Increased PVC's

[martie]

I have had the PVC problem for years and had much success with beta-blockers, but for some reason over the passed month I have been getting a large amount of pvc's every day, all day and all night. I take toprol xl, 100 mg. once a day. It seems totally ineffective. I'm not as afraid as I used to be of these things but I am very concerned about this increase which is affecting the quality of my life. My doctor, a general practitioner, refuses to change or increase my medication. I used to go to a cardiologist, for 15 years who always changed either the dosage or the medication whenever I had a problem. Then when the pvc's would decrease we would go back to the old dosage. He retired. The next cardiologist I went to does not believe in treating a benign condition with medication so he sent me to a phsycologist.Didn't help! I'm a 47 year old female with 4 children. Could this be perimenapausal in nature? I was told about 20 years ago that I had MVP but then 10 years ago had another echo-cardiagram and was told no mvp. Should I be going to a cardiologist since my regular doctor doesn't want to do anything? I still go to the psychologist who thinks I should get a second opinion (physical not mental).I tried to ask my doctor about perimenapause but he wasn't interested in discussing it. The pvc's increased when I was sick with some kind of stomach virus with severe pain in my right upper abdomin which my doctor thought was a gall bladder attack. I had an ultrasoun but nothing was wrong.My heart has been terrible ever since.The pain lasted for three days and then a general soreness for three days. It's all gone now.I know this is getting too long of a question, Thank you for your time. It means alot. Martie

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Martie,

I'm not sure why your FP doctor won't increase the Toprol.  100 mg is not a big dose.  Do you have a low blood pressure or heart rate at rest?  It is possible the PVCs are perimenopausal in nature and there is a blood test to see if you are nearing menopause. The good news is that many people report a decrease in their PVCs after menopause. Meanwhile you can rely on non-medical ways to reduce PVCs such as biofeedback and stress management as well as avoiding your PVC triggers (e.g. cafeine, chocolate, etc)

[martie]

To answer your question about heart rate and blood pressure. I'm not sure what my resting heart rate is for sure, probably about80 or so but my pressure is 110 over70. About the blood test, my doctor told me it is very unreliable.I think it is time for a second opinion possibly a female doctor.I'm glad to know the dose of toprol isn't considered a high dose. He told me it was. Thank you so much for your time.I forgot to mention I have been on the toprol for about four years with great success. I wonder if I'm too used to it.Is that possible?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

No, you don't really build up resistance to Toprol.  I agree that a second opinion is not a bad idea.