How many pvc's are normal?

[finetilthree]

I have heard that EVERYONE has pvc's and pac's.  Is this true?  I have at least 10 every day.  Is it dangerous to have that many?  Do I have more risk of it turning into an arrhythmia that my heart won't get out of?  How can I tell if I am having a pvc or a pac?  My holter showed 13 pac's and 2 pvc's but I always feel the pause and then a hard thump.  Why do they happen more when I run up the stairs or bend over too quickly or am carrying a heavy load?
Worried sick.

[darius_doc_in_training]

I'm 2, premed & get PVCs--especially when anxious. Ironic, huh? College, exams, dating-- they all get to me. So...Had echo, ECG, all normal. Cardiologist said some ppl are just prone to "hyper arousal" & become "adenalized" quickly. (That's me). This causes the pacemaker nodes in the upper chamber to fire prematurely--what you feel as a palpatation is kind of a "catch up" beat. He also told me PVCs are usually benign (in the absence of heart problems) if they tend to GO AWAY with exercise. Mine always do. The thing that's more important are recovery PVCs post exercise. You shouldn't get a lot of them. But they're still usually meaningless--except scary for ppl. Chill.

[darius_doc_in_training]

My post says I'm "2"-- meant to say 20!

[Mom2four85]

Those of you with arrhythmia's should also join us in the Heart Rhythm forum http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Heart-Rhythm/show/92 and check out this Live Health Chat Dr. Peter Borek from Cleveland Clinic did Tuesday on  Arrhythmias: Different Types and Available Treatment Options  http://www.medhelp.org/health_chats/archive/64

[Carrie41]

Hi there.  That is what I experience.  I am 45 years old and have at least 10 a day.  I have been for every test imaginable and they have caught non-sustained v-tach on my montior and that is what scared the absolute *(&(*& out of me.  I have been totally obsessed with my heart.  They have caught PVC's and PAC's and nobody seems concerned about them.  I get between two and ten a day and freak out at every one of them.  I know exactly how you feel.

[ChicagoNick]

I hear that, they ignore mine too and I have MS and they drive me batty sometimes. Frightening.

[KJCCJohnson]

I actually just left the hospital a little bit ago for this issue. I used to have them on and off, but they have continually gotten worse to the point to where I cannot function normally on a daily basis. At the hospital, they said I am having 32pcvs per minute. Which is about 1900/hr 46000/per day. I have them all day long, even when I sleep, and at times it is so bad it wakes me up at night. I constantly feel like I cannot breathe, which is probably my anxiety kicking in with it. I cannot do any type of physical activity, as it makes it 100 times worse. I can just be laying on bes relaxing all day, and they will start and go for hours for no reason, and even thought I didnt do anything, by the time they stop, I feel so exhausted and weak. I get dizzy spells all of the time, blurred vision, then when I try to walk I am off balance. These along with my anxiety have completely taken my life over. I cannot have one good day, because they come all day long everyday now. The doctor at the ER said pcv and anxiety will play on one another, your pcv will trigger your anxiety, and your anxiety will trigger your pcv. It is just a never ending circle. I just bawled my eyes out on the way home, because I do not want to live like this anymore, I just want to be normal and be able to do everything I want to do.

[Mhi12]

Hello,  recently in a somewhat similar situation.  How have things been for you lately? Hope all is better.

[KJCCJohnson]

Still in same situation. Just learning to live with it. I wish there was some magic answer on how to get rid of them! It is a miserable thing to live with

[missouri505]

I have been having these for about 2 years now. Began to get bad when I was having gall bladder issues also. It was found that on average I have about 4000 extra beats per day. They drove me crazy. I am currently taking Flecainide 50 mg twice daily and that has almost completely eliminated them. Only side effect I have had is occasionaly dizzy spells which is normal. I also found out that artificial sweeteners like Sucrolose and aspartame are major triggers. I would drink a diet coke or crystal light and have them worse than ever. Too much sugar and alcohol cause them too I've noticed.

[Kkittylady]

Hello, I have had stress Anxiety all my life. I have had the skipped beats and fluttering feelings off and on since I can remember. Well I will be 50 next month and a few days ago I started having them which feels like at times constantly. I have Mitral valve prolapse and take Metetoporol and Cloniphin for anxiety for about 20 years now. I went to the ER a few nights ago and they said they were PVCs. Well I was in my Drs office the next morning. In the last 3 days I have had 2 normal EKGs but the heart monitor at the ER detected the PVCs. I was referred to cardiology and next week they are going to do an Echocardiogram and put a Monitor on me to wear for 30 days. All three-day that listened to my heart didn't detect it. I have them like right after they stop listening. This is driving me nuts. My Anxiety is so bad anyway and now it's worse.

