Can excessive pvc's weaken your heart?

I have horrible pvc's, bigeminy, trigeminy, supra ventricular contractions, and they happen to me everyday nonstop. I was referred to by my cardiologist to an electrophysiologist, and he refused to do the electro test on me. He said it was just stress. But, I still feel that it is stemming from the electrical system in my heart because I get it mainly after I eat, or if I move a certain way such as bending over. He suggested a beta blocker, and the first time I talked with him, he said if I could handle the pvc's then it would be best not to take it. But the 2nd visit, he said that I NEED to take it, because in the long run my heart will weaken because of them. Is this true? Because I bought my prescription of Coreg, and am terrified to take it, and I CAN deal with the pvc's as long as I know it's NOT gonna weaken my heart later. I am only 24.

[fearfactor]

Excessive PVCs can weaken your heart in the form of cardiomyopathy but only if you get a lot (I mean a WHOLE lot) over an extended period of time, like many years.  There are a couple people I've heard of who this has happened to, including one person on this forum.  I wouldn't get afraid about that, though, because there are treatments for PACs and PVCs.  You might give the betas a try - I did and it helps SO much.  I take Inderal and have no problems with it, it helps my anxiety, too.  

[SillyHeart]

They can weaken your heart if you have tens of thousands per day.  How many do you have per day?

[lns2119]

Is there a chat room for those who suffer with PACS/PVC?  Would love to converse about this topic

[wunabnorm]

My Average heart rate was 87. The minimum heart rate was 54. The maximum heart rate was 149. No Pauses. Ventricular ectopy was 16164, with 0 V-runs, and 3 V pairs, Ventricular Bigeminy was 89, and Ventricular trigeminy events were 488. Supraventricular ectopy was 2. This was on a GOOD day, normally it is 3 times as bad, but of course, it never is as bad while you are wearing the halter. Go figure! I am not sure how many pvc's total, but from what the halter showed, I had them every third beat all day long with the occasional bigeminy and trigeminy episodes that occurred. It is just super scary and uncomfortable.

[dmil241]

How many PVC do you get in a day on average? I've read of some people on this forum that have 1000s per day. Maybe one of them will see this post and comment. I have AVERAGED one every 7th beat during my really bad times. However I tend to cycle. I'll have a bad time for a few days or weeks. Then I'll have a relatively quiet cycle for awhile. I don't take anything.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

hey , my cardio dr says no they will not weaken your heart or cause you any problems , am 48 have ad pac since i was 23, just went through 9 weeks of non-stop 6-7 per min, did the same thing last year when mine come on they last for months and no i do not have a weak heart from them, my last holtor showed for 24 hrs i had over 3000 pac, and i felt everyone of them they were many in a row not singles but cardio dr said dont worry about them they are harmless unless you do have heart diease, they can hurt you than, but my heart is fine, i switch meds to stop them ,went on atenolol was a great med it did stop them but gave me to many side affects so as of today am back off it and back on timolol which ive took for 15 years and have bouts now and than with pac. so dont worry thats the first time ive heard a dr say that. maybe you need to get a second oppion. try relax . it just makes them worse and it would be bad for you to have them more over that when its not true.

[Momto3]

ARGH!!  I typed this whole long answer to your question and then hit the wrong key!  

Anyway, the short of it is that I developed a cardiomyopathy (weakened muscle) as a result of frequent pvcs. My EF dropped to 40%.  It is rare, but it can occur.  I started noticing pvcs in my late teens, early 20's, but didn't develop a problem until mid 40's.  

Have you had a recent echo?  Sometimes just the reassurance is the best medicine.

You may find great relief with the Coreg.  I used to take Inderal and it helped a lot.  Eventually, I went onto antiarrythmics (when my CM developed) and then opted for an ablation.  My CM has resolved and my EF is back to normal.

[wunabnorm]

I take half of a quarter of xanax which seems to help a bit since they say it's caused by stress, so... I wonder if I actually NEED to take the beta blocker if I can just reduce the stress naturally or by taking meds for stress (the xanax)
I also am going to try walking more, and try to conquer this naturally, instead of taking these meds which are going to make me sleepy and other side effects. What do u think?

[Momto3]

Given the frequency of your ectopics and b/c your cardio says you "need" the beta blocker, it is at least worth looking into further.  Have you considered a 2nd opinion?  Have you had an echo?  

