Should I get a second opinion?

Posted by JK on April 29, 1999 at 11:53:02
I was recently diagnosed with irregular heartbeats, both atrial and ventricular in origin. The cardiologist did not give me a specific term for them (PAC or PVC) but said that they are nothing to worry about and I should continue to exercise and try to relax. I wore a 30-day event monitor to catch the events. He ruled out anything serious because he did a previous echocardiogram (1 year ago) and a stress test (6 months ago). The echo showed a slight heart murmur. The stress test was normal.
Should I seek a second opinion just to verify these results. I worry because the event monitor caught only small palps. Sometimes I get a few in a row that feel harder. These usually happen when I get a surge of adrenaline. I'm a peformer and sometimes I get them on stage.
Any help is appreciated.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on April 30, 1999 at 12:54:44
Dear JK, thank you for your question.  Given the negative stress test and echocardiogram, you do not need any further cardiac tests nor a second opinion to confirm that you have benign palpitations.  Likewise, you do not need to wear another event monitor.  PAC's and PVC's occur in most people, but some are more sensitive than others.  A class of medications called beta blockers suppresses PAC's and PVC's and may be useful for you since you are a stage performer.   A beta blocker would help to limit palpitations when you have a "surge of adrenaline."   Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine can precipitate PAC's and PVC's so you should avoid those substances.   Overall, your prognosis should be excellent, so my best advice for you is to try to develop a strategy to cope with the palpitations.

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.