Many PVC's

[CareBear59]

Sorry to bother you all again, but this is really controlling my life.  If I've had numerous resting ekg's, a holter monitor in January, and an echo in April that were all fine and I get bigeminy premature beats (which feel just awful).  I've read in cuts down on the circulation to the body because you're cutting in half with the bigeminy beats.  Anyway, my question is:  how long can the heart do this, (just minutes, days, hours) or would you eventually go into a lethal arrythmia.  I also suffer from PSVT, does that make a difference?  Please help if you can, this is really starting to control my life and everytime I get bigeminy or any premature beats anymore I just go into a panic?
Thanks so much for your time.  I hope you can ease my mind.
Carrie

[Liz]

HELP ME UNDERSTAND JUST WHAT IS THIS PVC.  I JUST SPENT 3 NIGHTS IN THE HOSIPTAL FOR VERY VERY LOW HEART RATE IT STAYS IN THE 30S SOMETIMES IN THE 40S  AND THEY SAUD IT SHOULD BE IN THE 70 S OR 80S. ALL  MY TEST HAVE COME BACK NORMAL. I DO RETAIN A LOT OF FLUID. YOU CAN NOT TELL MY ANKEL FROM MY CALF OF MY LEG. YES I'AM OVER WEIGHT AND NEVER HAD OR HAVE NOW HIGHBLOOD PRESURE.I NEVER SMOKED AND VERY VERY SELDOM DRINK. I DO DRINK A LOT OF WATER.THEY ARE ORDERING A STRESS TEST FOR ME AND A SLEEP STUDY. I'AM ONLY 28  , THE DOCTOR SAID I CAN NOT WORK ANYMORE NOR HAVE ANYKIND OF STRESS. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN. THEY PUT ME ON ZESTRIL. IF I WALK JUST A LITTLE BIT MY RATE GOES DOWN EVEN MORE.  SO PLEASE EXPLANE TO ME WHAT THIS IS AND CAN I DIE FROM IT
THANK YOU
LIZ

[Pat S.]

This is in addition to my last message. Although potassium has helped me,  I realize that some people may be senstive to taking potassium and in the presence of some health problems be unable to tolerate it, so it would be wise to check with your doctor first.  Some foods that are high in potassium are dried apricots, pinto beans, blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, yams, potatoes, bananas.

[Pat S.]

In all of the discussions on this forum I have yet to hear any advise about proper nutrition.  With all of the mineral depletion in the soil these days plus the empty food most people eat could it be that this may have something to do with the illnesses and dis-eases we experience? Then how about stress that futher depletes our body's supply of needed elements?  I would suggest getting educated on nutrition and if possible not be dependent on drugs.  If your body is in really poor health, drugs and or surgery may be necessary but the body has remarkable recuperative power if it has the correct food stuff to work with.  I have suffered with PVC's for many years on and off.  I discovered that potassium has really helped.  In fact with a single dose of just 500mg. I experienced a return to normal heart rhythm immediately and this after having PVC's every few beats.  Pat S.

[Martie to Nan]

Nan, I just read your posting today and I too am taking Toprol XL for the last several years which worked ok until this past June When the pvc's increased greatly. I was taking 100mg. My doctor has now increased it to 150 mg and he said if that doesn't work he will take it up to 200 mg. I read where the highest dose is 400 mg. I didn't try the 150 yet. I'm just trying to live with these things but I'm not very successful. He won't let me take some of it in the morning and some at night. He said it has to be taken all at once. I see that so many people take atenolol for pvc's that I wish he would switch me to that. Although the doctors on this forum have told me that beta-blockers are basically the same. If only it would be easier to control these things. Life would be so different for me. Take Care,Martie

[Ed Williams]

Thank you many times over for housing this board and keeping its contents searchable via the Web.

I turned 46 this week, and this week my best friend of 26 years had a triple "cabbage."  She was 49, not a pound overweight, and had followed an exemplary diet for over a decade.  She's in the Heart Hospital of Austin and doing very well.

