Palpitations and Chest Pain

[NurseKagome]

Hello,
I am a 23 year old woman who has been having PVC's since I was 16 years old. I was only lucky enough to have them recorded and diagnosed as of last August 2005. I have had a echo, holter monitor, 2 stress tests, blood work and ekg, all results normal except for PVC's. I have elevated cholesterol since it is heridatary on my fathers side but it is just above borderline right now, I am thin and eat very healthy. I have had 4 spurts of unrecorded events that felt like PVC's and tachycardia together (hr at 180+ during the events). This has me concerned. Also I have lately found a coorelation of PVC's with exercise, though I can get them at any time during the day, it just seems to happen with exercise lately. I also tend to have chest pain that can be a sharp pain right in the apex area of the left side of my chest or hard in the centre and feels like it spreads to the right and left sides of my chest. I also get intense upper back pain. My questions are:
1.)should it be a concern to me about the pvc's on exercise so much lately? could a pvc at that rate stop my heart or somthing worse?
2.)What do you think of my chest pain? It can be pretty intense and last 5-10 mins other times it's only for a second.
3.)during the very fast hr spurts (not diagnosed) where it feels like my heart is just going crazy and it feels like pvc's at the same time, is this symptoms typical of those who end up with v-fib?What is happening if it is just "normal"?
4.)I have seen a cardiologist and I am wondering is it nessacary or important that I see an electrophysiologist?

Thank You!!:)

[CCF-M.D.-BJ]

see below.

[NurseKagome]

Oh My Goodness!!! It posted twice!! ahhhh, can the other one be deleted? Or will it be? I hope so.

Nurse Kagome

[tickertock]

I've had PVCs averaging around 12-15 per minute with what the doctor called sinus tachycardia with PVCs documented on ECG with a heartrate of between 175-185 bpm if I remember correctly, I was 27 at the time , now 41 (male) It's the worse terrifying feeling one can have , having PVCs at such a high heartrate. I was told quite outright it was nothing to worry about , giving a pindolol(beta blocker) and sent home, the heartrate came down but the PVCs lasted averaging 6-12 a minute constantly for about 5-6 days , that was my first bad prolonged attack with PVCs. I've had PVCs with tachycardia at that rate about 10 times in my entire life from what I can remember , the first occuring around 16 years of age while riding my bike, I figure my rate was probably around 220 back then, thought I was a goner for sure. I now take atenolol, cozaar, and HCTZ for ultimate B/P control as I do have mild hypertension. I rarely have PVCs anymore or tachycardia. I think once you've been given a clean bill of health with your heart and had all the test required, though very frightening, these episodes posed very little to risk of SCD.I'm not a doctor, just sharing my personal experience, Hope you feel better soon and get relief from the anxiety it has caused you, I know it nearly destroyed me mentally if i would have allowed it to. Good luck.

[tickertock]

I met to write these I think these episodes though frightening pose little to no risk of SCD.

[NurseKagome]

Your words are reasurring. But when I get the "heart attack" (what I call it) PVC's and tachycardia it just comes outta the blue. I could be sitting down watchin tv or just standing around and boom hr is 180 and pvc's. It's quite frightening. It have only happened 4 times my whole life and that has been over the last 2 years. Tickertock, did you ever get the "heart attack" when you were just relaxing and not during exercise like bike riding? I get them on exercise almost always lately but the ones the freak me out the most are the ones at rest like when I'm standing at work or sitting down. Thanks for your comment!

Nurse Kagome

[tickertock]

Like I said I've had PVCs & Tachycardia together about 10 times in my entire life from what i can remember , I could get them either while exercising or in a relaxed state such as just laying in bed or standing, usually they would be triggered by a huge PVC or what felt like a bunch of PVCs together.

I used get episodes of PVCs  several a minute lasting from weeks to months at a time then disappearing, but its been over 4 years since my last prolonged episode the longest I've gone since my first prolonged episode back in 92.

