PVC's and unnecessary tests?

[MegD]

I am a 48 year old healthy female and I

[Cleveland Clinic]

Meg,

Thanks for the post.

1) Could the bruit have been something else or if it was a bruit, is that dangerous?

A bruit is abnormal. This is not related to your PVCs and would warrant a workup, which would involve some kind of imaging, usually either ultrasound or CT.

2-3) Why are the PVC

[RALLY]

HEY EVERYONE,I JUST GOT BACK FROM MY EP APPT.THE DR. WANTS TO GO AHEAD AND TRY A ABLATION FOR MY FREQUENT PVC'S.I, AND HE KNOWS PVC'S ARE HARMLESS BUT IM VERY TROUBLED BY THEM.THE BIGGEST RISK IS THAT,I WON'T BE HAVING PVC'S THE DAY OF THE ABLATION,AND IT WILL BE A WASTE OF TIME.I SCHEDULED IT FOR THE END OF MAY W/ THE OPTION TO CANCEL IF I DECIDE.IM TIRED OF TAKING MED'S EVERYDAY,AND THIS "MIGHT"HELP.IS THE PROCEDURE AWFUL?IM SCARED OF IT.I HAVE PANIC ,ANXIETY SO I REALLY AM SCARED TO HAVE THE PROCEDURE.BUT I'VE BEEN SUFFERING 8 LONG YRS. W/ DAILY PVC'S..

[jan]

I read here, both by patients and the dr. that there is risk of developing another arrhythmia after an ablation.  You might want to do a search here and find out for yourself.  I, myself, would not be willing to take that risk unless the potential benefit far outweighed it.  My cardio already told me I will be on meds for life, but...  
I am getting a Reveal implant and that is yucky enough for me, but it is necessary at this point.
I wish you the  best with whatever you decide.

[RALLY]

thanks for the comment.iv'e done alot of research.and to will be on meds the rest of my life for pvc,svt. but a well known dr. has given me a glimpse of hope.so i am trying to choose between the meds for life,or a chance that ablation "might" work.it seems its atleast worth a try.complications are rare supposedly.i've lived 8 long yrs.w/pvcs'daily.im borderline agoraphobic/panic attacks/anxiety.all due to how i handle my pvcs.im 31 and have a child and a great family and i do not want to put myself at greater risk w/ ablation. but we are living in a prison due to my fear.thats why my dr. thinks its worth the risk.he doesn't sugarcoat ablation.he said i might not get better at all.but its the "might"that im hoping for.....but i  am scared to death of making things worse w/ ablation.

[Momto3]

HEY COMPUTER!! So, you're gonna go for it! WOW~

As far as the procedure goes, here is what I remember...Got to the hospital around 7:00 a.m. (yup, a.m.!!) They took me to a lovely dressing room where I was given a beautiful gown and a darling pair of footies. Next, I was taken to a "holding" area where I was hooked up to monitors and the I.V. was started. I mentioned (many times) how anxious I was and the nurses, nurse anesthetist, techs and doctors were wonderful. They gave me some versed before I was wheeled to the "lab" around 8:30-9:00. In the lab, I was hooked up to more stuff (monitors) and they applied a bunch a sticky patches to my chest and back (big ones). This is when they inserted the foley cathether (bladder). I do not remember any pain during either procedure. Both times I was also given fentynl for pain because demerol makes me nauseaus (sp?). Each procedure took about 6-7 hours. The first time, after the procedure one of the doctors was applying pressure to the catheter entry site and that lasted about 20-30 minutes (I was dozing). I needed to lay flat for 6 hours with a sand bag on my groin.  That was fine since I was still sleepy anyway. I was able to eat, talk, visit...but no getting up. Oh,

Second time, at the end of the procedure, they inserted an "angio-seal" because they entered the femoral artery. That was a bit uncomfortable, but no real pain. I asked for Tylenol because of a headache, but I found out later that was because they induced the arrythmia with calcium carbonate (quite a bit I guess).  I stayed overnight and went home the following day just after lunch. Recovery the first time was a couple of days. Procedure on Friday, back to work on Monday (too soon). Second time the procedure was on a Friday and I stayed out for a week. Much better plan for me...Good luck!!  Keep us posted! Connie

