PVC's - Heart evaluation needed? By whom?

[KLT]

I have always had what I now know are frequent but harmless PVC's. Usually fairly isolated but occasionally in short runs. I had never seen a doctor for them, but had raised the issue in other exams and been reassured they're normal.  Last week they settled in as a completely irregular heartbeat, with the feeling of no regular rhythm at all for two days. On the third day, Saturday, I went to the nearby immediate care clinic for evaluation. By the time I got to the clinic the pattern had returned to normal with only occasional palpitations. The doctor did catch a few runs of irregular beats when he first listened to my heart, so ordered a EKG.  Most of the time I was there, I had a normal heart rhythm, although they did catch a few runs of PVC's (just minutes long)after I attempted to raise my heart rate.  The doctor said I had random patterns of bigeminy, trigeminy and quadgeminy.  He said that was harmless but a bit unusual -- he thought most people who have long runs of PVC's, usually settle into one pattern or another (bi- tri- or quad-geminy.) He ordered tests of my electrolytes, magnesium, calcium, postassium - all normal.  He, of course, suggested follow up this week with my doctor. My questions: 1)Is that really necessary if I'm a healthy athletic 40-yr old? 2)If so, should it be directly with a cardiologist? (I hate to pay for a visit with my regular doctor only to be referred on.) 3) Should I wait for another irreglar pattern? 4) My BP was 102/70, down from 120/70 a week earlier when I had my annual exam. Is that just a normal variation or could it be related?

[danidoo]

hello! i just found this site today as i lay in bed trying not to stress about my PVC's. i am 19 years old and have been having PVC's for about 3 years now, and only found out a month ago what they were. i even went to a cardiologist and wore a holter when i first had them, and still had no comforting information. they used to be very infrequent, recently have been once every few days, and just today had it many times. you seem concerned about the age of your son having PVCs- it sure seems odd to have a "heart condition" at a young age! i recently had an EKG and blood tests and was told to have a healthy heart, and that it was nothing to worry about. i was also told to try to avoid stimulants. mine only occur when i am sitting, never during physical activity- one of these posts mentioned exercise being recommended to help it, and i would go with that. it is a relief to read about this and to see positive things. good luck to everyone :)

[lil rat 63]

My husband to suffers from PVC's.  He had a PVC which caused him to pass out and cut his forehead on a piece of sheet metal.

[brucek]

This is a very interesting thread.  I'm 42, am a private pilot and am quite fit.  I commenced getting these very annoying (and sometimes panicking) sensations that felt like I was missing a heat beat.  I become very aware of the "missed" beat when it occurs (although no pain or any other symptoms), then feel a very large heart beat at the end of what sometimes seems to be a very long pause.  Is this what you all feel too?

I finally made a visit to my physician recently.  Of course, they didn't occur while he was examining me, although he believed that I had PVC's occuring based on what he heard. I deeply respect his opinions, although was a little concerned that I wasn't feeling anything.  He referred me for an EKG, during which again any of these sensations failed to appear, and the results were OK.  I'm obviously concerned about my aviation medical status, although it would appear the these "benign" things are OK.  The trouble is, since these never appeared when either tests were done, how do I know that they might be something else?

Does any of this appear familiar to any of you?  What else could these symptoms be?

Thanks.

[worrryingmom]

I am worried about my 17 year old son. He seems to have social anxiety disorder, which I am making an appointment to have addressed. Along with this though, is heart palpitations. He has them all the time... I too have skipped heart beats, but I dont remember it starting when I was 17! Has anyone out there heard of pvc's in a teen?
Thanks for your help

[GES]

I get skipped beats for hours after running and doing groundfighting (Gracie Jui Jitsui).  I guess it will not hurt you. I have been to three different Cardiologists and I have all the standard tests.  They tell me to have at it and not to worry.  Good luck and keep training.  I am 34yers old, 602, 208lbs and in excellent shape.

[RunningMad]

I'm 30 years old and in OK shape. Last week I started running again. I went on a 4 mile run, and had no problem at all. The day after that I went for a 3 mile run again no problem...until later that day. I started to get this skipping feeling in my chest. I kept running a few days after that thinking it would just go away, but no such luck. I hope this problem is just the result of an out of shape guy starting to run again, and the problem fades away. Has anyone ever had this same problem. I know all of you know the feeling I'm talking about, but is this the result of my new running program or am I stuck with this.