Will panic attacks cause PVC's to become serious?

I have been having PVC's for several years. I have developed severe anxiety about having attacks of PVC's. As a consequence, I take Xanax everyday in an attempt to reduce my anxiety about them, and thus the frequency. The problem is this--I have received cognitive behavioral therapy to address the panic. Other typical symptoms of panic attacks do not bother me, but the hurdle I have been unable to overcome is my fear of the PVC's. I am so afraid of them that I will not get on a plane or travel long distances because I am afraid I will have PVC's, subsequently get a panic attack, make them worse, and die because no medical attention is available. I have gotten where I can better deal with the PVC's on a regular, daily basis without overreacting, but I am still afraid of the panic attacks maybe making my heart fibrillate or something. (You hear about people who literally "scare themselves to death.") Can you offer some advice on overcoming this vicious cycle I am in? Could this scenario occur?

Also, I get PVC's more when I am lying on my left side. Why is this? Thank you so very much. This is a valuable service that you provide.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Miz,
Be assured that PVCs are harmless and will not lead to any serious heart problems.  Your doctor my recommend beta-blockers or perhaps even an ablation if these are causing you significant psychological problems.

[Mommyplus6]

Hey there,

I too suffer with panic attacks and recently began having pvc's and pac's without panic but they have lead me straight into a panic attack...
I know how scary it can be...
this pac's and pvc's are all new to me and they are the absolute worst...
I have read enough to know that stress/anxiety can increase them...caffeine and alcohol are big no' no's...
if you need some support with your panic/anxiety you are welcome to e-mail me as I have some great support sites...
just wanted to let you know your not alone...

(hugsz)

[bcrfowler]

I just read that when you lay on your left side (the side your heart is on) that can affect your sleep because you can feel your heart beats.  You probably think you have more PVC's because you can feel them.  The thing to remember is that you do have aniexty where the PVCs occur and when getting the aniexty, realize part of the problem is the aniexty and not the PVC.

Also, you shouldn't be afraid to do daily things you need to do.  Like flying, you said you might die because there is no one to help.  You know alot of doctors and nurses fly, you shouldn't think of having no one, because God will provide for you.

[Julie]

MizChilita
Are you sure you wrote your message, as I think I wrote it, ha ha, I'm only joking of course, but your feelings are my feelings too.  
I'm 45 and first suffered heart irregularities aged 16, however I didn't get them regularly until maybe 5 or 6 years ago.  I am TERRIFIED of having pvcs, I get completely distraught during an attack - or even feeling that one might be coming on, I just shake from head to foot, and I too am just about to go for councelling to try and cope with this desperate fear.  I am afraid to go out alone and have a dread of having palpitations in shopping centres, etc. etc.
However, I am not frightened of the pvcs killing me as I really do believe that in most cases they are harmless.  I am frightened of the FEELING of the pvcs as the feeling is the worst feeling that I have ever experienced.  I would sooner go through childbirth than have a palpitation attack.
I just wanted to reassure you that these palpitation attacks, as absolutely awful as they are, WON'T kill you.  I've got a book by Claire Weekes - Help and Hope for your nerves, and she writes that one should try and float above a panic (or in our case, palpitation) attack.  I'm going to try and do that next time I get one.  Like you, the only thing I panic about is palpitations, anything else I can deal with.
Do you have GERD?  If so, treating it WILL help with palpitations.
Best Wishes to you, you're not alone, and you WON'T die.
Jonesey

[snhn]

Hello,

Sounds like what I have too. I am not sure how fast the heart needs to beat in order for it to be classified as a PVC.  I have Acid Reflux problem as well.  My cardiologist tells me that my heart rate which can be anywhere from 100 - 130 and if I am really panicing 150 can be becuse of Acid Reflux.  

If I lay on my left side, I sure can hear my heart rate.  But it is beating at a reguar pace.  I can hear it thoug.  Anxiety has some to do with it too,since I am thinking about it 24 hours a day.  I have gone into panicing situation on a long drive just because my heart beats a little faster.  That does not help either.  

All the monitor tests, echo tests, blood test ekg test all ara ok.  So which leads to believe that my Acid Refulx is causing this problem.  Or I may need to go see a Head doctor.  

Can smoking Mary Jane once or twice cause really fast heart rate.  Or smoking a cig cause really fast heart rate.  It did in my case.  I think it was panicing that caused it, but would appreciate your comments.  
In regards to the comments from a fellow who said that he has some sites to goto about getting some help about panicing, I would appreciate it if you emailed them to me as well.  

This is my eamil address. ***@****
Thanks!

