Could all those cardiac test be wrong? I'm scared

[godsproperty000]

Hi, thank you for your time. I have had extensive non-evasive tests done on my heart over the past few years because of Pvc's that I have been experiencing. I am a 39 year old female. Dont drink..I have been smoking about half a pack a day. (trying to quit) I am 5'10 and weigh 230lbs. I do have a family history of heart disease. The doctors told me according to the cardia tests I have had..ekg..holter..event monitors..echocardiogram..stress test with thalium..I have had em all...they tell me nothing is wrong with my heart that I just have pvc's. (plus I am on atenol 25mg. not for High BP tho..just for palps). I was getting comfortable with their diagnosis until I talked to my neighbor who is the same age and female, who had all the tests done as well...and they came back fine. but when they did a catheter on her..they discovered she had a 75% blockage and had to put a stint in. I am really afraid now..cause you know when something just doesnt seem right with your body. I feel like maybe the doctors are blowing me off and making me think I am crazy.. should I insist on the catheter? I am also afraid of that test..the risks seem high..is there another way to make sure my heart is 100% fine without invading it? Please help me..my next doctors visit will be to a mental institution..I CANT LIVE LIKE THIS!!! These irregular heartbeats CANNOT be normal!! I need to connect with some people who have been thru the same thing.Thank you for your time.

[Cleveland Clinic]

gp,

thanks for the post.

It is highly unlikely, almost improbable, that all of the test together are wrong.  Even if they were to find a blockage that was for some reason missed by the testing, it isnt causing your PVCs.

I dont want to minimize your PVCs, because some people have alot of symptoms from them. Honestly though, your symptoms are sound more like the anxiety dealing with the fact that you have PVCs other then the PVCs themself.  

You can keep seeking testing on your heart.  Eventually, one test will come back abnormal.  Its the nature of testing, and false positive test happen.  

I think you came to the right place for a support group.  There are a lot of others here that have dealt with their PVCs and the anxiety associated with them.  Use them as a support structure, but you should also talk with your physician to help you seek professional help in dealing with your anxiety issues.

You should also talk with them about getting your weight down and back into shape.  This will be your biggest risk factor for bad things down the line, not the PVCs.

good luck

[justanothergirl]

I am in the same boat as you, i know EXACTLY how u feel, but, you know, there has to be a time when we stop worrying and get on with our lives. No amount of worrying and research will do us any good and the more you look for something the more self-diagnosis you make and then you worry even more! If you've had all the tests then it sure sounds like they are BENIGN pvc's and this is pretty harmless and quite common. I'm 23 and i had always noticed skipped beats, but in the past few months they occur daily and have worried me sick! I literally didn't think I would make it through the night at times. But, it hasn't killed me yet and I don't think it's going to happen.
I know how you feel, I really do, I spend my days looking around at other people and wishing I was them-how come they don't notice their heart does weird things? Why me? But, I would stop the tests now and get on with you life. If you had blockages i'm pretty sure you would have severe chest pains and more bothersome symptoms than just pvc's. You will be fine, enjoy your life and stop the worrying. The more you stress the more damn extra beats u will get! Afterall we could all worry when we have a headache that it's a brain tumour, or if we have a cold it's meningitis. Truth is, we could all walk outside and get hit by a bus. Make the most of your life now, you've had the tests and the echo is pretty definitive for structual damage.I completely feel for you, take comfort that there are lots of us all in the same boat-my doc said if he tested ten people half of them would show premature beats.
Take care and be happy xx

[Pulseman]

If you were really concerned about your heart you would quit smoking and start exercising. Quit being scared and start taking matters into your own hands. If your heart is fine now it will not be in the future if you do not change your ways what with your family history and smoking. Perhaps your doctor is blowing you off because it is obvious to him that you are not trying to do all you can to keep your heart healthy.

[godsproperty000]

Justanothergirl...thank you so much for your comment.You are right..I should get on with my life..and I am going to do just that...I had found something funny regarding pvc's on another message board.. here it goes..."I have lived with pvc's for over 20 years now. 100% med free. I did initially take beta blockers but the side effects were too much for me. (My hair was falling out and I turned into a zombie.)

