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PVC's and related arrhythmias
I am a 49 year old male who since early child hood have had episodes of premature beats which are easily felt because I am thin. Past EKG's have usually shown normal sinus rhythms with occaisional pvcs.
Also on exercise I would have runs of rapid 120-140bpm (after) that sometimes went on for hours but kind of outgrew them. Some doctors hear a click or slight murmur. Recently have had more frequent bouts of premature beats that sometimes are accompanied by a spasm like sensation which can be felt with finger tips under the left breast. They only last afew seconds but also create a flush or rush sensation. I recently had a stress test, EKG, and a doppler echo. Stress test was normal and echo was also except for mild regurgitation of the tricuspid and slight of the mitral.
Through the years some doctors have said that I also have MVP but this has not been proven on the echo. I am currently wearing an event recorder and have had 30 events in two weeks which the doc says are benign. However, am scared about the shuddering sensations and incresing frequency of other symptoms. I don't smoke, drink, and have cut out all caffeine. I want to think that I am doing all that I can to ensure my kids have a dad to grow up with. However, the increasing frequency of the symptoms are robbing me of sleep and making me paranoid about travelling etc. They seem to come out of nowhere and last for varying lengths of time. Any suggetions would be most appreciated.
PS have never fainted with these symptoms but have felt faint occaisionally with them.
Also on exercise I would have runs of rapid 120-140bpm (after) that sometimes went on for hours but kind of outgrew them. Some doctors hear a click or slight murmur. Recently have had more frequent bouts of premature beats that sometimes are accompanied by a spasm like sensation which can be felt with finger tips under the left breast. They only last afew seconds but also create a flush or rush sensation. I recently had a stress test, EKG, and a doppler echo. Stress test was normal and echo was also except for mild regurgitation of the tricuspid and slight of the mitral.
Through the years some doctors have said that I also have MVP but this has not been proven on the echo. I am currently wearing an event recorder and have had 30 events in two weeks which the doc says are benign. However, am scared about the shuddering sensations and incresing frequency of other symptoms. I don't smoke, drink, and have cut out all caffeine. I want to think that I am doing all that I can to ensure my kids have a dad to grow up with. However, the increasing frequency of the symptoms are robbing me of sleep and making me paranoid about travelling etc. They seem to come out of nowhere and last for varying lengths of time. Any suggetions would be most appreciated.
PS have never fainted with these symptoms but have felt faint occaisionally with them.
Dear Bill,
It sounds as though you and your doctors are doing all the right things. PVC's in general are not life threatening in the presence of an essentially normal heart as appears to be your case. It does not sound like the MV leakage is of much clinical significance.
My suggestion would be to talk your increasing sympotms over with your physician. Perhaps a low dose of a medication such as a beta blocker would help to decrease the frequency of these PVC's and decrease your symptoms.
Unfortunately, we do not fullly understand PVC's and can only offer supportive care. Currently there are no cures for these extra beats.
YOu may wish to see other postings regarding PVC's and share your experience with these fellow PVC sufferers.
It sounds as though you and your doctors are doing all the right things. PVC's in general are not life threatening in the presence of an essentially normal heart as appears to be your case. It does not sound like the MV leakage is of much clinical significance.
My suggestion would be to talk your increasing sympotms over with your physician. Perhaps a low dose of a medication such as a beta blocker would help to decrease the frequency of these PVC's and decrease your symptoms.
Unfortunately, we do not fullly understand PVC's and can only offer supportive care. Currently there are no cures for these extra beats.
YOu may wish to see other postings regarding PVC's and share your experience with these fellow PVC sufferers.
I am 48 yrs of age, female. I have the same problems but I have three things going on with heart. I just underwent a stress test two days ago and I came through flying colors however, two years ago they found I have a hole in the heart with an bulging aneuraseum over the hole and the mitro valve is actin gup. I am on a bata blocker that slows the heart down so it doens't work so hard. Sometimes the plaps are so often about 5-8 hours daily that I don't feel like I am getting enough oxygen. After stress test, they are talking about closing the hole by smal incesion at the groin and closing it up in hopes it takes care of all problems expect mitro valve. One day procedure.