As for walking more, I think that's a great idea.  My cardio encourages exercise and loves to hear that I'm walking with increasing frequency.  

I have also used Xanax (1/2 of a .25 mg tablet) - not much but is sometimes helps to divert the stress.  Why does your doctor believe your pvcs are stress related?  I'm an anxious person and stress/anxiety play a role, but I get pvcs regardless.

Since you are not entirely comfortable taking the Coreg, what about discussing it further with your doctor?  If you are comfortable and trust your doctor, you may want to reconsider the RX. If you are uncertain about your relationship with the doctor, perhaps a second opinion would make you more comfortable.

Good luck!
connie

[anacyde]

You have a lot of PVCs.  PVCs in great quantities can indeed weaken your heart.  If your cardiologist has suggested that a beta blocker is necessary, take it.

[SillyHeart]

You do have a lot of PVCs, Wunabnorm.  You should not quit your heart meds without discussing it with your doctor.

[wunabnorm]

I know its alot. I just want to thank all of you and this site to give me angels like you all to talk to. I am 24, and this is sad to say I live my life around these things. I am going to give the coreg a try tonight, and I'll get with you. Thanks

[orangecat]

I just spent the evening in the ER because of chest pain which was diagnosed as frequent PVCs.  I have been getting one PVC on every third or fourth beat for days.  This averages out to 20/minute, or almost 30,000 over 24 hours.  The ER Dr. said that they are normal.  Should I see a cardiologist?

[Alymat]

I went to the ER also for chest pains and he to told me it was normal..They put a halter on me and in a 24 hour period my PVCs were over 5000 in that period..I had an echo done and am now taking a beta..The ER doctors are NOT cardiologist so as far as i'm concerned they have no idea how serious it could be..I am 33 and have 3 three children and my beats are so painful and annoying..My mistake was waiting quite a few months to go to the doctor..If you ever have pains or problems with your heart, go to a cardiologist because if something is wrong it can be taken care of ASAP..PVCs are bad because it deals with the bottom of your heart..PACs aren't because it's the top..I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Regurgitation..AND NOT by an ER doctor..Just remember that if PVCs aren't serious the doctor wouldn't put you on a beta to protect your heart...

[Momto3]

In people with structurally normal hearts, PVC's and PAC's are considered benign.  Doctors use beta blockers to help reduce the symptoms of the PVC's.  Most cardios that I have encountered will only treat symptomatic patients, and only then if the patient is bothered by the extra beats.  

I have MVP and mitral regurgitation.  It is my understanding that in patients with valve disease, PVC's and PAC's are still considered benign.  However, if the ectopics become so frequent so as to cause a cardiomyopathy, it becomes increasingly important to optimize heart function and BP and treat with medication and/or ablation.  

[Barbarella]

Always listen to your doctor and follow his advise.  He is right that it can weaken your heart over many yrs, but not everybody gets a weakened heart from frequent PVC's.  You're only 24 with many yrs ahead of you why play russian roulette?  Take the meds as he prescribed and see how you feel.

I've been having PVC's sometimes bigenamy, one time for two weeks straight, for days and weeks to no end for the last 45 yrs, and I have a healthy heart, no weakness at all. I was/am lucky.  In some people it will effect their hearts.  I had a distant relative who was diagnosed with a 90% blockage in one of his arteries, he refused surgery and lived another 20 yrs and died at the age of 78 from Parkinsons.  He was lucky, other people have died with less blockages.

In case you wonder if I ever took meds for the PVC's the Cardiologist I saw said "no" and said that they could do more harm than good.  He sat me down and explained to me that I will NOT die, and that helped me a lot.  I don't have the fear of dropping dead anymore, but still HATE them when they come.

Make sure you have enough sleep, and try not to worry to much about them, and they will lesson, and come less frequent.  I know its not easy, I've been there, and know what a hell hole it is and how hard it is to get out of it.

Good luck!

It all depends on the person.  

[dabsinfiction]

I've been having pvc's for over a month now. They go away and then come back with a vengeance. Reading your posts has made me feel a lot better. I've had them for over 20 years and when I have an onset it's the same old depressing thing. I've been put through the medical mill with these things. LOL

I've been told that this is something I'll have to live with. Thanks for your uplifting comments.

[Barbarella]

Believe me I know how you feel.  

I know they are very uncomfortable, very scary at times, always remember what the Cardiologist told you "something you have to live with" in other words NOT dangerous.

