tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54247286519895563792024-03-05T07:42:35.181-08:00A Dance in my Heart: Living with PVCsAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-44698541709593172502013-02-15T17:02:00.000-08:002013-02-15T19:21:10.143-08:00Turning 33<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For some reason, turning 33 really made me think about the duration of human life. It seems like just the other day I was turning 32. My children's birthdays seem to fly from one to the other. My husband and I are going on a cruise next month to celebrate our 10 year anniversary (on Carnival, nonetheless). It really does feel like the other day, and yet thinking of all the things that have happened in that decade makes me realize a lot of time has gone by. I have noticed it on my physical body as well. Even though I have probably never been more fit and healthy, I see the age spots on my face. I see the stomach that has carried two girls and will never look the way it did. I have acknowledged the fact that I will never go back to the day when I didn't know what a heart palpitation was. Sometimes when I see my young girls, I covet their youthful experience. When the best part of the day is eating a chocolate cupcake on your mom's birthday and the worst part of the day is when your tiny tinker bell snow globe breaks. That age of innocence is a brief breath of the human existence. We do grow indeed in stature, in wisdom, in heartache, in grief, and in joy. And at 33, I believe I'm sort of in the middle of it. You know you have to be somewhat old when your cake has only one candle on it. So there's no escaping time. As much as I want to freeze it and not let my girls get any bigger, I know it can't be so. The only thing we can do is embrace every moment and live in the present.<br />
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And in light of my birthday, I decided to change my blog design, add labels to ease search, and update my picture (the old pict of me was when I was 23). Hope you like the changes I made. Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-34009554978871502362013-02-07T18:34:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:37:36.434-08:00My bi-annual appointment Bi-annual: I've always been confused by this term. Meaning "happening twice every year" or "occurring every other year"? According to ye old internet, both are acceptable definitions. I try to go to my cardiologist every other year. Since my condition is benign, I probably don't have to go at all, but I always love the reassurance. And recently, the palpitations had been getting me down a bit and I've had a couple weird sleep disturbances (adrenaline rushes and breath holding incidences). So it was time to go back to the Doc's for a bi-annual check-up.<br />
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I love my cardiologist, do you? It took me many years and many different doctors before someone took the time to listen to me and reassure me with appropriate language. One of my first cardiologist was the type to quickly listen to my symptoms, give me a work-up (EKG, echocardiogram, holter monitor) and then deduce that I just needed to get a grip on my anxiety. "But Doctor," I would cry, "my anxiety is my heart palpitations." The second doctor I saw was a very nice guy. He was a bit of a grandfather figure whereby on the way out the door he would give me a hug and say something like, "I see people with serious heart problems every day. You should count yourself as one of the lucky ones." I know he meant well, but it made me feel small and silly. Finally, I found a wonderful cardiac electrophysiologist. He immediately took my condition serious because of some family history. At every visit, he will listen to my concerns, give me an EKG, look at my QT interval, discuss natural and medicinal approaches, and encourage me to keep working on not letting them get me down. He has great bedside manner--speaking with confidence and compassion. For example, I told him that I recently have had this morbid fear that I'm going to die in my sleep. We went over a previous sleep study I had done over 10 years a go, and then reassured me that he is absolutely certain that whatever is going on with me during my sleep is not a cardiac event. He said, "I can promise you that you are NOT going to die in your sleep." And then we laughed that well maybe it was something might happen when I'm in my 80s or 90s but not right now. And then of course, at that age, isn't that how everybody wants to go out?<br />
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Since that visit a week a go today, no more morbid thoughts. I've been sleeping better and feeling much more rested. And if I still continue to be bothered by sleep disturbances, he recommended two wonderful sleep specialists in my town. We'll see how it goes.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-31519121221055666722013-01-08T14:45:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:38:44.763-08:002013...in with a bang?2012 was a pretty good year for me, in regards to how I dealt with stress, anxiety, and an occasional heart palpitation. 2013 came in with a bang, literally. My heart has been banging all over the place the last couple of weeks. I blame it on holiday stress, a change of routine and schedule, too many sugary treats, lack of exercise, and a lack of sunshine. And even though I have tried to heed all of my own healing advice the last week or so, nothing has changed. I'm still suffering with an abundance of pvc's and chronic tension headaches. I'd like to think of my body and my heart as somehow taking a beating at the end of last year (by overextending myself, traveling too much, and not giving myself enough rest and relaxation) and now I'm bruised. The harmful forces may be over, but the aftermath is not. I have to keep reminding myself that. My heart palpitations are not going to go away over night despite all the therapeutic things I can do for myself right now. I just have to keep plugging away at eating right, getting sleep, keeping my stress levels down (even if heart anxiety is the only thing that is plaguing me right now), breathing with awareness, etc. and have HOPE that things are going to get better soon. <i>This too shall pass. This too shall pass. </i>My physical and emotional body needs to heal first, and then my heart will find a more peaceful rhythm. <br />
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But man, this recent bout of ectopic beats has reminded me how much pvc's suck (for lack of a better word). They can be annoying as hell when you lay down to go to sleep in the evening. They can ruin a sweet moment with your child when you have an episode while reading to her. They can still scare the beejeezus out of me when I get all warm and nauseated after a particularly forceful one. They can come out of the blue. They can come when you are feeling blue. They can come whenever they damn well please. Go away, now, you pesky palpitations. I have been humbled.<br />
