AIVR-- A heart attack waiting to happen???

[Whammy3]

I suffered a significant loss of calcium when I had my thyroid removed. Becuase of this I ended up in the ER. Was hooked up to mointors as I recieved IV calcium and there caused a great deal of panic to the hospital staff. Apparently I beat an AIVR beat... for a LONG time. The longest set was 45 min without switching to a normal beat. The put me in the telemetry floor.. and well, I caused a great deal of concern there too. I have always felt my heart rock, flutters.. specially when I cycle or lay on my left side (FOR YEARS). They werent going to let me out until I took beta blockers. Well, here are my questions... I do not care for how the blockers make me feel... I feel 100, sluggy and emotionally stoned.. is this a life time thing? HOW concerning is this AIVR beat? Cant I just walk around with it.. or am I a heart attack waiting to happen? When in surgery I threw a bundle branch block.. did that cause this AIVR rythmn? What will an EP dr do? How can they fix this? Not interested in pills that make me feel "blocked" help... What questions should I ask the EP dr? there isnt much posted on the web.

[Cleveland Clinic]

whammy,

thanks for the post.

Im not sure why you had the AIVR. AIVR is a abnormal rhythm of the ventricles. It is relatively rare in adults in the absence of pathologic heart disease.

I would really have to see the rhythm to determine the true significance. If you are having ventricular arrythmias they can sometimes be treated with medicines or ablation procedures. There are several factors that would influence the decision process such as frequency, symptoms, heart function and presence of other co- morbidities. As EP is a specialist in the electrical system of the heart and would be the next natural referral step.

good luck

[anacyde]

Sorry you're dealing with all of that, geez.

Beta blockers can make people feel like you describe, but sometimes it's just a matter finding the right one.  If these were prescribed for you, I'm sure your doctor feels that the benefits outweigh the risks and/or side effects.  Still, you're right, no one wants to feel the way you described (emotionally stoned, love that imagery) and it's worth talking over with your doctor to see if there is a way that you can manage your arrhythmia while also getting back to feeling like yourself again.

Hope everything works out well for you.

[mmfd]

I had the AIVR

[mmfd]

I had an AIVR off and on for years before my heart disease was found.  I have (probable familial) dilated cardiomyopathy.  No cardiologists or even EP's are the slightest bit interested, even if I was in that rhythm for hours!  It does feel funny, but I never had any actual symptoms from it. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[Whammy3]

how did they finally find your heart problem? What was it? Did you get off beta blockers? So, it really isnt a big deal to run in that beat???

I dont like the stoner feeling... and I got on the blockers in the hospital and no one has asked me how I felt since. I think the beat scared them and they just wanted me "normal" LOL

[wmac]

Of course its rare for people to have aivr with a normal heart! Cause thats my life story. I also have aivr go figure. My understandting is that aivr is ventricular tachy but at a much slower rate.
wmac