One thing I have noticed is we all pretty much go through the same process when we realize there is something weird with our heart. We FREAK OUT! We try to learn as much as possible, research everything, we practically become better doctors than the docs we go to! How many of us have gone to the emergency ward telling the doctor something like:

"Doc, I'm having multiple pvcs, my heart rate is up to 130, im short of breath, etc,etc." Hell, the Doctor smiles and thanks us for saving him the time to diagnose us! LOL...

In a nutshell here's a table of events that we've all probably done or are going through right now...

Step 1 - The first encounters....

Watching tv, working out, whatever, you feel a thump in your chest. Or perhaps a small flutter. You really don't worry about it too much. But then either a few hours, days, later, you have another, perhaps a run of them. You have an episode of pvcs followed by shortness of breath, nervousness, etc. You decide to go to a doctor.

Step 2 - The dreaded 3 letter word!!

Your doctor gives you a stress test, heart monitor, etc, and tells you "there's one, another one, yep you're having... PVC's!!" WHAT!! PVC? What's a PVC!!! A PRE VENTRICULAR CONTRACTION!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! If you're like me this word initially scares the bejbas out of you!  LOL.

Step 3 - Doc says your fine...

Your doc says, "no problem, they're normal, just don't worry about it. If they bother you we can put you on some meds to help control them.

Step 4 - You don't believe your doctor, time for research!!

At this point that 3 letter word is driving you nuts. You KNOW there has to be something more to this so you research PVC's. You learn so much about it you could diagnose others and possibly get a degree!!

Step 5 - Time to go nuts!!

At this point you have researched so much, tuned in to your heartbeat so much that you can actually SEE your chest beating, HEAR your heartbeat while resting, some of you (like me) may have to sleep with the tv or music on to drown out your heart beat! You ACTUALLY wait and anticipate each pvc and when it happens, BOOM THERE IT IS!! Some people will eventually cause themselves to have panic attacks, think they are going to die all the time, go to the emergency room at the first sign of a pvc, basically driving yourself mad!!

Step 6 - Learn to live with it. Focus on other things.

It's hard to get to this step, but we can skip steps 4-5 if we understand that PVC's are not going to kill you. They ARE normal and a high percentage of people have hundreds a day and never know it. I know for a FACT that stress plays a HUGE part in causing pvcs, or at the least making them worse. Remember, PVC's are 99.999% of the time caused by your internal electrical system being a bit out of whack. Here's what you can do to help yourself live with pvc's and not worry/freak out about them.

1) Give up caffine, smoking, excessive sugar, STIMULANTS right now. These are big factors in triggering pvc's.

2) If you have an epsiode and it is starting to freak you out, immediately go for a walk outside. Walk your dog, engage in a conversation with a friend or neighbor while you are walking. What this does is causes your brain to focus on something else, gives your heart/electrical system something to do with those extra beats. The idea is to focus your brain AWAY from the pvc's.

3) Lose extra pounds. Obesisty and pvc's don't mix. Lose the weight.

4) If you're still wrapped up in yourself, visit a hospital and visit the kids ward where they have cancer. Nothing like seeing a kid with cancer and then realizing how small your problem is compared to thiers. Again, the idea is to convince your mind "you're ok" and not to focus on "you" so much.

5) Try to get a full 6-8 hour sleep every night. Nothing better for our electrical system than to regulate our internal clock. You'll be amazed how much better you'll feel once you can sleep regularly. If you're focusing on your heart beat at night, do what I do and sleep with something like a tv, radio, storm sounds, rain, etc, playing in the background. And there's nothing wrong with taking a small glass of wine before going to bed.

6) NEVER eat a meal before going to bed. A freshly filled stomach can also cause pressure on your upper body and trigger pvc's.

7) Work out! The only way to get rid of stress is to work out. It doesn't have to be a huge workout. A 20 min walk 3 days a week will do wonders. A few crunches, light weight lifting (5-20lb weights) combined with walking and swimming is great for releaving stress. (And so is an active sex life!) For the record, panic attacks can be triggered by stored stress!!

PVC's can be mentally very stressful at first. But if you relax and focus on other things in your life, it's amazing how much they eventually don't bother you because you learn to accept this is how "your" heart works and it's nothing out of the ordinary, "for you".

I wish you all the best with learning how to "live" with your diagnosis. If anyone else has any advice for first timers with pvc's please share your thoughts. Thanks!"