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How has your 2013 gone thus far? Any new years resolutions to take better care of yourself?<br />
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I hope and pray you have a happy healthy heart this year!Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-5258847204382239172012-07-18T16:06:00.002-07:002013-02-15T18:39:11.551-08:00Mardy FishI often like to highlight athletes, celebrities, and other famous people on my blog who suffer from heart palpitations. Mainly I like to do it to show that we're not alone. And that even the rich and famous get these pesky misbeats. And even the healthy and extremely fit, get the dance, too. Most recently I saw that Mardy Fish, a highly ranked American tennis player was extremely bothered by heart palpitations and even got a cardiac catheter ablation procedure to correct the faulty wiring in his heart. USA Today Sports covered his story online - <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-06-19/mardy-fish-returns-from-heart-ailment/55695824/1">Mardy Fish on Mend, Ready to Take on Wimbledon</a>. Basically, Fish like so many of us sufferers, thought his heart might stop and rendered him unable to sleep
alone for weeks. Even after the ablation, Fish "hasn't completely shaken the anxiety it caused." Oh, so true. That anxiety that accompanies heart palpitations is so hard to shake. With time, however, you can learn to accept that heart palpitations in and of themselves aren't dangerous. It took a long time to reprogram my brain to not freak out every time I got a pvc. Most of the time now I do a pretty good job of calming myself down and not working myself up about them. So Fish, you may not have won Wimbledon, but you certainly can win over the fear of your heart arrhythmia. <br />
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Post script: I thought it was very interesting that in the article it links to another one written about Fish recovering from a "Scary Heart Ailment." It's precisely language similar to that which gets people so freaked out about heart palpitations. I always wish they would give some reassurance to people that might suffer from something similar.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-57186255652354313422012-05-13T10:26:00.000-07:002013-02-15T19:06:46.401-08:00My Mother's DayYears a go, when I was in the worst state of my panic regarding my heart palpitations, I feared even taking a walk down the street. Since then, I've come far. I've tried P90X, dance aerobics, swimming, biking, and jogging. All of them have been good for me, but I haven't really loved it. Until recently, when my friend Laura got me to try Hot Yoga. I've done a gentle restorative yoga for years, but it has always been in a comfortable air-conditioned setting. I resisted and resisted her invitations to try <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_yoga">Bikram</a> yoga. I mean if I really want to work out in 90-100 degrees, all I need to do is step outdoors. Plus, I've always had this secret fear that the extra heat and humidity would put me in some risk for a cardiac event. But despite having lost all the weight I needed to lose postpartum, my tummy is looking a bit stretched out and sad. So I finally decided to try a Hot yoga class in hopes of helping firm and tuck those areas that need it. With trepidation, I tried my first Earth class. 90 degree heat, 60 minutes later, and half a cup sweat and tears, I made it through my first class. The result? It was positively reinvigorating. Since then I've gone back several times. When I thought about what I wanted my mother's day to look like, I told my husband that I was going to skip church and try another yoga class. Seriously it was the best present I could have gotten. An hour of me time doing the thing that makes me feel great. I love my girls, but ironically, on mother's day of all days, I love when I'm away from them. To make it even sweeter, I came home to an empty house, took a shower without hearing any cries or whines, checked my mailbox and discovered the newest "O" magazine. Hey, I've been lonely without my Oprah on network t.v. Here's to "O", Hot yoga, a glass of wine, and no kids! Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy readers. <br />
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p.s. My husband just got home and surprised me with a Dyson vacuum cleaner!! Should I be offended? Nah, it's a Dyson! Awesome!Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-28093101678164033192012-03-28T10:06:00.005-07:002013-02-15T19:04:29.160-08:00To God be the Glory<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jd27lEYh-w29ZUrDyqKfJ3C8ogdXK3uAKEeGmBcZMnBkxAKZ-M797roeKr4odqoYeO0ibrIVYiW5vjTdKFaqHhfDID2bAU9qu5U0K5GClwzuyNwVbZjgCVZSr3jDDehT_0ctVP9Cgkvc/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725018046990540578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jd27lEYh-w29ZUrDyqKfJ3C8ogdXK3uAKEeGmBcZMnBkxAKZ-M797roeKr4odqoYeO0ibrIVYiW5vjTdKFaqHhfDID2bAU9qu5U0K5GClwzuyNwVbZjgCVZSr3jDDehT_0ctVP9Cgkvc/s400/IMG_2009.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
I'm normally not a fan of any blog posting that gushes about how wonderful their husband is, how amazing their children are, or how awesome their life is. To me, it always seems a bit like bragging when it's on the ye old internet. But today I'm going to go a bit crazy and do a little public praising. Not to the mere mortals in my life, but to the God above, below and around.<br />
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Thank you God for providing me with a life partner that has supported me in health and in sickness. Nine years a go we took a vow and have fervently tried to uphold it.<br />
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Thank you God for each and every day that I am able to get up and take care of my children. The peace of mind and remission from palpitations has been a gift that I do not take for granted.<br />
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Thank you God for little baby laughs and toddler kisses. My youngest daughter is 4 months old now and has brought immeasurable joy to my life. Her easy going spirit is so refreshing. My toddler is feisty but I love that she won't be a pushover in life. She carries her emotions on her sleeves.<br />
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Thank you God for a family that lives near to me. Thank you for their guidance, support, and love. And thank you that they are always so willing to watch my children.<br />
