PVC and Beta-blockers

  My husband has PVC's may times a day and @ 18 double ones in a day.  He is a commercial pilot and is afraid to seek treatment.  Are beta blockers approved by FAA for treatment of PVC's or is there any other treatment that would be approved.  I have heard some are treated with Zoloft, e.g. since stress is often what brings them on.  Thanks for your time.

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

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Dear Nancy,
Honestly I can not comment on FAA rules, but I can tell you that premature heart beats are occuring
in everyone, it is just that some people have more and/ or are jsut more aware
of the skipped beat.  So the condition if you want to call it that is benign and the prognosis, excellent.
The treatment with beta blockers is generally reserved for those patients who although avoiding chocolate, stress,
caffeine, and alcohol still experience bothersome sensations of the skipped beats.
So discuss these points with your husband and maybe he will visit the doctor to discuss options other than
treatment with beta blockers.  Good Luck.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only,
actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).