The doctor did mention that I might have a concealed accessory pathway( a form of what is called concealed WPW)but I dont have a short PR or no clean cut delta wave or widen QRS as in manifest WPW . I asked about an EP study. It was not recommended , but I could had one if I insisted, both the doc and I decided it was not worth the risk and the tachy is completely controlled with the atenolol.Best wishes.

[Heart Hiccup]

Hi everyone!  I just found this forum today and I am so glad.  I have been experiencing what I call "my heart hiccups" for about 2 years now.  I was on my way home from a restful vacation and they started.  To explain the feeling better, it feels like blood has been pooled in the bottom of my heart and then released really fast.  I get light headed and tired.  Mine can last for hours, usually about one every minute.  I check my heart rate at my neck and I can feel my heart almost skip a beat when they happen.  It seems that mine are not triggered by anything specific either.  This is very scary to me.  I went to the ER last weekend because I had an episode and I felt tightening and pain in my chest.  I thought I was having a heart attack.  The dr did and EKG and chest x-rays and found nothing abnormal.  He told me that he thought I have panic attacks and prescribed Ativan to me.  I plan on going to see my regular dr soon and finding out exactly what is going on.  I am only 31 and this is ruining my life.  I need peace of mind.  I am driving my husband and family crazy, but I feel like they just dont understand what it feels like.  I dont want to die young and if this keeps up, I am afraid that I will.  Does anyone have any words of advice?  Thanks!

[woodruff]

Many, many people here have experienced your exact symptoms, and a fear of sudden death is really common.  If a good doc has checked out your heart, you are not going to die--but the fear will ruin your life.  So, there are two major things to deal with here:  One is to accept that your symptoms are not life-threatening.  This is surprisingly difficult, and I think most people go through some like Kübler-Ross' Stages of Grieving in the process.  Second, you have to find a way to get a grip on your fear, and the chances are that a good shrink and possibly some friendly drugs will prove invaluable.

As I said, your experience is remarkably common.  To find out how many of us have run into it, and how we are dealing with it all, go to the "search" box, and type in PVCs.  You will be amazed, and, I hope, reassured.

[NurseKagome]

I dunno what it is but I simply don't feel good. Like, I always *most times* feel crapy. It's hard to explain, it's an overall general feeling.Is anyone else like this. Feeling unsure and troubled about your pvc's? It is a bother and I would so much rather feeling happy. I am looking forward to the dr.'s answer and my appointment next week. Take care all!

Nurse Kagome :(

[dmil241]

I know how you feel. I generally just don't feel good either. I have the PVC's and PAC's. I sometimes go a bit tachy. I feel funny crazy beats that I don't know. I have possible coronary artery spasms. I recently discovered I have a gallbladder that does not function. (Maybe that is alot of my problems.) Also my doctor suspects that I have fibromyalgia. (Could explain my constant fatigue and insane movable pain.)However besides that I am the picture of health!

It is getting harder and harder to keep up with my daughters soccer practices and games, horseback riding lesssons, basketball, etc...But I haven't missed one yet. I just feel like **** at all of them. Depression is getting harder to stave off but I am hopeful that having my gallbladder removed will help some. ??????? In the meantime I would love to have a little energy and feel better!

Just venting---so sorry!!!!! I guess I'm just a bit tired and down. Tomorrow will be better, I'm sure.

[Off Beat]

I have had pacs for about 11 years.  About a year and a half ago I had an episode of afib for about 17 hours.  These rhythms can be devistating mentally,  you just have to keep living.  I know it's not easy,  hopefully forums like this help.  A recent EKG I had showed an Ectopic Atrial Rhythm, this is new to me. My years of learning how to cope with this just got sent back to day one. Anyone know about this term?  my gp said it's nothing to worry about,  but I'm going to see my cardiologist next week for follow up.  Just another thing to learn and worry about, but like I said we have to keep living! I struggle with it every day, Today I almost missed my sons little league game out of fear of these rhythms,  I'm glad I went! I'm thankfull for forums like this,  They give you strength!

