very scared about recent pvcs, difficulty sleeping

[captormoonlu]

I'm 17 and normal weight. I've started having PVCs (I assume) since beginning of Jan. I think they are PVCs where there is a pause between beats followed by a stronger beat. I also feel a flutter where my heart is in my chest and sometimes a discomfort (rush of blood) in my neck. When it comes, I have a PVC every other beat which is very disturbing to me. It does not usually occur during the day. But I find that if I do anything that is not resting (go up the stairs, transfer groceries to the fridge), I have an episode. This is worse at night where it occurs for about 30-60minutes at about every other to every 2/3/4 beat.

I've done an echo three days ago and results were normal. I did a holter 3 weeks ago and it came back normal, but that was before I had PVCs. My cardiologists reassured me that my heart had nothing physically wrong and it was probably a result of anxiety and stress. I suppose that may be true considering that I'm doing exams and applying for university. He told me to do intense cardio (enough to sweat), 20 minutes, 4-5 times a week. I did one session the day before yesterday, and boy, did I have a long episode. Despite his reassurance, I can't help but be annoyed and anxious, which doesn't help my situation at all. I fear that this will never go away. I don't want to take drugs especially when my cardiologist was against it as well. Every night has really become a nightmare. I'm so afraid of having PVCs that I can't sleep and when I can't sleep, well, that just guarantees an episode. And then because I didn't sleep well, PVCs during the day become my frequent. This is such a vicious cycle to me where anxiety builds on more anxiety! It's seriously affecting the way I live.

I'm also concerned about exercising. I don't know if that will be effective fast enough or induce more PVCs. On the other side, I feel weak (tired easily) and I really want to be healthy and strong.

This really, really *****. I realize there really is a mind connection because I find that if I'm distracted I'm less likely to have PVCs and when I think about NOT having PVCs, I get PVCs.

Please offer some advice for me. I would really appreciate it.

[manny777]

Hi, sorry you are experiencing those awful pvc/pac's, I remember last year on the 4th of July I had the same thing, I would get a pvc every 7 or 8 heartbeats, I was like that for 4 days non-stop then they went away for about a month, I got them again for 2 straight days and it was every 4 heartbeats, I also was feeling very tired but then I started jogging for 1.5 miles everyday, the first few days it was really bad but as time passed it started getting better then somebody put a post about Omega 3 fish oil and I started taking it, 3 pills a day and those runs of pvc's haven't comeback, I get them maybe once or twice a day or somedays none at all.
I do not take beta blockers because drugs don't go well with me,
Hope this helps!

[Bromley]

Hi. When I suggested holter, I was thinking of course of the success I had with a holter; sometime it does not detect a problem because you dont experience the problem when you have it on.  BTW I had a holter for over 4 weeks one time and detected my arrhythmia once, near the end of the prescription. This one time was enough to allow my doctor to diagnose my palpitations with a specific arrhythmia, i.e "a success". You did not say how long you had the holter, but I assume it was not for 4 weeks. Also, when I say holter, I am actually referring to a looping heart monitor with a 30-45 second buffer, not a holter. Holter is terminology for old technology heart recorder with no buffer (I think).

I know what you mean about the cold.  I just started a new job here in Iowa and have had to put my running on the back burner. It warmed up to ten degrees today and when I went outside it felt like a heatwave.  I cant wait for spring.  However, I think I'll start hitting the treadmill here after as soon as I settle in on the job a bit.

[Crickett559]

Maybe try and do some meditation before sleeping or even a mild sleep aid just so that you can rest and the PVC's give you a break. I myself have a very rough night last night due to alot of walking, and some very poor food, but I eventually was able to get some sleep. I take beta blockers and c channel blockers but at your age, I mostly ignored them. Just remember the more you focus on them the worse they seem to be.

[ozmi]

Hi,
I'm not a big fan of tests when you happen not to be symptomatic during the test.  Tell the doc, you didn't have symptoms, and want to run the test again.  The situation is affecting your quality of life and even if it takes some more persistence, that you must get to the bottom of the cause BEFORE a treatment is prescribed.

[captormoonlu]

Thanks for your input. I don't know if I should get a holter again because at the time I did the holter I didn't feel anything, just really rapid heart beat (90+).

Any suggestions for a good cardio workout for people like us? I would run but it's really cold here.

[Bromley]

Hi, sorry to hear about all of this. A couple of thoughts:
- I dont think you can say you have PVC's.  I believe you would have to catch this on a monitor before you can say that.
- It could be that you have SVT. If it is SVT, it is not that big of a deal normally, and you can put it at bay with drugs, or maybe cure it permanently with a procedure called "RF ablation".
- When I had SVT, it was my experience that cardio work reduced my SVT alot.  But the catch was that I needed to do it regularly. Cardio also reduces anxiety I think.
- You can also help your situation by refraining from Caffeine drinks, smoking, and other stimulants such as alcohol. There may be other triggers it just depends, but if you can find out what they are you can reduce your PVC's or SVT by avoiding your triggers.
- Not getting enough sleep can cause anxiety. On the internet, you could try looking up what they recommend to help you sleep better. Normally, they say go to bed at a regular time, no exercise at least a few hours before bedtime. I find reading puts me to sleep almost instantly.

good luck with this.  It sounds familiar and I feel your pain!!!