messed up. I got so stressed out too and panic attacks, I see someone for that too. I am 70 , and trying to exercise more too. Thank you for your info. Karen

    Reply

    1. Hi Karen

      I’ve never used Verapamil because my blood pressure is always low and I do not get chest pain. Usually, my palpitations(Ectopic heartbeats) are under control. I think my vagus nerve is the one causing the ectopics.
      Thank you for your comment.

      Reply

  7. First of all I would like to say excellent blog!
    I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
    I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your
    mind before writing. I have had a difficult time
    clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.
    I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the
    first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted just trying to figure out how
    to begin. Any suggestions or tips? Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hi Edwardo

      I also struggle to start writing.
      I make notes with a pen and paper. This helps me to keep focused on what I’m trying to say.
      Sometimes I get so frustrated because I cannot start writing. The notes help me focus on what I must write first.

      With the notes, I break down my piece into smaller sections that help me write “easier”.

      Other times I just begin and then a few minutes into it I only start to see where I’m really going.

      I know the pen and paper is old fashioned but it helps me.

      Reply

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