Triggers of Arrhythmia

Just to update, I found that by consistently taking a relatively short acting beta blocker at the first sign of a bothersome arrhythmia (>2 bothersome episodes within 15 minutes) I could prevent these from developing to a multi-day problem. As of right now, I have <2 per day, often just a barely noticeable episode after getting out of bed and, every so often, one more during the day when I’m tired and/or stressed, and then get startled by something. My theory is (which has some interesting experimental evidence to back it up) is that PVCs are “learned” by the cardiac nerves; that is, PVCs induce more PVCs in a positive feedback loop. I think that by interrupting the PVC episodes with a beta blocker, I tune down the volume on this system, and over time, with consistent treatment, my tendency to have PVCs has diminished. They are infrequent enough that I no longer track them with my One Button Tracker, but I keep the metoprolol at the front of my medicine cabinet and always take it with me when I travel.

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