Positional PVC's Anyone??

[Michelle147]

Hello all! Am I ever glad I found this site. I'm a newbie but definately not new to these dang pvc's. I was wondering if anyone else has what I call "positional pvc's"? By this I mean I can trigger them by lifting my right arm over my head, bending over, turning/twisting when only moving my upper chest, not turning my waist, reaching for things especially when reaching with my right arm over to the left side of my body. (Just seems to be my right arm) Even riding on a bumpy road can set them off which I think is very strange. Also with my last pregnancy, when the doc would have me lay on my back and she'd palpitate my belly it would set them off as well. Other things that trigger them are stretching while holding my breath, working on a burp that is stuck in my throat and talking without taking a breath. So basically anything can set them off! Just wondering if I'm the only weirdo here. If anyone else gets these "positional pvc's" please share.

[NixieKnox]

Thank yo to all who answered and for the original post! I appreciate not feeling like I am losing my mind. I believe peri menopause or full blown menopause could play a role, as well as the vagus nerve as was mentioned.

[Manda4488]

I have had PVC's off and on since I was 18. I'm now 25. I have come to the conclusion that after every test done on me multiple times (EKG, Echo, Stress test, 3 week holter monitor) that my heart is healthy and these are not going to kill me. Something I have learned over the years are that I cabt drink any Alcohol or caffeine because that is

[Manda4488]

Oops hit post on accident...  Any way.. Alcohol and caffeine are a huge trigger for the PVC's and so is MSG. I can't have any MSG or I will be miserable. Also my IBS and Acid reflux seem to trigger them too. Bending over and laying on my left side can do it also. I've started taking 250mg of magnesium and that has helped some. The soft gel works best for me. I also take a beta blocker called nadalol. I only take 10mg but it slows my heart enough to wear I don't have a crazy fast heart rate when I get anxious anymore. These things are scary and annoying but I know I can live with them. I just have to reduce my stress and eat and drink right.
God Bless

[wdtony]

I have them when I lay different positions in bed as well. Sometimes flat on my back too. Other nights no palpitations at all. But I really noticed that if I lay on my left side while playing with my son the palpitations will get progressively worse until I move to another position.

[TBYCL]

I'm only 25 and I have had PVCs for at least 8 years, and positions affect the amount of them. Also mood, food, and lack of sleep also increase them, well certain foods, I have acid reflux so that may be the culprit. I also get them during warm up but not during actual exercise when my heart rate is up, I can lift a heavy object and get them, during sex and walking up hill and stairs will trigger them too sometimes bigeminy. I had EKG multiple times echo xrays blood tests and 3 day monitor and nothing has showed up and the cardiologist said my heart is healthy. I guess you just have to learn to live with them.

[wdtony]

I have occasional positional palpitations from leaning or lying to the left, showering, bending forward, lying backward and shifting positions like sitting to standing. I have had this for 2 years and I am 43. I also have upper digestive issues which seem to correlate with the palpitations. So it seems something is physically moving in my chest which is aggravating my SA node (pacemaker?) or vagus nerve. This is no flutter; it is a strong thud or glub... or even feels like a spasm and sometimes actually hurts. Definitely scary at times although other times I try to control my reaction if I can. I have also awaken to tachycardia a few times at rates around 150 bpm which is terrifying because it lasts for several minutes and I am at rest. Been to the ER a number of times and had all the tests. Only PVC's and everything else was normal at times of the tests.

[nar234567]

Thank you all for the great information and experiences that we can all learn from.   Here's mine.   The PVCs started while excercising in my 20's, seldom however, scared me quite a bit.  After getting married and having our first child...mortgage, responsibility, job stress graduate school, etc.  they really started up.   Like most of you I had several phyisician visits, tests, EKGs, Monitors, stress tests (at the Cleveland Clinic!) and of course I passed with flying colors.   There never was a good strip that showed them and I never really got a good diagnosis other than PVCs and watch your caffeine.   Jump ahead two years and a move from the North to North Carolina and now three children a more stressful job.   Well, I had a day when they wouldnt stop so I called my primary care doc and told him I'd love for him to get these on a strip...I went in and he did!   He was blown away, couldnt beleive it.  FInally I had them legitimized!  Subseqeunt visit to a Duke Cardiologist and I thought, here we go again with all the tests.  Actually he looked at the strip, saw my history (Cleveland Clinic) and said...your fine...your have PVCs probably caused by an irritable focus.   I was relieved!   I felt that I was OK and that I could lift, run, do everythig I want and not worry that my heart would stop!  He did Rx Toprol XL that I've been taking now for 15 years, they surely dont get rid of the PVCs however they do dull them so I don't feel them as much.   I've had them for 25 years.   At times of stress they can come out quite a bit.  Anxiety seems to precipitate them.   Caffeine, thank god, does nohting!   Positional does cause them.  As I type this I'm kicked back in a lounge chair and I'm getting them.   I can sit up and type and they'll go away...but I prefer to sit back!   After a big meal, which doesn't happen often, I get them.  Lying in bed I get them...although they seem to go away when I sleep.   I also am in pretty good shape, I lift weights 5 days a week and do High Intensity Interval Training often, they go away during excercise.   So what helps me?   Not eating alot, sitting up, excercising, a little vodka at night (relaxes me and they go away) I wouldnt reccomend the vodka but I would reccomend ensuring that you really aren't stressed, however you can do that!  Also, the Toprol XL seems to really help.   I think I've learned, after 25 years, that I'm gonna get these and its OK, I just have to managed them the best I can.   It doesnt stop me from doing anything and everything I want.   I am conviced I got this from my fathers side, he and is mother seemed to have something similiar.   Laslty, I do believe that stress brings them out as well as the positional piece coupled with a large meal.   All the best to everyone and glad to share.   Don't let these things slow you down!