Controlling non-sustained v-tach

[SBL8]

Hello,

I am a 40 year old female with a normal heart, a murmur, but only trivial valve leakage. I had a run of non-sustained v-tach show up on a holter, normal treadmill test. I have not passed out. I'm now taking Atenolol 25mg twice daily. I still get palpitations and am having another holter next week.

My cardiologist mentioned that if the Atenolol isn't working that we can try another, (Sotolol I think) but I'd have to be admitted to the hospital to start it. This seems drastic to me.

1. If my heart is normal, why do I need to take beta-blockers? Do they prevent problems with my v-tach or are they for symptom control only? The palpitations don't bother me, and if I'm in no danger, I prefer not to take them.

2. I have not yet cut out caffeine as the doctor instructed- can morning coffee be attributed to palpitations occuring 12 hours later?

Are there any specific questions I should ask at my next cardiologist appointment?

Thank you very much, I appreciate your time. Have a great day-

Susan

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Susan,

Thanks for the post.

Q1:"If my heart is normal, why do I need to take beta-blockers? Do they prevent problems with my v-tach or are they for symptom control only? The palpitations don't bother me, and if I'm in no danger, I prefer not to take them."

In persons with a normal heart who have NSVT, I use beta-blockers for symptom control, not to suppress NSVT or to prevent VT.  Practice patterns differ between doctors, however.

Q2:"I have not yet cut out caffeine as the doctor instructed- can morning coffee be attributed to palpitations occuring 12 hours later?

Perhaps, but there is only one way to know for sure ... do a personal trial.

Q3:"Are there any specific questions I should ask at my next cardiologist appointment?"

Ask him/her why the beta-blockers were prescribed -- to prevent symptoms or arrhythmias.

Thanks for the post.

[Clenn Camp]

Yes, ask your cardiologist question no. 1.
I cut out caffeine for over eight years and never noticed that it helped one bit. It may help if you cut out it's use though.
Different strokes for different folks you know.  What works for some does not work for others.

Glenn

[SBL8]

Thank you for the reply!

Susan

[wmac]

Hello, I just read your post. I too have nsvt. My cardio who is also a ep doc said that Im way better off just to live with it than to be on meds. She said that the meds can sometimes make things worse. She wanted to treat me for the symptoms at first but I said NO. I also read in  The Merck Manual which is for doctors and nurses, that there has been a mortality rate for being on meds with nsvt. IM SURE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN WITH PAITENTS, ALSO IF IT HAPPENS ONCE THEY HAVE TO LIST IT. I just dont want to freak you out. How long of a nsvt run did you have? Mine was three with heart rate of 140. Please tell me about yours and are you freaked with this im am.
wmac

[SBL8]

Hi,

The one caught on my holter was 5 beats, I think the rate was 129. I had felt runs of palpitations that were longer than that one, but they didn't happen while I had the holter on.
I was concerned at first, just because it was v-tach and I had read some scary things about v-tach. But...... after being checked by a cardiologist I feel much better about it. I still feel the palpitations, and they do get my attention. But now they don't concern me as much. I do have some questions when I see him again, and I'm hoping that I can quit taking the medication. Wishing you the best-

Susan

[wmac]

Thanks for your response so quickly. I wish I were more like you this nsvt has been controling me for over a year now. Im afraid of my own shadow! How do you deal with it so well. I think that Ive been doing too much reading on this. What has your cardio told you?

[jelsaad]

Can Anyone Please Help Me?

I am a 24 yr old feamle, non-smoker, in good physical condition. After finding single pvc's on an event monitor, my cardiologist ordered a Holter, which found a run of 3 consecutive pvc's. She termed this paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia -- Clearly, I am horrified. A cardiac MRI showed no structural abnormalities, and blood work indicated no thyroid dysfunction and only mildly low potassium levels(3.3).

My question, then, is how dangerous is the vt? I live in a constant state of panic, worried that I could drop dead at any minute. My Dr says the 3 slow,extra beats are likeley no cause for concern, but I'm petrfied and seek others' opinions.


THNAKS, AND ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED!!