10 Ectopic Heartbeat Vagus Nerve Palpitations tips for you - my afib heart (2024)

Yes! there is an ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve palpitations connection and there may be relief for you and me. With so many issues the most important thing is to get MORE INFO!

What is ectopic heartbeats? In short, it is extra or skipped heartbeats, and I did a short post onECTOPIC HEARTBEATS, PVC AND PAC BEATSto try and explain it in my own words. It can also be explained as a heartbeat that is in the “wrong place”. That means, too early in the heart rhythm cycle.

For some of us who have had AFIB, but are now AFIB free and in sinus rhythm, this ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve palpitations “thing” can be a scary unknown monster! I am talking about myself and many other people. The doctor says you are in rhythm, you can feel your own pulse and it’s in rhythm, but then you get these HARD and skipped beats! What now!!

This post is for those people who know their hearts are in rhythm and the doctor confirmed that your heart is (structurally) OK.

Your ectopic heartbeat and health.

An ectopic heartbeat can also be described as a Premature atrial contraction (PAC) or a premature ventricular contraction (PVC)

Is treatment of ectopic heartbeats critical? Here’s the deal.

In most cases NO! and symptoms will resolve themselves in most cases according toHEALTHLINE.This will however not curb the anxiety that most of us experience when we get that awful ectopic attacks. So! they may not be harmful in most cases but seek medical advice in the following situations:

  1. If the condition persists for a long time.
  2. If you experience chest pain and pressure.
  3. Sustained rapid heart rate.
  4. Other symptoms with the ectopic heartbeats.

What is the vagus nerve?

It is the tenth cranial nerve and interacts with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs and digestive system. It is the longest nerve of the autonomic nervous system and was previously known as the pneumogastric nerve. One of the tasks of the vagus nerve is tomediate the lowering of the heart rate.

Therefore calming a sensitive vagus nerve will help you calm down: = slower your heart rate.

Vagus nerve irritation symptoms may includeexcessive acid, bloating, gas and other digestive problems. The vagus nerve supplies parasympathetic fibers to our heart and other organs. And the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for stimulation of the rest-and-digest or otherwise known as the “feed-and-breed” activities. It opposes and complements the sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for the fight-or-flight response activities.

I have a fewpins/pictures of the vagus nerve on Pinterest.

What about vagus nerve atrial fibrillation?

There is something like “Vagally-mediated” -AFIB, as mentioned in a-fib.com. As also mentioned in theinternational journal of cardiology, vagal nerve atrial fibrillation, does exist but it is an under-recognized entity and will not be discussed in this post. It is definitely something I will lock into in future posts.

What can YOU do about this ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve palpitations connection?

With all types of treatment, there is stuff you can add to your lifestyle and stuff you can take out off your life. Here are 10 tips to relieve or stop your ectopic heartbeats.