I am going through menopause and we thought that could be another problem but that has nothing to do with this.
Hope my input helps.
I started with palps for 5-8 hours daily and though it was coffee so I started taking things away and then they said anxiety and that was not exceptable so I kept pushing. I am an identical twin and my twin had heart murmur but I never had any signs of it.
Until now. So I guess I was born with the hole but the aneuraseum they don't think so. Cause by some injury they said.
Good luck
I am going through menopause and we thought that could be another problem but that has nothing to do with this.
Hope my input helps.
I started with palps for 5-8 hours daily and though it was coffee so I started taking things away and then they said anxiety and that was not exceptable so I kept pushing. I am an identical twin and my twin had heart murmur but I never had any signs of it.
Until now. So I guess I was born with the hole but the aneuraseum they don't think so. Cause by some injury they said.
Good luck
I AM 72YRS OLD HAD A HEART ATTACK ABOUT 12 YRS AGO HAD ANOTHER ONETHIS PAST JUNE IAM A VERY HEAVY SMOKER AND CANNOT
QUITE MY CARDI OLOGIST WILL NOT DO BYPASS THEY DID PUT A STENT IN
IS THIS HAS GOOD AS BYPASS I ALSO HAVE BLOCKAGE IN BOTH LEGS
O
Mary,
It is imperative that you stop smoking. Have you asked your physician about Zyban as an aid to Quit. Your heart disease and the blockages in your legs will progress if you don't.
It is up to the discretion of your physician to determine if you will be served better by a stent than bypass. It is likely that you had only one signiciant blockage and that your MD felt that it would be prudent to place the stent. Stents are in general very good at opening arteries and improving your symptoms. As a smoker, your risk of CABG is greater than a non-smoker.
However, you stent will close if you do not control your risk factors for cad including lowering you cholesterol, stopping smoking and controlling your blood pressure.
It is imperative that you stop smoking. Have you asked your physician about Zyban as an aid to Quit. Your heart disease and the blockages in your legs will progress if you don't.
It is up to the discretion of your physician to determine if you will be served better by a stent than bypass. It is likely that you had only one signiciant blockage and that your MD felt that it would be prudent to place the stent. Stents are in general very good at opening arteries and improving your symptoms. As a smoker, your risk of CABG is greater than a non-smoker.
However, you stent will close if you do not control your risk factors for cad including lowering you cholesterol, stopping smoking and controlling your blood pressure.
This is to all the PVC and other irregular heart beat sufferers. I have Congestive Cardiomyopathy of the inherited variety. I have PVC's daily and I know how disruptive they can be. They make you very uncomfortable. I used to have very stong PVC's after eating. I was wondering if anyone else experienced this. A curious thing....I had my gall bladder removed a couple of weeks ago and have not had PVC's associated with eating since then. I wonder if the diseased gall bladder was causing extreme distress in the digestive process thus causing my heart more stress than usual and causing more symptomatic PVC's.
I take Coreg and Zestril. These medications do not seem to be extremely reliable for me in consistently controlling PVC's. The medications do seem to have stabilized my disease for the moment and I have not deteriorated in the three years since being diagnosed.
I would strongly urge other families out there to be aware of members of their family with CHF of unknown cause. It could very well be inherited. We had no idea of this "pattern" until a series of events that thankfully led to the early diagnoses of me, my sister, my oldest son who is twelve, and my 4 year old nephew.
Good luck to all of you who live daily with any sort of chronic heart disease. It can be quite a shock to find out you have something of this nature especially if you are very young.
I take Coreg and Zestril. These medications do not seem to be extremely reliable for me in consistently controlling PVC's. The medications do seem to have stabilized my disease for the moment and I have not deteriorated in the three years since being diagnosed.
I would strongly urge other families out there to be aware of members of their family with CHF of unknown cause. It could very well be inherited. We had no idea of this "pattern" until a series of events that thankfully led to the early diagnoses of me, my sister, my oldest son who is twelve, and my 4 year old nephew.
Good luck to all of you who live daily with any sort of chronic heart disease. It can be quite a shock to find out you have something of this nature especially if you are very young.
