Regular Skipped Beats

[timsa]

I have been having premature beats for quite some time now, i went to a  specialist  who did an ecg, and at that time nothing was detected. He sent me for a Stress test and also recommended that i wear a 24 hr Holter Monitor. His conclusion based on his examination of the results show that i have premature beats in the upper region of the Heart(atrial) He told me that there is nothing wrong with my Heart and i should learn to adapt to the condition. I now have skipped beats everyday, sometimes lasting for hours. My question is can this condition mature into a life threatening Heart condition? Why has he stopped me from taking meds that were easing the condition? (Procorolan)( Apo atenolol) that were prescribed by two other Medical Doctors.

[Madge270]

I have PVCs, just diagnosed , and have about 17,000 of them over 48 hours (according to 48-hour Holter monitor). My local doctor says I can take metoprolol if I want to, as needed, if I have any discomfort (heart pounding, etc). I only have that for awhile in the evening, about an hour after my evening meal (also have irritable bowel and GERD, and have bloating and gas at the time of day. Otherwise, I know I have PVCs, but I never feel them.

I'm seeing a cardiologist on my own, because 17,000 PVCs a day seems like a lot. Not sure I want to take the metoprolol, since I tried a beta blocker once for migraine, and the tiredness and dizziness made me feel like a zombie. My already fairly low blood pressure and pulse dropped quite low, which probably accounted for the zombie feeling.  Now I also have GERD, and a number of people I know who also have this weren't able to take beta blockers for long because they aggravated the reflux (relaxed the upper stomach sphincter).  So, I'm really wondering whether I want to take a beta blocker, with all the side effects they can entail.

Will not taking metoprolol allow my PVC problem to get worse?

[Cleveland Clinic]

This is a benign condition and will not lead to serious complications with your heart.  You may, however, be at an increased risk for developing atrial fibrillation.  When medications help with symptoms they should be continued, and that's what I would recommend in your situation, unless you have developed some side-effects to the meds.  If the meds don't help and you continue to have symptoms, I would recommend an ablation procedure, if feasible.