Aa
PVC, PAC , PSVT
I am a 30 female with Asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Anticardiolipin antibodies, Prothrombin 20210 (Factor II), migraines, low potassium, low B12. Regarding my heart, I have PVCs, PACs, PSVT. I take topamax, maxair, potassium when needed, bi weekly B 12 shots, aspirin.
I currently do not take any medicine to treat my heart and I am wondering if I need a second opinion. My heart will race when I am watching tv or reading a book. My heart will wake me from sleep due to it racing or upon waking my heart will race. Sometimes these episodes of racing will last from a few minutes to about an hour. When I am taking my pulse, during these episodes, it feels like I am having a PVC or PAC and when I have these, it seems to speed my heart rate up. My normal heart rate is usually around 66 or 70 and when this happens it is over 140 (sometimes I just stop counting). I have asked my cardiologist and he says that it is the way my heart is, that it does this after exercise too.(He is referring to my stress test) This same doctor also said I had Atrial Fibrillation on the EKG but that he didn't think that it was Atrial Fibrillation.
I do not know if am having having episodes of PSVT or something different.
I have also noticed that these episodes increase when I am on a macrolide antibiotic . When I take a macrolide antibiotic, I have more PACs or PVCs and increased waking up with a racing heart.
I have discussed all of this with my cardiologist and he says that it is just the way my heart is.
What is your opinion?
Do you think I need to seek a second opinion of a different cardiologist?
Is there anything specific I should discuss?
Could the anticardiolipin antibodies and or the Prothrombin 20210 play any part with me having a racing heart?
Thank you very much!
I currently do not take any medicine to treat my heart and I am wondering if I need a second opinion. My heart will race when I am watching tv or reading a book. My heart will wake me from sleep due to it racing or upon waking my heart will race. Sometimes these episodes of racing will last from a few minutes to about an hour. When I am taking my pulse, during these episodes, it feels like I am having a PVC or PAC and when I have these, it seems to speed my heart rate up. My normal heart rate is usually around 66 or 70 and when this happens it is over 140 (sometimes I just stop counting). I have asked my cardiologist and he says that it is the way my heart is, that it does this after exercise too.(He is referring to my stress test) This same doctor also said I had Atrial Fibrillation on the EKG but that he didn't think that it was Atrial Fibrillation.
I do not know if am having having episodes of PSVT or something different.
I have also noticed that these episodes increase when I am on a macrolide antibiotic . When I take a macrolide antibiotic, I have more PACs or PVCs and increased waking up with a racing heart.
I have discussed all of this with my cardiologist and he says that it is just the way my heart is.
What is your opinion?
Do you think I need to seek a second opinion of a different cardiologist?
Is there anything specific I should discuss?
Could the anticardiolipin antibodies and or the Prothrombin 20210 play any part with me having a racing heart?
Thank you very much!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I think your doctor is doing all the right things. Given your history and your symptoms, I would seek a second opinion to get a fresh set of eyes. It can only help. Its not ideal that you cant exert and that these episodes cause you these symptoms Good luck
Thank you.
It has been about a year since a holter and longer since an Echo.
I did not have much concern until my doctor said I was having A Fib on the EKG but that it was really was not A Fib, that is what is causing me to see if I need a second opinion.
When I have these episodes, I am out of breath and my heart is beating very fast. It just always comes on very quickly. I have had some episodes recorded and it showed PSVT, along with the PVCs and PACs.
I take 81 mg of Aspirin a day. My cardiologist said if I took too much Aspirin (as in 324mg daily) it would do more harm than good.
I am not a very anxious person and I take everything in stride.
My family history includes heart attacks (father, both grandfathers), heart rhythm problems (maternal grandmother), stroke (maternal grandfather) , TIAs (maternal grandmother), blood clots (both grandmothers). Both of my maternal grandmother's brothers died from heart problems when they were in their early forties.
Thank you very much!
It has been about a year since a holter and longer since an Echo.
I did not have much concern until my doctor said I was having A Fib on the EKG but that it was really was not A Fib, that is what is causing me to see if I need a second opinion.
When I have these episodes, I am out of breath and my heart is beating very fast. It just always comes on very quickly. I have had some episodes recorded and it showed PSVT, along with the PVCs and PACs.
I take 81 mg of Aspirin a day. My cardiologist said if I took too much Aspirin (as in 324mg daily) it would do more harm than good.
I am not a very anxious person and I take everything in stride.
My family history includes heart attacks (father, both grandfathers), heart rhythm problems (maternal grandmother), stroke (maternal grandfather) , TIAs (maternal grandmother), blood clots (both grandmothers). Both of my maternal grandmother's brothers died from heart problems when they were in their early forties.
Thank you very much!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello
That is quite a story. You have a number of auto immune processes in addition to the issue of PVC's. One question is what, if any, symptoms do you experience when these episoded occur? Shortness of breath, chest discomfort. Have you ever had a holter monitor to assess the number of these episodes? An evaluation of your conduction system? Echo to evaluate valves
I always tell my patients with complex problems that it's not offensive to seek a second opinion. It allows a second pair of eyes to look at a problem from a different perspective. If they agree with all that's been done, fine. If not, then you may get to the bottom of the process. I would seek out the consultation of a cardiologist at your regional center of expertise. Look for a rhythm specialist. Gather all of your records and take them with you
Its unlikely that the anticardiolipin or Prothrombin is contributing to your rhythm disturbance. These changes are more commonly related to vascular problems like venous and arterial clots as well as strokes. You are on at least an ASA per day?
Finally, any family history of stroke, blood clots, heart attacks. Also take the opportunity to appreciate the benefits of a daily regimen to manage anxiety as this is a neglected contributing factor to many types of illnesses.
See www.personalwellnesswheel.com to learn more
That is quite a story. You have a number of auto immune processes in addition to the issue of PVC's. One question is what, if any, symptoms do you experience when these episoded occur? Shortness of breath, chest discomfort. Have you ever had a holter monitor to assess the number of these episodes? An evaluation of your conduction system? Echo to evaluate valves
I always tell my patients with complex problems that it's not offensive to seek a second opinion. It allows a second pair of eyes to look at a problem from a different perspective. If they agree with all that's been done, fine. If not, then you may get to the bottom of the process. I would seek out the consultation of a cardiologist at your regional center of expertise. Look for a rhythm specialist. Gather all of your records and take them with you
Its unlikely that the anticardiolipin or Prothrombin is contributing to your rhythm disturbance. These changes are more commonly related to vascular problems like venous and arterial clots as well as strokes. You are on at least an ASA per day?
Finally, any family history of stroke, blood clots, heart attacks. Also take the opportunity to appreciate the benefits of a daily regimen to manage anxiety as this is a neglected contributing factor to many types of illnesses.
See www.personalwellnesswheel.com to learn more
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