Bripkatz
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Heart Palpitations Forum
Posts: 1
NYC
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Hey Jeff,
I just joined this forum today after being a visitor for months. This seems like an ideal post to begin my membership and add my voice.
I'm 42 and also struggling with rather regular pvcs. Back in May I caught a stomach virus that wiped me out. Unable to eat for weeks, I lost 35 lbs. On the tail end of my weight loss, my pvcs (beat, strong early beat, pause, stronger beat...) came regularly and sometimes furiously.
To answer your question: Yes, your weight loss may be contributing to all your new heart related sensations. There are several factors that may be causing this -- chiefly, electrolyte imbalance (especially loss of magnesium). Do not, however, seek to improve this imbalance with sports drinks. Instead, try a food based calcium, magnesium, and potassium supplement (from your local health food store).
Jeff, you are not alone. Stress and anxiety exacerbate the palpitations (and vice versa). It's a vicious circle -- one that I'm trying to escape. This forum is packed with heroic palp-fighters. I too have been told I'm "as fit as a fiddle" by general practitioners, cardiologists, and ER doctors -- all after a slew of exams (ekgs, echoes, stress test, blood tests, x-rays...); but at night, when I'm exhausted and vulnerable and trying to sleep, these pvcs tear into my psyche and send me into an emotional funk. At 2 a.m., while counting my skipped beats, I begin to doubt every doctor, every professional opinion, and my mortality. And yet, I'm still here; and so are you.
Try increasing your electrolytes (especially magnesium) and let us know if your palpitations abate.
I'm rooting for you. I'm rooting for everyone here.
All best, Brian
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