[Gaspipe]

Read your post .So you don't feel alone I've "suffered" from PVCs for almost 18 years and have chosen so far to live with them. Some days are Ok others are not.But I must say that thinking an abalation is not somewhat risky is probably being a bit too optimistic. People can and do develop other arrthymias after ablation.I'd sure make sure the EP has done other abalations just for PVCs and get his or her success rate, how success is determined, and long term followup success etc,etc.You don't want to fix one problem only to create others.If you do go thru with the procedure I'd like to know your results especially longer term.

[Momto3]

Even though I have had 2 successful ablations, I agree with Gaspipe. I have had pvcs for 25 years, and prior to my first ablation I was having 22,000 pvcs/24 hours (including over 4000 couplets, some triplets, etc). Despite those high numbers, the doctor still preferred to treat the pvcs with medicine. It wasn't until my ejection fraction dropped that she gave seriousl consideration to ablation(s). Like Gaspipe said, BE SURE the doctor is experienced and pretty sure he/she can get to the irritable foci.

As for me, I'm nearly pvc-free.  However, I know that if my EF had not dropped I'd still be having very frequent pvcs and would still be "living with them."  Be sure you have carefully considered your options.  Many times they will just disappear for awhile on their own.  Good luck!

[Gaspipe]

Where did you get your abalations done and by whom? If you wish to keep it private no problem. Thanx

[Momto3]

My ablations were done in Cleveland. Because I am (was) multifocal, the EP told me ahead of time they were going to ablate very conservatively and I might need more than one procedure. The first ablation was for RVOT, and I had a marked decrease in pvcs (down to 6000/24 hours). During the second ablation, the doctor "tested" the area she ablated the first time around and was not able to activate an arrythmia. YEAH! During the second ablation, there identified four areas of "activity" and they ablated the most predominant foci (LVOT).

Although I have had 2 successful pvc ablations, I think it is really important for others to know that had my ejection fraction not dropped (40%), I'd still be walking around with thousands/day. I'm told that what happened in my case is extremely rare.  I think people should know that pvc ablations can be very successful, but they are NOT the treatment of choice in the general population of pvc'ers. I was fortunate in that I did not develop new arrythmias.

[Gaspipe]

Thanx for the info!A recent echo this past Dec showed my EF to be 60%.thanx again for your informative posts.

[RALLY]

I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHY YOU HAD 3 ABLATIONS,AND WHAT SPECIFICALLY FOR? DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANY OTHER CARDIAC MESSAGE BOARDS OR PLACES TO TALK TO OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD PVC ABLATIONS?THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT.I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED.

[Clenn Camp]

I also would like to know if there are other message boards with references to pvc ablations.  I have suffered with pvc's for almost forty years and they have become so debilitating I am dependent on someone all the time to take me places or run errands for me.
On March 9th of this year I had ablations for afib and have had none since then but the pvc's are still eating my lunch.  The dastardly things have run me nearly crazy and cause too much anxiety and panic it's ridiculous.
My dr. and me are hoping the pvc's will subside as my heart heals from the ablation scars.  Maybe I am not having enough patients.  I can't enjoy being free of afib for having so many forceful pvc's.

Glenn

[Clenn Camp]

should be "patience"  instead of patients.

[doregan]

Understand what you're going through.  Just got back MY 48 Hour Holter Report, which reports the following:

Sinus thythem with one isolated APC and PVC.  

Don't think I have cause to be concerned, but checking with the "thread" to make sure.  (I was on inhalers for several days, which started this -- and am also hyperthyroid!)