[suzzie1]

Hi, I am a 46 year old female, I have had heart problems since I was about 13 or 14 years old. Things have gotten worse over the years and at the moment I feel very unwel.I take emcor for an irregular heartbeat and dilzem which is a calcium channel blocker. I am tired all the time, have no stamina and can barely walk enough to get about shopping for my children without getting chest pain. It comes in the form of pressure and can sometimes radiate up into my neck. I will be short of breath and weak. Recently Iv been getting pressure 'IN' my heart when walking. Its different to the chest pressure.Feels as if my heart is going to 'burst'.Also when in bed I suddenly wake up gasping for breath and my heart feels weird. Last August I was given Cordarone(Amiadrone) for my irregular heartbeat which I have since found out is a pretty toxic drug. It helped with the irr. beats but because of side effects I stopped taking it.My irr. beats have improved(I was getting over 1300 a day), but my general health is worse.I dont have health insurance and the health service in Ireland isnt good so I have been waiting 5 months to see a consultant in Dublin, all the time feeling worse. I have never been overweight in my life, so that is not an issue. I am a single parent with 2 children and I am desperate to feel well and be here for them. I feel I am being neglected by my gp and that noone understands how unwell I feel. I have 2 questions: Does anyone recognise any of my symptoms, and could it be a problem with my heart valves? I would appreciate some advice from anyone or everyone....THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

[Angie O Plasty]

Just a thought for those who have said they have episodes that feel "like PVC's and tachycardia together"--I wonder if it could just be a tachy rhythm in which the atria and ventricles are out of sync (such as, for example, AV nodal reentry SVT)?  From what I understand, when you have a PVC the ventricles may contract before or at the same time as the atria rather than after the atria like they should, and maybe that explains why PVC's are sometimes felt in the neck/throat area (due to, probably, blood getting forced backwards out of the atria because of the ventricles contracting while the atria are full of blood).  So perhaps in SVT caused by AV nodal reentry, to use the example I started with, the atria and ventricles would be getting activated at the same time rather than sequentially and be contracting at the same time, possibly creating a sensation that is like a whole bunch of PVC's right in a row and at a high rate.  It will be interesting to hear what the doctor has to say--I am not one, just someone who finds this stuff really interesting and is a real nerd like that.  I'm starting grad school in the fall to become a nurse practitioner and would like to specialize in cardiology, so eventually I will know more about these things.  Sorry for writing a book--here's wishing everyone an arrhythmia-free day!

[NurseKagome]

Hey, I have my BN RN currently and I plan on becoming a nurse practioner. I am a new grad so I need two years experience first. I am excited about it all. I love the medical field and look forward to work everyday. Cardiology will be fun, I prefer NeoNatal and Surgery floors though.

Wondering about what all the different symptoms are is the worst thing I personally do to myself regarding ectopic beats like PVC's. It is such a gross nasty unnatural feeling when you get them that it's just about impossible to adjust to or ever consider normal. And the minute you are used to one type of feeling of a PVC or PAC the next minute it feels different. So, it's hard to know whats new or what needs to be checked out. Anyone else have like four or five different feeling PVC's and get what feels like new sensations daily?? Haha. I certianly do.

Nurse Kagome

[Angie O Plasty]

So do you think you'd want to be a neonatal NP?  That could be cool.  I'm going into a program designed for people with a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing (mine's in biology)--it's three years instead of two because it starts with getting the basic nursing classes and RN license before going into the NP part.  If you want to work with surgical patients, the Acute Care NP specialty would probably be the way to go (that's the one I'm doing because it seems like the way to go for cardiology as well).  Anyway, I'm way off topic here.  As far as the PVC's feeling different at different times, I'm not sure why that would be but it seems possible that it depends on exactly when in the cardiac cycle the "misfire" happens.  Does that make sense?

