[Debbie]

I found this site from a google search and have been lurking for a few days, reading all of your amazing and insightful posts. I'd like to share my experience with you and ask what you guys think. I'm 57 years old (will be 58 in a month) run 3 miles a day, vegetarian, do not drink or smoke, in great shape, same weight that I was in high school, BP 60/95 (low all of my life) . In the beginning of the summer, I suddenly developed heart palpitations that would not go away. It made me cough, kept me up at night and only disappeared when I was running, rollerblading, etc. After a few weeks of this, I went to the Dr. who did a quick cardiogram and saw nothing. He said if it persisted to come back so I waited 2 weeks then went back. By then I was having the "pounding, popping, feeling like a trunk was being dragged in my chest" feeling. I live near a large hospital that has a huge cardiac center that is rated one of the top 10 in the country. My dr. sent me there to a cardiologist and within 48 hours, I had an EKG, stress test, 24 hour holter monitor and an echocardiogram. All the results showed that I was in perfect health. The cardiologist explained the PVC issue and I was completely assured that I am fine. Uncomfortable, but fine. I haven't had any anxiety regarding this nor have I visited any emergency rooms, etc.

Now, my question. After I had the holter removed, I was so happy for it to be off, I told my husband that we should go out for ice cream. We did and three spoonfuls later, my palps were gone. They came back a few hours later. Jokingly, I said I should eat ice cream every day, but I did try it again the next day and, sure enough, the palps disappeared. Since I wasn't going to eat ice cream every day I tried ices and it worked just as well. Eating something very cold stops all the palpitations completely. It doesn't last but if I do it before bedtime, I can sleep comfortably through the night. Now, whenever a run of palps PVC's start, I take a few bites of an ice pop. It's not just the sensation that it is gone, if I feel my pulse or my husband does, there are no "skips". There has been much discussion here regarding the vagus nerve and it's role in PVC. Do any of you think that the cold is preventing the vagus nerve from sending out abnormal signals that are causing the palps?

Any insight into this would be great.
Thanks!
Debbie

[dr461]

Originally Posted by Debbie

I found this site from a google search and have been lurking for a few days, reading all of your amazing and insightful posts. I'd like to share my experience with you and ask what you guys think. I'm 57 years old (will be 58 in a month) run 3 miles a day, vegetarian, do not drink or smoke, in great shape, same weight that I was in high school, BP 60/95 (low all of my life) . In the beginning of the summer, I suddenly developed heart palpitations that would not go away. It made me cough, kept me up at night and only disappeared when I was running, rollerblading, etc. After a few weeks of this, I went to the Dr. who did a quick cardiogram and saw nothing. He said if it persisted to come back so I waited 2 weeks then went back. By then I was having the "pounding, popping, feeling like a trunk was being dragged in my chest" feeling. I live near a large hospital that has a huge cardiac center that is rated one of the top 10 in the country. My dr. sent me there to a cardiologist and within 48 hours, I had an EKG, stress test, 24 hour holter monitor and an echocardiogram. All the results showed that I was in perfect health. The cardiologist explained the PVC issue and I was completely assured that I am fine. Uncomfortable, but fine. I haven't had any anxiety regarding this nor have I visited any emergency rooms, etc.

Now, my question. After I had the holter removed, I was so happy for it to be off, I told my husband that we should go out for ice cream. We did and three spoonfuls later, my palps were gone. They came back a few hours later. Jokingly, I said I should eat ice cream every day, but I did try it again the next day and, sure enough, the palps disappeared. Since I wasn't going to eat ice cream every day I tried ices and it worked just as well. Eating something very cold stops all the palpitations completely. It doesn't last but if I do it before bedtime, I can sleep comfortably through the night. Now, whenever a run of palps PVC's start, I take a few bites of an ice pop. It's not just the sensation that it is gone, if I feel my pulse or my husband does, there are no "skips". There has been much discussion here regarding the vagus nerve and it's role in PVC. Do any of you think that the cold is preventing the vagus nerve from sending out abnormal signals that are causing the palps?

Any insight into this would be great.
Thanks!
Debbie

Hi Debbie, and welcome. To answer your question, there does definitely seem to be some correlation to the vagus nerve and PVC activity. I have not had the experience you did with cold affecting them. However, eating in general and GIRD or acid reflux does seem to have an impact upon them in general. Like you, I am fit and active, with a workup from a prominent cardiologist showing no abnormalities. As of yet, I have not read a study correlating PVCs and the vagus nerve stimulation or suppression. However, my family doctor seems to see a pattern that would indicate that there is a definite relationship--eating, digestive issues, and stress have an impact on the vagus nerve. So, I'd say that it is a definite "maybe" to that fact. I have oft times experienced PVC bouts after a large meal, and sometimes when experiencing Irritable Bowel syndrome. So, it is something to consider and study, IMHO.