[Kkittylady]

Hello, I have had stress Anxiety all my life. I have had the skipped beats and fluttering feelings off and on since I can remember. Well I will be 50 next month and a few days ago I started having them which feels like at times constantly. I have Mitral valve prolapse and take Metetoporol and Cloniphin for anxiety for about 20 years now. I went to the ER a few nights ago and they said they were PVCs. Well I was in my Drs office the next morning. In the last 3 days I have had 2 normal EKGs but the heart monitor at the ER detected the PVCs. I was referred to cardiology and next week they are going to do an Echocardiogram and put a Monitor on me to wear for 30 days. All three-day that listened to my heart didn't detect it. I have them like right after they stop listening. This is driving me nuts. My Anxiety is so bad anyway and now it's worse.

[Skiplou]

This is my first time to respond to a comment on the internet and am doing so because I might have interesting information to add. I will be 60 this year & have had PVC's since I was 19 or 20. Was diagnosed around 35. They can be terrifying at times still. I have an anxiety disorder however the PVC's don't always occur during times of high anxiety. Anxiety medication does help limit the no of PVC's & definitely helps with the fear. I prefer Clonipin. Regular alcohol intake including wine increases the frequency of them but often they occur for no particular reason. A wonderful cardiologist explained this to me: They are not actually extra beats but a normally ordered beat occurring too soon. like this: |  |  |  ||     | . Beat, Beat, Beat. Beat then a beat too soon. The heart resets itself & the following beat comes at the right time. When the early beat comes very close to the previous beat the valve is shut longer until the next normal beat & when it opens to release blood it causes a thud which we have all felt if we are aware of our PVC's. You literally feel your heart stopping & that is the frightening part because you don't know if its going to beat again. But it does. Often lightheadedness occurs & you feel like your going to faint but you don't. The closer the early beat comes to the previous beat the more it is felt and the more frightening it is. Mine arrive immediately while for some they are paced further apart therefore the valve isn't shut as long. I am convinced after nearly 40 years of living with them, they are as harmless as the doctors say. They just are nearly impossible to ignore.  Good luck & be blessed.

[Pmpaaron]

Thank for this comment. I am 35 and Have about 30 pvc;s a day. Im wearing an event monitor again because of my fear of these. Its great to know that Im not alone. My doctor just called and said they are harmless and spent a lot of time reassuring me. It ***** tho just feeling them and worrying.

[yukonprince]

Update:

Today is March 3, 2015.

I had to stop taking the CoQ10s after four weeks because they were interfering with the Warfarin I am taking * HOWEVER * my PVCs have NOT returned (after 1000s a day prior to taking CoQ10s).

I am so happy and keeping my fingers crossed! My family doctor is mystified. Seeing my cardiologist end of April for my annual check-up...

[pendy1974]

I went to the ER last week and was admitted to the hospital. I had been experiencing these thuds in my chest and they turned out to be pvc's. I am having roughly 10 per minute but none when i am sleeping or when my heart goes over 110 bp. I was have quit drinking coffee and changed my diet. My doctor did put me on low dose apirin and 25 mg of metoprolol per day until i have more tests done. I can honestly say that i do feel better since ive been eating healthier.  I am taking a multi vit. and i will start the CoQ10 supplements. I am glad that i am not the only one with this condition. Good luck to you all.

[pendy1974]

I went to the ER last week and was admitted to the hospital. I had been experiencing these thuds in my chest and they turned out to be pvc's. I am having roughly 10 per minute but none when i am sleeping or when my heart goes over 110 bp. I was have quit drinking coffee and changed my diet. My doctor did put me on low dose apirin and 25 mg of metoprolol per day until i have more tests done. I can honestly say that i do feel better since ive been eating healthier.  I am taking a multi vit. and i will start the CoQ10 supplements. I am glad that i am not the only one with this condition. Good luck to you all.

[yukonprince]

December 14

Still no PVCs!!!!

Hard to believe after 1000's a day ...

[achillea]

Congratulations!

[yukonprince]

December 04

I have had ZERO PVCs from thousands a day this week. Again, not sure if it is the 150 MgCoX10 capsule I take every day, the two bananas a day, the two one a day vitamins or drinking water every time I pee.

I feel fantastic!!!!

[yukonprince]

Six days later...

I have not felt any PVCs today (I may have had some unfelt ones :)  ). This is from thousands a day! Not sure if it is the CoX10, the two bananas a day, the two one a day vitamins or drinking water every time I pee.

Then again maybe it is psychological and all in my head but regardless it is working. My wife has always thought I was a bit strange and weird hee, hee, hee.

Life is good!

[yukonprince]

Four days later....

I am taking one 150mg Cox10 a day, eat a banana in the morning and at night, a silver formula one a day vitamin in the morning and night for calcium and potassium and drink water every time I pee.

My PVCs have gone down DRAMATICALLY with long periods of none at all. Will keep this up and report later :) ...

[yukonprince]

My PVCs have increased to 10 - 20 a minute in the last month or so. Previously I Had just a couple per minute. I see the Cardiologist every six months and he tells me not to worry. Have had lots of different tests - none pointing to any abnormalities. PVCs started about three years ago.