A week or two before her first cardiolight, I experienced my first skipped beat.  I workout six days a week.  In a past career, I was a personal trainer for NFL players, NBA players, and bodybuilders, including the first Ms. Olympia.  I don't do _serious_ aerobic activity, but I cycle at least three times a week and, of course, weight train.

This skipped-beat anomaly took a while to recognize.  Didn't happen under exertion, only at rest.

I've been focused on my friend's condition.  That's all that's mattered.

Thank you for the information in this forum.  I've been frightened about the skipped beats.  Now I know I can wait at least a few days before consulting my doctor.

Blessed holidays to you all...

[Mike]

My irregular heartbeats decreased dramaticly when my doctor took me off of toporol. I was only on 50mg a day and now take verapamil. It is much better though the problem seems to be creeping back slightly. Mine is much worse when i eat a big meal or something with caffine. I hope this helps.

[kris]

I feel like I've come home. I used to think I was the only person in the entire world whose heart did somersaults. It only took 10 years and numerous to doctors to finally diagnose my PVCs. I'm about to start on Atenolol, 25 mg./day. I hope it works. My best to all of you. If you need to talk, email me at ***@****.

[nan]

I also have PVCs which at this point are driving me crazy!  Does anyone else find that it makes you "nervous" for lack of a better word?  I have been on Toprol for a number of years and my dosage has been increased every year and am now at the point of taking 75 mg every morning and 100 mg at night.  I stay tired ALL of the time and generally feel lousy.  I keep thinking with the technology we have available, there would be something else besides medication to take care of the situation.  When my dosage is upped, it works for about 10 months and then the cycle starts all over again and they up the dosage once more.  Is anyone else on this high of a dose?  I would love to hear form you.

[kimmie]

Hi Carrie!!!!! The doctor diagnosed me with anxiety disorder , Gee i wonder why lol. I am not on any medication, of course I prefer not to be on any, I don't want to be dependant on meds for the rest of my life. I have to learn to control my stress and anxiety, which is not an easy thing to do. Carrie how old are you? I'm just wondering because i feel im the only 24 year old with this problem. Sometimes its hard to stay optomistic, but its the only thing i have right now to get through this. Just like you I am scared and confused by this whole situation, but its not the end of the world. Carrie my email address is ***@**** if you would like to talk . I'm really glad I have someone to talk to about this thats going through the same thing as I am. Take care and I'll talk to you soon ok. And remember think POSITIVE!!!!!!
   Kimmie/New York

[Dana]

Dear Doctor,
Thank you for responding to my question. I have one more question if that is o.k.? I read other questions about Amiodarone and I'm wondering if I should be worried about being on it. I know that not everyone will have side effects from medication but I was given a 4 page information sheet with this and I have never been on anything like this before. Should I be worried? and what are the chances of it destroying my lungs and liver? Thanks again. Dana.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Dana,
I consider amiodarone an effective and safe medication. The lung and liver problems can occur, but typically only after years of being on a high dose. From your post, it sounds like you may have heart failure and PVCs in that context. Amiodarone would be reasonable in that situation. If you just have PVCs and have a healthy heart, then I do not think it is worth the risks of being on amiodarone.

[Carrie]

Hi again Kimmie!
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement.  Have you figured out what brings yours on?  And are you on any medication for yours?
Take care,
Carrie/Denver

[kimmie]

Hi Carrie its me Kimmie when my pvc's first started they seemed to be every 4th beat of my heart, which was very scary. then the subsided to maybe a couple times a month for about 3 years. and just recently they started getting frequent again and of course i started freaking out about them. It seems like the more i worry about them the worst they get. Yesterday i went to the doctors just to have my heart checked and my doctor scheduled me for an echocardiogram on the 13th of dec. He told me not to worry about it , its just a procedure to make sure nothing has changed. Im scared but i am not going to let these pvc's  control my life again. I have my 3 year old daughter to take of and nothing is going to get in my way. Carrie the most important thing to do is to control your pvc's dont  let them control you! take care and ill talk to you soon.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Beta blockers are the best and safest medication for PVCs, when treatment is required. It may be necessary for your doctor to increase your dosage. HOwever, it is unlikely that the medicine will eliminate the PVCs altogether. There are other medications that can potentially be used for PVCs, but these medications are dangerous. Unfortunately, the trigger for PVCs in a particular individual cannot always be identified.

