Re: skipped beats when lying down

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on March 02, 1999 at 07:33:00:

In Reply to: skipped beats when lying down posted by Michael on February 28, 1999 at 00:14:53:






     I have some sort of skipped beats, which haven't been named exactly,
but I have had multiple ECGs, two holters, and an echo and always been
told "completely normal".  I notice that they happen more often when I lie
down on my back, and also when I go on the stairmaster, for some reason
that really stimulates them (to the point where I get extremely worried
and have to stop).  Is this likely to be PVCs?  Why do they happen more
often when exercising or lying down?  They are making me very anxious,
is there anything I can do to alleviate them?  Vitamins for example?
I don't drink, smoke, no caffeine, drugs, etc.
     Does anyone else have PVCs that happen in similar situations?
     Thanks for reading,
   -Mike




Dear Mike, thank you for your question.  The skipped beats you are experiencing are most likely premature ventricular contractions (PVC's).  PVC's are most often benign if the heart function if normal (as yours is).  Thus, PVC's are a nuisance and can cause great anxiety to people who suffer from them.  Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine will help reduce the frequency of PVC's as these agents are known precipitating factors.   I can't say why you feel PVC's more often with exercise or lying down - everyone s different.  Certain medications called beta blockers can limit the number of PVC's that occur, but these medications have multiple side effects (fatigue, impotence, decreased exercise performance).  Vitamins and other remedies have no effect on PVC's.  As you can see by the large number of responses your question has generated, many people have PVC's so you are not alone.  

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 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.