PVC

[cwadb]

I am 35 and three weeks ago I began having PVCs while lifting weights.  I run too, but I don't suffer from any irregularities when doing that.  It seems that the higher the heart rate the lower the occurance.  I had a stress echo a week ago and everything was normal and that's when they diagnosed that I am having PVCs.  I was wondering these three things.  First, what could cause this situation from happening out of the blue?  Second, could it go away just as quickly as it came?  Last, is there any other tests that you would recommend to make sure that there is no problem with my heart?  Thank you.

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

cwadb,

Thanks for the post.

First, a comment. It's common, and reassuring, that the PVCs decrease in frequency with exercise.

Q1:"what could cause this situation from happening out of the blue?"

Who says that the PVCs are happening "out of the blue"?  You are getting older.  You are exercising, so perhaps you are also getting in better cardiovascular shape.  Thousands of changes have happened to you over this past year.  Also, the nature of illnesses or changes in our health is that they happen without warning.  Cancer patients ask the same question: why did this happen out of the blue?  Life is what happens while we are making plans.

Q2:"could it go away just as quickly as it came?"

Yes, but it probably won't.  

Q3:"is there any other tests that you would recommend to make sure that there is no problem with my heart?"

I don't know anything about you except: 35 yo, you exercise, and you have at least a high-school education (based on your use of sentence structure -- I would have said college but you spelled "occurance" incorrectly -- J.K.).

A stress echo is over-kill for many people, so you have likely already had the necessary exam.

Good luck.

[starion]

Hi!  I went to see cardiologist because I have tachycardia, high heart beat.  For me, its especially when resting (often 100s-110s while just sitting; can rise to 120s just standing)  and also with minimal exertion.  This seems to be worsening over the months.  It also appears to be taking longer for my heart to return to "normal" or baseline that it used to as well.  I am only 46, female, with severe emphysema but otherwise excellent health & conditioning.

I also had a echo stress test, which was also normal, but it took 11 minutes for my heart to return to normal. The technician said it generally only takes most people 5 minutes or less.

I'm scheduled for a 24-hour holter monitor test, to provide more information about how my heart behaves in response to various conditions that occur during the course of my normal days.  My cardiologist urged mt to be sure to be as active as normal so that we get good data to work with.

By the way, you can also get some very helpful information at http://coloradohealthsite.org.  Click on Chronic Illnesses/Prevention on the left hand side of the screen & then go to the Heart Disease Center folder.  Primers on Heart Disease is a good place to start with easy-to-understand background info.

Good luck!
Aloha,
Starion

[michi]

hi,

my first pvcs startet when i was 15 i took beta blocker for 1 month and then the pvcs dissapeard for about 5 years. i became a basketcase because i got scared. so i went to a psychologist. and things settelt. then 12 years later that all come up again and of course im scared so i decided to take beta blocker again for 3 month and i am going to see a psychologist again. if your heart is normal try not to worry to much. i know its easier said than done. good luck.

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Alice,

Part of the appeal of this site, for you and me, is the relative anonymity we share.  You can feel free to post what you like, with in the bounds of certain decorum, but I also feel free to drop some of the normal hyper-politeness that I have to use for face-to-face interactions.  I think some people appreciate being told exactly what I think, not obscured by doctor-speak.  

I like to have a little fun at times, and I try to do so without being mean-spirited.  In my comment to cwadb, I tried to state that I was joking, with the "J.K." (Just Kidding) term tacked on at the end.  It was important for me to impart to the poster that I had very little information upon which to base my recommendation, which I tried to do in a humorous manner.

I certainly meant no insult.  I understand your point: "comment about a persons education level and spelling ability could cause a lot of people not to ask a question for fear of being humiliated by you" and will try to be more sensitive with my humor in future posts.

[lmroswell]

The response made me chuckle a bit, and have to say I would not have been offended it.  The comment was made directed to the history of the patient.  I think we should lighten up a bit here...

