AliveCor ECG shows trigeminy PVCs

[erkme]

I've had (what I think are) PVCs most of my adult life.  They come and go.  Sometimes years between episodes.  I've found that days after strenuous exercise, or excessive stress will cause them to appear.

However, lately, I've been getting them despite no abnormal levels of physical activity, and virtually no stress (have been retired for the last 5 years, and life is good).  

So I purchased the AliveCor single-lead ECG.  During an episode today, It recorded the PVCs happening every third beat.  The sensation of a skipped beat is ugly, distracting, and weakening - almost breath taking.    I've been assured by my wife - an ED MD - that unless it's every other beat, and consistently so, it is benign.   That's easy to say when you're not feeling it.

I'm posting this here (first post) not because I don't trust her, but they always say, a doctor who is his own doctor (or his family members doctor) has a physician for a fool...

I've added a screen shot of the ECG and highlighted the PVCs... I'm sure that's overkill, but for the uninitiated, it's there.

[MichelleP_3811]

I don't know much about reading ekg or ecg strips but there doesn't appear to be a compensatory pause that is common with pvcs.  However your strip may suggest R on T pvcs which in some cases of an unhealthy heart can lead to ventricular tachycardia especially if there has been a previous myocardial infraction.  In cases where a patient also has prolonged QT it can be a dangerous indication.  Odds of you have long QT are small but you should be checked out by a doctor and given a full EKG to see if there are any signs of a previous heart attack.  We can sometimes have them in our sleep without knowing it.  My grandmother had one so go see your doctor and take your strip with you to show them and ask for a full EKG to see the health of your heart and maybe get an appoint for a full work up of your heart to rule out any issues.  Better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.  Especially if you haven't had a full work up of your heart.  This said, I am not trained in reading ECG strips and I don't know for sure what it is showing so best to let a someone trained in them take a look.  Best of luck and keep us posted what you find out.  Take care.

[SlowHeart92]

If I was in your position I would get a full cardio workup for some peace of mind. Have you had any bloodwork done recently? Maybe look for any deficiencies. I'm no expert but this is what I would do in your position.

I also have an AliveCor and it picks up my PACs with amazing accuracy. It's an impressive piece of technology.