They always stop after some time just to come again some time later.  Don't worry!  Some people get migraines, have IBS etc and we get PVC's.



  

[azonew]

It's great to read all of your comments.  
I have a Catheter ablation when I was 22 for Supraventricular taquicardia that lasted for up to 50 minutes.  Since then, I have not had arrytmia anylonger, with the exeption of two times, when I was nervous for something I did, which I am not going to squeal.  But, it only lasted one minute or less.  
Anyhow, now, when I am 26 I am getting many extrasystoles, which are what used to trigger my Arrytmia.  The difference, is that now I don't get the arrytmia, just the extracystoles, but they bother me a lot.
However, reading all of your comments have made me feel so much better.  I think that we are all ok, we just need to be careful, eat well, and exercise.  
I just did a blood test to check my electrolite levels, Extrasystoles might be related to low potasium, so check on that.
Anyhow, a pleasure.

[nervous15]

I am a VERY anxious person with alot of stress related issues.  I have suffered with PVC's for 40 years.  Although mine are not as frequent as yours and are unifocal in origin, they are very scary.  I tried EVERYTHING, beta blockers, etc.  I notice if I take a half of a .25mg xanax, it does take the edge off and relieves the anxiety ergo the PVC's subside.   I DO notice, however,  that tight fitting clothing, especially around the waist always gave me a problem with PVC's.  Also sometimes I, too, will get PVC's from just bending down to tie my shoes....go figure.  Get this, I get them if I have "Gas" in my intestine, the human body is so complexed.   Does frequent PVC's cause you to have a weak heart in time, I don't really know.  What I do know is that I would suspect that these bothersome ectopics are usually nothing but an aggitation and not serious.  I will say though that factors DO play a role.  Underlying heart disease, etiology of ectopy, etc.  

Maybe your cardiologist could order an echocardiogram with color flow to determine you heart's pumping %.  That is a good indicator of the wellness of your heart function.

Don't get yourself to stressed you are probably worrying for nothin...I know I do that ALL the time.

Good luck

Nervous15

[nervous15]

OMG..I am sorry wun, I thought MOMTO3 was the originator of this question.. I appologize for my error.  Momto I am sorry about the mix-up.  Wun, my opinion is for you hun.  


Nervous15

[sunsapphire03]

I just started noticing excessive PVCs about a month ago. In the past 2 years or so, Ive had several "episodes" where I FEEL like Im having a heart attack! My heart rate just randomly (for seemingly no reason!) speeds up GREATLY, I get dizzy, sometimes nauseous and once my vision got very blurry for a few seconds or so. (This episode I was driving on the interstate too, not fun!) But these episodes only lasted a couple minutes or less and then Id be fine, so I didnt worry too much. I was told by many people these were just heart palpitations and probably caused by the birth control pills I was on. However, after one episode that just finally scaared me too much, I stopped taking the pills. I had maybe 2 more episodes after stopping the pills. Then about a month ago I was just sitting with my husband watching a movie when I felt like I was g oing to have another episode, but I didnt. I kept getting this feeling, which didnt stop for a few days so I went in and was told I was having excessive PVCs (first time I learned abotu PVCs). Since then.. Ive had blood work done (came back normal), an echocardiogram (normal), chest xray (normal) and finally a 24-hour holter monitor that recorded over 3,000 PVCs. About 2 weeks ago (the night AFTER I took off the holter, go figure!!!!) I woke up suddenly from a deep sleep having another "episode", my heart was beating so fast and hard I could SEE movement in my chest! This didnt stop for AN HOUR AND A HALF!!! It was late so I stayed in bed, trying everything to calm down, thinking maybe it was a panic attack, but it didnt stop until we finally decided to go to the ER, I got up and of course, it stopped, but i went anyway and had lots of tests done and was found nothing except for all of the PVCs of course. Sooooooooo now Im going to see a cardiologist finally in 2 weeks hoping he can tell me why Im having so many PVCs and how to deal with it. Can anyone relate to this? Its just weird because all my tests come back normal, except the EKGs which show PVCs but no runs of them. Weird... Ive been freaked out for a month now, I hope they can figure this out soon!