[parunuweap]

Were you taking any body building supplements?  I have always had palpitations, but only a few a month.  After I supplemented with creatine monohydrate my palpitations went through the roof.  I was getting 10 an hour at first.  I stopped the creatine and while my palpitations have lessened, I still get many more than I used to.  My doctor's not convinced that creatine caused this palpitations increase but there's certainly a correlation.

[cwadb]

The only supplement like that that I take is glutamine.  Otherwise, I use a multivitamin and have a normal diet.  The pvcs were very disappointing since I do exercise a lot.  As far as the comment about my education level, I have two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree.  Let me know if you see any grammar or spelling errors doc.

[parunuweap]

I'm 33 and am having a spike in palpitations now.  Also, I had WPW since I was a child but it really started to happen with increasing frequency at 30.  I had it ablated soon thereafter.

[Dr. Erik]

You are an idiot. It was perfectly clear to me and I'm sure everyone else on this board who frequents it that the Doctor was joking. He has had a great sense of humor since he started answering questins on this forum. We value and respect this doctor and welcome his sense of humor which is lacking in most physicians today. Why don't you humble YOURSELF
and go back in to obscurity. We get along on this forum just fine without your input. It's people like you that make comments like you did ad who probably go to higher authorities and make exaggerated claims that get nice people fired, disciplined or ridiculed. I hope not to see you on this forum in the future.

[mightymuppet]

My problems(pac's, flutters etc, and strange bursts of tachycardia(psvt maybe)appeared when i was 33..I never ONCE had an unusual heartbeat before then(from what i can remember).

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

erikwithoutthedoctor,

I appreciate your defense of my post, but please try to maintain civility.  None of us know how it is to walk in Alice's (or anyone else's) shoes.  She is entitled to her opinion, and she expressed it in a constructive matter.  I am happy to listen to her, and would encourage you to listen to her as well, even if you disagree. The worst thing we can do in an open forum like this is to invite her to not participate -- we may all suffer with her loss.

I hope that will be the end of this issue.

[PHARM]

AFTER TRYING 5 DIFF'T MEDS AND 3 SPECIALIST THE ONLY THING I HAVE FOUND TO HELP IS TAKING A BETA BLOCKER (SUCH AS INDERAL).  STRESS REDUCTION ALONE REDUCED THE INCIDENCE TO ABOUT HALF; HOWEVER AFTER 2 DAYS OF INDERAL MY PVC'S HAVE ALL BUT GONE AWAY.  THE BETA BLOCKERS REDUCE THE FORCE AND RATE OF CONTRACTION OF THE HEART WHICH SEEMS TO KEEP MY HEART FROM SPEEDING AND SLOWING AS MUCH.  IT HAS ONLY BEEN A WEEK SINCE I STARTED THIS MED AND WILL KEEP POSTED IF RESULTS CHANGE.

[cwadb]

I can't say that I have any really strong ones after running.  Mine usually occur right around the 115-120 beats per minute range.  I would assume that most people with this problem don't really have any type of pattern to the beats.  I may not experience any at that range of beats, or I may have two, three or five in a minute.  From reading other postings it seems like I have a mild case, if there is such a thing, of pvcs.  I'm just hoping that it won't progress.  I have read some postings of yours in which you mention magnesium oxide.  That seems to work for you?  What dose do you take?  Thanks

[parunuweap]

Everyone, let's start focusing on what this forum is for and drop the name calling and posting retributions.  I would hate to see this degrade any further.

Thanks

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Please let me express my sincere regret over having contributed to the palcement of these less-than-pleasant posts.  I certainly did not intend to be insulting, and I apologize for any insensitive remarks.

I will ask all posters to please maintain decorum and civility when placing posts.  I doubt that either "Alice Raspolich" or "erikwithoutthedoctor" would speak to one another in person in the same manner as they have done so in this forum.  If further insulting posts are made, I will have them stricken from the board.

