Re: PVC's for a long time

Posted By Anna on May 01, 1999 at 00:32:51
Hello, I am 34 years old and since the age of 16 years old I have had PAC and PVC's (caught on EKG's in the Emergency dept.).  At about 10 years ago at age 24 I had an echocardiogram done which was normal.  I saw a cardiologist who thought everything was okay.  My question is that since February of 1995!!! I have had these extra beats almost every single day of my life.  Some days very infrequently and some days very frequently. I go to the doctor and they don't seem concerned.  I also have a history of panic disorder and when I get anxious this certainly exacerbates the problem.  Now sometimes when I get an extra beat I feel a small sharp pain shoot around my left side to the back of my shoulder blade.  My doctor seems to think this is joint or muscular related as she said that PVC's don't cause this kind of pain?  Do you agree on this?  Would pain from an extra beat just last a split second like mine or would they last longer?   Also, from your point of view do you think it is possible to have PVC's for 18 years and not have something happen or at least have a more serious diagnosis made?  I went through two very hard deliveries where they monitored my heart and everything seemed fine.  Your opinion is important to me because I sometimes feel that doctors mask their true opinions and think that my anxiety is the reason for all my symptoms.  I agree that anxiety makes it worse but I do get extra beats when I am not "panicking".  But I do believe that I am always worried about them and maybe that's why.  
Thank you for your timet

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD-APS on May 05, 1999 at 10:50:24
Dear Anna,
I know how true it is that many doctors attribute "every symptom" to a persons' anxiety when that is one of there diagnosis, HOWEVER, in the case of PVCs and PACs, these are COMPLETELY BENIGN, i.e. they will not do any medical harm nor will they ever and never do they precede a worse or other diagnosis of any kind in a person with a structurally normal heart like you.  You needn't worry, many people who never feel anxious get these extra beats and some are bothered by them and others not.  Not all patients feel their extra beats and not all get a sensation of pain with them, but some do and it is usually a fleeting pain.  If ever you experience lasting pain, it is not from the extra beats and you should seek medical attention. This fleeting pain you experience could also be muscular/skeletal and this is also benign but very bothersome and hard to diagnose.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general
purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to
write back with additional questions. Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call
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