Re: Palpatations

Posted By Lisa on April 16, 1999 at 11:40:05
Hello, I am a 38 year old female, never had children. 3 years ago I started suffering with severe bouts of palpatations. I went to a cardiologist, who performed many test including: echocardiogram, ekg's, blood work, thyroid panel, chest x-rays, etc.  The diagnosis was benign PVC's and PAC's (palpatations). I was put on the medication atenelol, I take 100mg in the morning and 50mg at night, I also take .05mg xanax nightly, or when palpatations are more frequently happening.  Even with this medication, I am still experiencing the palpatations, and although I have been told they are not life threatening, they are certainly life disruptive.  I have also taken a biofeedback program to try and learn how to relax myself during these episodes.  My main concern is: could this be hormonally related or GI related, I notice they sometimes get worse durning PMS and sometimes after eating.  Although, they can also come out of the blue with nothing triggering them.  Are there no test, on glands etc, that could be done to pinpoint the cause of these?  Are there any test that I should ask my cardiologist to perform?  I really want to have these behind me, so I can go about my normal life routine again.  I am going to move to Pennsylvania soon, and would also like recommendations on a good cardiologist in the Scranton area.  And, also I would like to have a child in the next few years, but I am so afraid of what the palpatations will do during pregnancy.  Thank you for any help and suggestions that can be offered. It is greatly appreciated. Please email me at ***@**** with any info also...thanks...Lisa

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD-APS on April 22, 1999 at 15:05:14
Dear Lisa,
Firstly, the Heart Forum does not e-mail anyone, rather we answer right here "on-site".
Secondly, in that PVCs and PACs are benign, they might change in pattern but will not affect the pregnancy so to speak.
PVCs and PACs may very well  be related to GI and various hormone levels (many a patients have written to this forum stating that PMS and GI upset, etc. have an effect on their palpitations.)  We know that stress (OF ANY KIND), alcohol. caffeine, and chocolate are often aggravators of palpitations, however it really varies for every patient, i.e. what exactly it is that effects the palpitations.
The biofeedback idea is a good one, have you tried yoga?  I really can not think of any further advice except to say do your very best to control if not eliminate your stress.  There really is no research on this subject in that it is a benign condition.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
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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