Re: Premature Atrial Contractions

Posted By Gina on June 28, 1999 at 10:30:51
Was just diagnoised with premature atrial contrations. I am a 30 year old female with a long 1st degree A/V block and a prosetic mitral valve. These premature beats are not with me all day. In the Am and after rest I seem to have a regular rythem. Can you please tell me what to expect in the future? Please help with deffining this disorder. My cardioiligist told me I do not have to restrict my activites. It's more aggravating than anything. Was wodndering why they started all of a sudden?Is it something that I may snap out of in the future? Thank you. Gina. PS. I will be having a TEE soon.

[Gina--forgot-a-question]

Posted By Gina, forgot a question on June 28, 1999 at 14:50:27
I also forgot to mention that my atrium before and after the Mitral Valve replacement was mildly enlarged. I also had percardial tamponade 3 weeks post op. Any information provided would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 28, 1999 at 16:11:49
Dear Gina,
PAC's are premature atrial contractions and are harmless, albeit annoying for some individuals.  Here are some common questions about PAC's.
Q: Do PAC's cause a pause following the premature beat when the heart is resetting? I know
PVC's do, but what about PAC's?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there a danger point in how many you have in one minute?
A: No.
Q: How does one go about sleeping when this is going on?
A: I don't have a good answer for this but perhaps someone else who suffers from this does?
Q: What test are used to determine if the PAC's are benign.
A: In general all PAC's are benign and no further testing is needed.
Q:  Do you know of any way other than medicine, to stop the PAC's when they're occuring?
A: As I am sure you are doing avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.  Be sure to get enough rest and take measures to reduce stress in your life.
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.
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.

[Doug__0__0]

Posted By Doug on June 28, 1999 at 22:40:41
I have had PAC's for about 4 years.  I have learned a few things and my doctor has helped me with them in a number of ways.  For many the problem with going to sleep is a major one. I know that for me this is true. I suggest the following that has helped me:
1.  Get exercise.  Even though they may bother me during exercise it is better than not exercising.  I have found that PAC's for the most part are caused by stress, and exercise definitely helps.  When I exercise I find that by bedtime I am ready to sleep.
2.  If I'm having a large number of them, my doctor has prescribed two medicines that can help.  One is Clonazepam and the other Alprazolam.  These are sedatives that make you drowsy.  They help reduce the PAC's because they tend to reduce adrenalin output, and they also make you drowsy and get you into a deep sleep which also helps the body slow down.  One must be careful with this since it can become habit forming.  But when taken in small doses they are helpful.  For example I only take .25 mg of clonazepam at night.  It helps a great deal to get me sleeping and stay sleeping; especially if I'm having PAC's. Alprazolam works quicker, but doesn't last as long.  I don't take it very often.  My goal is to get off them completely, and I have been, but from time to time my PAC's act up and it is better to get sleep.  Sleep helps slow the body down and deal with stress.
These are something you might try talking to your doctor about.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 29, 1999 at 09:59:36
I agree that exercise and slep can help.  Sedatives can help but be careful as you are playing with fire.  
CRC

[Pam__0__0]

Posted By Pam on June 29, 1999 at 21:11:17
I was also recently told I had PAC's (per Holter monitor results only, so far)-however, unlike most people on this Board, I have none at night when I try to sleep or when I lie down, period.  In fact, that was the frustrating part when I had EKG's done-the skips and flip flops wouldn't show up because I was lying down.  Would that suggest I have something different?   Also, when I move around it's OK-just noticable when I sit, especially at work.  That's the major stress in my like and 1/2 our family income so I guess I need to keep the tranquilizers coming.
Also, are you folks familiar with the alternative medicine idea that most arrythmias are due to a lack of magnesium and should initially be treated by several IV's of magnesium and then with an oral supplement thereafter?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 30, 1999 at 06:43:12
for difficult to catch heart rhythms your doctor may order a Holter monitor or event recorder test.  It doesn't sound to me like they are to severe in your case however.  Intravenous magnesium can be dangerous - causing heart arrhythmias itself if not properly given.  Currently conventional medicine does not advocate such therapy.
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.
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 June 30, 1999 at 13:54:49
I am interested in your comments regarding magnesium,  I was of the assumption that an additional gram or 2 of supplemental magnesium might help reduce blood pressure and possible help with PAC's their seem to be several reliable studies to confirm this.  Can you reference any studies to contradict this?
Magnesium even in large amounts feed intraveniously does not seem to have any serious negative effects as shown in recent articles in Tha American Journal of Cardiology.
I myself suffer from PAC's and take additional antioxidants Hawthorn and Magnesium supplements and Potassium (from food sources Bananas oranges etc.)

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 30, 1999 at 14:58:33
What studies are you referring to?
CRC

[Paul__0]

Posted By Paul on June 30, 1999 at 16:22:31
I have seen several studies concerning blood pressure and Atrial Fibrillation and mannesium.
A recent study was listed in The American Journal of Cardiology Volume 84 issue 1 concerning intravenous Magnesium and Heart rate.
The study was short in duration and showed no positive but very minor negative effects!










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Premature Atrial Contractions Nancy 7/01/1999
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Re: Premature Atrial Contractions Gina 7/01/1999
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Re: Premature Atrial Contractions Tracy 7/03/1999
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