I would also invite cwadb to ask any follow-up questions.  I am not aware of any association between glutamine and PVCs.  Also, Magnesium oxide may worsen your particular type of PVCs as magnesium may lower your resting heart rate somewhat.  From the additional information provided in your follow-up posts, I suspect that you may have vagally-mediated PVCs.  Vagally-mediated PVCs are often seen to arise during times of high vagal tone (such as the time period after exercise, after a large meal, or at night).  In fact, the aerobic exercise may be leading to increased PVCs -- a fact that I almost hate to tell you.

Best of luck.

[cwadb]

Exercising too much?  That's one I didn't think I'd hear.  If they're going to be a nuisance then sounds like I just need to deal with it.  Glad to know about the magnesium.

[monicaq]

You have said two things in your responses to the original question from "cwadb" which have piqued my interest.  First, why do you say that it is reassuring that the person's PVCs lessen with exercise?  Mine increase in frequency with exercise; is that less reassuring, and therefore, more concerning?  Secondly, you said that the aerobic exercise may, in fact, be causing the increase in PVCs due to increased vagal tone.  Would you be willing to elaborate more on that?

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

monicaq,

The fact that your PVCs increase with exercise (I'll assume that you mean during exercise) is neither reassuring nor troubling.  It simply indicates that you likely have PVCs that are sympathetically-driven, or, in lay terms, increased by adrenaline.

Your PVC's would be more likely to be present during exercise (high sympathetic time), but less likely at times of rest (high vagal time).  This is obviously opposite to the case with cwadb.  This is also asuming that cwadb's PVCs are vagally-mediated.  Remember, I know very little about him -- I'm assuming it's a him based on the use of sentence structure, but that's gotten me in trouble before ...

Hope that helps.

[Dr. Erik]

I respectfully withdraw the "Your an Idiot" portion of my comment without prejudice.

[Dr. Erik]

I apologize for my role in this incident. Let's get back to the good stuff again.

[cwadb]

I won't pretend that I know a much about pvcs, but for me the most important thing was to just get tested.  Now I'm not as hypersensitive about my heartbeat.  The mind can play terrible tricks when you don't understand what body is doing.  This forum gave me a lot of info on the subject.

[regan]

My pvc's seem to increase with excersice and if I get overly excited or really upset. So a burst of energy doesn't feel to good for me. Does anything like this seem to happen to you?

[KarenSA]

I also experience PVC immediately upon emotional stress like a sudden fright.  Had a stress ECG a year ago and also had PVC presenting on it.  Recently I went on holiday for 4 weeks and had a much lower frequency and severity of ectopics than I usually do during a busy work schedule.  

Hankstar - does this sound like my ectopics might be aggravated by a higher heart rate, bearing in mind that my AVNRT probably runs during these more stressful times too and may itself be triggered by similar events.  My resting heart rate during the day is usually close to 90 beats /minute and often runs around 120 a few times during the day, sometimes making me feel short of breath.  Just standing up will sometimes get it up to around 120 for a minute or so. When I wake up in the morning it is always very calm and around 60-70 beats/minute.

It would be useful to identify which category one falls into in terms of ectopics being aggravated by a lower or higher heart rate as this will greatly assist management.

[jailgoddess]

I'm 52, a nurse, on metoprolol for hypertension with the added benefit that it totally stopped all palpitations for the last year.  Then a month ago I experienced some really strange sensations, a very irregular heartbeat like palpitations but what felt more like a vacuum sensation in my chest along with lightheadedness.  It was very upsetting.  EKG was normal, labs were normal, holter monitoring showed a heart rate from 49 to 156 with the biggest variations being during sleep.  Lots of PVCs and PACs but none that correlated with my symptoms.  They OK'ed me to double my metoprolol from 25 to 50 but that only made things much worse.  I have now been off the beta blocker for 2 weeks with much reduced symptoms but my bp is way up again.  The MD has no answers.  I recently lost 35 lbs hoping to get off the meds but that has made absolutely no difference to my bp.  Anyone else with these seemingly paradoxical drug reactions?

