What does my ECG recording of two beats suggest?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have an ECG recording of two beats simultaneously, three times in a minute, and wanted to see if someone can take a look at it. I took a Melatonin spray of 2 mg the night before for the first time. Melatonin made me sleep 10 hours and have a very vivid dream. Felt slightly weak or lazy. There were sudden double beats, lack of appetite, early satiety when I would eat. When I woke up, I had some of these double beats (a couple per minute) for a few hours, which was very concerning. I did blood work, and everything seemed relatively fine except creatinine in urine because I had whey protein that morning.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for the query. ECG (electrocardiogram) strip shows premature beats, but I doubt whether these are actual premature beats or just artifacts. A 12 leads ECG will be helpful to clarify it. Even if these are premature beats, these are not dangerous and will disappear on their own. Reduce caffeine or energy drinks if you have a lot of these. Please tell the following. What symptoms do you have? Do you feel extra beats? Do you have palpitations? Regards.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Melatonin itself does not produce any rhythm abnormality. However, it sometimes slows the heart rate, which can cause escape beats such as ventricular or junctional escape beats. Do not worry about premature beats. Increasing heart rate with exercise will prevent these premature beats. Being anxious and stressful can produce stress hormones which can create extra beats, so avoid taking stress. Kindly get 12 leads ECG to see any other abnormality, if present. If melatonin causes a slower heart rate, try tablet Benzodiazepine for sleep aid such as tablet Alprazolam 0.5 mg at night time. It has a mild sedative effect and anxiolytic effect and no direct impact on heart rate. Your other tests were regular, as you mentioned, so do not worry it will resolve soon. Anytime you feel palpitations such as extra beats, have a brisk walk, and different rhythms will disappear. Regards.