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Thank you God for surrounding me with loving friends. Friends who have stuck by me, laughed with me, and cared for me.<br />
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Thank you God for the rain you are sending as I type this post. After a year of drought, it is so refreshing to hear the pitter patter of water falling and the wildflowers that have bloomed as a result.<br />
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Thank you God for sending your Son, Jesus the Christ, with whom we'd be nothing but dust without.<br />
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To God be the glory, great things He has done; so loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the life gate that all may go in.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-6477900281864036672012-03-08T07:29:00.003-08:002013-02-15T18:41:17.158-08:00Most Frequent Causes of Palpitations1. Exercise<br />
2. Stress<br />
3. Anxiety or fear<br />
4. Smoking<br />
5. Alcohol<br />
6. Too much coffee, tea or carbonated drinks<br />
7. Diet pills<br />
8. Nose decongestants<br />
9. Inhalers for asthma<br />
10. Anti-depressive medication<br />
11. Certain illnesses such as anemia<br />
12. Certain heart diseases (arrhythmia)<br />
13. Thyroid problems<br />
14. Menstruation<br />
15. Lack of B vitamins<br />
16. Low levels of blood sugar<br />
17. Diabetes out of control<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">What cause is bothering you right now???</span><br />
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site: <a href="http://thediabetesclub.com/17-causes-of-heart-palpitations/">The Diabetes Club</a>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-16627605732233734302012-03-07T09:22:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:41:34.400-08:00The Hormone ConnectionI've always believed that hormones play a role in the level of heart palpitations I experience. Whether it be an increased level of stress, menstrual or pregnancy hormones, the pacemaker in my heart has often responded with more paused, heavy beats. And although I've known for several years now that I'm predisposed towards Type II diabetes (because my father is diabetic and I was gestational diabetic with both my girls), I hadn't fully realized the hormone connection between insulin and my heart palpitations until recently. In my previous post, I mentioned that I was in a sugar detox/weight loss program. 2 months later and 10 pounds lighter, I'm still going strong. I have greatly reduced the number of processed sugars and carbohydrates in my diet. After reading what I believe is must-read for everybody, "Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It" by Gary Taubes, I was even more convicted in the belief that an abundance of carbohydrates in our Western diet has had detrimental consequences to our health and well being. I can honestly say that despite having a 3 month old and a 3 year old, I have never felt more energized and healthy. Better yet, I haven't had a bout of palpitations since I started the detox. Do I claim that this is the cure for heart palpitations? Certainly not. As I mentioned before, I believe that many different hormones play a role in our experience of the dance. I also believe that for whatever reason, we will have periods in our life, where we are not bothered by them as much. Luck, blessing, or discovery, I'll take the respite anyway I can get it. And you might think that sugar doesn't effect you and/or you might not be overweight, but it might be worth it to look into reducing your total carbohydrates in your diet. Ask your doctor of course.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-17621614430785322142012-01-06T05:21:00.001-08:002013-02-15T18:41:59.675-08:00Sugar DetoxOkay so I have an additional 6 pounds to lose to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. In addition, I would like to lose an additional 7 pounds to put me at my ideal weight. So I'd like to lose 13 pounds in all. Coupled with the fact that after delivery and gestational diabetes, Christmas came around and I ate way too much sugar (my mil made 8 different batches of cookies), I've decided to try a sugar detox program. I've always known that I was sensitive to sugar but it really hit home this Halloween. While my friends and I were enjoying a pedicure, a bowl of candy corn was brought out. As I dove in for handfuls, some of my friends started making comments about how gross candy corn is. One of my friends said she could only eat one because they are so sickeningly sweet. The others nodded. I told them I could probably eat the entire bowl. That's when I started thinking about it. Chocolate, Peeps, sweethearts, ice cream, birthday cake, pie, jelly beans, etc. If it's got sugar in it, I'd eat it. So after Christmas, I decided it was time to try to detox from refined sugar and simple carbs. I started reading, "The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program" by Kathleen DesMaisons after it got rave reviews on Amazon. I officially went off overt sugar and all white foods December 27. I'm curious to see how detoxing from sugar will effect my body and mood. I've lost weight already and can tell my stomach looks flatter. I've had a bit more energy, which is a real plus since I'm having to take care of two little girls now. No headaches, and no major bouts of palpitations. Just a little depressed every evening after dinner since I miss having dessert. I hope to go 3 months strong without eating any sugar. After that, I have to watch my sugar addiction for another 6 months before I might be able to eat a cookie without wanting another dozen. My overall goal is not to go off sugar forever, but just to be able to get to a place where I can eat a handful of M&Ms without feeling like I need more. Wish me luck.