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What Causes Irregular Heart Beats?
Question: I am a 79 year old woman with an irregular heart beat. My heart beats three times than pauses, three times than pauses. I do not feel dizzy or short of breath but this weird heartbeat problem is getting me down. Because of the skipped beats my heart rate can go down into the mid 40's but it never gets higher than into the 60's. I have seen doctors because of this and have been given Carvedilol, to be taken twice a day but this doesn't help the irregular heart beat. It does seem to have brought my blood pressure down. When my blood pressure is up it can go into the 140/s over 90/s. Can you give my some insight into the irregular heart beat problem. Can it be kidney related? I have had frequent UTI's.
Brief Answer:
Carvedilol very adapted, no major need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
I do understand you really can be bothered. The good news however is that your blood pressure is ok and acceptable.
I do think you have for consulted a cardiologist. The manner in which your heart actually beats, is compatible with what is called premature ventricular complexes. I would XXXXXXX you with the fact that this is more of an annoyance than a medical risk, and treatment specifically for this is NOT really required. This is particularly true as you have an established enlarged heart.
A reevaluation by your cardiologist could be worth while at times. There are treatment options available to treat rhythm problems like Amiodarone, Beta Blockers and ablation of some nerve pathways in some severe cases.
I am afraid you really might require all these at point in time. Carvedilol is grossly sufficient in my opinion, and very adapted to treat the congestive heart failure and mild hypertension you experience.
Feel good and not worry so much, follow up the normal life style modification advice from your doctor (low salt diet, vegetables, fruits, low fat intake, some exercise, etc). A reevaluation by your Cardiologist could be required, with an Electrocardiogramme to check the heart rhythm. For now, I do not think you need to bother much. Feel good and kind regards
Dr Bain
Carvedilol very adapted, no major need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
I do understand you really can be bothered. The good news however is that your blood pressure is ok and acceptable.
I do think you have for consulted a cardiologist. The manner in which your heart actually beats, is compatible with what is called premature ventricular complexes. I would XXXXXXX you with the fact that this is more of an annoyance than a medical risk, and treatment specifically for this is NOT really required. This is particularly true as you have an established enlarged heart.
A reevaluation by your cardiologist could be worth while at times. There are treatment options available to treat rhythm problems like Amiodarone, Beta Blockers and ablation of some nerve pathways in some severe cases.
I am afraid you really might require all these at point in time. Carvedilol is grossly sufficient in my opinion, and very adapted to treat the congestive heart failure and mild hypertension you experience.
Feel good and not worry so much, follow up the normal life style modification advice from your doctor (low salt diet, vegetables, fruits, low fat intake, some exercise, etc). A reevaluation by your Cardiologist could be required, with an Electrocardiogramme to check the heart rhythm. For now, I do not think you need to bother much. Feel good and kind regards
Dr Bain
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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