Dear Lisa,
Thanks for your comments. It is an important point that you bring up. Family history is an important consideration in evaluating cardiac disease and cardiomyopathy.
Thanks for your comments. It is an important point that you bring up. Family history is an important consideration in evaluating cardiac disease and cardiomyopathy.
Dr. JMF,
Thanks for acknowledging the importance of this. I felt I should respond again and reveal more details about our situation and why I so strongly encourage others to try to really look at the whole picture and what the implications of undiagnosed disease could lead to versus diagnosed disease and what that could prevent or delay.
Of the four of our immediate family that have been diagnosed in the past 3 years, none of us were symptomatic. My oldest son who is twelve now, began complaining about not being able to keep up with the other students running the track during PE. Beyond that there was no other complaint. Due to my father's event, I decided to be safe rather than sorry and took him to our family physician. He ran some blood work which was all fine. He was as paranoid as I due to my fathers heart failure, that something more could be wrong even though on the surface everything appeared normal. He sent us to a pediatric cardiologist who did an EKG and echo cardiogram. We found at that time he was affected with dilated cardiomyopathy. His EF was about 50% which wasn't too bad but his heart was enlarged and he showed hyperkinesis of the muscle. He began a very conservative drug therapy of 7.5 mg of Vasotec daily. He has since had a drastic improvement in the function of his heart with an EF at present of 70%. Obviously we do not believe that the disease is cured as we know it is incurable, however, if early intervention will prevent or drastically slow down his deterioration then our paranoid pursuit of further evaluation was 100% worth it.
Due to this discovery with my son, I was evaluated and diagnosed, my sister was evaluated and diagnosed, and my 4 year old nephew was evaluated and diagnosed. Members of my more distant family (uncles, aunts, cousins) have sought evaluation also and there have been several more diagnosed as a result.
Thanks for acknowledging the importance of this. I felt I should respond again and reveal more details about our situation and why I so strongly encourage others to try to really look at the whole picture and what the implications of undiagnosed disease could lead to versus diagnosed disease and what that could prevent or delay.
Of the four of our immediate family that have been diagnosed in the past 3 years, none of us were symptomatic. My oldest son who is twelve now, began complaining about not being able to keep up with the other students running the track during PE. Beyond that there was no other complaint. Due to my father's event, I decided to be safe rather than sorry and took him to our family physician. He ran some blood work which was all fine. He was as paranoid as I due to my fathers heart failure, that something more could be wrong even though on the surface everything appeared normal. He sent us to a pediatric cardiologist who did an EKG and echo cardiogram. We found at that time he was affected with dilated cardiomyopathy. His EF was about 50% which wasn't too bad but his heart was enlarged and he showed hyperkinesis of the muscle. He began a very conservative drug therapy of 7.5 mg of Vasotec daily. He has since had a drastic improvement in the function of his heart with an EF at present of 70%. Obviously we do not believe that the disease is cured as we know it is incurable, however, if early intervention will prevent or drastically slow down his deterioration then our paranoid pursuit of further evaluation was 100% worth it.
Due to this discovery with my son, I was evaluated and diagnosed, my sister was evaluated and diagnosed, and my 4 year old nephew was evaluated and diagnosed. Members of my more distant family (uncles, aunts, cousins) have sought evaluation also and there have been several more diagnosed as a result.
Thanks Lisa for sharing your story- I know the devastation this
disease can bring after losing my 16 year old brother to it. I
have had and will continue to have cardiac checks but unfortunately cannot convince other members of my family to do so.
Perhaps reading your message may sway them. Best wishes to you and your family.
disease can bring after losing my 16 year old brother to it. I
have had and will continue to have cardiac checks but unfortunately cannot convince other members of my family to do so.
Perhaps reading your message may sway them. Best wishes to you and your family.
My best wishes to you and your family as well. I am very sorry about your brother. After much research into parts of the family that we have had no contact with for over 20 years (my grandmothers brothers and sisters families) we have found that many in their families have had it or have it now. The youngest undergoing transplant was 17. So, as I said, I feel very strongly about families taking this seriously especially when there is an idiopathic cardiomyopathy diagnosis.
