what are patients doing to manage pvc's?

[Abeybaby]

While much has been discussed about PVCs I am curious about what people are doing to manage their lives with them?
1. Impact of excercise?
2. Meditation
3. Diet?
4. Therapy- couselling?
5. Rest?
6. Stress Management?
7. Use of SSRI's and its impact
8. Etc ....

Tks to all contributors-

[fearfactor]

You know, I think you are on to something with saying that stomach issues play a role in palpitations.  I had a stomach virus a few days ago which really triggered a lot of palps for me.  I also notice I have them when I burp a lot or right after I eat.  I haven't been eating a lot of food lately because I've been sick and my palps have been better.  I know I have to eat but it seems like I have inadvertently eliminated something from my diet that was making them worse - just wish I could figure out what it was!

[nursem07]

That is great information. I myself have IBS and had no idea that there might be a link. I plan on changing my diet. Many people have said that incresing the magnesium in their diet has helped with the PVC's.

[fearfactor]

One thing I've noticed in the past couple days when I have had a stomach virus...I have drank NO coffee or caffeine at all.  I usually have 2 cups of coffee a day (just my little indulgence even though I know it will give me some PACs).  I have had no palps since I have been off the coffee (just some sinus tachycardia from fever).  So, I'm living proof that cutting caffeine can help with palps.  I am thinking about going to decaf which I'm sure would make life lots easier for me.

[fearfactor]

You're Buddhist - cool!  So is my husband.  He has tried to get me into meditation but I tend to get "nervous" when trying to focus inward as I feel every little body sensation even more.  He has said if I work on it it would probably bring me great relief from my anxiety and health worries - maybe I will try it again with him!

[freemanredneck]

Hi Abbey:  here is what I have found out that control my own pvc's with heart medications.

1.  Exercise daily thirty minute fast walk on treadmill and workout on bowflex.

2. Have oatmeal for breakfast the one large table spoon of cod liver oil.

3. Eat after each meal pinapple enzymes and take the following magnesium, co-Q10, primrose, flaxseed.

4. On a protonix given by doctors.

5. Slow breathing exercises.

6. Now a vegetarian no caffiene or junk foods.

With this I am able to control the pvc's instead of them controlling me.
HOPE IT HELPS

[freemanredneck]

Hi Nurse:  I disagree.  You are right that one excerbates the other and that I wholely agree with.  Knowing your weakness can help you face the fear.  Stress with trigger pvc's but I believe it goes beyond that.  I believe that gastric plays a large roll along with stress.  The vagus nerve can become irritated triggering pvc's.  I have had pvc's come and go and found that whenever I get stressed they return with a vengeance.  I know longer have anxiety about it, I actually get down right mad. That does not help either.  Stress relieving exercises, deep breathing, proper diet and avoidance of high stress is the key to heal or at least it is for me.  Irritable bowel syndrome can trigger pvc's and in my case I have a hiatus hernia triggered by GERD which a bubble rises from the stomach region hits my vagus nerve and a pvc hits.  I can tell you before it happens when my pvc is about to happen.  If you have IBS change your diet from red meats and head towards being a vegetarian as meat is hard to digest.  Now this was a hard change for me as I am a farmer.  Eliminate caffiene completely and if you smoke stop.  Cigarettes or tobacco irritates the stomach.  This is what I have learned that effect me.

[nursem07]

I started having palpitations about 3 years ago when I started a new job. Dr had me do an echo that came back normal so I just ignored them even though I had them non-stop all day long. All of a sudden one day they just stopped and I haven't had any for over a year. That is until about 4 days ago. I am attributing it mostly to STRESS. So I am looking for ways to de-stress. I went back to the doctor who heard my palps with the stethescope but the ekg did not show them. Dr thinks they are PVC's. I'm scheduled to wear the holter monitor. I think anxiety plays a big role. You have anxiety and then you get PVC's, after the PVC's come you can't get rid of your anxiety. Anyone else agree?

[anacyde]

1. Impact of excercise?
HUGE.  Keeps heart rate lower, reduces PACs and PVCs when done regularly, and lowers overall stress.

2. Meditation
I'm Buddhist, so meditation is a fundamental part of life.  Yes, it helps, a lot!

3. Diet?
Avoiding processed foods when possible and reducing salts.  It helps.  Also making sure to get enough of the proper nutrients.

4. Therapy- couselling?
It probably works for many people.

5. Rest?
Lack of sleep is a huge trigger.  Rest is important.

6. Stress Management?
Vital.

7. Use of SSRI's and its impact
Helps some, triggers others.

8. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  There are self-help books on this.