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-53910147785894776512012-01-06T04:48:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:42:16.208-08:00A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Delivery RoomMy beautiful and healthy (praise God) daughter was born November 17, 2011. We are all doing extremely well. A bit sleep deprived, but adjusting well to a family of four. My older daughter is in love with her new baby sister and has been a great helper. Labor was a bit more difficult than with my first as I labored a lot longer without an epidural. After experiencing intense contractions 3-5 minutes apart for over 8 hours, it was time the anesthesiologist came in. As he started prepping me, he started asking me the standard questions, such as have I ever had heart disease, etc. Seldom do doctors ask about heart arrhythmia per say so I went ahead and started filling him in. While groaning through contractions, I spoke of PVCs, and of bigeminy, of my cousin and possible Long QT in our family. I mumbled stuff about tachycardia and fibrillation. That's when the anesthesiologist looked up from his paper he was taking notes on and asked "Are you a nurse?" I asked why he thought I was one and he told me that the terms I was throwing out made it seem like I had a medical background. Ha! Nope, I've just experienced these little buggers for so long, and I have wanted to educated myself about my heart. I actually took it as a great compliment. You always hear that you have to be your biggest health advocate and the fact that I was able to convey my medical history (even in great pain) made me proud. The epidural took and less than 2 hours later and a few pushes, my daughter was out. Recovery has been relatively easy, and post partum I haven't experienced too many premature ventricular contractions - medical jargon for "the dance". I bet the anesthesiologist would have even gotten a greater kick out of it if he had known I blog about the subject.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-52993386587080900002011-09-20T19:33:00.000-07:002013-02-15T18:42:41.425-08:00“I still got my rhythm...I still got it.”<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76n0-9GVmvXmForMoDcGlhiXLv44QHMAdTrwEnLn9pDYQCxfyjQwJphphxE6NGyQ1BCNM_d7FCFGt0a5SHwfaq8mSTN78-Y-U7RlruynkXqPEweMkYV2AVfA7H8NSrctiPXIlprd-Gx8e/s1600/large_barry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654640172879210098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76n0-9GVmvXmForMoDcGlhiXLv44QHMAdTrwEnLn9pDYQCxfyjQwJphphxE6NGyQ1BCNM_d7FCFGt0a5SHwfaq8mSTN78-Y-U7RlruynkXqPEweMkYV2AVfA7H8NSrctiPXIlprd-Gx8e/s400/large_barry.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 312px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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My most recent comment (from the posting <a href="http://adanceinmyheart.blogspot.com/2011/09/good-bad-ugly.html">The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly</a>) came from a fellow palpitation sufferer who in addition to PVCs and PACs has experienced bouts of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_fibrillation">atrial fibrillation</a>. I have fortunately not experienced this condition, but it seems as Mr. Copacabana himself, Barry Manilow, has had his heart out of rhythm for over 15 years.<br />
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The following comes from FoxNews <br />
By Colleen Cappon & Melissa Browne Weir<br />
Published September 19, 2011<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">As a music icon, no one knows the value of being in rhythm more than the legendary Barry Manilow.<br /><br />For more than 15 years, however, Manilow has continued his success while one critically important detail was out of rhythm—his heart. That's because he is one of the more than 2.5 million Americans living with atrial fibrillation or AFib.<br /><br />AFib is a condition that causes your heart to race and beat out of rhythm. While some people with AFib may feel no symptoms, others may feel palpitations, shortness of breath, weakness and anxiety. <br /><br />People often aren’t aware of many of the serious consequences of this disease, including permanent heart damage, heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death. In fact, many patients currently living with the disease may not know if their AFib management plan is addressing these important risks.<br /><br />“The first time it happened to me, I was actually driving home. I could feel something strange happening; I wasn't jogging, I was singing, I wasn't jumping around at the Copacabana,” Manilow said.<br /><br />With no risk factors and not knowing what was happening to him, he called his doctor to run some tests.<br /><br />“I went to him, and he explained that this condition is called atrial fibrillation. He put me on a regimen of medicine and all, and for a while it calmed down. Then it started up again, and they had to go further for me,” Manilow said.<br /><br />Dr. Marcus Wharton, director of cardiac electrophysiology at the Medical University of South Carolina, said Manilow isn’t alone with this problem.<br /><br />“The majority of people who get it are over the age of 65, but it can hit younger people as well," Wharton said. "The number of people suffering from atrial fibrillation is expected double or triple over the next 10 years as the baby boomer generation ages.” <br /><br />Manilow is now the patient spokesperson for Get Back in Rhythm, a national atrial fibrillation education campaign to encourage people to learn about the importance of managing the disease.<br /><br />“I know these episodes are scary. It starts out very innocent, your heart skips a beat. And then it goes further and your heart starts going faster, beats faster and faster and faster, until you know there's something wrong," Manilow explained. "It's out of whack, it's out of rhythm."<br /><br />Wharton said approximately 25 percent of people are have no symptoms at all and are not even aware that they suffer from atrial fibrillation. <br /><br />"It can cause a change in exercise tolerance, fatigue, and so people think they are just getting old. It is important to see your cardiologist if you have any of these symptoms,” Wharton added.<br /><br />Manilow said he is speaking out about his disease because of his fans. <br /><br />“I worry about you guys who are not calling your doctors, who are going through this and who are afraid to go to the doctor or don't like doctors," he said. "You can't let this go, cause you're playing with fire, cause this could go to heart attacks and strokes. You've got to take care of this.”<br /><br />Manilow reassured his ‘Fanilows’ that he is in great shape and feels well.<br /><br />“I still got my rhythm… I still got it.”</span><br />
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To see if you are at risk for AFib, and to learn more about Barry Manilow’s story, log onto www.GetBackinRhythm.com.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-76614060236002012362011-09-01T15:02:00.000-07:002013-02-15T18:43:10.164-08:00The Good, the Bad, & the UglyHave you ever experienced heart palpitations when something exciting happens? Last night, my hubby won a major award at the Austin Chamber of Commerce Awards. He and his friend started a small company called PrimoDish and they beat out some serious competition to win the 2011 Austin Business Award for Technology in the Small Business category. I was so happy for him that my heart skipped for joy! That's the good kind of heart palpitations.