Thanks for letting me know that this could impact your family in a positive way. My only purpose in posting all the messages on this is the hope that others may benefit from early diagnoses. As I had previously said when my father was diagnosed in end stage heart failure 11 years ago they labeled it idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and said there was virtually no chance this was inherited or that we, his children, were affected.
Thanks and good luck.
Thanks for letting me know that this could impact your family in a positive way. My only purpose in posting all the messages on this is the hope that others may benefit from early diagnoses. As I had previously said when my father was diagnosed in end stage heart failure 11 years ago they labeled it idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and said there was virtually no chance this was inherited or that we, his children, were affected.
Thanks and good luck.
I have just been diagnosed with both PVCs and a 2 inch cyst was found on my pericardium (through a MRI). Subsequent EKG, stress and echocardiograms found the PVC. My cardiologist has never heard of a cyst on the pericardium. Unfortunately, the cyst was not seen on the echo. Can this cyst be causing the PVCs? Is this cyst something I should be worrying about and seeking a second opinion? I've tried to do some research on the WEB to no avail. I am currently taking Inderal for the PVCs and it is making me very nauseous and tired. The PVCs are quite frequent and are definitely more noticeable when resting. I feel like I have a heavy weight on my chest with difficulty breathing. I also have frequent chest pain with the PVCs. Help anyone!!!
Is then the concensus that there is no health risk in having a heart murmur and frequent PVC's? I am a single mother of 45 and am wondering if there is any warning I should give to my at home children of 17, 21 and 22. When they start, should the best attack against them to rest? I do have alot of stress in my life these days.
my husband has had two heart attacks with stent placement with each mi~~he suffers from coronary artery spasms and states "he can hear his heart release when spasm releases". he suffers from shortness of breath, pain in left arm and neck, pressure in his chest, sweating upon the slightest exertion. sleeps excessively.
can anyone help us?
his color turns white/gray when he is having a spasm attack. the drs say he is on the maximum medication and nothing can be done for him. he uses nitro spray many times throughout the day.
list of meds: 1. nitro spray 4.0
2. ten mg norvasc in morning
3. five mg norvasc evening~~before bed
4. imdur 120 mg er& isosor mono er 60 mg
taken in the morning ~~#6 patch ineffective
5. lasix 40 mg morning 20 nightly
6. glucotrol xl 10 mg er tab morning and evening
7. atenolol 50 mg morning
8. zoloft 25 mg morning and evening
9. temazepam prn
10. ecotrin 250 mg aspirin therapy
can anyone help us?
his color turns white/gray when he is having a spasm attack. the drs say he is on the maximum medication and nothing can be done for him. he uses nitro spray many times throughout the day.
list of meds: 1. nitro spray 4.0
2. ten mg norvasc in morning
3. five mg norvasc evening~~before bed
4. imdur 120 mg er& isosor mono er 60 mg
taken in the morning ~~#6 patch ineffective
5. lasix 40 mg morning 20 nightly
6. glucotrol xl 10 mg er tab morning and evening
7. atenolol 50 mg morning
8. zoloft 25 mg morning and evening
9. temazepam prn
10. ecotrin 250 mg aspirin therapy
I had a radiofrequency catheter ablation done about three years ago because of episodes of tachycardia. As it turned out, I had concealed WPW Syndrome. Since the ablation, I have had intermittent PVC's. Not many, but I notice them because I am so tuned into anything heart related. I know I did not have them before the procedure. Why am I experiencing them after the procedure? Do I need to worry about them? -- I've been told "No" by my cardiologist. And, they seem to follow a pattern that is related to my menstrual cycle. Is this possible?
I have experienced PVC's for the past 7 years. I have panic/anxiety disorder. However, with medication this seems to be under control. The PVC's still continue and create a great discomfort to me thus increasing my anxiety. I have had all the tests, echo, ekg, holter monitor and event recorder (queen of hearts). Dr.'s say there is no need for concern. How and when does one stop worrying about this? I have cut out caffine, rest well. I moved recently but up until then I used the treadmill regularly from 15 - 30 minutes 3 to 5 times a week. Sorry...exercise didn't help to eliminate the PVC's. Sometimes they would occur during exercise. I still worry there is something wrong and the Dr.s just haven't found it yet. This is so scary. I didn't travel at all for many years and still can't travel without companionship. At one time I couldn't walk more than two houses past my own. I am able to get around town alright now with the help of therapy but still feel very restricted. Any other suggestions or advise?