  1. Simple breathing exercise. A study showed that by slowing down patients breathing the ectopic heartbeats were reduced notably. In the study, patients were instructed to slow down their breaths from about 15 breaths per minutes to about 6 breaths per minute, by taking 5 seconds to breathe in, and 5 seconds to breathe out, and the number of ectopic heartbeats dropped significantly.Dr Sanjay Guptaexplains the exercise and the study in one of his York Cardiology videos.
  2. Reduce or stop alcohol intake.Alcohol is a stimulant and can contribute to the onset of AFIB but also ectopic heartbeats.With stimulants, you have to know how your body reacts to it. What works for me may not work for you. Too much alcohol will not only be bad for you but can put you in AFIB and increase your ectopic heartbeats.
  3. Burping.To take the pressure off your vagus nerve due to bloating of your stomach, you can burp/bring up gas. There are many over the counter products that will break up gas and prompt burping. This can bring immediate relief in most cases if your ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve connection is your main problem.Calming a sensitivevagus nerve will help to slow down your heart rate.
  4. Stress Less.If you have been checked out by your doctor and he says your heart is OK, then believe him! If you are stressed your heart goes faster, and you can “feel” your heart more, then you stress more. You see the cycle? One of the most common links between people who have ectopic heartbeats is the fact that they have health-related anxiety.Stress can be a trigger of ectopic heartbeats.
  5. Keep your bowels moving.Constipation can lead to bloating and that will influence the vagus nerve. Taking a magnesium supplement can help with better bowel movement. If you have regular bowel movements you decrease the chance that your vagus nerve gets irritated. Using some kind of safe detox will also help. Many people have had success with this Rooibos Tea Detox.
  6. Chew your food. You need your food broken down in your stomach, otherwise, it causes constipation and bloating. To assist with the breakdown of food you need enzymes. When you chew your food properly it releases those enzymes in the saliva that break down food. The other spinoff, of chewing your food properly, is that you eat longer and then you do not eat that much. Your brain gets the time to report that you are full.
  7. Change your posture.A study showed that patients had more vagal ectopic heartbeats when they were lying on their right side. People could also feel ectopic heartbeats when theywere lying on their backs and left side. So be prepared to “feel” those HARD and skipped beats when you lie down. I have experienced it and it was no joke. I jolted up sometimes and in most cases, it helped. But you have to go to sleep sometime? Convincing myself that everything would be OK was difficult. Praying and believing that I was alright and saved in any case was a big reassurance. Going to bed very tired also helps, because you then you do not think that much and just fall asleep.
  8. Get more Magnesium. About 50 to 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. The value of magnesium for the correct functioning of your heart is immense. There is proof that increased levels of magnesium will help curb your ectopic heartbeats. In a study done at Coração Universidade de São Paulo,“Symptom improvement was achieved in 93.3% of patients” who used the magnesium pidolate for 30 days. Dr. Sanjay Gupta also made a video about “Magnesium works for Ectopic heart beats” and this study. Your ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve palpitations my drop significantly if you get in more magnesium.
  9. Eliminate Caffeine. This is the only way to find out if caffeine has an influence on your ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve palpitations. Sorry to say but there’s caffeine in chocolate, and not just coffee. If you suffer a lot from ectopics it may be a good idea to do a small test on yourself. Count your ectopics when you consume caffeine in normal everyday life. Then cut out all caffeine for 30 days and monitor your ectopic heartbeats. Try drinking Rooibos tea for a month, and see if there is a difference. This simple test will help you immensely. A simple detox will also help.
  10. Do not overindulge.You must treat your stomach with respect! Due to the vagus nerve, there is a very strong connection between your stomach and your heart. An uncomfortable stomach can trigger ectopic heartbeats. An overfull stomach can trigger ectopic heartbeats. Stomach issues like indigestion, GERD or ulcer causes irritation that travels to the heart. This tip also relates to keeping your bowels moving, and not irritating you stomach with indigestion.

Other names for Ectopic heartbeats, that will help you find relief:

Abnormal heartbeat, PVB(premature ventricular beat), Premature beats,PVC (premature ventricular complex/contraction),Extrasystole, Premature supraventricular contractions, PAC, Premature atrial contraction.

That’s not all……..

Do not irritate your vagus nerve, a hiatal hernia can be a culprit, as well as excess alcohol, spicy foods, stress, fatigue, and anxiety.

Passing gas will relieve bloating in most cases, but doing it where and when is the problem? not in a lift.

I do not know enough about the Valsalva maneuver and could not say if it is useful with ectopic heartbeats. Consult your doctor before you do something like this and any feedback is welcome.

Consult your doctor about other vagal maneuvers like gagging, immersing your face in ice-cold water and coughing, before you attempt them and to get the correct instructions.

Exercise can, and in most cases will help, for people who are inactive.

Ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve palpitations may not get much attention from doctors.

The reason being is that in most cases it is benign. But the fear and anxiety is awful.

USE MY THOUGHTARREST TECHNIQUE.

This technique that has been there for thousands of years must be used more often. It is not my creation and there are other terms for the technique. It may not have anything to do with your heart, but because ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve palpitations are benign in most cases, this technique is perfectly suited to help you.

Have a look at it Here!

Make a donation if you want to support this website.

I am not a Doctor or health professional and am only speaking out of my own experience and research. Please ask your own doctor, caregiver or health professional, if you want to take any new supplement or experiment with the vagus/vagal maneuver. But do ask as many questions as you can.

10 Ectopic Heartbeat Vagus Nerve Palpitations tips for you - my afib heart (2024)

FAQs

What is ectopic heartbeat vagus nerve palpitations? ›

Ectopic heartbeats are extra heartbeats that occur just before a regular beat. Ectopic beats are normal and usually not a cause for concern, though they can make people feel anxious. Ectopic beats are common. People may feel like their heart is skipping a beat or is producing an extra beat.

What is the fastest way to stop ectopic beats? ›

Simple lifestyle measures such as reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, smoking cessation, improved sleeping habits and stress reduction will be sufficient to considerably improve or eliminate symptoms. Medications may also be used to suppress the ectopics and improve symptoms.