I found this to be quite comforting as it seems to describe me to a tee. lol

As for you PULSEMAN...as I stated in my original post..I am trying to quit smoking..and as far as the weight goes..it was a result of having taken ephedrine for 5 years..and then I started to have the heart irregularities..so I had to get off the ephedrine..and have had heart problems and chest pains since then. And as of all diet pills..you know once you go off them...you gain all your weight back and then some. I should also hope that you are not a physician Pulseman..cause you have no compassion and I am assuming since you are so judgemental..that you have never had a physical problem..and if that is the case..consider yourself very blessed.

[godsproperty000]

Thank you Al for your comment..its true that the physcians should trust what the patients are telling them. I read alot of posts..and you hear the same thing over and over about physcians making the patients feel stupid...or just brushing them off as having anxiety..ya know..since these doctors are no longer carrying malpractice insurance..it seems that they dont care whether you live or die anymore...what is going on in the medical world???? Where is the compassion? I tell you...as much research as I do on different health issues..and then confront my physician (well.nurse practicioner) and she says..shes never heard of that..well..it concerns me that I tend to receive more education than she did lol. Doctors!!! do your research please!! Every situtation is not covered in text books!

[bama jane]

One test I had that helped ease my mind and isn't invasive is a super fast ct scan. There are differing opinions on it, but it helped me to know my calcium percentage was 0. Read information on the net about it and make your own decision. I don't think insurance pays for it.  If you decide to do it, research and find the place closest to you that has the latest equipment.  The newest ones are like a virtual tour through your body.  It will show hard calcium but not soft, both can cause problems. Learn about it and see if it is for you. I also have multiple misbeats every day and  reading about the different problems people on this sight have had and  lived for years has helped me a lot. I have a really good doctor, the only thing monitored more closely than my heart over the last five years is the White House!  A good caring doctor is the key to living with arrhythmia successfully.  Good luck! Sounds like god is already on your side.

[godsproperty000]

I want to thank each and every one of you for your posts. I feel alot better. The pvc's aren't as often as they had been the past couple of weeks (thanks to God and alot of prayer). I am beginning to wonder if I should even go with any further testing. The thought of a catheter scares me because of the risks involved. Perhaps I am borrowing trouble? (as my mother tells me lol)I get a few odd little pains or sensations in my chest and my arm but that could be just my getting old lol. I just get so confused. And to Doc...you say that its improbable for all those tests to be wrong and that there may not be a blockage..I feel better knowing that..I do not have high blood pressure..I do not have high cholesterol..other than lack of exercise..I guess I am pretty healthy. One thing I do notice is that I have had chronic heartburn for a couple of years and I take prilosec otc daily for that..and I notice that sometimes if I belch..(lol gross) it helps make the pvc's subside. What is the correlation of Gerd(? not diagnosed with that but my mother has it and I seem to be developing all her health problems) and pvc's or irregular heartbeats. Any thoughts anyone?  BLESS ALL OF YOU!!

[dafan]

Hi from a  fellow pvc er....hahah... there is a saying that a responder once qoted on the board and it was.... if you go to enough doctors you will eventually find one that will do invasive testing. I TOTALLY sympathize with you. I agree with a futher post... and I am no dr so dont take this as medical advice. I think the calcium score would be a first step before a cath...

[godsproperty000]

thank you for your advice Cafan..will definitely check into that since I reaaalllly dont want an invasive procedure done. Thanks again!! Bless you

[Jeff-67]

I am a fellow ectopic sufferer, so I do not mean to sound harsh, but how can you possibly justify your concerns about PVCs when you are smoking so many cigarettes per day? You know that cigarettes cause cancer and all other sorts of problems and your doctor will tell you that smoking will without question increase your changes of dying young, yet instead of focusing on this you focus on a benign arrhythmia? Worse still, you are concerned about an arrhythmia that is most likely far worse due to the fact that you are smoking a stimulant! Do yourself a favor and quite smoking! You cannot expect to dump this much toxicity on your body organs and not have them protest! I do not diminish the reality of your PVC concerns, but those of us who have suffered this for years at least take steps to remove possible triggers.

