Re: One more question on arrhythmias

Posted By Carole on August 04, 1999 at 09:32:52
I apologize since you answer so many questions on this topic.  I have read many of them, but am still curious about one aspect of mine, so please put up with one more.  I've had PVC's and PAC's over the past 4 months for the first time in my life.  I'm kind of high-strung anyway and have had heart palpitations and rapid beat when I'm scared like most people do, but this was different.  
My husband and son were having some major conflicts and I felt that that coupled with my workload may have caused it.  However, a cardiologist ordered an EKG, Holtor monitor and stress test.  I had PVC's and PAC's but they were determined to be benign and the EKG and stress test were fine.  My family has since settled down and so have my palpitations.  However, what I now notice is a periodic "wham" of two or three real hard beats, out of nowhere and then calm.  
Last night, I was getting ready to go to bed but decided to surf the channels for the 11:00 news.  Suddenly, I had the sensation my heart had stopped.  Now, since I had not noticed it beating to begin with, I don't know how I knew it stopped, but I gasped for air, felt 3 or 4 heard beats then everything was fine.  I had no dizziness or pain, but was scared to death.  This happens just once in a while-maybe 3 or 4 times a week.  If it's nothing to worry about, fine, I can deal with it, or should I see the cardiologist again?  Thanks for all the help and support you give everybody.  Unfortunately, many of us don't get that from our own doctors.

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 04, 1999 at 10:55:48
Dear Carole
Most people actually do not feel the PVC itself, but rather the pause and more vigorous normal beat afterwards. If you are having very long pauses, that could be a problem. The solution may be to wear a Holter monitor long enough to capture these episodes so that your cardiologist can determine if you are having dangerously long pauses or whether it is just PVCs.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[Paul__0]

Posted By Paul on August 04, 1999 at 16:26:40

I recently had an Echo,  I have a borderline size left atrium and a trivial amount of mitral valve regurtation.
My Bp since has been perfect for about a year and a half.
Can eithor contribute to my atrial fib or currently my pac's.
Thx'

Paul

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 04, 1999 at 18:18:22
Dear Paul
An enlarged atrium predisposes to atrial fibrillation and PACs. A trivial amount of mitral regurgitation is unlikely to contribute.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[Paul__0]

Posted By Paul on August 05, 1999 at 12:51:56

What can I do about a borderline left atrium,  my BP has been perfect (recent halter shows 11662 average.
Will a lot of aerobic exercise help?
Other wise I am healthy No blocked arteries etc.
My cardiologist feels my atrium shows some enlargement due to my previous BP problem.

Thank you for your comments
PAUL

[Paul__0]

Posted By Paul on August 05, 1999 at 13:38:44

Sorry I forgot!
Could my trivial amount of mitral and tricuspid regurgtation contribute to a borderline left atrium or is it due to elevated BP.
I appreciate your response
Paul

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 06, 1999 at 09:49:44
Dear Paul
I think it was the BP. Valvular regurgitation can cause atrial enlargement, but it usually requires a significant amount of regurgitation, not just trivial amounts.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[Jodie__0]

Posted By Jodie on August 07, 1999 at 00:44:12
Okay, I have been reading these for quite some time now and have been feeling pretty comfortable with my symptoms based on your reasurring comments...except for your answer to the one more question on arrhythmias.
I also get all types of arrhythmias.  I have been checked out for over 20 years (I'm 39) and get yearly checkups with my cardiologist.  I have had halter monitors, stress tests and echo cardiograms.  The one arrhythmia it has never caught (and I've told my doctor about it) is one where I feel a little fluttering, then nothing (a pause for at least 3 or 4 seconds) THEN, it beats really fast and irregular for another 10 seconds or so, and back to normal.  This happens about 4 times a year.  When I feel the pause, it is long enough for me to get up, walk over to another room and yell for help before it starts beating again.  I'm not dizzy, however I do fell like things start to fade.  (only in these 3 to 4 seconds) then I'm fine even though it has starts to beat very fast.  Your comments say that if it pauses to long it could be a problem.  How long is to long?  
I worry enough about these, so please respond as soon as you can.
Thanks,

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 09, 1999 at 08:26:06
Dear Jodie
It sounds like you have had multiple evaluations by cardiologists and numerous tests. It is unlikely that something serious has been missed. If you have long pauses that make you feel lightheaded, bring it to your doctor's attention.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.











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