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Skip to 12 hours later. After waking up still tired and then having to present a speech at my church's Annual Women's Meeting, taking care of a grumpy toddler, receiving some discouraging news about a friend, and dealing with with a nasty tension headache, I laid down on my bed only to experience a series of skipped beats. I'm sure I was in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbering_aberrant_rhythms">bigeminy</a> for a minute or so before I switched positions and the palpitations diminished. Needless to say, those are the ugly kind of heart palpitations.
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<br />Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-85966356818927584442011-08-21T09:57:00.000-07:002013-02-15T18:43:23.695-08:00Pregnancy AnemiaSo I recently had my blood drawn at my 28 week appointment. I discovered 2 things. One, I failed my one hour glucose test, which means I have to go in tomorrow for the 3 hour test. I was gestational diabetic with my first daughter, and I'm expecting the same diagnosis later this week. I also discovered that I was anemic so I need to start taking iron supplements. One of the symptoms of anemia in addition to fatigue, shortness of breath, and headaches is...heart palpitations. Bingo. Maybe that's why I've been feeling so many of those nasty misbeats lately. And hopefully, now that I'm taking the iron pills, I'll see a reduction in the number of palpitations I get (especially before bedtime.)
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Fingers crossed.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-90371613532822288552011-08-17T14:20:00.000-07:002013-02-15T18:43:47.119-08:00Left or Right Side?I mentioned in my last post, that I tend to experience more palpitations when I lay on my left side before falling asleep. So, I usually find relief when I flip over and lay on my right side. I've heard conflicting thoughts about whether to lay on your left or right side. I'm of the mind, you do what works best for you.
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But since I'm curious, do you find a better side to relieve heart palpitations when you lay down? I'd love to hear from you.
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The right side vs. the left side???Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-47284781918566893952011-08-11T11:44:00.001-07:002013-02-15T18:44:13.061-08:00And the Beat Goes OnI'm so sorry to all my readers. I have been an absolute horrible blogger recently. I got pregnant and that caused a whole myriad of things to prevent me from blogging regularly (nausea, fatigue, keeping up with a toddler, appointments, etc).
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But I'm doing well, and I'm nearing the end of my second trimester. We found out that we are having another little girl (yay for sisters!) and she's due to arrive in mid November.
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How are my heart palpitations these days, you may ask? Oh, they are a pretty active right now! Some women say that pregnancy makes them better and others say that they make them worse. In fact, many women first experience the sensation of palpitations when they become pregnant. This causes many anxious and frightened mama-to-be's to report this symptom to their doctors. Usually, the doctor reassures the mama that these are normal and for many lucky women, they go away after pregnancy.
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Mine come almost every day. Some really scare the beejeezus out of me. But for the most part, I've come to accept their annoyances. They are especially bad as I lay down before I go to sleep. I've noticed that if I lay on my right side, they seem to diminish somewhat. And if they are really annoying, I'll sometimes prop myself up with several pillows and sleep upright. They are not too bad when I'm active, but no surprise there. Most of us PVCers are more aware of them when we are sedentary. That doesn't mean they don't occur when I'm up and about; I just don't feel them.