[godsproperty000]

Once again..as I have previously stated..not once but twice..I am in the midst of quitting smoking..I have smoked since I was 15 years old..actually I had never had a heart palpatation until I stayed on the ephedrine pills for years..thats what I contribute the problem to. I am trying to live healthier unfortunately it doesnt happen over nite. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from these irregularities as well and apparently you have suffered them for no apparent reason thus the anger geared toward me for having lived an unhealthy lifestyle for so long..and you obviously are fit as a fiddle and still have problems..so I guess as the saying goes..eat right..stay fit..die anyway.. is true. We can only look forward to a better eternity.

[tickertock]

one day at time is all i can say, congrats on striving to do what is best for your overall health. It takes time, sometime more than is bearable. Good luck. Take care.

[Jeff-67]

Frustration, yes, anger, no.

The fact is that for some people their hearts just become irritable and they start getting ectopics or start to become more aware of them.  Since cigarettes are a stimulant it is very possible that if your heart has become more irritable they could well be what is sustaining your ectopics. Irrespective of whether this is true in your case or not, I just find it hard to understand how you can indulge in something that is far more likely to reduce your life expectancy than your ectopics. I guess unlike the ectopics you don't have any physical symptoms (yet) associated with the damage the cigarettes are causing.

[MinnieM]

Enough said, Jeff.  The lady is trying to quit.  Give her support not criticism. Art thou perfect in all ways, Jeff?

[Jeff-67]

Where did I say I was perfect? If I were, would I be visiting this site?

[MinnieM]

Jeff, go back and read your post to this young lady.  You were pretty critical.  She knows what she needs to do....Give her support and encouragement. Smoking is one of the worst habits to break..in case you are not aware.  Again, she is aware..no lectures, please.  Thank You.

[Jeff-67]

You are entitled to your opinion, as am I.  You are not the moderator, so please, for the sake of others who want to share opinions without being motherd by you, just let it go.

[WPWGuy]

Hi, I believe that short run VT (essentially several PVC's in a row) can be indicative of potential heart disease.  I know that when my doctor and I recorded a short string of VT (several PVC's in a row) on a holter, an angio quickly followed.

In my case, no heart disease thankfully, hopefully just a bad case of "ectopics" created or unmasked by ablation.  It did take a bit of overexercise to bring about the VT --- before that all we had on tape were simple ectopics, both PVC and PAC.  

I dont want to alarm.  Most PVC's are probably not to worry much about, especially if you've been seeing a cardiologist for them!!! Definitely see your doctor again if things change or get worse...

Of course, it goes without saying that Caffeine can also be a problem for heart rythmns. Cutting back and doing regular exercise are relatively easy things to do and really do seem to help.  Good luck.

Good luck.

[WPWGuy]

BTW,  the angio is nothing. I worked myself up into such a tizzy anticipating it, and in the end it was quick, easy, and painless.  Compared with having untreated heart disease, the risks are virtually zero.

[godsproperty000]

Thank you WPW. I will continue to try to see a cardiologist..its hard when your pcp doesnt want to give you a referral. I believe I will just have to put my trust in the highest power. (God) The pvc's really arent that much anymore..I try to see what it is that I do when I get the most..and usually its eating. I am seriously wondering how much acid reflux and palps have to do with each other. I have heard that before. Again, I am trying to do the right thing..I have started riding my bicycle daily and have totally cut caffine (thats not in chocolate lol) out of my diet. Its a shame most of us wait until we're too old to have any energy, to decide to start working out and taking care of ourselves. If pvc's were the ONLY symptom I was experiencing, then I wouldnt worry so much..but its the occasional sharp pain in my arm or tingle in my hand...or little sharp pain in chest or breast area that concern me. sigh..I dont know what else to do.

[godsproperty000]

Thank you so much for seeing my side...some people just have the tendancy to judge others...and thats ok..because by the way you judge others is the way you will be judged..so dont let anyone's comments irk you. Take in all in stride my dear. God Bless!

[MinnieM]

Thanks, honey.  I can hold my own and know when someone is out of line. Cindy and Phil's main intent when they started Medhelp International back in 1993, was for support and talk to talk, with leading physicans.

If you should have a heart catherization, please be sure he/she is an expereinced one and also experienced in doing stents, if you should need one.  Insist that NO Cardiac Fellow be involved in this and only a well experienced intervetional cardiologist and done at a large hospital.