[Momto3]

Glen,

Have you visited www.heartcenteronline.com?  It also has discussion threads regarding pvcs and all the frustrations that accompany them. Also there are some discussions regarding ablations. You will have to sift through the threads (and there are a LOT of them), but you may find some useful information. Good Luck! Sorry the pvcs are driving you crazy. Connie

[pms_barbie]

I had an ablation back in November of last year.  I was having 972 on the holter report with a 4 beat run and a 3 beat run of nsvt.  Most of mine were in bigeminal cycles.  He ablated one place in my left ventricle said there was 2 more but they were infrequent.  It didnt cure my bigeminy at all.  I had to remain awake I mean wide awake for most of the procedure and it was awful.

[gweenert]

hey everyone, i need some help please!!!
i started having pvc's about 6 years ago. just all of a sudden one day i thought i was dying, i ran to the emergency room and was told i was having a panic attack... well hell yeah i was anyone would have, i was givin a mild tranq. and sent home. then i got a regular doctor. i was 23. i was told i had high blood pressure and put on lopressor. i requested some test cause of what i felt, aftr an echo i was told i had mild left ventricle dysfunction, and he just dismissed me telling me it was ok i was on the right medicine. but after 4 years my blood pressure wasnt going down and i still had these annoying skips, so i seen a diffrent cardiologist, i had a stress test that was normal, another echo that didnt show anything that was dysfunctional, and i wore a monitor that caught the "skips" he called them pvc's and said they were normal and he too dismissed me. now i am feeling nuts.. so i have seen many counselors cause after a while when they keep saying anxiety i started to think maybe i was bringing this on myself. but i refused all meds for anxiety cause taking medicine scared me to death i quit drinking i never touched drugs, i couldnt understand what the heck is happening to my heart that noone can see but me.
but now 6 years later i am having them strong again, not a whole lot like i see ya'll with the thousand numbers (and i am sorry for) just a few a day sometimes none, but they scare me cause i dont understand why this happens.. what they are,, and what can i do to make them stop.. or get a doctor to believe me. has anyone had this problem? i really need some advice.
and i know this may sound terribly crazy but my last visit to the er the doctor said it was my acid reflux causing this... does that sound.... possible?

[jelsaad]

Can Anyone Please Help Me?

I am a 24 yr old feamle, non-smoker, in good physical condition. After finding single pvc's on an event monitor, my cardiologist ordered a Holter, which found a run of 3 consecutive pvc's. She termed this paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia -- Clearly, I am horrified. A cardiac MRI showed no structural abnormalities, and blood work indicated no thyroid dysfunction and only mildly low potassium levels(3.3).

My question, then, is how dangerous is the vt? I live in a constant state of panic, worried that I could drop dead at any minute. My Dr says the 3 slow,extra beats are likeley no cause for concern, but I'm petrfied and seek others' opinions.


THNAKS, AND ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED!!



  

[zipwax]

I was diagnosed with an arryhthmia 2 weeks ago... I'm asking this question because I want to try and find out 'what's normal'. Mainly, I'm asking about the heart pounding issue. First of all, my stats: 35, no smoke or drugs or alcohol or any supplements. Hi stress job last 7 years, baby on the way (1st) this year, 3 months due. No history of heart disease. Not terribly overweight, but "could stand to lose a few". Went to see cardio-doctor and he said normal BP (120/75), normal pulse (70), valves sound good. Normal resting EKG. Had me wear a holter monitor for 12 hours and I showed 18 PVCs (premature ventrical contractions) and 15 PACs, mostly at night, after 10pm. He did not do stress test or blood draw. The doctor diagnosed this as "stress-related", said "no further tests necessary" and "try to relax". He refused to give any other tests.