[jondsam]

PVC are never the same for every person.  There are many types of PVC's and they all come from diferent areas of the heart.  Generally speaking I would not try a Beta Blocker unless I really had to.  Remember Beta Blockers are used for people with high blood pressure.  They thin your blood out, and lower your heart rate.  They also reduce the frequency (or the feeling of your heart beating)  By no means are they a cure for PVC.   They help some people but make others worst.  Also they dont like to talk about it but a side effect from beta blockers is sudden death.  Having a heart ablation is the only real cure for PVC's.  A surgeon will remove the tiny pockets of cells in your ventricles that the PVCs or coming from and remove it.  You will not have pvcs after that trust me.  Also the other thing to try is to keep you sugar intake under 40 Grams a day, lots of water, exercise, and eat 3 bananas a day.  Hope this helps.  

[jondsam]

Here is a list of side effects of beta blockers:
(ADRs) associated with the use of beta blockers include: nausea, diarrhea, bronchospasm, dyspnea, cold extremities, exacerbation of Raynaud's syndrome, bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure, heart block, fatigue, dizziness, abnormal vision, decreased concentration, hallucinations, insomnia, nightmares, clinical depression, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction and/or alteration of glucose and lipid metabolism. Mixed α1/β-antagonist therapy is also commonly associated with orthostatic hypotension. Carvedilol therapy is commonly associated with edema.

This is why I do not like beta blockers as only 4 out of 10 people I have talked to in the cardio office said they have helped.  1 person said it put them into V-Fib and straight to the ER.

[fuze1]

I have 22,000 in 24 hours. I'm going for a heart MRI....Has anyone had this done?  I'm only 27 and a little scared at the outcome...

[babydoll5851]

I felt the need to post this. I began having pvcs a couple of months ago and they got so bad (2 or 3 back to back at a time with only a few normal beats in between with some chest pain) that I went to the ER. The ER doctor told me that the pvcs were normal, but my blood tests showed that I had a blood clot in the right upper lobe of my lung. They admitted me to the hospital and started me on blood thinners immediately to try to dissolve the clot. The pvcs are still there, and the doctors have said that they could be caused from the clot, or they could have caused the clot. I am not sure who is more confused at this moment, me or the doctors. I have done my own research and discovered that low magnesium can cause pvcs as well as many of the other symptoms I have and am having. My magnesium level was low in the hospital so this could be a factor for some of you out there with the problem of these irregular heartbeats. Just thought I would share what I have found so far. I will try to post any progress on my status in case it helps any of you.

[Mom2four85]

I know this is a thread from 2007, but I wanted to share this; excessive PVC's CAN weaken your heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and it doesn't have to take years.

I went in June 09 to my pcp, he sent me to a cardiologist & ep and I had lots of testing in July.  I got scared and wasn't sure if I should have surgery and had a 2nd opinion and other testing done.   All tests consistently showed I had over 54,000 pvc's daily for a total of 42% of my HB in a 24 hr period, daily.  My EP told me it would lead to cardiomyopathy in a very short period of time if I didn't have an ablation.

From the middle of July until August when I had surgery, my EF went from 55-60% to 45% and I developed non ischemic cardiomyopathy.  I had some other things wrong also that in Dec 2008 and July 2007, my dr's didn't tell me about and used the old "nothing is wrong" dx. I had Trace MVP, Mild Tricuspid Regurgitation, LVH, NCS, and OI.

That "nothing was wrong" turned out to be malignant pvc's that I had to have an ablation, cardiac mri to rule out ARVD, cardiac cath to rule out clots, blockage etc and ended up having a pacemaker/icd implanted due to long runs of polymorphic VT [sustained & non sustained] and bradycardia.

[maryml]

Hey- I know your post is a little older, I hope you still come on here, but reading them made me feel much better. I am 31 and have just started having them 2 months ago. They are very scary and i have 3 small children  and my husband works away, so you can immagine how I felt when they started. At one time I was having 16 skipped beats a minute and my sister in law who is a nurse was even a bit scared and took me to the ER were they said its normal. I recently saw a cardiologist, but I wasn't symptomatic at the time of course, and he said not to worry, but they come back the past 4 days even stronger than ever and a little harder, almost as if it knocks the breath our of. I called my dr again and he is putting me on a 14 day event monitor to really track were they are coming from. I would like do testing first before going on a beta blocker,.

Anyways it nice and reasuring to read all the posts, really comforts me to know that I am not alone . It can get very depressing at time tho, especially when my 3 little angels need me and I am emotionally withdrawn because of how terrifying my PAC's are.