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I'm most nervous about the heart palpitations during the post-partum period. Lack of sleep and caring for a new baby and a toddler is a recipe for stress-induced palpitations. I've mentioned before on my blog that <a href="http://adanceinmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/03/happy-birthday-beth.html">my cousin Beth</a> past away within the year of giving birth to her 4th child. There has been much discussion over the cause of her death, but most of her doctors think that she may have had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_QT_syndrome">Long QT syndrome</a>, a condition that causes palpitations, fainting, and sudden death. Findings indicate that among women with LQTS who gave birth, the 9-month postpartum time is associated with a 2.7-fold increased risk of experiencing a cardiac event and a 4.1-fold increased risk of experiencing a life-threatening event when compared with the preconception time period. After this transient high-risk postpartum period, the risk of cardiac events reverts to the baseline pre-pregnancy risk. What does this all mean for me? I've been tested over and over and my doctors feel fairly certain that I do not have this genetic condition. So, I shouldn't worry about an increase risk of sudden-death during the post partum period. But when you have a family member die after giving birth, it does make you a bit anxious. Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-41305589289443546632011-04-12T17:07:00.000-07:002013-02-15T18:45:07.408-08:00Sleepwalking Through SpringI'm so sorry I haven't been posting as much. I literally have been a sleepwalking zombie the past couple months. Why, you ask? I found out in early March that my husband and I will be expecting our 2nd child in November. I'm about 9 weeks in and feeling every bit of it. Extreme fatigue, nausea, depression, lack of motivation, anxiety, mood swings, vomiting, heart palpitations galore, headaches...you name it, I probably got it. Since I'd rather not portray my weary self to the world, I've sort of been shutting myself away. I do hope to post more in the future. And all the prayers and well wishes would be greatly appreciated.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-67578569375461195952011-03-16T16:26:00.000-07:002013-02-15T18:38:06.538-08:00My annual appointmentto visit my cardiac electrophysiologist is scheduled for this coming April 1st. Yeah, April Fool's day. Not sure what I was thinking when I scheduled it for that day. Also, I haven't exactly gone in for my annual (making it my triennial?) the past couple years since becoming a mom. I'm hoping all will be well with my EKG. I'm currently trying to come up with a list of questions I'd like to ask my doctor. It's always a good idea to write down your questions that you'd like to discuss with your doctor; otherwise, you're likely to forget, and then you just blew your valuable co-pay. I promise to update after my appointment.<br />
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Update: All went well. My EKG looked great and my QT interval looked normal. They're always checking my QT interval due to <a href="http://adanceinmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/03/happy-birthday-beth.html">my cousin's sudden death</a>. I have to say I like my doctor a lot. He listens attentively and without judgment. He takes your concerns serious, but doesn't freak you out. He doesn't rush you out of the office, and he always makes sure I feel confident about everything before I leave. He is always so reassuring, that for weeks after an appointment I hardly give notice to the thumps and skips of my heart.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-23328681741567881762011-03-16T16:12:00.000-07:002013-02-15T18:44:52.580-08:00Fear of DangerI recently stumbled upon this Daniel Defoe quote from his masterpiece <span style="font-style: italic;">Robinson Crusoe</span>. <br />
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"Fear of Danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than Danger itself, when apparent to the Eyes; and we find the Burthen of Anxiety greater, by much, than the Evil which we are anxious about."<br />
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So fitting for a gal that suffers from Anticipatory Anxiety. The Burthen of thinking about the next palpitation episode is oftentimes worse than the actual episode.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-60327731167143984932011-02-22T14:57:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:45:35.719-08:00As Seen on The Doctors<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKfZlAj_6VXJxMT9TZZ7PD34XHFJcJ0GBcnO_q69MVpXJX_eR67cFFMxMJsL1wP_qiRI1velwZ8St4mkGK1ghDvS4-YImuLEo8t2JUCBr9sVp0e6Qs3C7vg1aWeU2C5j5AtDY8uc4OKBi/s1600/thedoctors.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576659453539192210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKfZlAj_6VXJxMT9TZZ7PD34XHFJcJ0GBcnO_q69MVpXJX_eR67cFFMxMJsL1wP_qiRI1velwZ8St4mkGK1ghDvS4-YImuLEo8t2JUCBr9sVp0e6Qs3C7vg1aWeU2C5j5AtDY8uc4OKBi/s400/thedoctors.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 194px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 259px;" /></a><br />
I was flipping through the channels this afternoon and (to my delight) caught a short segment about heart palpitations on the television show <span style="font-style: italic;">The Doctors</span> (aka America's Medical Dream Team). <br />
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They had a young woman on the show named Sarah who complained of heart palpitations along with feelings of her heart racing, being unable to catch her breath, and feeling faint without actually fainting. The young woman was visibly quite scared.<br />
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The Doctors mentioned that the woman had an underlying cause that was most likely attributing to her heart palpitations. Want to take a guess of the cause?<br />
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If you guessed Mitral Valve Prolapse, you're right! I've talked a little bit about <a href="http://adanceinmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/05/mvp-pvcs.html">MVP before on my blog</a>, but here's a crash course if you can't remember. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) occurs when the valve between your heart's left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber (left ventricle) doesn't close properly. When the left ventricle contracts, the valve's flaps bulge (prolapse) upward or back into the atrium. Mitral (MIE-truhl) valve prolapse sometimes leads to blood leaking backward into the left atrium, a condition called mitral valve regurgitation. <br />
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Dr. John Kennedy on <span style="font-style: italic;">The Doctors</span>, said that most likely the regurgitation was "tickling" or "irritating" Sarah's heart and thus the heart palpitations.<br />