What does a vagus nerve palpitation feel like? ›

Vagus nerve induced palpitation is felt as a thud, a hollow fluttery sensation, or a skipped beat, depending on at what point during the heart's normal rhythm the vagus nerve fires.

Can ectopic beats damage your heart? ›

Although the symptoms of the heart missing a beat or a thumping in your chest can be unpleasant or cause anxiety, they do not indicate any problems with the heart, and the extra beats will not normally cause any damage to your heart.

How many ectopic beats is too many? ›

Previous studies suggest that up to 100 ventricular ectopic beats in a 24-hour period (24-hour Holter monitor) are within normal limits.

Can the vagus nerve cause atrial fibrillation? ›

The vagus nerve wanders from the brainstem throughout the chest and abdomen innervating the heart, lungs and intestines. It is part of the autonomic nervous system and its cardiac action is to slow the heart. For some patients increased vagal activity is associated with the initiation of atrial fibrillation.

How do I calm my vagus nerve? ›

Here's how.
  1. Breathe deep. Breathing exercises are often recommended when it comes to stress and anxiety, and here's another great reason to give it a try. ...
  2. Sing it out. ...
  3. Massage. ...
  4. Cold water immersion. ...
  5. Exercise. ...
  6. Listen to ASMR. ...
  7. Connect with others. ...
  8. Laugh.
Jun 1, 2022

How do you calm irritated vagus nerve? ›

What are common treatments for vagus nerve disorders?
  1. Dietary changes.
  2. Medicines to ease nausea and abdominal pain, regulate blood sugar and improve stomach emptying.
  3. Feeding tubes to deliver nutrition to your bloodstream.
  4. Gastrostomy to create an opening in your stomach to relieve pressure.
Jan 11, 2022

Do ectopic heartbeats lead to atrial fibrillation? ›

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be initiated by ectopic beats from the cristal terminalis, ostium of the coronary sinus, interatrial septum, atrial free wall, and pulmonary veins (PVs).

What medication stops ectopic beats? ›

Beta blockers may stop the arrhythmia occurring but, more often, are useful for slowing down the heart rate during the arrhythmia without actually terminating it. Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem work in a similar way. Digoxin is also commonly prescribed for AF to help control the rate.

Why do I get so many ectopic beats? ›

Ectopic beats may be caused or made worse by smoking, alcohol use, caffeine, stimulant medicines, and some street drugs. Ectopic heartbeats are rare in children without heart disease that was present at birth (congenital). Most extra heartbeats in children are PACs. These are often benign.

What aggravates the vagus nerve? ›

Disruption of vagus nerve function can be caused by excessive stress, disease, certain medications, inflammation, and infections, among other things—and when disrupted, the body has an overall more difficult time relaxing and attending to its primary functions including sleeping, breathing, digestion, and movement of ...

What doctor treats the vagus nerve? ›

A neurologist is an expert in diagnosing and treating problems of your brain, spinal cord and nerves, including these 8 neurological symptoms and disorders. A neurologist treats disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

How should I lay with heart palpitations? ›

If your heart palpitations are keeping you up at night, Dr. Jessup recommends you experiment with different sleeping positions—especially if you lay on your left side. Laying on your back, sitting up, or sleeping on your right side might help the rhythm to right itself.

Is ectopic heartbeat a heart condition? ›

An ectopic heartbeat is a type of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). It happens when your heart contracts (beats) too soon. Your heart can also skip a beat or feel like it's racing or fluttering. Most of the time, an ectopic heartbeat is harmless and doesn't result from an underlying heart problem or health condition.

What is the difference between palpitations and ectopic beats? ›

Dr Lim explained that palpitations are a patient's description of an abnormal heartbeat, which may be skipped or extra heartbeats, or fast heartbeats. However, an ectopic beat is an extra heartbeat that arises from an abnormal site within the heart, which may or may not cause any symptoms of palpitations.

Is it normal to have ectopic beats every day? ›

These beats can be a normal occurrence and may occur at times of stress and anxiety. However, in some circ*mstances they can cluster together to form a more serious arrhythmia. A frequent occurrence can reflect an important heart condition. If you have a large number of them in a day – it can cause the heart to weaken.

Do ectopic beats make you tired? ›

Ventricular ectopics can be diagnosed by accident, if a person has an electrocardiogram (ECG) as part of a general check-up for instance. If symptoms are present, they can include dizziness, palpitations, tiredness, feeling your heart miss a beat, fainting (syncope) or almost fainting (pre-syncope).