Now, my main question isn't "how do I get rid of it", because it's apparent from everybody that you don't just get rid of them. My question IS: is it normal for me to feel the blood POUNDING in my body since this started? I feel it all day long, as if I have an extra gallon or 2 in my body. My heart feels "overburdened", and when I'm resting, I can hardly think because of the feel of the blood going around in my veins. If I extert myself, my heart pounds hard, and quickly, but it returns to normal just as quickly. Doctor said, "oh, that's normal, it will go away". He said, "it's just because you're more aware of it." I don't believe him

[Barbarella]

Dear Zipwax, if your doctor checked you throughly as you stated, and told you not to worry about, it very well could be from stress, and worrying about your symptoms make them worse.  There are books written by Dr. Claire Weeks (they are tons of books, but she was the only one who could help me) the books are "Hope and Help for your Nerves"  "Peace from Nervous Suffering" and I can't think of the other one.  I bought all her books, she took a lot of my fear about pounding heart and skipping heart beats. She will explain to you why the pounding heart etc. and that it will NOT kill you.  She will explain to you how to face it and NOT running away from your symptoms.  She stretches very strongly to be checked out by a doctor first to rule out any organic illnesses, and if you check out o.k. she will help you with your anxiety.  I used to suffer from sudden out of the blue panic attacks which developed into agorophobia. Doctors put me on Valium, Elavil, Xanax and a few more I can't remember which ones, but none of these drugs helped me. After reading Dr. Week's books several times, I got my panic attacks and agorophobia under control without meds.  I can drive every where, can fly on planes, hold a job with no problem.  I always could hold a job (when a panic attack hit me I ran to the bath room and told my co-workers I had diarrhia I told nobody about the panic attacks out of fear people would label me a "nut case"), but I could not go on a plane or on the expressway or long distance driving out of fear that a panic attack would hit me.  All this is behind me now.  If I only could find somebody or a book which deals with phobia of doctors and having my blood pressure taken my life would be complete, but I'm not giving up, I keep on researching and serching, and always tell myself "things could be worse".  Good luck! Don't worry to much about it!  Remember your doctor said that you were o.k. Worrying about your symptoms make them worse, I know I worry all the time about symptoms and make them worse.

[zipwax]

Doctors these days are trained from day 1 by insurance companies to turn away patients unless they're bleeding or keeling over. it's out of control.

On another note, I've never had panic anythings, ever. This just started happening like a light switch was turned on. It's the weirdest thing. The arrhythmia doesn't bother me, it's the pounding heart that does.

Thanks for your nice words, though

[Barbarella]

Zipwax,  I agree with you what you said in your first paragraph.  If the pounding heart is not from an organic illness it could be from stress and anxiety.  One of the symtoms of panic is a pounding heart.  But if you feel no anxiety with the pounding heart I don't know if it is an anxiety attack.  Did your doctor ever checked your thyroid? Thyroid problems can also have symptoms of a pounding heart.  The reason I know this is because I was checked out for this (thyroid problems) and was checked out for Hypoglycema (lood blood sugar) before they said it was panic attacks.  I know what you mean about insurance companies. I don't even want to get into this subject.  Try to get them pay for therapy sessions, forget it.  When I found out that the tranquelizers did not help me (panic attacks) I helped myself with these books I told you for I cannot afford to pay for therapy sessions, not even 50% as my insurance company wanted me to pay. I've gone in the past though and it still didn't help.

[Englishperson]

Barbarella, I also suffered with panic attacks and found that Citalopram Cipramil was a great help (Although I do live in England, don't know if this is available where you are)

Palpitations and panic attacks are totally different things and I can fully understand the need for medication in the case of panic attacks(or really servere palpitations), though It seems that doctors in America are far too willing to give out medication! I am really shocked, being given medication can often lead to the belief that you are ill, and in most cases with panic, anxiety and palpitations you are not physically ill. Having turned to medication for panic myself I realise that it is often necessary, and maybe I am wrong but I feel that in America it is too easy to turn to medication to bother trying long term solutions like yoga. I have tried this also and it really does work!

[Kwich]

Ok .. Im 16 years old.. I am insainly INSAINLY bad with anxiety .. like every week ill have a brain tumore or a skin eating dieases.. Well just like 6 moths ago i had 2 major panic attacks ... I was freaking out in school droped on the floor screaming I needed a drink... Well after words I started haveing this erid "REAL" symptom with my heart .. It would jump every few mins..