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Sarah wore a 24 hour <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holter_monitor">holter monitor</a> and completed a 30 day <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Cardiac_event_monitor">event monitor</a> for prognosis. The results were that even when she was palpitating she overall had a normal sinus rhythm. Sarah was going to be okay. <br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">The Doctors</span> urged her to lower her stress levels whether it be "trying a yoga class" or "reading a book." <br />
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Disclaimer: When watching <span style="font-style: italic;">The Doctors</span>, if you are a woman, you may want to use caution when looking at Dr. Travis Stork (a former Bachelor on ABC's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Bachelor</span>). He has been known to make a woman's heart start palpitating.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiid6QM8QA4RBgkzYtmy_oGUG6aR27GMDsXi-z54m3gRUWXWmOD1czxhyZwYkDcbSFpwx7g7lkR0V4CHopt9s-KvzdqgVUaCBpX8QS_tgZCSGZs8yyWjC8MEJvGSlacnZB7pVKXWPuahK1g/s1600/travistork4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576660185494286722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiid6QM8QA4RBgkzYtmy_oGUG6aR27GMDsXi-z54m3gRUWXWmOD1czxhyZwYkDcbSFpwx7g7lkR0V4CHopt9s-KvzdqgVUaCBpX8QS_tgZCSGZs8yyWjC8MEJvGSlacnZB7pVKXWPuahK1g/s400/travistork4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 314px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 228px;" /></a>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-29981780353065613012011-02-22T11:35:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:45:53.394-08:00Wonders and Worries PosterSo if you know anyone that has a chronic illness or condition and has kids you may want to try this idea that my friend who suffers from epilepsy did. And even if you don't have kids, you may want to try this project to help vent your own frustrations about your chronic condition. <br />
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My friend had a really rough end of last year with hospital stays, grand mal seizures, and a new medication that made her drowsy and forgetful. She said she felt like she was in a very deep fog. She had to sleep A LOT more because if she didn't it would bring on more stress and thus more seizures. She came to a Christmas party and told me later she doesn't even remember going to it. Since she had a big seizure in December, the State of Texas requires her to wait at least 6 months before she can drive again. <br />
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My friend has a kindergartner. <br />
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She said through all of it, she mostly worried about her child and how he felt watching his mother suffer so much from epilepsy last year. She reached out in her community and discovered a local organization called <a href="http://www.wondersandworries.org/">Wonders and Worries</a>. The non-profit, free-of-charge organization counsels children in understanding the situation and handling the potential negative effects of a parent with a chronic or life-threatening illness. She said one of the ideas that the organization told her about was to create a poster that both her and her child could do together. The poster they would create was entitled "Why Epilepsy Sucks". They cut out images from magazines or drew pictures on their poster board that represented the negative effects of her disease. For example, they had a picture of a car (because she could no longer drive), a bed (because she spent so much time in it), a house (because they couldn't go out as much), a dad (because her son had to spend a lot more time with him), a doctor's office and a hospital (because she spent a lot of time there), a sad boy (because he worried about his mother), etc. <br />
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My heart arrhythmia condition and panic disorder has definitely caused me to worry about its effects on <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> child. I've wondered if I'll ever be incapacitated by it, will she inherit it, will I have to miss important events in her life because of it, will she worry about me. The list could go on and on. Right now, I'm a highly functioning person despite it, but I worry that some day I might not be. I've had anxiety episodes where I can't drive, go out, or sleep well at night. I've had arrhythmia episodes where I've had to remove myself from a place or situation to get my heart's rhythm back under control. Or I've had to sleep a lot to reduce stress and induce relaxation. So just knowing that there are places out there and things our family can do if my condition worsens gives me much peace. I will definitely try a "Wonders and Worries Poster" if ever need be with my daughter.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-73956718032549011652011-02-16T11:56:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:46:09.448-08:00No Strings Attached<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKgIN6vXOqLVvCXABJIPsxX7eDG0GAvjCatKXqgOgHu3YP2tZQ1rAMfxSaiG-GyleRxf404c0Vr_P570s3o0PZNdqODHTXYxEa0kIT6fpTp8G_hIEFRuWW-6SHSCdSXln7bzoLfKBcVTI/s1600/no-strings-attached-movie-poster.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574383181057294370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKgIN6vXOqLVvCXABJIPsxX7eDG0GAvjCatKXqgOgHu3YP2tZQ1rAMfxSaiG-GyleRxf404c0Vr_P570s3o0PZNdqODHTXYxEa0kIT6fpTp8G_hIEFRuWW-6SHSCdSXln7bzoLfKBcVTI/s400/no-strings-attached-movie-poster.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 270px;" /></a><br />
Hollywood tried to define PVCs for us in the new movie <span style="font-style: italic;">No Strings Attached</span> starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. Emma (Portman), a doctor in residency, gives Adam (Kutcher) a Valentine's Day card that reads: "You give me premature ventricular contractions". He looks at her puzzled by the medical jargon, and she decodes it for him immediately: "My heart skips a beat." Hardy har har. Funnier if you don't live with them. But I'll try to remember that one for next Valentine's. <br />
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And for the record, Tinseltown, PVCs may be perceived as skipped beats but as we have <a href="http://adanceinmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/05/little-clarification.html">learned</a>, they are actually just premature beats that occur before the regular heartbeat.<br />
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And also for the record, I did not actually see the movie, but I read about that line on a movie review. The film critic was trying to demonstrate how genuinely funny the movie is. <br />
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Yeah, sure.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-69087487131147892082011-02-16T11:18:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:46:35.399-08:00If you drink alcohol (even just a little)...you may want to check out this <a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/news/855622-two-alcoholic-drinks-a-day-pose-heart-risk">article</a> from the Metro in the UK. <br />