Do beta blockers help with ectopic beats? ›

AB0699 Beta-Blockers Control Frequent Ventricular Ectopic Beats in Systemic Sclerosis: A Monocentric Study | Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

What is the best sleep position for AFib? ›

A left lateral recumbent position increases the dimensions of the left atrium and the right pulmonary veins and thereby increases local myocardial stress (Wieslander et al., 2019).

What is the best exercise for someone with AFib? ›

Once you've warmed up, try exercises such as power walking, jogging, or hiking to get a good workout without overloading your heart. Riding an exercise bike or using an elliptical machine or treadmill are also safe workouts for people with AFib. Lifting light weights can also be a good workout.

Is magnesium Good for atrial fibrillation? ›

When you don't have enough of it in your body, you may have an irregular heartbeat. Studies suggest magnesium supplements may also help lower blood pressure slightly. Other research has shown that getting magnesium through an IV may help control AFib for some people in the hospital.

What side of the neck is the vagus nerve on? ›

The Vagus Nerves

The vagus nerve is also noted as being the tenth cranial nerve (designated as CN X). The vagus nerve is actually a set of two nerves, a vagus nerve right side of the neck and a vagus nerve left side of the neck.

Where do you massage the vagus nerve? ›

Massage for Vagus Nerve Stimulation
  • Apply massage oil. Begin with two pumps of body oil into the hands. ...
  • Inhale deeply. Cup your hands to your nose and inhale deeply.
  • Massage your neck. Starting at your clavicle, gently massage in an upward motion along the left side of your neck. ...
  • Move to your ears. ...
  • Shift your gaze.

What problems can the vagus nerve cause? ›

Vagal nerve dysfunction can cause both slow and fast heart rates depending on the type of dysfunction. For example, overactivity can lead to bradycardia (or slow heart rate) while disease causing insufficient activity of the vagus nerve can lead to tachycardia (fast heart rate).

Is there a pressure point for the vagus nerve? ›

The point is ASSOCIATED with the vagus nerve. It is found two inches up from the wrist on the inside. This is a very commonly used point in the clinic. It has a strong effect on the parasympathetic nervous system.

What supplements are good for the vagus nerve? ›

Supplement zinc and serotonin (5-HTP)

Zinc is crucial to Vagus Nerve function, and many people are unknowingly deficient in this mineral. Serotonin activates the Vagus Nerve through several different receptors in the body.

How does vagus nerve affect bowel movements? ›

4. Vagus nerve stimulation: the vagus nerve is one of the cranial nerves. It is called the “wanderer” because it travels all the way from the brain down to the kidneys and to the uterus. One of its many functions is to stimulate the small contractions to move the stool through your digestive system.

Can ectopic beats cause stroke? ›

Conclusions: A high frequency of AEB is associated with an increased incidence of stroke.

Can you have multiple ectopic beats in a row? ›

Ectopic beats can come from cells in both the atria and the ventricles. They can happen in patterns – for example, one before every other normal heartbeat. And they can happen in sequence – for example, four ectopic beats in a row. Most people have ectopic beats at some time in their lives.

What is the first drug of choice for atrial fibrillation? ›

Amiodarone as a first-choice drug for restoring sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized, controlled study. Chest.

What is the latest treatment for atrial fibrillation? ›

Newly Approved Treatments

A new medicine called edoxaban has been cleared to prevent blood clots and stroke in patients with AFib. Edoxoban is also a NOAC (non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant).

Which beta blocker is best for atrial fibrillation? ›

Bisoprolol* or metoprolol succinate are first-choice beta-blockers for patients with atrial fibrillation as they are prescribed once-daily and do not require dose adjustment in patients with renal impairment. Bisoprolol is preferred as it is more cardioselective than metoprolol and may cause more bradycardia.

Can the vagus nerve cause ectopic beats? ›

Nevertheless, they point out that an increase in intraesophageal pressure activates both afferent and efferent branches of the vagus nerve, leading to a vasovagal response that could lead to atrial fibrillation by triggering atrial ectopic activity.

How do you know if you have vagus nerve damage? ›

You'll notice issues with your voice, problems with your throat, an increased heart rate, brain fog, excessively high or low blood pressure, and gut problems. Here are some specific conditions to look for: Vocal cord issues that cause a hoarse, wheeze voice or loss of voice entirely.

What effect does the vagus nerve have on the heart? ›

Specifically, the vagus nerve acts to lower the heart rate. The right vagus innervates the sinoatrial node. Parasympathetic hyperstimulation predisposes those affected to bradyarrhythmias. The left vagus when hyperstimulated predisposes the heart to atrioventricular (AV) blocks.

