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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: palpitations
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.
Re: palpitations
by CCF Cardio MD-SGM, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF Cardio MD-SGM on January 06, 1998 at 10:31:30:
In Reply to: palpitations posted by Donna Howie on January 05, 1998 at 15:39:29:
: I have mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation. I get episodes of palpitations that last for hours, days and this last period for over a month. I had a holter moniter and an ekg and it showed PVC's. My doctor said it is nothing to worry about and to just ignore them. Sometimes my heart flutters so much i can't stand it. Is it true these palpitaions can last that long and not hurt you? I am beginning to be afraid to leave the house in case they start. When do you know the palpitations are bad enough that you should go to the hospital? Please help, reassurance is a big help
thank you
Donna
______
Dear Donna,
As you may have noticed from the multiple questions on this topic, many people are concerned about heart palpitations. Most everyone has some degree premature heart beats that arise from either the upper chambers (PAC's) or the lower chambers of the heart (PVC's). The interesting thing is that these premature beats aren't noticed by most people. I believe there are varying degrees of awareness of ones heartbeat, and some people sense these irregular beats... others don't. To reiterate, PVC's are not in any way life-threatening. In the absence of structural heart disease(dysfunction of the left ventricle) PVC's are not dangerous. They are simply annoying.
Regarding reasons to go to the hospital... lightheadedness or passing-out would top the list. Continued perception of palpitations might better be handled by a call to your doctor.
If this problem is troubling you to the degree that you're afraid to leave the house, I'd suggest the following: stop any intake of alcohol, caffeine, or cigarettes. Discuss with your doctor whether starting a beta-blocking medication might be helpful. Finally, if these steps don't reduce your symptoms, a final consideration would be to undergo an electrophysiologic study(using catheters placed into the heart via veins in the leg). In some cases, the source of PVC's can be obliterated using a radiofrequency technique.
In any case, I want to focus on reassurance. Isolated PVC's are more of a nuisance than anything else. Try not to let them interfere with your life. Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only. Specific recommendations and therapy can only be provided by your physician.
In Reply to: palpitations posted by Donna Howie on January 05, 1998 at 15:39:29:
: I have mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation. I get episodes of palpitations that last for hours, days and this last period for over a month. I had a holter moniter and an ekg and it showed PVC's. My doctor said it is nothing to worry about and to just ignore them. Sometimes my heart flutters so much i can't stand it. Is it true these palpitaions can last that long and not hurt you? I am beginning to be afraid to leave the house in case they start. When do you know the palpitations are bad enough that you should go to the hospital? Please help, reassurance is a big help
thank you
Donna
______
Dear Donna,
As you may have noticed from the multiple questions on this topic, many people are concerned about heart palpitations. Most everyone has some degree premature heart beats that arise from either the upper chambers (PAC's) or the lower chambers of the heart (PVC's). The interesting thing is that these premature beats aren't noticed by most people. I believe there are varying degrees of awareness of ones heartbeat, and some people sense these irregular beats... others don't. To reiterate, PVC's are not in any way life-threatening. In the absence of structural heart disease(dysfunction of the left ventricle) PVC's are not dangerous. They are simply annoying.
Regarding reasons to go to the hospital... lightheadedness or passing-out would top the list. Continued perception of palpitations might better be handled by a call to your doctor.
If this problem is troubling you to the degree that you're afraid to leave the house, I'd suggest the following: stop any intake of alcohol, caffeine, or cigarettes. Discuss with your doctor whether starting a beta-blocking medication might be helpful. Finally, if these steps don't reduce your symptoms, a final consideration would be to undergo an electrophysiologic study(using catheters placed into the heart via veins in the leg). In some cases, the source of PVC's can be obliterated using a radiofrequency technique.
In any case, I want to focus on reassurance. Isolated PVC's are more of a nuisance than anything else. Try not to let them interfere with your life. Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only. Specific recommendations and therapy can only be provided by your physician.