[monicaq]

I can't really say that I have a definite pattern to the increase or decrease in frequency of my PVCs.  I've had them since my early 20s, and now I'm 37.  For the last several months, exercise has brought them on like I've never had them before--a PVC every so many beats, until I stop exercising and my heart rate comes down a bit.  I can say, I guess, that in general, I do tend to get them when I get really stressed, but I also have really stressful days and times when nothing happens at all, but still nothing like the few times when I've been running.

[pandora9048]

hey, how r u??  feeling better i hope.
Pan

[ardx74]

Hello all,

It's been some time since I've visted this forum but occansionally, time to time I too scan for a "miracle cure" to PVC's/PAC's.  Just some imput in general... I'm male 29 (first noted PVC's at 24).  

To: CWADB & MONICA

I find that I will get a "skip" here and there around 1-5 times per week.  Usually at a low resting rate around 46-50 BPM or during peak exercise sometimes over 160 BPM, nothing in the middle.  The most noticable difference has been in my mind not body.  Reducing stress and the thoughts regarding my heart has dramatically reduced everything.  Do PVC's get better over the years?  Mine sure did.  I used to feel a very strong beat, like a bowling ball falling in the center of my chest.  Now I can't really tell if one has occured or memories of the past; I'd need an event monitor to confirm.
Exercise has made things alot better.  I've been active my entire life, but during my first few episodes I became afraid of exercise and pushing myself at the gym.  Off course make sure all is well and don't concentrate on your mind, persevere, do the impossible and you will!  

To: HANSTAR

I've read your many posts, you seem to be very educated when it comes to the heart.  You also seem overly concerned and focused on yours.  Though I'm still a "baby" I'm learning, I agree with the doctors that we have to deal with what we have and live the life we've been given.  We're going to die, it's just a question of when.  I remember my Grandma overseas when I was 4 (she was 49) would complain about her heart and how it hurt, no cardiologists around back then in former USSR.  She died of a stroke at age 78 in Israel.  I've just learned that living has been more enjoyable than worrying about what's wrong, why it went wrong and how to fix it and the many many theories that vary person to person and doctor to doctor.  Hope your doing well.

Alex in Toronto.

[jkf]

I too am living proof how once one stops obsessing about the heart, the pvc's and all the other bumps and thumps are barely noticable.  I used to be so "in tuned" to my heart that any time I left the house I would get some type of attack.  And whenever it was a new feeling, I was sure I was going to die.  That was 20 years ago and I am still here alive and kicking at 40.   It took years to de-sensitize myself. I would get pvc's all day and all night. I just kept saying that if my mind was strong enough to make these skips and fast beats worse, then it was certainly strong enough to make them stop.  I won for the most part.  I still feel skips but refuse to give them the time of day.  I used to stop as soon as I felt anything, feel my pulse and feared that I would pass out.  Then I would get this one episode (usually it would wake me from sleep) where my heart raced at 220 beats along with pvc's.  Boy, I really thought I was a goner.  I still get that about twice a year.  But my doctor says not to worry.  I truly believe that stress,obsession and fear make these worse.  There is no doubt!!  I come to this forum about once a month.  Hank I must say that you have given great advice and reasurrance, but I  agree with ardx74.  You need to listen to your advice a little more often!!!:)  Good luck to everyone and stay calm

[netrox]

>>
Also, Magnesium oxide may worsen your particular type of PVCs as magnesium may lower your resting heart rate somewhat.
>>

Isn't lowering the heart rate actually reducing the risk of a fatal cardiac arrest?

From what I read, fish oil reduces heart rate somewhat (along with many cardio-protective effects). Magnesium does the similiar effect but in different ways. Doctors seem to say that if the resting rate is less than 65 bps, the risk of fatal arrythmia is reduced.

