CAD and PVCs

[slyder13]

Can PVCs be a symtom of CAD or is it just a risk if you have CAD?

[Mom2four85]

Here's some simple easy to read info from a great website i've been a member of for about a year as well as MH - www. skipping hearts . c o m - take out the spaces and do it as a web address or just google skipping hearts.  On the front page there is a heart terms glossary with tons of info that you may want to take a look at.

http://www.skippinghearts.com/articles/category/glossary/letter-S/ Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormal fast heart rhythm that starts in the upper chambers, or the atria, of the heart.  Supraventricular means above the ventricles, “tachy” means fast, and “cardia” means heart.

SVT is often an umbrella term for any arrhythmia that originates above the ventricles.  There are many types of arrythmia that may be called SVT.

there's a bit more information on svt that I didn't post, but you get the general idea

[tiggercat513]

to answer your questions, CAD is coronary artery disease, and svt is supraventricular tachycardia. SVT is a form of ventricular tachycardia where the tachycardia is triggered by an area above the ventricles. Ultrasound may or may not show CAD and may or may not show svt. An ekg can show rhythm problems.

[newtoPVCs]

What is CAD, and svt?  And should they have seen this on an ultrasound?  Can CAD be treated? Can you tell my MD had about 2 mintues with me total.....he was in a hurry. :/

[ChatterAlly]

I have CAD and svts. Yes, this can be a common symptom of CAD.  But arrhythmias are present in healthy hearts as well.  As long as you are not experiencing any of the other symptoms, I wouldn't be concerned.  Follow up with your doctor if you do.

[newtoPVCs]

I am a healthy 35 year old - I used to excercise quite frequently, and have always experienced an occasional PVC (or a few) ever since I can remember.  However, I would get one or just a couple, then would go months without any at all.

About a month ago I suddenly started experiencing several in a row - every other hearbeat, some every heartbeat for up to 6-8 in a row.  I ran to a cardiologist after 4 days of this sudden onset (I would have runs of these several times a day) and they caught my PVCs with and EKG and then also caught 165 of them on a holter.  I've also had an ultrasound done, and they said I had very minor MitralValveProlapse.  The MD wasn't alarmed at anything at all, but I feel like he was even a bit put out by my constant nagging of the questions about dropping dead, but my worry is that I have so many beats in a row that will kick in.  Sometimes the frequency of couplets and triplets will go on for an hour or more.  

Should I nag him even more about looking into this, or should I take it as lightheartedly (no pun intended!) as they do and just take my meds and work through?  When I get a run of up to 8 PVC beats all in a row, so far I have not noticed any lightheadedness or fatigue, just an increase in my anxiety, which makes them increase even more!!

I will also go a couple good days in a row where I won't notice many (or any) all day long and it's wonderful.  Those days I actually try to get more ative and walk and even jog a little, and am estatic when the PVCs don't kick in at all.

[va_tony]

Yes, PVCs are a common symptom of coronary heart desease.  Just google "common symptoms of heart desease" and you will see palpitations/PVCs listed as a "symptom".

Having said that, just because you have PVCs does not necessarily mean that you have coronary heart desease.  You also have to experience some of the other symptoms listed.  Many suffer PVCs even though their hearts are perfectly healthy.