[Katie]

Hmm. No clue! But I'd eat icecream all day and bump my running up to four miles! . Your so lucky you can sleep through them. I had a really rough day and night with them and I was having them in my dreams. Sometimes there is no peace! Maybe you are shocking your vagus nerve? Some people can't drink anything cold because it'll set them off. Some people dunk their faces in cold ice water and they stop- it lowers the heart rate. But that's confusing in ur case because you have yours (me too) when your heart is at it's normal rate. I get mine when it's returning to resting as well, do you?

[Debbie]

Thank you so much for your responses. I don't have GERD (as far as I know) or IBS but I do get heartburn if I eat late at night and then lie down shortly afterwards. My triggers (for the PVC's and palps) are heavy meals, sitting too long. sitting hunched over, leaning over, sleeping on my left side and resting. I realize these might not be "triggers" as much as they are times when they are most noticeable to me. After working out, running, hiking, etc, I have about 30 minutes of recovery where I feel nothing and then I will have a very long run of palps and PVC's. That's pretty much when I have something very cold to stop them. I just came back from hiking with my dogs and had to have some ice before I sat down and typed this. Since the correlation was kind of murky to me, I was even wondering if there was an anticipated relief that was part of of the actual relief I was feeling. I pretty much have the palpitations all day long but they will suddenly disappear on their own or I can get several hours respite after eating ices. My cardiologist says they may suddenly stop, get less, or I may even get used to it eventually. So far, they just make me feel irritable at times and wish they would just go away (as you all do, I know) :-D

Oh, I forgot to mention, I also had my B12 and intrinsic factor level tested because, as a vegetarian, I could have low B12 which could also cause palps but they were normal as well.

[DaniRae]

I am so buying ice cream lol!

You maybe onto something... I can't track down triggers for mine, they come and go as they please. Don't get me wrong, I get them everyday, but somedays more then others. I do seem to get more now that I have been diagnosed, but maybe I am just way more aware.

if you have found a solution to yours, that is wonderful! Thank you for sharing and welcome to the boards

[Debbie]

Hi DaniRae,

It's the craziest thing but it really works (for me). As soon as I feel spoonfuls of something very cold, it quiets down immediately. Cold drinks don't have the same effect but I think it's because they aren't cold enough. I'm hoping to read more tips and advice on here. You all seem like a wonderful group of intelligent and well spoken people who all share a common symptom and a common goal, which is relief. Thank you so much for the welcome.

Regards, Debbie

[jkfrench]

I believe that the vagus nerve plays a major role in starting/stopping PVCs. Hot oatmeal sometimes triggers an SVT attack. For me, ice cream gives me more PVCs. But I might try ice cubes next time I'm having hours of them. I also run 3 miles a few times a week and do kettlebell workouts. Those are the times I get relief from the PVCs too. Hormones and menopause play a major role for me too.

[Debbie]

Hi JK,

I'm so glad you brought up the menopause issue. I went through menopause 2 years ago and didn't really have any major symptoms. I had (and still do ) hot flashes and some sleep interruption but nothing that really bothers me. The nights I can't sleep, the palps and PVC's are out of control and those nights when I don't have any, the palps and PVC's are pretty much not there. I've read the menopause and palps/PVC's go hand-in-hand for many women and the cardio tech that put the holter on me said.."you'll see, it's a hormone issue" but the cardiologist went with "it's not always possible to find what triggers them. The important thing is that they are benign". Since most menopause issues resolve themselves within 5 years, I was hoping to hear if anyone had them and, post 5 years, waved goodbye as they left. :-D

[Katie]

I am hoping mine go away 5 years post menopause since mine can be related to hormones as well as other things. or at least diminish a bit, my worst days are when I'm ovulating. I think we just start getting used to them rather than them disappearing. Last night I was in bed with my kids and my heart went a bit crazy for a couple seconds and I just snuggling in between my two kids and thought I'd let it go and I actually did. I feel like I've come along way with realizing people are experiencing what I am and surviving. Often times when I've had a bad day, week, etc I come back on this board and read posts and feel better about being united with people who have crazy hearts like mine! I'll hope for you and me ( although I've got awhile to hit menopause- I hope!) that it is just hormones and not something we will have to live with for the rest of our (long) lives!

[dr461]

Debbie, I think a lot of us are going to buy into the ice cream diet, so as to avoid PVCs. Of course, this would be for therapeutic purposes only, and no appreciation of the ice cream as a dessert. So, sign me up!