From what I understand, vigorous exercise reduces all-cause of mortality but can raise a risk of a particular dangerous arrythmia. However, when exercisers were compared to non-exercisers, they had a MUCH lower risk of mortality (1.7 percent vs 8.5 percent). In short, if you don't exercise, you're more likely to die of anything than if you do exercise.

Diet plays a huge role. If you consume too much trans fat acids in your diet, the risk of heart disease increases significantly and can adversily affect your heartbeats. Consuming more fatty fish (omega-3) seems to decrease your risk of heart disease. Getting enough potassium is important. Moderate your sodium intake.  

And lastly, this may be odd but lack of sleep DOES increase the frequnecy of PVC's! If you think you don't sleep well during night, you need to be treated! Sleeping during the day instead of night is not good for your heart either.

Hope this helps.

-jeff

[soupman]

This message is directed toward cwadb..
You had mentioned that you had experienced PVC's in the general range of 110-115 during exercising.  As I run quite a bit, I have noted the same thing.  I seem to feel it during the warm up process and then during the cool down period.  I find the same when playing basketball.  

Although this "phenomenom" has been pretty consistent for the past year or so, I did do some cardio work on a treadmill in Mexico City with no PVC's.  Could altitude have been a factor where it is over 7,000 ft compared to my "sea level life"?

Anyway, it was good to read about someone with similar experiences, particularly with regard to exercise.  Having said that, I have probably not exercised as much this past year because of the thought of PVC's coming and going...and for someone who really needs the "high" from exercise, it can get frustrating.

Anyway, hope we can maybe share some other experiences down the road.

Robert

[cwadb]

Sounds like a very similar experience.  I guess that the best advice is to just forget about it and continue forward.  Best of luck to you.

[soupman]

Thanks for the comment.
Curious to know if you have experienced them at any other non-exercising times...i.e. maybe a stressful situation, maybe something you ate, etc.  For me, having them before and after exercise is pretty sure bet but as for the other times, still very unpredictable.

Are you taking any special supplements?  What do you think about the low carb option?

Anyway, that's all for now.

Rob

[cwadb]

The only times I experience pvcs, other than when exercising, is when I get up from resting, sleeping or maybe go up a flight of stairs too quickly.  With these it doesn't even happen all of the time.  Even with the exercise it's basically when I lift weights.  When I run there's no problem.  

As far as suppliments, other than glutamine, I only take a multi and baby aspirin with vitamine e.  I read that that is good for helping keep arteries clear.  I tend to eat low carb for the most part.  I have a major weakness for sweets though so that kinda kills the whole concept behind it.  Luckly, I'm active enough that I don't gain weight.  I don't experience any more pvcs with carbs if that was what you were getting at with the question.  A lot of alcohol sends it through the roof.  Curious to hear if you've experienced this.  

Bill

[soupman]

Interesting to hear that you have them with weight lifting and not with running.  For me it is opposite, I have actually been doing more weight lifting in the past year because I rarely get them.  For running or basketball, I don't have them when I have hit my stride or in the "heat of the battle" on the b-ball court..it is only after I have finished during the cool down.  Of course, that is when the mind starts focusing on something other than the exercise itself.  I am starting to believe that the power of the mind loves to dwell on things like this and I would think it is certainly possible that they could prolong or intensify them.

Before I found these various forums, I really thought I had this thing that no one could relate to so I guess that is good.

Regarding carbs, it's hard to say what effect that has.  I think there was a post from someone that lowered the carbs and the PVC's stopped - that is why I asked.  I like bread, rice and pasta...especially before marathons so that would be difficult to give up.  Yes, sweets are my weakness as well.  Like you said, being active helps level things out.  

As things come to mind I will try contacting you again.  

