Are PVC's a precursor to heart failure?

[sman]

Is there any research that concludes that having chronic PVC's results in an increase in heart failure?

Thanks

Ken

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear santiken,
There is no research that I know of directly linking PVCs with heart failure.  However, this is a topic we have discussed not infrequently.  It is possible in theory that someone with very frequent PVCs (>20,000/day) could have what is called a "tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy". We have seen individuals with heart failure who have frequent PVCs but have no way of knowing if the PVCs caused the heart failure or if it is the other way around.   Whether ablation of the PVCs would reverse the cardiomyopathy is anyone's guess.

[Alot To Live For]

It's a possibility, especially if you have a good number of PVCs.  

Last May I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy (E/F of 30%).  It was later discovered that I had roughly 45,000 PVCs per day.

Back in '96 a doctor found that I was having PVCs.  He dismissed it and told me that they were benign (in many cases they are).

If you're concerned, see your doctor.  Don't wait too long.  A doctor can measure PVCs through the use of a Holter monitor.  A Holter is like a mini EKG, about the size of a Walkman, that you wear for a day.

As for the research, my doctor knows of only one study done regarding PVCs and heart failure.  I don't have any references that I can point to, but according to him, some of the patients in the study had 15,000 to 23,000 PVCs per day.

[Alot To Live For]

I went through an unsuccessful ablation procedure last summer.  (Unsuccessful because it did not elimate the PVCs.)  My doctor then put me on Amiodarone, which is lessening the PVCs a good deal.  My doctor estimates that I now have 15,000 PVCs per day, although he did not confirm that with a Holter.

I remember very clearly discussing with him the chicken-and-egg problem you mentioned.  Although it's too early to tell we're cheering on the egg.  ;-)

[SirMark]

I also have PVCs and after all the test I am absolutely terrified of climbing on a treadmill.  Over the last several months I have had an EKG, treadmill stress test, thallium stress and a heart cath.  All of the results have been good, with the exception of increased PVCs during exercise,  but I continue to have PVCs.  They increase with excercise and I sometimes have 2 or 3 in-a-row during exercise.  I may go some days without any but I am still worried.  I am currently taking a beta blocker and I have eliminated caffeine from my diet.  Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks,

Mark

[kovacs]

I have had pvc's,pac's since about 13 but now at 53 they have become much more frequent and bothersome. All my life during excercise I would have a few, just like you but never gave it much thought. During my younger days I would run 5 miles a day and workout with weights 3-4 days a week and this went on for near 30 years. Never were the palpitations a danger. Now however I have at least a thousand per day, every minute of the day and believe me they are a bother. There are people who live normal lives with 25,000 a day which I find amazing.

I hope yours will resolve themselves and if the docs and tests are ok, then no need to worry. You have a whole lifetime ahead of you and the palps should be the least of your worries even though its easier said than done. Go ahead and workout, the quicker you put your mind to other things the less you will notice the palps especially if you are only having a few per day.

Good luck.

[cinbug]

A related discussion, Chest Pains was started.