Arrhythmia and MVP syndrome

[Tommyboy]

36 year old male, 20lbs overweight, ex-smoker, vigorous exercise 3-5 times/week. I have not been diagnosed with MVP syndrome, but I seem to have the same set of symptoms. Diagnosed with panic syndrome which started in my early 20's.  faded away after a few years and came back strong early this year.  Had holter monitor when I was early 20's showed a handful of PVC and sinus arrhythmia.  Had treadmil test this year, cardiologist said it was excellent although I felt like I did not work very hard at Symptoms:
1.  PVC or "skipped beats"  Seem to be much better when I take care of my stomach with Pepcid AC and Rolaids.  I can get a nasty, strong series of them if I have a somewhat full stomach and lie or lean on my left side. I get mild ones often while on left side.  I am not just "feeling them more" on my left side.  Had a run of them for several hours at high altitude after a big meal (every so many beats). Get a few close behind each other when exercising.
2.  General difficulty breathing.  Sometimes feel short of breath.  Like I need to take a real deep breath. Feel like I have to "try" to breath and that I don't breath rhythmically.  While exercising at a good level, feel often that I cant get air in.
3.  Sharp or "pressing" pain in center of chest,  only lasts for a second, will hapen in synch with heart beat.  I was thinking this might be realated to GI.

Doctors say I am fine, that PVC's common. I think so too.The left side PVC are common in MVP, but doc says I dont have it.Would just hate not to do something about a real issue.  Your thoughts? Thanks!  Tom

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear tommy,

There is an association between gastric refulx (heartburn) and palpitations.  The gastric acid in the esophagus triggers extra heartbeats.  This can be avoided by eating smaller more frequent meals; keeping the head of the bed elevated 6 inches; weight loss; antiacids such as Rolaids or Pepcid; and avoiding lying on the left side (the side the stomach is on). The shortness of breath may also be linked to gastic reflux as small amounts of acid can irritate the breathing tubes and lungs.  The chest pain aslos can be related to GI reflux.   I would recommend seeing an internal medicine doctor or gastroenterologist concerning your symptoms.

[gamal bakeer]

dear brother , i have that feeling and i am surgeon and i was wandering with 4  echo cardiography no one say one same report !!!i study cardiology to treat my self as i lost confedance in them , i am little hyper tensive and they said that my aortic root is 4cm ? and i have dilated ventricle i take now Sectral to control sinus tachycardia and also related to meal i am 178 hight and 110 kilo i was practicing sever excersise sence many years but now having syptoms (symptoms) like you , i think i am good on sectral ( acetalol) and epitense  (xipamide and triamterene) and lexotanil at bed time , avoding hypocaimia , what i noticed is that many Dr dont know differance in beta blocker ( and i think the one with internal sympathatic activity as (sectral) is good we are human and not machine even surgeon like me feel depressed from cardioligist , thanks and God bless the good human DR :-))

[basw7]

I am a 70 yr old female and sympathize with your situation.  Back in 1987 my Doc said I was experiencing up to 1100 PVCs an hour and I was very symptomatic (couldn't stand in check-out line to pay for my groceries without feeling as though I was going to pass out; internist said my heart was not pumping enough blood to my brain.) My skips have always been more pronounced when lying on my left side also.  I was on nine medications in the first year, got bad reactions to most.  Spent 11 days in the Cleveland Clinic, had an electrophysiology study done and it was determined that I was able to revert back to normal rhythm on my own.  I ended up on a very old drug, Norpace CR and have been taking it twice a day all these years.  Apparently it is not looked on as a drug of choice today because this week I started with a new internist who sent me to a new cardiologist, and they both questioned the drug but decided if it has worked all these years, why fight with success.  Not to say I don't have occassional breakthroughs but nothing I can not handle.  To get to the point I was told by my old internist that I did NOT have MVP but just yesterday my new cardiologist said I do indeed have MVP (I always seemed like a classic example of it to me!!)  Today I am wearing a Holter Monitor, had an echo yesterday that confirmed the diagnosis.  To top off my story, I was Hypothyroid for many years before being diagnosed and treated; many of the symptoms seem to mimic each other.  My first thought is to go get a second opinion; don't take one doctor's opinion as gospel.  Wish you well, Tom.   Barb
p.s. Don't know if it is still available but try to get hold of a copy of CONFRONTING MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE SYNDROME by Lyn Frederickson, M.S.N  Excellent, excellent book!!!

[NancyA]

Hi tommyboy,

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you.  I have Acid Reflux problems, and have tried both Prilosec and Ranitidine a year ago.  While on these meds I started having lots of PVC's, so I stopped taking them.  The PVC's eventually became less frequent, but for the past month they've returned like last year.  And I'm not on the antacids.  So the Prilocsec and Ranitidine seemed to help the Reflux but not the arrhythmias.  I feel it is related to Reflux though...perhaps I needed to try different antacids.  I'm having tests now for MVP.  Have you checked your diet?  Seems the same things that are bad for Reflux are bad for PVC's...caffeine (coffee, tea and chocolate), greasy foods, alcohol etc.

[chrisr]

I tend to agree with comment by NancyA. I am a PostOp 1 yr with CABG and AOV (St.Jude's)and have had Palps from day one (middle ear hearing loss may cause my awareness of these heavy beats?). Later PVCs and Atenolol and to some extent Cardizem made these worse. Also on Coumadin which restricts everything you do or take. My reflux problem eased with Prilosec and later Prevacid (also tried Protonix and Acidphex) but these gave some side effects and had to stop them. PVCs also seem to occur with upset stomach and I don't know which causes the other but they are worse at night with upset stomach. However I recently got some advice on this site and started taking Maalox liquid after meals and at bedtime and this has helped. But how long can you be on this? Definitely stopped coffee and all oily foods but still with tea?? Early Echos and a MRI showed everthing fine with the CABG and valve replacement. Does anyone have this combo of hearing loss, heavy heart beats and PVCs? Will appreciate any comments
Chris at ***@**** Thanks.

[hard rock]

I've been dealing with pvc's and avc's for over 12 years. been to several doctors had a cardio cath everything is clean and green slightly enlarged heart  as i am heavy and smoke ( and stupid) but am always amazed that no one gets excited about couplets and triplets like I do. Slightly hypertensive but not on any meds. Oh did I mention I am a diabetic as well on pills not insulin. So do I just put up with this unsettling stuff or is there a magic bullet someone is holding back from me. Thought I'd ask ...

[Irey39]

I have EVERY symtom listed for MVP Syndrome, although my
cardiologist says that I don't have it.  My MVP is very mild.
He once diagnosed my problems as acid reflex, but I don't
believe this is correct.  These symtoms come and go over months
and years.  I don't believe it has anything to do with what I
eat.  I still have crushing chest pains, shortness of breath,
and that feeling of having to "try to breath".  
He now wants me to undergo Heart Catherization on Nov. 2, 2001.
So far he has put me through every test.  (About $5000 worth!)
I'm wondering...if my MVP is so mild, and all of my symtoms seem
to be all in my head, what's the Heart Catherization going to do
except put more money in his pocket?????  Should I get a second
opinion????

[jemm]

MVP is often mis-diagnosed and isn't always detected on EKG, the most reliable way to catch it is through an echocardiogram, but even that isn't infallible, please see the book: "Taking Control - Living with the Mitral Valve Prolapse syndrome". (second edition) By: Dr. Kristina A. Bladau Scordo PHD, RN.

best of luck,
Jemm