[jkf]

Hi
Just thought I'd let you know that I get the very fast heart beat with PVC's.  It has been captured on a holter beating at 220 with pvc's.   The doctors called it PAT.  I, just like Tickertock(and he and I have discussed this) get it maybe once or twice a year.  I don't think he has it anymore, however it sounds like the same thing.  It happens after some type of skip (must be a pvc but it has a much longer pause than the normal pvc)  then whammo - it beats at 220 with pvc's.  The pause scares me more than the whacko fast beats. The longest episode was about 15 minutes.  Usually they are much shorter.  It happens out of the blue.  I can't predict it.  It woke me up from sleep once.  I also am thin (106 lbs) and healthy.  I take 1/4 of a 25mg of Tenormin.  It seems to help.  I do have those days where my heart just beats faster (like in the 90's)  Sometimes I just take another 1/4 of the Tenormin.  When it gets tachy like that it makes me feel like I've been running a marathan.  I wouldn't worry too much.  It really sounds like exactly what I get.
Take care
Jodie

[NurseKagome]

So you get the fast beats and pvc's at the same time too? I am surprised about that just because I have never really read anywhere about anyone else experiencing the same thing. It makes me feel a little better about it. I am currently having a bad day for palps, having them consistantly all day long. arg...somehow they just continue to scare me. I have remained calm all day, but in the back of my mind it's always "what if...?"

During the attacks of tachy/pvc's I feel very lost, like I have soooooooooooo no control over it. I sit there like wtf is going to happen next? Panicy...sweating (cause my hr is so high I guess). It makes me weary afterwards and fearful of it happening again. Just the thought of it scares me. What I feel most icky about lately though is the fact I get PVC's on exercise now. It normally never happened before...only afterwards. I was told not to worry and I have read things agreeing with that but also things that say it's bad. Anyone got any knowledge 'bout that?

Btw, when do the Dr's normally post their responces?
Thanks all!

Nurse Kagome

[sandro]

90% of the PVC's i get usually feel the same... and then theres that 10% that feel very different but only occur ounce and a while. when i get the ones that feel different (and those are the ones that usually feel the worst) it feels as if i should go back to the doctor and tell him he missed something, but then i think back at aaaaalll the test i had done within less than a year. but theres always that thought in your mind as if something was missed or over looked.... i hate that.

[NurseKagome]

Today for the first time I felt a light fluttery type pvc that almost felt like two happening together and it hurt a little...weird. Anyone have this before?? strange for me
maybe the pain was a coincedience??

Nurse kagome

[dmil241]

Hi! I get that fluttery feeling from time to time and I think it is a few PAC's in a row. It is a weird feeling but it never really leaves me feeling breathless or lightheaded the way a PVC with a really BIG THUD can.

[Heart Hiccup]

I get that fluttery feeling all the time.  I cannot pinpoint anything that causes it.  I have went all day today and felt fine and then tonight before bed they started again.  Drives me nuts!!!  I sometimes have some middle chest pain associated with mine, but not often.  I ahd an EKG and chest xray a few weeks ago, but they showed nothing.  I just wish that they would go away.  I dont want these for the rest of my life!

[NurseKagome]

Is Dr.BJ new? or is it the same as Dr.BKJ? Just a question, thanks.

Heart Hiccup and Dmil241, thank you for your responces. This condition too often makes me feel alone, astranged from fam/friends, worrisom, and just annoyed with myself and it. Hearing all of your comments really has helped me so much over the past 6mths.

I thank you all and I hope more of you will post your experiences regarding this topic, I look forward to reading them:)

Nurse Kagome

[talylor]