[Annya]

Dr why would these PVC's suddenly start after having absolutely no problems other than high cholesteral ..I have given up coffee almost completely do not smoke walk every morning for 20 minutes now  but still have them sometimes lasting for over an hour sometimes two good days pass with none..the heart beats normally for sometimes three or maybe more beats then seems to stop  and then goes on for another few normal beats..is there anything else I can do. What medication will stop it from happening?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Literally speaking, PVCs are a type of cardiac arrhythmia. In the case of most of the people who post here, though, these PVCs have no medical significance and are best left untreated. Your case is nothing like that. It sounds like you have a serious problem with your heart that does require treatment with medication.

[jan]

What?!  "and from what I've been reading, can't die from pvc's unless you have cardiac disease"  I haven't read that you can DIE from them if you have cardiac disease!  Dr. please tell me Cheryl is mistaken!  
Thank you

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

PVCs do not cause death under any circumstance. However, in patients with serious underlying heart disease, say heart failure from prior large heart attacks, PVCs can serve as a marker for increased risk of death from lethal ventricular arrhythmias.

[Annya]

I agree with you all that it is very frightening but  try to focus on the fact that they are  not going to harm you ...this is what I try to tell myself but I know its a vicious circle you get stressed because you  are frightened. I am already on beta blockers but as the Dr says maybe I need a stronger dose. I have been on 40 mg Inderal for the past 20 years.

[Dana]

I'm not sure what is happening to me but after reading all of these comments I'm wondering now.  I was put on a Beta Blocker and then Amiodarone. I was having over a 1,000 extra heart beats in approx. 40-45 min. It took over my life. My doctors tell me that since I'm on the Amiodarone that I should be feelin better in a couple of weeks. It takes a while to work. I was told that I'm having cardiac Arrhythmias is that the same as p.v.c.'s? My blood pressure is very high and I have fainted quite a few times.

I still have alot of tests yet to do and my cardiologist at home is sending me to another one who specializes in the area where my doctor thinks is wrong with my heart. My symptoms ahve been there for a long time and have now got to the point it is hard to get out of bed and I cough all the time and can't lay down without 4 pillows.

I was told that Amiodarone can lead to death and I don't like being on it but can't live like this any more. Is there a difference between p.v.c's and cardiac arrhythmias? and should I be concerned that with having these arrhythmias? I know i should post a question but I don't know how. thank-you for your help and time. I hope all of you will be o.k. and find the answers you need.

[Cheryl]

Hi,
I am 39 year old female and have had aggravating pvc's for 17 years!!!  I've been told I have a mitral valve prolapse which makes my heart more sensitive to simuli (i.e. caffine, stress, anxiety) unfortunately, I feel like it's a vicious cycle..stress-palpitations-anxiety-more palpitations-stress from thinkng I'm going to die- more anxiety...etc.  I have bouts of severe palpitations, followed by months with only minor episodes.  Your not alone, and from what I've been reading, can't die from pvc's unless you have cardiac disease.  If you want exchange some info email me at ***@****.  Hang in there!

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Also, the actual number of PVCs does not make them more dangerous.

[Carrie]

Thanks a lot Kimmie and to CCF.  I will have a better day with your helpful input.  By the way Kimmie, when yours are frequent how many do you get?Take care
Carrie

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

In situations where PVCs are frequent and very bothersome to the patient, I usually use beta blockers.