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By now most of us know the effects of heavy alcohol consumption on the heart, but this is the first time warnings have been attached to moderate drinking. <br />
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It's a bit tricky though when you think about consuming a glass of red wine, like I did on Valentine's Day. It's a pretty well known fact that red wine has some amazing components such as flavonoids and other antioxidants in reducing heart disease risk. And sometimes a glass of red wine may help us to relax and relieve stress. So in that way I'm at less of a risk for experiencing heart palpitations if stress is my usual culprit. My thought. If an occasional glass here or there doesn't bother you, then I think it's okay. But if even a sip gets your heart a dancin' I'd think you'd want to avoid drinking altogether. Of course, check with your doctor.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-34981833474003802222011-02-15T17:51:00.001-08:002013-02-15T18:47:02.760-08:0031-years-oldSunday was my birthday. I'm now 31 years old. Turning 30 was really difficult for me. <a href="http://adanceinmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/03/happy-birthday-beth.html">My cousin</a> died when she was 30, and I think it has always haunted me. I even played this twisted game in my head that somehow I would die when I was 30 of a heart arrhythmia just like her. I'm so thankful to God that I lived through 30 and He has given me yet another day to take care of my precious little girl. My heart still weeps that Beth did not.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-74523086219803590282011-02-15T17:32:00.001-08:002013-02-15T18:47:31.082-08:00ConfessionsAfter reading that <a href="http://adanceinmyheart.blogspot.com/2011/02/figure-skater-ashley-wagner.html">Ashley Wagner</a> likes to jog to relieve stress and thus prevent heart palpitations, I was convicted that I had yet to jog this year. Screw the New Year's Resolutions (or "Dreams" as I called them)--I didn't even make it a day! In all honesty, my family and I have been sick a lot this year (the stomach bug made its ugly round) and we've had some unusually cold weather (lows in the teens and a sprinkle of snow) here in Texas. All of this has made me want to stay in bed with the covers over my head. [As a side note, I once googled "sleeping under the covers" to make sure it wasn't dangerous because this is a preferred way I like to sleep. I didn't see anything to alert me.] But enough of the excuses. The weather has been mild and after stuffing myself with yet another truffle and cupcake, I decided enough is enough. I'm done with the sweets (for just a bit), and I'm ready to jog again. So after a play date, I was pleased to come home to my husband awaiting us in his workout clothes. He asked if we wanted to go on a jog. Yes! I put on my <a href="http://adanceinmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/05/jogging.html">heart rate monitor</a>, stretched, and was out of the door. We jogged and walked for a good half hour. It felt great! Afterward we sat down to a yummy dinner of pasta with edamame and sugar snap peas. I'm ready to start a routine of jogging and healthy eating. Can someone help me stay accountable????? Please!!!!!!Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424728651989556379.post-1474347232925308192011-02-10T17:51:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:48:10.774-08:00Figure Skater Ashley Wagner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ0Ijh3QCI65FDfRo_C59BOUkKUIb0WBjyGJjjAXwdSD3ibGSpn5-KsfoQVVPDFzhf_vheZy9jOiC4B6qBWtx_cTDdMULtLzEZhu-Q3ibPFri0z4Awn3nMe8Gf0khqqAr7LhcurhE28zm/s1600/ashley.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572258856852307426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ0Ijh3QCI65FDfRo_C59BOUkKUIb0WBjyGJjjAXwdSD3ibGSpn5-KsfoQVVPDFzhf_vheZy9jOiC4B6qBWtx_cTDdMULtLzEZhu-Q3ibPFri0z4Awn3nMe8Gf0khqqAr7LhcurhE28zm/s400/ashley.bmp" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br />
Anyone that knows me knows that I'm a huge ice-skating fan. I love the Winter Olympics every four years, and I usually try to watch the U.S. Nationals and World competition every year. In fact, when I saw that I was having a little girl at my 20 week ultrasound, I jumped for joy that I would have someone to watch ice-skating with (just like I always did with my mom). Last week, much to my delight, my 2 year-old daughter decided she wanted to watch the "princesses on ice" with me as the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship was televised. We were watching the beautiful 18year-old Ashley Wagner (she was the alternate for the women's team last year at the Olympics) perform when the announcers mentioned that she was back on the ice after being troubled with heart palpitations last year. I kept meaning to google it and finally got around to it today. Ashley developed heart palpitations while in Sofia, Bulgaria last Feb. for the Jr. World Championships. She recalls, "My heart felt like it was about to fall out of my chest. I was dizzy. I couldn't breathe." Her coach explains that they did an EKG at the rink because they couldn't figure out what was wrong. "It was scary at the time," her coach said. Wagner said the problem initially began developing a few weeks before her trip. "It started out very, very mild," she said. "I'd be at home before I left, and I'd be sitting down and I felt like my heart would just stop moving... Then it would kind of beat faster to catch up... Once I got to Bulgaria, I was probably exhausted from the trip also and it just set everything off."<br />
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Hello, Ashley. Welcome to the crazy heart dance (this one might not be as fun as the dance on ice). Ashley said team doctors told her in Bulgaria that the palpitations were the result of stress and dehydration. After being checked out by the doctors, she went on to place third at Jr. Worlds. Once she got home, she made sure that strucuturally everything was okay with her heart and that she wasn't in any real danger. Now, Ashely says, "I just have to stay hydrated, and I have to stay calm." Wagner has been working on alleviating stress by giving herself down time and taking weekend jogs. She's been making sure to drink plenty of water.<br />
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What struck me most about Ashley was that yes, heart palpitations can occur in very healthy and fit individuals. Also, they start for many in their late teen years and early 20's. Mine also started when I was 18 and in my first year at college. I'm always so amazed when I hear stories like this one. I'm not alone. And neither are you. So if your palpitations are benign and you have a structurally sound heart, let's do what Ashley does. Stay calm and drink lots of water! And hey, a jog couldn't hurt either.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04795222926888797775noreply@blogger.com0