Body Position induced PVC

[charlie]

After having benign PVC's for some years I am now more curious as to what triggers them rather than being terrified (which was the cas and I fully sympathise with anyone who experiences them).My question is why when I lean forward on all fours to get something from the floor for example does this body position seem to bring them on in runs and when I straigten up they stop. I know that when you are lying on your side you tend to feel them more - but the leaning forward position does actually trigger them off - I even demonstrated this to my GP who quite frankly was baffled although not concerned because my 24 hour holter showed nothing more serious than PVC's thoughout the day!?. Is there any reason why this is the case it's extremely bizzare.

Oh one last thing will a 24 hour holter pick up on the heart being under stress durng exercise or is it just done for the purpose of picking out irregularities?.

Brilliant site - I think everyone who gets comfort from it owes a massive thank you to the contributing MD's - Many thanks

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

I know that other people have mentioned similar findings but I have never seen a reasonable explaination.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Thanks for your comments.

[Kat]

I have the same problem!  laying on my right side seems to bring them on, but if i turn over to my left side it doesn't happen as much, I have also wondered why.
Bending also brings them on.
I dont know about the halter moniter, but I just had that done last week.  Hope it tells me what i need to know to help stop these incredably irritating things.  

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

The position of the heart in relation to the chest wall is probably part of it and reflux may play a role as well.  I think the advice to 'relax and breath easy' is good advice to all sufferers of PVCs.

[dave]

Charlie,
I know what you are talking about.  I have not been able to come up with a good explanation either.  All I know is that I need to remind myself "relax and breath easy" whenever I lean over to untie my shoes or whatever.

[Colleene]

I, too, notice PVC's in the position you mention.  For me, I try to be careful when I'm bathing my children.  If I lean over into the tub to lay one of them back to rinse their hair, I can pretty much guarantee some flip flops with my heart will occur.  Trying to find triggers can be frustrating.

[ginny]

Dear Charlie,
In reading other posts to this site, and the Doc's responses to them, it may be that pressure from the esophagus, diaphram, or other thorascic tissue may stimulate/irritate the sinus node that initiates the electrical cardiac rhythm.  Also, because you have PVCs already, you sinus node may be more sensitive/irritable and can be triggered more easily.  These are only a layman's suppositions and I am interested in the Doc's response also.
Sincerely,
Ginny

[Lauren]

I had my first experiece w/ PVC's when I was squatting to pick something up.  After that I tried to avoid that position AT ALL  COSTS and when I would have to squat, I would get so anxious it would almost bring on the PVC's immediately.  These scared me to death and I hated it so bad!  Finally, I got so mad at myself, because I felt like I was bringing them on, I made myself squat over and over (untill I was actually crying) until I convinced myself the PVC's were not going to hurt me, like my cardio told me.  I knew that GOD was holding my hand and I just had to fight my fears.  I now have PVCs very rarely, and that makes me feel much better- I can even squat!!!  I know that everyones situation w/ PVCs is different, but maybe this will help.  GOD BLESS and GOOD LUCK!!!

[Deb]

Hi to all,

I too have "positional PVC's".  I have a pectus excavatum.  Which means, I have a narrower anterior-posterior diaphragm.  There are far more worse cases then mine.  My heart is squished in between my spine and sternum.  So I feel each beat more in certain positions. I had many revisions of a pacemaker, because of the doctors having trouble placing the leads where I would not feel the ventricular and atrial pacing.

I was told that some people have PVC's, and do not feel them unless they are in certain positions. Also that being in certain positions can trigger PVC's because of the position of the heart in the chest. But the bottom line is that if people are not having problems from these that they are still considered benign.  So when I feel these, and I am in a certain position I just move around and they stop, when it is being caused by position.  I also get them for no reason too.  My very wise cardiac doctor told me a funny saying it goes.....The patient says to the doctor, "doctor it hurts when I do this"! So the doctor says, "then don't do it" ! :-) Take care !