PVCs during and post exercise

[Alfred]

Hi

I get regular bouts of chest pain and PVCs.  I have a had a full cardiac workup including a normal angiogram as well as gastro tests etc over the past 4 years.  I have a great GP (National Health in the UK) who is still trying to figure out why a fit 33 yr old male is suffering from these symptoms.  I am not anxious or depressed but the PVCs and chest pain do make me more anxious.

The questions I have are:

1)  I get PVCs regularly but not always post exercise (e.g after a 1 hour run)- the GP tells me to continue but I read on this site that post exercise pvcs can be dangerous.  In a otherwise structurally normal heart with normal angio - should I be concerned and look for yet further cardio tests?  My cardiologist said "whatever the pain is, it's not your heart".  So is this overkill?

2) In a regular pulse at the wrist and neck I still get flutterings by my heart - can the wrist pulse, neck pulse and heart be different or are they always in sync?

3) How does anxiety related chest pain present itself?  I am exploring this as an option even though I don't feel anxious or stressed.  I get pains with every heartbeat for about ten minutes at 3am.

4) Do you have any further advice about any further discussions/tests I can request from my doctor or do I accept this and get on with life.

Sorry for the ramble but any advice will help.

Regards

Alf

[dad23]

It's ironic how many of our symptoms are similar yet different in this thread and previous threads on this topic.  We can each relate to a piece of the other persons experience.  In a post a while ago, a Dr. discounted the "positional" effect on PVC's, saying that they are just more noticible at rest.  But mine clearly kick IN when I lay down, and Val's go away!  No wonder they can't figure these things out!  I can't accept the "psychosomatic" explanation.  My chiropractor had an interesting question about whether the cause of PVCs is within the neurological path, that perhaps the nerve supply to the heart gets "pinched" so to speak in certain body positions.  The body is not static, so these things come and go in some cases.  Arthur's summary lends credence to that idea.  Has anyone asked a neurologist about their PVCs?  Does anyone know about any other studies on that angle of this problem?

[Scott]

You know, I've been dealing with these suckers (PVC's) too. Actually for about 4 years now. I get them during exercise sometimes. I've been racking my brain like the rest of you to find causality. I believe position may be implicated, but from my personal experiences, I believe the GI contribution is more important. For instance, when I have heart burn, I notice more PVC's. When my stomach is upset, I notice more PVC's. Early todya I drank soup that was far too hot...it caused PVC's. Many times after a particularly strong PVC, I will burp. Almost as if the gas in my stomach was applying pressure in such a way as to cause a PVC. This perhaps is related to positional occurances mentioned by other people.

Now, I know that the vagal nerve innervates both the heart and the stomach. I'm wondering if this is somewhow the relationship that can somehow transmit stomach issues to my heart? Anyone got any insight on this?

SR (33 yo male)

Y'all keep on fighting!

[jaz5802]

Hi again -- I had the myoview stress treadmill test which is identical to what you will be having except the difference is the type of tagging agent injected.  Thallium is a common agent.  Mine was an isotope (which is radioactive) -- I think thallium is radioactive too. Keep your sense of humor!

They put an IV in your arm and set you up to accept the thallium.  Doesn't hurt.  I am ultra hypersensitive so I could actually "taste" the isotope once it was injected (kind of like the smell of a dry cleaning store).  That freaked me a bit but if they had told me ahead of time what to expect, I would not have been so nervous about what I tasted. Silly doctors!

Your doctor is doing the right thing.  I am very glad my doctor ordered the myoview instead of the regular treadmill stress test.  As long as your insurance is going to pay for it, you might as well get the cadillac of stress tests. It doesn't mean he saw something.  My cardiologist ordered it because he thought I said I got dizzy (I do but it's all from my sinuses clogging my ears).

Once injected, you wait awhile for the "dye" to circulate and "tag" areas of your heart.  You then go for pictures (don't forget to smile!) where they take images of your heart to see if it is functioning properly and at the right level, etc., etc. You must lie still or I guess the pictures are blurry (?).

Then you do the treadmill test.  The doctor and nurse will monitor you the entire time. Try to finish the test.  The more minutes you put in walking, the more tape they can read.  My heart rate got up to 180 bpm and I was so out of breath but I did it! And remember, once you get off the treadmill you will feel a little lightheaded or dizzy -- this is normal!  Right before you get off the treadmill, they will inject you again with the thallium.  You may have to wait awhile again too and then it's off for some more pictures!  They want to see how your heart recovers from exertion, to follow the blood flow, see any blockages, etc.

If at all during this process they see anything of life and death concern, you will be told to stop the test; otherwise, you will get a follow up call or visit to your doctor.  I was told over the phone I had PVCs and that they were benign.

These tests are to help you so please go in with an open mind.  They are done every day to all kinds of people with all kinds of worries and issues and others with no problems.  It's the unknown that scared me.  Knowing what I know now, if I had to take another one of those tests, I would not be as nervous.  I had myself on my death bed!

Good luck and let us know how you do.  Okay?  Be brave -- you'll be fine.

Beth

[valger]

Hi, I just want to thank arthur and everyone for their comments, it's just so helpful!!  arthur, that makes me feel so much better that this could be a "normal" thing.  Anyway, I went to the doctor today, and told him that my palpitations were bad the last couple of days, and I had a treadmill scheduled for next week, but he decided that I should have a myocardial perfusion stress test, I think it's also called a thalium test and moved it up to tomorrow.  So, I can't wait to get it over with, but I'm very nervous about taking the test.  I'm worried that maybe he thinks I might have a blockage since he decided on this test instead of the treadmill.  He did explain he just likes this test better cause it has like a 90% rate of detecting blockages, as the treadmill has only about 70%.  Do you think this is kind of a common test to have?  I hope I do ok, I haven't exercised in quite some time, so I'm nervous that my heart won't take it.  Also, with the frequent PVC's I'm having, I am worried that they will go out of control on the test.  Wow, do you think all this anxiety could affect the test?  (ha ha)  Anyway, I was wondering if any of you knew anything about the test.  My husband was concerned as to why he would order this particular test, he thought it sounded serious.  Well, thanks again for all of your valuable advice, I really don't know where I'd be without you guys!!!  Thanks, Val

[Anjakarena]

Hi,

thanks for your info. The fast heartbeat only happens once in a blue moon. I think it might be PAT, but I don't know. I guess trying to wear the long term holder would be hard, because three months might pass before I feel it again.
I did make another appointment with my doctor for next week and I will ask him about taking more magnesium.
If you have any more info, you can also email me
***@****
Thanks
Anja

[Anjakarena]

HI,

I so appreciate everybody's input on this site. I have PVC's and PAC's. Sometimes when I am resting I feel my heart beat fast for about 5 or 6 beats and then it goes back to normal. Anybody know what that could be? I have had holters before, but this was never recorded. I was kinda thinking it might be PAT.
One person mentioned to take 500MG of Magnesium twice daily. I have a bottle that has 250MG, which I take once a day. Do you think I can take it twice a day or is that too much?
I really need some help. I don't want to take a Betablocker because of the side effects. My husband is in the military and our life is very stressful with at times deployments, frequent moves ( which we are getting ready to right now). And when I get stressed my heart goes bananas and I get very anxious and can't function.  
Thank you!
Anja