Hello, I am a 21 year old girl still in University. Today I experienced a pain in my chest which went away after a short while. But I noticed that my heart was beating very rapidly...and I could feel that the beats were somewhat irregular. I was lying on my bed (resting) at the time. My heart beat slowed down and seemed to stabilise after about 10-15 minutes. I have experienced these minor heart pains followed by rapid irregular heartbeat a number of times ever since I was much younger...perhaps once every 5 months. Should I be concerned? Should I consult my family doctor or should I go straight to a specialist? Please advise!!! Thank you very much in advance!!
After reading numerous comments it amazes me how many people suffer through the mvp and pvc's. When I say suffer, it is such a emotional and psychological issue. Anxiety sets in and life seems to stop or change drastically from what we know it as. In some ways it is comforting to know I am not alone. However, when the pvc's start I am alone and scared to death. Death, the thing I fear most. I have a twelve year old daughter at home and want so much to enjoy her growing up, traveling with her and just experiencing life with out finding excuses to do things because of the fear of pvc's causing a heart attack. What do I do? Who do I talk to that will truly listen. Yes, yes, I have had the echo, ekg, holiter, and queen of hearts as I mentioned previously. Beta blockers no thanks I can't function or sit straight up in a chair on them. Antianxiety drugs haven't helped as yet. Do we all have to continually live in constant fear. Maybe if someone would truly listen, be concerned and give serious advice we could move past this debilating disorder?
I am really glad to have found this site. Suffering with pacs and pvcs are devastating. I suffer with them daily as in all day long I try to explain it to my family but they dont understand me They litteraly control your life. The doctors really arent sure what is wrong.I am 28 two small children I am also on beta blockers these drugs make you so tired The other day the beats got so bad again I went back to the Er nothing they could really do. They did give me some sleeping pills. When the beats get extreme they keep me up all night Does this ever happen to you tommorow I go back to the dr. to see if he wants to change my meds around This disease is so dibilitating, I wish they would find a drug that would cure these things for good. I do feel better that I am not alone.
How nice to learn that I am not alone with my PVCs. I was diagnosed with them last week after trying to ignore them for a year with the hope that it would just go away- they haven't. I am now on the beta blocker Toprol but it hasn't made much of an impact yet. By the sounds of the other comments here, it may not make much of a difference.
So- is this something we just have to learn to live with? I can easily see going crazy. This is not something that can be just ignored- particularly when they are constant (every 3rd beat or so).
Are there other research sites that offer any hope? Does anyone else wonder about your Doctor's lack of concern or interest about these?
So- is this something we just have to learn to live with? I can easily see going crazy. This is not something that can be just ignored- particularly when they are constant (every 3rd beat or so).
Are there other research sites that offer any hope? Does anyone else wonder about your Doctor's lack of concern or interest about these?
I understand what you are going through. My pvcs pacs are constant as well. Every Dr. I have been to never seems to express the concern I think is needed. I think this may be something that we have to live with. Does your Dr. think there is an underlined problem with yours Im not sure if there are any other web sites. Im researching everything I can about these things. Hope you feel better. eas
Linda,
I most CERTAINLY understand what you are going through. Doctors seem to say your ok, but nothing and I mean nothing can compare to that feeling inside of your chest. It is scary and at times can be debilitating. Have you talked with your Doctors about a beta-blocker? They can sometimes help. Rest assured that if they haven't found anything with all the testing you have recieved then you are ok. When I feel them coming on, mainly when I exhert myself, I just reming myself that I am ok. And you are, trust your doctors...they are usually right about these things. If you want to talk to me, for support or anything like that email me at ***@****. You are not alone in this thing.
Sincerely,
Collinus Newsome
I most CERTAINLY understand what you are going through. Doctors seem to say your ok, but nothing and I mean nothing can compare to that feeling inside of your chest. It is scary and at times can be debilitating. Have you talked with your Doctors about a beta-blocker? They can sometimes help. Rest assured that if they haven't found anything with all the testing you have recieved then you are ok. When I feel them coming on, mainly when I exhert myself, I just reming myself that I am ok. And you are, trust your doctors...they are usually right about these things. If you want to talk to me, for support or anything like that email me at ***@****. You are not alone in this thing.
