Welcome Rachey,
First, you are not alone! Everyone here suffers from extra beats and we worry too. Some more than others, but we have something in common and can relate to what you are experiencing. I use to suffer from panic attacks and at the time I was scared too. They eventually went away after I exposed myself to think I was scared of.
I remember when I would get a panic attack I would avoid every place I thought was a trigger because I thought that caused my panic attacks. Back then I did become agorphobic because I was scared to have a panic attack in public for fear or embarrasing myself or others seeing me. After counseling, I decided I had to face the fear. So I went out in public, to the grocery store's and eventually I lost my fear of leaving my home... And after much self-talk that I would be OK, I started overcoming the attacks, which seemed to come out of nowhere, I know!
You can beat this panic!! It takes some time and a lot of hard work on your part, but it can be done and you will only be stronger having gone through this. A book I found very helpful when going through the panic attacks was a book called, "help for your nerves, by Claire Weeks." She is extraordinary when it comes to explaining what happens and why and yes it definitely has to do with the "fight or flight response." Our bodies are in a state of constant fight, always aware and hyperviligent to the world, our bodies, etc and so we are always on guard and on lookout for dangerous accounts. We must learn to re-train our thinking and take control of what is really real, and what isn't.
As for the ectopic beats, yes I have had runs, and many right after the other... Right now I am getting constant pvc's (extra ectopic beats) every 3 heart beats.. It stinks, but from what my Cardiologist says and what RLR (A physician on here says) they are normal and do not lead to catastrophe. The only catatstrophe they will lead to it what WE allow in our "minds." The more we obsess about their nature, the more frequent they will become because we are gearing up our fight or flight repsonse constantly to act accordingly to perceived danger when there is not any.
I too am going through such a hard time in accepting this fact right now. But it really does make sense. Even when we "think" we are not anxious outwardly, we are. If we are getting ectopic beats and think even for a minute, "0h no, this is it, I am going to die," or get frustrated as to why they keep appearing and feel helpless, then yes we are anxious. it's totally normal to be concerned, but if we have had all the tests (EKG, Echo, and stress test) and are told our hearts are structurally normal, then the pvc's really are benign and this is what I am having a hard time with as well.
I think well if my heart is normal then WHY do I keep getting them? And why so frequent.
Well, if I keep worrying and have chronic anxiety, I am only making them worse and it becomes a viscious cycle.
You will be ok! I know its hard when you feel so bad at times, but in reality (all other things aside) you will be OK! And you will get through this in time.
We are here for you if you ever need to talk.
Hang in there!!
Steff