Rob

[posy]

Hi, I am looking for some feedback on medication.  I am 43 and have been on toprol xl for several years.  About 3 yrs ago i started having palpatations.  I went through a stress test and they were ok.  I wore a monitor and that was normal.  Another doctor put me on zestril to help with the palpatations.  They went away and have returned.  My first problem is weight gain.  Has anyone had a problem with this after being put on blood pressure medicine.  Also I wonder if I am not scared because when I get these all I can think of is my mother having an emergenty quad bypass after being healthy all her life.  It really scares me to think something serious is happening to my heart.  My mothers sister was the first heart transplant in Baltimore  many years ago.  But most of her family has past from either anerysms or heart related.  So my history isn't that good.  any advise?

[spachic1]

Hi everyone!!  :)
Im so happy I found a second to give you all an exciting update on some self study i have been working on.
First off for those of you who have never heard of me, My name is Deb I am 38 and teach aerobics 4 times per week at a gym here in calif. I am in good shape and suffer as you do with those annoying pvc's. O yes I do know how they can make you mentally sick with fear and feelings of hopelessness. Ok so listen!!
Last summer I was having horrible pvc about 7 to 10 per minute for weeks. I was at my wits end after 12 emergency room visits and several regular visits to my own doc. Of course they tell you everything is fine and pvc is normal and not to worry. Yea like hell!! They dont suffer this devil! So how would they know?
Please!! Anyway, I decided that I would do some research and found this to be true. At least for me.
1) I am very type A personality
2) I worry constantly about things i have no control over
3) I have had panic and anxiety to some degree all of my life. Yes all my life since I can remember about 5 years old.

I can go on and on, the point is that when i read the posts, I see alot of us have alot of the same issues in our lives.
I went to see a good friend of mine that is a theripist in calif. He agreed to help me find out what makes me tick.
We found this to be true.
1) I NEEDED HELP!!
I agreed to go on some type of meds to help to control my obsesive mind. I wanted a low dose cause of course i was worried that it may make me sicker or I was sure to have a heart attack or something was bound to happen.
I started with a mild dose 25mg of Zoloft. O my god what a difference this has made for me. I love this drug!
I figure this way.. If i had diabetes I would take medicine for that. Or if I had kidney problems i would take something for that.
I had a good out look on it and it worked.
Ok now for the good stuff!! I started taking Magnesium and Hawthorne berry. With co enzieme Q-10 and a good multi vitamin and good juices and good eatting habits. Well ive lowered my cholesterol and guess what?? I have very very very few pvc's. This has been the best that i could do up to this point to control this awful problem. I read alot of your posts and I if i may i would like to say just one thing... Please take care of yourselfs, do not just rely on what the doctors tell you. There is alot of really great things to try out there and I hate to see any one of you suffer. Now i do know that chances are some of you have tryed some of these things and it has not worked for you. Please dont give up. pvc can rob you of so much precious life. I know that when i had my first attack i really thought my life was over. And if i had to live with this constant thumping and jumping in my chest i just simply didnt want to live. I was sad and i was not a sad person. I love life and all it has to offer. Ok well now that you have my scoop, I hope and wish you all well.
Want to talk email me at ***@****

[wdj]

Jailgoddess: I have PVC's (50+ per minute usually) and high bp. My doc says PVC's are harmless unless they hurt and to just live with them. To be honest they only bother me when they detract me from what ever it is I'm doing, such as watching TV, trying to go to sleep, or any resting state. Most of the time I can and do ignore them unless they hit hard. Then I just get up and do something to take my mind off of them.

Atenolol fixed everything for me - lowered bp and lessened the frequency of the PVCs. I barely felt any additional thumps at all. BUT - beta-blockers are not a "man's" best friend and I complained. So doc tried Rythmol, Tambocor, Zebeta, and other M&M's and candy corns to no avail. PVC's are back with a vengance and bp is high again. Now she has me on Metoprolol (not working so far), and won't give me the "Blue Pill" this time. I'm also getting the same line, "loose 20 lbs."

You might want to inquire about Atenolol. It worked for me. (I'd sure like to go back to it myself, in concert with the blue pill - life was perfect). But isn't Atenolol in the same family as Metoprolol? Tenormin??

