What to do now?

Posted by Janice on May 31, 1999 at 09:26:41
I've been diagnosed with benign PVCs and PACs. An event monitor showed these. Previously I had a normal echo (1 year ago), ekg, stress test. I have a few questions.
1. My event monitor only caught mild attacks. Could my stronger attacks be something more seriouso than PVCs or PACs?
2. Does this condition worsen or precipitate other diseases?
3. Do I need a second opinion?
I'm scared that my strong attacks are ventricular fibrillation or atrial flutter. Feels like my heart keeps getting squeezed hard.
Any help you can give is appreciated.

Posted by julie on May 31, 1999 at 10:24:18
I also have PACs and PVCs that feel like a hard squeeze.  From what I have read (alot) and from 2 Cardiologists (1 I see, the other a friend)  PACs and PVCs are most likely a benign condition.  If you were in ventricular fib you would be dead without IMMEDIATE intervention.  A-flutter is easy to spot on an event monitor as it pPosted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on May 31, 1999 at 19:58:46
Dear Janice
The vast majority of the time, PACs and PVCs are benign.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
Posted by Janice on June 02, 1999 at 17:21:47
I just got the reports from my 30-day monitor. The findings say things like, premature ventricular contractions, sinus arrythmia, sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia. My doctors write-up of these reports said that I had benign arrythmias. Can you tell me what those terms mean.
Thank you.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on June 06, 1999 at 12:48:02
Dear Janice
It sounds like you just have PVCs. Sinus rhythm is normal. Tachycardia refers to fast heart rate, bradycardia to slow heart rate - neither is abnormal unless the rate was extremely fast or slow. Sinus arrhythmia refers to variation in the heart rate from breathing - this is normal.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.