Non Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia

  Dear Doctor,

    I am asking these few questions on behalf of my friend Sylvia.

How often are NSVT seen on holter monitor results? Why are some persons given ICDs for this condition while others are told not to worry?
Is this a very common finding for persons with frequent PVCs and how is the conclusion reached that this is a "benign" finding in some
and a ominous sign in others?

Thanks,
     Hank.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Hank,

There is no specific answer for how often NSVT are seen in holter results. The frequency of occurence depends on underlying heart disease. Ie...more frequent in those with structural heart disease it is more frequent. There are a few series again in the literature, you might refer to the journal

Aviation Space and Environtal Medicine. Sept 2001 pp 836-8.

There they looked at asymptomatic military recruits with normal hearts. In that population the occurence of NSVT was 4.3%.

It would be a bening finding after a reasonable exclusion of structural heart disease and coronary disease in an older population.  A simple echo, stress test, and ecg would be a reasonable start.

good luck

[jdm]

Well, Hank, I'd say those who control this site have either given you a preferential access code or have set up the system to recognize and accept your posts.  I spent yesterday ( a day of no accepted questions, from 9 am to 5 pm my time trying to post every few minutes.  

Why was I not surprised to see yet ANOTHER post from you this morning.  This is a joke as you get ever more detailed and others cannot post questions.  Perhaps the doctors are amused by your autodidact ( look it up ) knowledge.  

I have learned a great deal at this site.  I've learned the true extent of how my HMO doctors have failed me over the years and learned that there is no hope or life for me except what I have.  Of course, my condition could very well get worse.  

So, Hankstar, have fun on your site.  This is the last time I visit or try to post.  There have to be many equally good informational sites on the internet.  And....probably what I need and many others with similar problems is not a doctor but a lawyer to compel my HMO to stop saving money at my great detriment.  

[glassheart46]

I have been lucky, just like Hank, and have hit the window of opportunity at just the right moment.  It is only luck, and being at the computer at the right moment.  Please consider what you said about this site.  People like Hank are very valuable and you could be too.  You have a somewhat negative attitude and this is not helping your situation at all.  There is no magic bullet as to when you can post, just pure luck.  When you post negative stuff, like you just did to Hank, it will discourage Hank to post again and he is posting for other people too.  If you'll notice, I got lucky again today and posted for myself and someone else who has been unable to get a question in.  Here's hoping you will have Happy Holidays!

[Momto3]

Hi jdm! I'm so sorry to hear you are still trying to post a question. I had a little difficulty last year, but eventually, I was able to post around 8:30-9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard time. I don't know what time zone you are in, but hopefully, you will revisit and give it a short in the morning. Remember, that time is on the east coast. So, if you are on the west coast, I guess it would be best around 5:30-6:00 a.m., etc. Good luck. I really hope you are able to get through. It's always nice to hear others' questions and answers.

[medking]

Hankstar, good for you I am so glad that you are posting so frequently because you ask well thought out questions that bear relevance to what most of us with "benign PVC" have and that is the fear that they may degenerate into something far worse. I am relieved by your posts and if others find it difficult to post well here's a secret to all- post before 9 am EST and I am sure most will be lucky.

Good luck and be safe,

Thanks for asking great questions,

You and I seem to have similar issues ...

Abe alias Medking

[sampants]

I am feeling a little better about my Holter results.  The beta blocker has helped with my palps.  It can help with NSVT, also, right?

I am calling a cardiologist tomorrow to set up my echo and my stress test.  *crosses fingers*

I spoke to an uncle of my husband's today.  He is a doctor.  He said that some NSVT's on Holter results can be false.  I kind of wondered if he was just saying that to make me feel better or if this were true.

[starion]

Test results always have room for error.  Try not to worry (I know easier said than done), and work with a good cardiologist.  If there is a question about the accuracy of test results, they can either re-test or try other means to get the info that is needed.
By the way, the docs I know are pretty honest and don't give "false hope" to make me "feel better."  I suspect your uncle is being candid with you; sometimes folks put too much stock into test results.
Aloha,
Starion

[reen]

Hi, I am new to this forum and am wondering if anyone can answer my question. I've been getting pac's for 19 years. they started after my second child was born. I was 26 when they started. well actually when it started it wasn't as palp's it was a rapid heartbeat. so I now know after 19 years I am having pac's and I recorded  an svt on an event monitor. My doctor says everything recorded was benign and I have nothing to worry about. He says it is all coming from the top of the heart. Because I was getting pac's constantly and I couldn't function from the worry anymore he agreed to put me on a low dose of troprol which helps tremendously with the pac's . They are almost nonexistent and I have had no svt since taking this medication, though i didn't suffer from svt frequently, maybe once every few months for the last 4 or 5 years and before that once every few years. When I did get an svt I would also get very sick about 15 minutes later. I get bad abdominal cramps , then that would escalate to me having to run to the bathroom. Does this happen to other people with svt? I do have a hiatal hernia and acid reflux also. Has anyone ever heard of these heart problems being related to gastrointestinal problems?I'm sorry to go off into different directions but there is so much I want to ask.                                                                  Recently I was speaking with someone about my svt and was told my doctor was wrong and an svt is something to worry about and he doesn't know what he's talking about. This person is an emt. I was feeling better about my problem after his diagnosis  now I'm back to being scared. Is she right?

[pattylolo]

Hi, I'm new to this board but wanted to reply to the question posted above.  I have had SVT's now for over forty years (I'm 48).  Before I had children, I was having an episode about every year.  Since the birth of my last child 18 years ago, I have been having these in increasing numbers and the episodes last longer and longer.  I have seen two cardiologists about ablation therapy, and I'm not convinced that is the way to go.  I have recently heard of cryoablation and it sounds much safer.  In answer to your question about SVT's being associated with gastrointestinal upset, I'm not sure, I've never had that problem.  I do notice that when I have an episode, I am bothered with frequent urination.  Does anyone have that problem?  Also, has anyone had cryoablation with good results?