I have an artificial aortic heart valve (2006), walk an average of 15,000 steps a day, do 45 minutes of aquafit five days a week. I am 68 years old. I think I will try eating two bananas a day and the C0Q10 supplement.

It is hard to ignore them!!!!!!!!!

[DrWilliam]

Mine have been extremely helped by chamomile and taking measures to aid my adrenals.  I would suggest doing what I have done, and consult a good Chiropractor or Naturopath who works with Standard Process products.  Adrenal supplementation and nutritional support made all the difference for me.  As well getting off all Caffeine.

[JahBless129]

I feel you..I feel the same way too and it makes me stressed out every once in a while.

[LunaBelle333]

Hi there,

I have had palpitations for a few years but they have only become bothersome in the last few months. For the last three months I have been waiting for a letter to go and see a cardiologist and my life has fallen apart in these three months. I barely made it through my last term at college and haven't felt genuinely happy since January because I am so scared. It's nice to read of other people's experiences even though I wish none of us had these problems.

Both of my parents have palpitations and have checked out fine with their hearts. I have a history of anxiety disorder so my GP says that is what is causing these - I wasn't taken seriously at all which makes me feel very alone. I know I am very stressed at the moment but just having my heart checked would help so much but doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon - I keep getting bunked down the waiting list.

[Smileys06]

Amen to the spouse & family being or showing concern. I know what you mean.they do not understand how this changes you at all!!!
Linda

[Smileys06]

I agree I also do a lot of praying. I have two little grandsons I take care of daily. A little 17month old granddaughter in La. That I want very much to watch grow up. I also have a 17 year old granddaughter . I'm 53 also loving the new things I've been learning & seeing in my life right now. I home school the boys & I love it I have actually been learning things my self. It wasn't very exciting in school didn't really think things were interesting older it is very much so. I'm enjoying being here for them & seeing their little faces glow with excitement as they learn every day. I pray my heart will go back to normal rhythm & stays strong enough for me to be at their weddings. I want to live a long life. I pray I can shake this fear of dying.
Linda

[amelia1994]

I have been reading what everyone is writing. I THOUGHT that I was the only person in the entire world that was insane for being too concerned for the PVC's. NONE OF YOU ARE CRAZY, NOT ONE!!! The doctors are not lying to us and we are all very, very normal. The more I read the more I know that this is all about anxiety too. I so wish that I knew where each one of you lived and that we could all meet together and form a tight support group. Can I tell you what has been best for me? My pastor's counseling, my Bible reading (Psalm 91 especially!!) exercise, right eating, relaxation breathing, prayer, and a whole lot of talking it out (and probably not with your husband, but a good friend who has a strong ear and words of encouragement.) Please know that God is faithful and is willing to command his angels to guard you in all your ways. He has given you these children as a blessing and the last thing He will allow to happen is allow you to drop them. Go into your fears by saying out loud, "I can do this, please help me." I do not want to sound crazy or like a religious freak but I know that the enemy wants to disable you and take you down with worry. I experience too. What better way for the enemy to win than to disable a person with worry and anxiety. I have 6 children, all mine, bore by me. I have 1 husband and all belong to us. I have responsibilities that overwhelm me and sometimes my anxiety overtakes me and I fear that I may not have another breath. BUT ultimately I realize that God has his hand over my heart and knows me. I often ask Him to take the PVC'S away. I ask Him to hold my heart in His hands. All of this is not fun and I do not understand any of it. I am 44 yrs. old and too struggle with heart PVC's. I am scared, I have anxiety, bouts of panic, thoughts that I will not live.I wish I could meet with you all.

[specialpoppy]

I have been experiencing PVC's & PAT's for more than 42 years. At first, I pretty much ignored them, but as the years passed, they became more frequent and more disturbing. The PAT's are rare, but nevertheless just as frightening as the PVC's. The doctors have assured me, over the years, that they are harmless, innocuous, and certainly not life threatening as long as I do not have heart disease or any other heart related issues. They must be right, since I'm still here to write this comment. It reached the point, in recent years, where I developed a fear of traveling or engaging in any other activity where I'd be alone or away from close proximity for help, such as a hospital, or any location without an automatic electronic defibrillator.
I went to a therapist for Cognitive Therapy, where you slowly expose yourself to the frightening situations, and as you become more reassured you can do them, you progress further, until your fear is almost completely gone. The therapy is short, maybe a month or two, once or twice a week, but it works.
I am now experiencing 50 to 100 PVS's / day and am falling back into fear mode again. I've found taking 2.5 - 5 mg of Valium reduces my anxiety, and the PVC's are drastically reduced, which convinces me that there is an anxiety or stress component involved in inducing them.
I've also found that reading all these posts of others experiencing the same thing to be extremely helpful in reducing my anxiety about them and hence reduces their frequency.
I am 76 years old and hope my post helps others to cope with these annoying and frightening PVC's and PAT's.