PVC's...... I have them... Now what?

[matthews_mommy]

I am 24 years old and i fainted about a month ago. i have been feeling "weird" off & on every day since than ( a feeling i have had off & on for many years, just not regularly.) I went to the DR the did an Echo test and they said i have these pvc's. they range form every couple beats to every 20 beats but on average its every 8 beats. they than did a tilt table test on me & made me faint. i got to watch these pvc's on the screen and they were happeneing about ever 4 beats at that time. they started telling me it was unusual for someone my age to have this many pvc's and begain to talk about a pace maker. they have now decided to wait on that and try blood pressure meds, lots of water, eat more salt, quit smoking..... the usual. i read some of your guy's posts and saw that you were saying no salt? why would they tell me to eat more of it? and also with the exserise thing..... when i do physical work, even not hard stuff.... moving a box across the room... my heart races like i just ran up flights of stairs. i can feel it pounding and pulsing threw my whole body to the point where i can see my hair or shirt move with each beat. it happens alot even when im sitting down. the dr didnt exsplain anything to me. i dont know whats going on or if its serious or if i should go to another dr. i paint insides of houses for work, do i have to change jobs? im a single mom, what if something happens when im home alone with my 4 year old son? what if im driving? what do these funny beats do? can they hurt me? im so lost with this.

[Cleveland Clinic]

It is unusual to have this many PVC and when associated with an episode of syncope, this is very concerning and warrants further evaluation.  Someone experienced should look at your echo to make sure that you don't have a condition called Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  This is very important.  You may also need to get a cardiac MRI to assess your heart function and to look for certain condition that could also explain some of this.  I would suggest seeing an electrophysiologist.  A good one.  As far as the tilt table testing goes, it appears that based on your results your doctors are now treating you for vasovagal syncope.  This entails salt loading, compression stockings, certain antidepressant meds, etc.  It is the most common cause of syncope and it is benign and I hope that this is the cause in your case as well, but with those frequent PVC's more serious conditions should be ruled out.  I think you can continue with your lifestyle the way it is while avoiding very straineous
activities.  I think you can continue with your current job as your syncopal symptoms aren't frequent.  For now, I would probably avoid standing on tall ladders in case you do pass out again.  

[tickertock]

Pacemaker for PVCs, I don't understand that one, unless the PVCs are triggered by a slow heartbeat that's not otherwise treatable.