SVT/PVC meds

Thank you, Doctor, for taking my previous questions.  I think I have but three more.  
1) If SVT & PVC's are basically harmless, why would digoxin and verapamil be prescribed?  The side effects of the medications are no fun at all, and if the conditions present no real danger, I would rather not take them.  Which  brings me to question #2...
2)  Can SVT or PVC's lead to VT?  If so, how often does this tend to occur?
3) I am scheduled for a Cardiolite test in a few days and wonder if the test can tell if arteries are clogged or if the likelyhood of bloodclots exists?  (My dad died at 43 from a clot)
I am so glad you are here to put my mind at ease.  Thank you, thank you, thank for your wonderful service.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear rgirl,
Glad we have been able to help.  Here are the answers to your questions.

1) If SVT & PVC's are basically harmless, why would digoxin and verapamil be prescribed? The side effects of the medications are no fun at all, and if the conditions present no real danger, I would rather not take them. Which brings me to question #2...
A: Verapamil is a generally well tolerated drug.  We don't use digoxin for PVCs or SVT anymore but will on occasion put someone on a calcium channel blocker such as verapamil for symptom relief.  The first drug we would usually try for someone who wanted to take medication for symptom relief would be a beta-blocker.  Very rarely would we use an antiarrhythmic drug if all of the above drugs failed to help relieve symptoms.


2) Can SVT or PVC's lead to VT? If so, how often does this tend to occur?
A: In general no.

3) I am scheduled for a Cardiolite test in a few days and wonder if the test can tell if arteries are clogged or if the likelyhood of bloodclots exists? (My dad died at 43 from a clot)
A: A cardiolite test is a nuclear study of the blood flow of the heart.  It may be done with a treadmill stress test or a chemical stress test.  It can detect blockages in the arteries that are causing reduced blood flow.  It also gives an overall measurement of the heart's pumping function.

[LaurieD]

As a sufferer of PAC's I can tell you exactly why verapamil is used. After having thousands a day, you tend to become a "cardiac cripple". You feel these pounding in your chest one after another, it makes you a nervous wreck, then because you're nervous you get more....it's a vicious cycle. I started verapamil over the weekend, and my whole life has changed. I still have the things, not nearly as many because they aren't disturbing me anymore. I am also on a beta blocker tenormin, but that alone didn't help at all. The two together are working wonderfully. I also suffer from paroxymal atrial fibrillation, and if you think PAC's are bad....a bout of a fib will send you reeling. These drugs are supposed to help control that also, much to my relief.

[eteryn]

A related discussion, PVC and verapamil was started.