Sincerely,
Collinus Newsome
I to have been having increased episodes of PVC's and am hoping to find someone that may have similar symptoms that has found the root cause. I am 49 and PVCs started about 5 years ago. Through the day, they are about 2-3 per minute, but 1-2 hours after lunch or dinner they are a lot worse. I'm wondering if something wrong in the digestive system is triggering them. I have had the stress test, holter, & echo and no other problems found. Prior to this year the PVC's would be almost non-existant from April to November, and only a problem in the winter months. Wondered if allergy could be a factor. Also wondering if neurological problem could be a factor, noticed hands shake occasionally, which never used to happen. If any of you are experiencing increased PVCs after eating, please post a comment back to me. Thanks
I began having PVC's about three years ago. I believe the main triggering element was the medication called Propulsid, which I had been taking for slow gastric emptying. After doing a lot of research, I began taking the chelated form of magnesium--which has helped both my stomach and the pvc's. I think it has something to do with muscle contractions, and I'm convinced there is a digestive connection (perhaps the vagus nerve??) which can trigger pvc's. There is some great information on the importance of magnesium at krispin.com as well as numerous other sites. I wouldn't be surprised that many of us are walking around with magnesium deficiencies. My internist seems to think that I'm o.k. because the serum blood test for magnesium shows me to be in the normal range. But, I have found a test that tests the intracellular levels of magnesium. Found a doctor who was more open to "non-standard" tests, so she ordered it and yes, my intracellular levels are low.
I also take extra calcium as well as a multi-vitamin, extra C and B-complex, Hawthorne Berry and L-carnitine.
The pvc's flair up every now and then but nothing like they've been in the past. I also do not drink anything with caffeine in it, very little alcohol, exercise every day, etc. etc.
Hope this helps someone.
I also take extra calcium as well as a multi-vitamin, extra C and B-complex, Hawthorne Berry and L-carnitine.
The pvc's flair up every now and then but nothing like they've been in the past. I also do not drink anything with caffeine in it, very little alcohol, exercise every day, etc. etc.
Hope this helps someone.
I first experienced PVCs 14 years ago when I was 36, immediately after recovering from a severe case of the flu. The sensation was of a skipped beat, and after the pause a beat so hard it would shake my body a little while lying quietly in bed. Although I was in very good physical condition, like many of you, I was afraid I was on the verge of a heart attack (I thought the flu might have attacked my heart somehow). I had an ECG and was diagnosed with PVCs and told they were benign, and they have proven to be no problem. In my case they disappear with exercise, and lying on my right side at night minimizes the sensation. I have found that they come and go over time; sometimes I am unaware of them for months on end. However, what prompted me to do a search and find this site was that a few days ago I began having very pronounced and frequent PVCs, several times a minute day and night. There's nothing different in my life--no extra stress, unusual caffeine or alcohol consumption--so I don't know what is causing this flare-up. Any ideas, anyone--especially you MDs?
I understand your situation. I am currently in counseling for anxiety disorder, which is what I believe is the main cause of my skipped beats. I've been to two cardiologists and ran the gamut of tests, but they can't find anything serious. I was told I was healthy and not to worry about it. Easy to say, but really hard to do. I tend to have anxiety over situations I can't control, so when the skipped beats occurred two years ago, I couldn't concentrate on anything else, and I freaked everytime I felt one. Often they aren't frequent, but they do still occur, usually when I've been doing well for awhile. I fall into the same panic mode--and they will happen a few more times the next few days until something else distracts me. It's a vicious cycle. I'm glad I've gotten them checked out, and maybe there's more to the story than anxiety. But I choose to accept that that's my big problem now, so I'm getting that fixed. The only advice I can give is to try not to freak out or concentrate on why the skipped beats happened. That's what I'm attempting to do. Fear is a really powerful thing, and it can do a lot to you physically. Good luck--I wish everyone the best with this!
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