God Bless You and Good Luck.

[Gaspipe]

Minnie I tend to agree to with Jeff ...sometimes tough love is needed . I mean as a 20plus year sufferer of PVC's I 've had many tests and finally my longtime family Doc basically told me to "suck it up" I took it to "heart"  and still have many PVC's but do not let them control my life . At times this is not easy but people like this questioner who has had every test in the book needs to realize PVC's are for many many people a mental game and if I can do it anyone can. And with all the negative tests and lack of other symptoms to suggest a heart cath and all the risks that go along with the procedure sounds like major overkill. You can not go back to DOc's for evaluation after evaluation while continuing your bad habits and expect to keep on getting a sympathetic ear. Just my humble opinion I remain Gaspipe

[rambios67]

Hello,
This is my first post to the heart forum.  My specs..
I am 37, 5'10, 190 with a BP on average around 120/80. My meds include Ativan:.5mg 3xdaily, Avalide:150mg once/day, Toprol XL 12.5mg once/day and Prilosec OTC once/day. I have been a type triple A personality my entire life and I have been married two years to gorgeous woman with heart of gold.

Two years ago, I ran about 3-5 times per week, averaging about 3-4 miles. Weighlifted. Drank a lot of beer, never smoked, and an had two cups of coffee per day. I took atenolol (25mg once each morning) and my bp was around 140/90.  I was in a high stress job.

Two years ago, (one month after my wedding), I had my first panic attack while watching the movie "Matrix". I thought I was going to die! My heart raced, I felt dizzy, my arms went numb, etc.. This happened after a night of alcohol, intense video games, and three cups of strong coffee the morning of the movie.

Since then, my life has been a tailspin of ER visits, Urgent Care, lack of sleep, weight gain, and stress on my marriage.

Well, we ran to the ER after the panic attack and the Docs said I was fine. I had one more the following morning, ran back to the ER and docs said I was fine. I then had EchoCardiagram done the following week. All normal.

I had two more panic attacks the summer of 2003. My old doc put me on Xanax (.5 threexdaily) to settle my nerves. It worked..for a bit.  I have not had coffee in two years! No caffeine in my diet except for the occaisional chocolate. I started running again and felt better.

Then the anxiety hit in August of 2003.

More ER visits, a stress test, a event monitor. All normal....BUT...during the fall of 2003...the dreaded PVCs started.  This threw me the ultimate curveball.  I was depressed and terrified. I saw a new doc who told me to go off the Xanax cold turkey so that I could wear an event monitor. The withdrawl symptoms were nightmarish.  I felt spaced all week and like someone had a vice on my head.

Well, we ran to urgent care and the ER and my pulse was down to 35-45 bpm. My new doc prescribed Verapamil. My bp soared to 160/100!

I naturally freaked. My doc perscribed Paxil and then Zoloft.  No help. Had nightmares and gained 40 pounds.  My PVCs never subsided and I was diagnosed with GAD and Gerd and had a brief stint with Diverticulisis.  Also I learned I had a fatty liver from the weight gain. I was also told I have depression.

Well, I went back to my old doctor who told me not to worry about PVCs, put me on Troprol.

I then starting having chest pain...almost every day near the top right of my breast. Scared the hell out of me..more ER vists, two more Stress Tests, a dozen EKGs, a 48 hour holter monitor, numerous blood tests...all normal with the exception of PVCs.

Now to the present.  My PVCs have triggered again. I am terrified. I am afraid to workout because they occur during a run and scare the hell out of me.  I feel like my heart is about to stop.  More tests have been done. Even a CT scan. 0% score. Excellent. My bp is down to 120/80. I have a low salt diet, no caffeine, hardly any alochol. Maybe one glass of wine per week.

I am getting another 48 monitor tommorrow.  I just came off a event monitor that broke my chest into puss filled sores.

I am tormented by these PVCs. They occur right when I get up, or go to the bathroom, when I lie down and turn, when I workout, after I eat..they just occur.  I am lost and saddened. My life with my wonderful bride has been one ER visit after another and doctor hopping to find answers.
What do I do?
I have tried professional counseling. Helps a little but the PVCs rear their ugly head and set me back.  These past two weeks have been a nightmare as I barely sleep because of constant fear and these damn PVCs and PACs.  

Help!!!