[Golfgril]

I've had PVC's for about 15 years now and am 38 years old. I was never able to get them captured on a halter on in the cardio's office until this year. Mine will go like crazy, every beat, for mintues...then stop. I can go maybe 10 or 15 mintues and then they start up again. I can go hours and have one skipped beat. then ten minutes later have another. It's a strange thing but I've been to 3 cardios (Penn, Cornell, and Cooper) and all told me the same thing...I'm fine. I do have trace regurg in all valves but no prolapse. I finally had the PVCs captured by an urgent care doc who gave me magnesium and it stopped. I'm still taking it and I'm still having PVCs. There's never a 100% cure and I'm bradycardic so I can't take beta blockers. Ativan works farily well but only at 1 MG.

[Dpentzy]

Hey your 24 if you chew tabbacco or smoke that is what is causing your pvc's you cant drink smoke chew or drink caffine. they will stop..and also try eating a banana every two days

[dmaxpsyd]

I'm "slightly" older than you (49) :) , but have the same thing; regular trigeminy/bigeminy PVCs.  Went to cardiologist and EKG and electrocardiogram shows healthy heart.  I am very bothered by the PVC's but have been reassured by my MD that there is nothing to be concerned about and to "tolerate" the symptoms (easy for her to say!).  I don't smoke, drink coffee, chew tobacco, and I'm not overweight, diabetic or have hypertension.  But unrelated, my wife encouraged me to get a polysonograph because of stopping breathing when I sleep.  Low and behold, I have central sleep apnoea.  I started on CPAP and I FEEL like my PVC's are all but gone (not bothered by them at least).  Started doing some research and have seen several medical journals noting an association with apnoea and PVCs and that CPAPs often significantly reduce PVCs (which for me was true).  Perhaps something to consider and talk to your MD about ... PS... I've also read that often Beta Blockers are WORSE for PVC's than no treatment (sometimes causing death!...that's not good)...but I'm not a medical doctor and would suggest following your MD's advice (with questions).  Hope this helps.

[tabitha71]

My daughter is 14 and has been diagnosed with excessive pvc's in lower right vetrical. Her halter shows over 35 thousand in 24 hrs. She has alot of symptoms with this. Her pvc's are all the time and they are easy to catch on the echo as she has them constantly. Her Cardio reffered us to a electro ( you know that big word ) and he wants to admit her for a couple of days to test different drugs on her. The Cardio said she needs an ablation. We are nervous. Some of y'alls posts have been reassuring. The electro gave both options ablation of drugs with 85% sucess rate on ablation. Are the drugs harmful to your health in other ways?

[bernibee]

Hello,

I'm a 65 year old runner who around Christmas developed irregular
heartbeat and PVC's.
They put me on a beta blocker.
Holter showed I had about 10,000 in the 24 hour period.
Most recent EKG didn't show any PVC's.
Cardiologist told me my heart is about 9 percent weaker than it should
be from the PVC's.
Well if that happened in only 2 months I guess I'm in big trouble.
The math is not encouraging.
I seemed to be in a regular pattern today until I did a run so I guess
running is out.
I guess it's a trigger.
I am quite depressed.

[curmudgen]

I am a skeptic when it comes to doctors -- your " Cardiologist told you that your heart is about 9 percent weaker than it should be from the PVC's. "  How was that determined?  Unless there are previous functional studies how can that be calculated?  Aging could bring about a 9 % change...  check into this.

[Smiley2000]

I am also sceptic about the 9% change...

Did your Cardio do an Echo, stress ECG and resting ECG?

Figures you need to know and monitor:  EF %, LVEF, heart size, heart chamber sizes and endurance level on stress ECG and BP during stress test.

Remember that PVC's are extra beats that we experience as miss beats.  It is very common, not serious and could be controlled with beta blockers.

Exercise is good for the heart muscle and overall health.  Continue to do your normal running, etc.

Symptoms that warrants further investigation and then you should stop exercising:  unusual shortness of breath, chest pains, jaw pains, dizzyness/fainting.

[bernibee]

I was wrong and I was stressed out all weekend. My heart wasn't
9 percent weaker than it was before.
He communicated badly.
He was trying to say compared to some standard of any age
my heart was 9 percent weaker which he said was good for a man
of 66.
Geez I wish that this guys could put themselves in our shoes
and communicate clearly.
Sorry about inaccurate post