Re: Pvc's

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on August 11, 1998 at 11:48:07:

In Reply to: Re: Pvc's posted by Roxanne on August 10, 1998 at 13:02:17:






I was diagnosed with pvc's about two years ago after a very stressful move to another state.  After I wore a halter monitor and had an echocardigram and the doctor told me that I was having pvc's and that they were just annoying and not harmful, I felt better and did not experience them very much, unless I was in a stressful situation.
Now I am four months pregnant and have been experiencing them off and on for the last six to eight weeks.  I know I'm stressing about being pregnant, but they are still really bothering me.  I have them anywhere from three times a day up to 20 times a day.  Could this be dangerous to me or the baby in any way?  My ob has told to try and relax - but when I relax many times I just think about having the pvc's and it starts a vicious cycle.  I'm 34, a nonsmoker and in pretty good physical condition.  I think I just need some reassurance so I won't go crazy!  Thanks.
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Thank you for your question.  As you can see this is a common problem and can be very annoying but is not dangerous or life-threatening.  Perhaps we could start a support group for persons with this condition at this site?  Below is more information concerning PVCs.  Good luck and hope this helps.
Below 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.
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

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