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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: PVC web page
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
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Re: Premature Ventricular ContractionsPosted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 29, 1998 at 14:35:...[more]
I want to know more about PVC's - anything you have regarding them.
Actually, I am not the creator of this web site. It was
done by a wonderful gentleman who really knows what it
feels like to suffer from this condition.You can find
so many people on there like yourself. As far as info
on PVCs, the doctors on this forum are excellent about
answering any medical questions you may have. Good luck,
you are not alone.
The PVC swimstat site is a site to look at but, He does;nt update anything also theres no one you can talk with or exchange adresses with. I think its for his own use.I have been on that web site and nothing has changed. I think this forum is really good at helping plus you get your questions answered by a real doctor. We need support to get us through tough times. Finding people here who are willing to be your friend and help you through bad times is the best. (thanks Lisa). Good Luck, Dawn
Thank you for your question. Here is a brief summary of what a PVC is, what
causes them and the treatment (if any) for PVCs. You can find additional information in an article in New England Journal of
Medicine, May 7, 1998, Vol. 338, pages 1369-1374. Your local medical library will have a copy of this. Hope this helps.
PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) are extra heartbeats occurring out of sync with the normal regular rhythm of the
heart. PVCs may cause no symptoms at all or may be felt as a irregular heartbeat or as the sensation of a hard heartbeat.
PVCs are common findings in persons with otherwise normal hearts, in which case the prognosis is excellent and there is no
decrease at all in life expectancy. On the other hand, they may indicate that there is an underlying abnormality of the heart muscle
(from any number of reasons). If there is an abnormality, then the prognosis and treatment depends upon the specific problem of
the heart. The usual evaluation of PVCs is a history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram (ECG). Also your doctor may
wish to check an ultrasound of the heart. If all those tests are normal, then you would fall into the category of people who have
PVCs but otherwise no underlying heart problem. In that case, treatment depends on how much the PVCs bother you. If they
are essentially asymptomatic, then no treatment is required. If they bother you, then a medication called a "beta-blocker" may
reduce the frequency of the PVCs. PVCs cant be "cured", but the medication can decrease their frequency. The potential side
effects of beta-blockers are tiredness, impotence in men and breathing difficulties in individuals with underlying lung disease. Be
sure to discuss these issues with your doctor and under no circumstance should you take medications for the heart without the
supervision of a doctor.
It is less common for people your age to have these symptoms but they may occur at any age. Again, I would consider hat is
called a holter monitor to monitor your heart for several days to determine the significance of these extra beats and increased
heart rate.
Below are some web sites with additional information about PVCs.
http://www.amhrt.org/Heart_and_Stroke_A_Z_Guide/prevent.html
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/cardio/other/gp/arrhyth.htm
http://www.MedicineNet.com/Forum.asp?li=USA&ag=Y&ArticleKey=1946
http://www.onelist.com/
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and
treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk
F15 with a cardiologist
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