This is my first time posting in a while. I posted in April in May while I was going thru a hard time trying to figure out what it was I was feeling in my chest, neck and throat. Been thru the whole work up. Echo, basic stress test, ct scan, chest xray, 24hr holter....you name it, they did it. I was told for MONTHS, I had acid reflux, or esophagael spasms, or of course...ANXIETY. I KNEW they were wrong on all counts. I was on prevacid for months and had a barium swallow test...nothing showed and nothingchanged...and I AM NOT AN ANXIOUS PERSON. If anything, the anxiety I have now is SECONDARY. So, the 24hr holter showed some PAC's and PVC's (66 and 22 with one run of 5 I believe) and the results were NORMAL SINUS RHYTHEM and normal holter overall. Docs said they doubted what I was feeling was coming from the beats. I asked them to match it up to the diary I kept religously by the way hoping to get answers and they said they didn't match it up to my diary cause the overall result was benign or something like that. When I demanded they did, they said it was too late, the "chip" the holter recorded on was erased already but bottom line, my heart was fine EVEN IF IT IS THE BEATS, and it was probably anxiety (WRONG) to take nothing or maybe try a beta blocker. I had been taking KLONOPIN since March, trying anything to help me, even though I know it wasnt anxiety. Overall...they sent me away and told me I would feel better in no time.

Fast forward from January til now. STILL FEEL THE SAME. Last month went to an EP who agreed to put me on a 14 day loop monitor. Overall results says NORMAL SINUS RHYTHEM WITH SUPRAVENTRICULAR PREMATURE BEATS. When I hit the record button, sometimes it showed PVC or PAC sometimes it showed NSR and sometimes it showed SINUS TACHYCARDIA. Highest HR was 155. I was over 100 alot on the monitor but don't recall what I was doing at those times cause they told me the record button would log it symptoms and activity (light, moderate, heavy). But there were some occasions that I wrote the time and day down thinking I could match it up with the report. But on the report, it only gives the day...not the time...so I don't know what I was doing to cause the high HR. The report shows ST ALOT but yet, the report says NORMAL RESULTS.

Of course, a week after going off the monitor I had a BAD episode. All this time, it would be so quick that by the time I checked my pulse, the feeling was gone and my pulse felt fine. THIS TIME...The feeling (going down a hill, hollow feeling in chest and neck) came over and over, checked my pulse and felt the beat..beat............beat...........beat..beat..beat. SCARED ME but also relieved me cause I knew it. I KNEW IT FOR MONTHS THAT THIS WAS WHAT I WAS FEELING and I was constantly told otherwise.

So now...my only question...this bad episode NOT CAUGHT on monitor...could this be some other type of arrhythmia or is this just a PVC or PAC run? Any help or advice would be truly appreciated.

[jkf]

Yes!!  I get the 220 heart rate with PVC's.  It is awful and you do feel like you will die.  I get waves of feeling like I'm leaving my body when it is happenning (that is the only way I can describe it because I don't feel dizzy, just like I"m floating away).  It is very short lived but while it is happenning it feels like forever.  One time during the episode I jumped up and starting running to the phone to call someone and I figured if I could get up and move that fast that I was probably alright.  :)  I thought this was A-fib but realized it wasn't after my mom went into A-fib and I felt her pulse.  This is just a fast fast rate with PVC's thrown into it. And the worst part about it is you have no idea when it decides to start up.  As I said, I get a very very long pause before it triggers the fast beats. You are getting them during exercise because you are stressed about them.  Your adrenaline is working overtime and that makes your heart jumpy.  (what my doctor told me)  He also told me not to stop because of them.  I've had some during my yearly treadmill and he just tells me to keep on going.  
Jodie

[NurseKagome]

your post is so similar to my feelings. i saw my gp today before my appointment this week with my cardiologist and she said if she could stake her life on my perfect heart she did it today!! haha, she is so confident in my overall health, even with the spurts which she thinks is svt, nothing to worry about. She said during svt you can feel pvc sensations. She said on those attacks blacking out would be a problem/nothing else.

she told me today to accept my palps and make nice with them or it will only cause anguish for me. i agreed...as of today they are my buddies. i have had alot already and brushed them off on her advice. i have been examined far more than i have needed she said and she's right about it all! :)

she also told me that alot ALOT of pt's who have pvc's on exercise will find them decrease or stop altogether after a pt accepts their diagnosis. that would be nice :)

thanks so much for your posting, it means alot to me

Nurse Kagome