Can neck problems affect the vagus nerve? ›

While doctors usually discuss the vagus nerve in the singular sense, there are two vagus nerves, one on each side of the neck and in combination, they are referred to as the vagal nerves. This means that the degenerative damage in your neck can significantly impact the function of one or both vagus nerves.

Can vagus nerve cause ectopic beats? ›

Nevertheless, they point out that an increase in intraesophageal pressure activates both afferent and efferent branches of the vagus nerve, leading to a vasovagal response that could lead to atrial fibrillation by triggering atrial ectopic activity.

Are ectopic heartbeats and palpitations the same thing? ›

Dr Lim explained that palpitations are a patient's description of an abnormal heartbeat, which may be skipped or extra heartbeats, or fast heartbeats. However, an ectopic beat is an extra heartbeat that arises from an abnormal site within the heart, which may or may not cause any symptoms of palpitations.

Can vagus nerve cause irregular heartbeat? ›

Vagus nerve-mediated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is mainly found in patients with non-organic heart disease. At night, at rest, and after meals, especially after dinner drinking, the vagal activity is enhanced, and the heart rate slows and shows a sinus bradycardia heartbeat prior to episodes of atrial fibrillation.

What are the symptoms of vagus nerve damage? ›

Potential symptoms of damage to the vagus nerve include:
  • difficulty speaking.
  • loss or change of voice.
  • difficulty swallowing.
  • loss of the gag reflex.
  • low blood pressure.
  • slow or fast heart rate.
  • changes in the digestive process.
  • nausea or vomiting.

How do I calm my vagus nerve? ›

Your vagus nerve is connected to your vocal cords, the muscles at the back of your throat and passes through your inner ear. Try humming or singing or just listening to calm, soothing music.

What doctor treats the vagus nerve? ›

A neurologist is an expert in diagnosing and treating problems of your brain, spinal cord and nerves, including these 8 neurological symptoms and disorders. A neurologist treats disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

Does magnesium help ectopic beats? ›

Studies have shown that oral magnesium supplementation can help reduce the frequency of extra heart beats (premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and premature atrial contractions (PAC)) while also reducing the severity of their associated symptoms.

Why do I get so many ectopic beats? ›

Ectopic beats may be caused or made worse by smoking, alcohol use, caffeine, stimulant medicines, and some street drugs. Ectopic heartbeats are rare in children without heart disease that was present at birth (congenital). Most extra heartbeats in children are PACs. These are often benign.

What medication stops ectopic beats? ›

Beta blockers may stop the arrhythmia occurring but, more often, are useful for slowing down the heart rate during the arrhythmia without actually terminating it. Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem work in a similar way. Digoxin is also commonly prescribed for AF to help control the rate.

Should I worry about ectopic beats? ›

An ectopic heartbeat happens when your heart beats too soon. It can feel like your heart skipped a beat or it's racing. These heartbeat irregularities can be scary, but they usually aren't harmful. They often result from stress, caffeine, alcohol or certain cold medications.

Can the vagus nerve cause atrial fibrillation? ›

The vagus nerve wanders from the brainstem throughout the chest and abdomen innervating the heart, lungs and intestines. It is part of the autonomic nervous system and its cardiac action is to slow the heart. For some patients increased vagal activity is associated with the initiation of atrial fibrillation.

What aggravates the vagus nerve? ›

Disruption of vagus nerve function can be caused by excessive stress, disease, certain medications, inflammation, and infections, among other things—and when disrupted, the body has an overall more difficult time relaxing and attending to its primary functions including sleeping, breathing, digestion, and movement of ...

What side of the neck is the vagus nerve on? ›

The Vagus Nerves

The vagus nerve is also noted as being the tenth cranial nerve (designated as CN X). The vagus nerve is actually a set of two nerves, a vagus nerve right side of the neck and a vagus nerve left side of the neck.

What does the vagus nerve do to the heart? ›

Parasympathetic control of the heart via the vagus nerve is the primary mechanism that regulates beat-to-beat control of heart rate. Additionally, the vagus nerve exerts significant effects at the AV node, as well as effects on both atrial and ventricular myocardium.

How does vagus nerve affect bowel movements? ›

4. Vagus nerve stimulation: the vagus nerve is one of the cranial nerves. It is called the “wanderer” because it travels all the way from the brain down to the kidneys and to the uterus. One of its many functions is to stimulate the small contractions to move the stool through your digestive system.

What causes the vagus nerve to malfunction? ›

There are two main causes of vagus nerve dysfunction: previous infection or inflammation and physical or psychological stress.

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