[dodgybeats]

I was wondering if there is anyone out there who had PACs/PVCs whilst pregnant? I am 9 weeks gone and have really noticed an increase in these ectopic beats and tachycardia as well - I've had a few nasty-feeling runs of ectopics as well.  I am going to see my Dr this week and get a referal to my cardiologist.  I would appreciate any comments/suggestions as to why this is happening.  What should be a special and happy time for me is becoming frightening :(

[regan]

Hi there! I too had pvc's (skipped beats) with pregnancy. I started getting them two days before I went into labor. I ended up in the E.R. and they told me not to worry. I was terrified to go through labor. I just knew my heart wouldn't handle it. Well, my son will be three in March. The pvc's went away for awhile after he was born but came back right after his second birthday. I've been suffering for almost a year now but this time more frequent and I am much more anxious than before. If I were you I would get a complete medical work up. Make sure your heart is healthy. If it is which I am sure it is, just read through many people on here and most have been told they have healthy hearts,just enjoy your pregnancy and try not to stressout about it because that definitely made it worse for me.
You'll be just fine. If you want to talk more I am at ***@****
-April

[up all night]

Just had a bad night, Pvc's going like crazy ..thought I was going to die...but I didn't:).Found this site..thank God.feeling a whole lot better...thank you all for your comments...Shawn

[LynnSB]

if it is any consolation, I understand! I would go to sleep last night only to be awakened by my heart beating fast and wildly irregularly. I'd cough to try to get it back in rhythm. miserable night...

Lynn

[dodgybeats]

Hi regan, thanks so much for your advice and support!  I have booked an appointment to see my Dr this week and will get him to refer me to cardiologist.  I have had PVCs for almost 10 years now (I am 32) and I thought I had pretty much gotten over them psychologically speaking.  But now that I am pregnant they are much worse, I also have alot of tachycardia but from what I have read that is pretty common in pregnancy - did you have that? I have gone from a resting heart rate of 60-70bpm to 100 beats per minute.  Sometimes I don't know what is worse - palpitations or morning sickness!!! :(
I hope you are feeling well and your heart is behaving itself.

[DorHausler]

I was diagnosed with PVC's about two years ago. This was after I had gone through about 30 tests. They had originally thought I suffered from ARVD (forgive the spelling, but it stands for something like: Arrythmagenic Right Ventricular Displasia, translation: muscle in the Right Ventrical turns into fatty tissue) I had to make a special trip to Johns Hopkins in Maryland to see the specialists there and have even more tests before they finally settled on PVCs as my main problem...and no ARVD. Thank GOD!!

I just read through my records again, because, after a year with no major "spells" of PVCs, I've been having them again, with force. I actually lost my footing the other day, while shopping with my husband. I felt such an intense beat that it made me grab my chest. Upon reading through my records again this time, I noticed a small note from Johns Hopkins that they had noticed in my testing I also seem to have something they termed "Mild Pericardial Effusion". Now, I don't remember anyone telling me of this finding, and wouldn't ya know it, my cardiologist is on Maternity leave (I'm happy for her, but concerned for me). Pericardial Effusion is, from what I can tell, fluid around the heart. It can be dangerous. I'm hoping that mine is not dangerous, since I've been termed "mild" in my records.

Does anyone else have a Pericardial Effusion that they know of? If so, do you take Beta Blockers? I'm not on anything currently, but when I called my cardiologist to update her and let her know I'm having another "spell", her the doctor covering her recommended going back on Atenolol (I was on it briefly about a year ago, at the time, my doc and I decided the course of action would be go on as needed, and then go off when the spell calms down)

I'm afraid to take the Beta Blockers now, not knowing if they might have an adverse reaction on the Pericardial Effusion. Anyone with a similar situation, please share.

sorry to be so lengthy...too much to say to be brief, this time.
Doreen