[Sans-Culotte]

I have had heart palpitations (skipping heartbeat) for a number of years. It is a disturbing feeling, but my doctors tell me it is a benign condition. It’s hard to tell oneself that when you’re trying to get to sleep. I take a beta blocker for it which usually keeps it under control, but I did find the article interesting in that it shows that some foods or drinks can exacerbate it. I know caffeine has an effect on me and I have had to cut way back on its consumption.

[Red Badger]

My wife is 58 this month and has had heart palpitations since she was a kid, and has never taken any meds at all for it.

I have them sometimes from too much or too little potassium..................

[libertylover]

I know caffeine has an effect on me and I have had to cut way back on its consumption.

I have a pacemaker/defibrillator to help with my atrial fibrillation and also take Amiodarone. My doctor told me to avoid caffeine and alcohol like the plague.

[wardaddy]

Many different types of arrhythmia

Some like Ventricular fib or Ventricular Tachycardia can be deadly

Most are not ....and usually just a nuisance

Atrial flutter

Pre Ventricular contractions...called PVCs

Those two don’t mean much unless they get super frequent as in every few beats

I started noticing my arrhythmia around 17....but looking back I realize it was happening much earlier and I didn’t know

PVCs and occasional mild heart block with shirt lasting syncope of only a couple seconds ....maybe the heart block only every few days but the PVCs were hourly at least

Heat, stimulants, stress, thyroid disorder

All exacerbated what was already an organic issue

Pretty smooth sailing t with a couple heart studies done over the years.....Holter monitor etc

Heart surgery 2004/05

But in 2014....I think......I suddenly started having arrhythmia “storms” ....which I ignored and popped more metoprolol

After a couple days of that I suddenly had severe syncope and couldn’t get off the floor basically

Me heart rate was in the 20s

So I ended up with a pacemaker .....

The key to arrhythmia is if it makes you dizzy or faint

Get help

I still have PVCs ....and on occasion ...rarely.....VT.....which is another animal....you can’t wing through those...they knock you out...if mine worsen I’ll need a defib added model pacemaker

I live on diet Dr Pepper......6-7 a day and coffee in morning

[FrdmLvr]

Interesting your doc said it was largely a benign condition. I have heard repeatedly it will (or could) cause a stroke or heart attack. Did he address that with you? I’d be interested in any feedback you could give me, thanks.