[Jean27]

When you refer to PVC's is that more of a skipped beat or a racing heart thing?  I have been experiencing fear of the racing for about 2 years. I have tried therapy but it doesnt work because they teach you to not fear the panic attacks which is fine but I need someone to teach me to not fear my heart which is the only reason I am having the panic attacks in the first place. I do not have other symptoms of anxiety either just this constant awareness of my heart and wondering if it will beat fast if I am alone in my car or out at a store. IT is a really bad way to live and I could use some help on this issue also.  If anyone would like to talk my email is ***@****
Thanks Jean :)

[MizChulita]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I really feel for anyone else who also has this problem, although looking at some of the other posts on here, there are people who deal with even more challenging situations. I just found out that I am hyperthyroid, which is probably contributing to the PAC's. I think my bottom line is that I am going to have to change my outlook, and try to not worry about it. The events of September 11th have made me feel like so much is out of our control, and I should just accept that this is too....but the PAC's still really suck! My line of work is law enforcement, so I'm not afraid of danger in general...just these darn things! If it didn't feel so freaky, it'd be a lot easier to get over....

[Jennie]

I,too, have lots of PVC's and PAT's sometimes, especially when under stress.  I also have occasional afib episodes.  My cardiologist has told me that the reason for increased risk of afib and other irregularities when lying on your left side is because the vagus nerve is on that side.           Jennie

[Maggie Mae]

I needed to hear what these other persons where saying, I too thought I was going crazy.  Please if anyone wants to chat please do so.  I am hopeless.

[maryfran]

Yesterday I went to my internist for my scheduled annual exam.  My pvc's became more active (I think I might have been having a mild panic attack) while in the doctor's office.  Anyway, my doctor has prescribed a very low dose of a beta blocker (Atenolol 25 mg.).  
I have had pvc's for several years and have tried to control them by taking extra magnesium and no caffeine, etc.  For the most part, this has helped but not as well as I would like.
Has anyone tried Atenolol?  If so, did you experience any side effects?  Also, would it make sense to just take the Atenolol when needed?  It is my understanding that the initial onset of effect takes one to two hours.  I would rather take it "on demand" rather than as a steady diet.
Any comments would be appreciated!
maryfran

[jemm]

Hi all,

sounds a lot like me! In researching my own diagnosis of Pramature atrial tachycardia, Premature atrial contraction, and Premature ventricular contraction, I discovered that all of these problems (arthymias, pac's pat's, pvc's, pain, and panic attacks) are all symptoms of "MVPS" (Mitral valve prolapse syndrome), there is an excellent book you might want to check out - it is titled:

"Taking Control - living with the Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome"  and is written by Dr.Kristine A. Bludau Scordo PHD, RN.

I found it a fascinating insight into something that is frequently mis-diagnosed and suffered from by many people....

Hope it can help someone!!

[sheryl]

Please don't fear pvc's...YES, anxiety can cause them but they are harmless.  The more you dwell on them, the more likely you are to have them.  Just accept them.  Anxiety will NEVER cause dangerous pvc's.  I've had panic attacks for most of my life (I'm 56 yrs old) and believe me, if panic could kill you I'd have been dead years ago.

[SeaSoul]

Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your stories. I developed palpitations (extra beats, skipping, fast pulse) and panic attacks several years ago. The panic attacks stopped a few months after they started but the palpitations remained, bothering me but not causing panic so much. Lately, probably since Sept. 11, I have been feeling so much anxiety and have actually begun developing panic attacks again with the palpitations. This has been a very difficult week and a friend gave me some Xanax which really helped. However, I don't want to take them every time I feel a little anxious as I don't want to become addicted. Tonight my heart was pounding and racing and I was about to take one when I stumbled across this forum. Just reading all of your experiences made me so much calmer - I almost cried with relief. I'm wondering how many of you are women approaching mid-life and/or menopause? I am 39 and believe hormones may play a big role. Please e-mail me ***@**** if you want to discuss any of the above.

[flyrebelflags]

I have pvc's and anxiety attacks. I've had pvc's since I was 5 or six. Just recently they have been getting worse. Usually they would last for a second or two. Just feels like a skipped beat but the other day it did it for about 20 seconds or more. I couldn't get the normal rythm of my heart to go back I coughed and held my chest then it finally came back. This is scarry stuff. I went to Walmart that afternoon and bought a bottle of magnesium pills. I started taking them in the morning at breakfast and for four days now I have not have had a single pvc. Usually my heart flutters at least once a day. I also take Zanax and nexium but that never got rid of the pvcs like the magnesium pills. I hope the magnesium keeps on working. Has anyone else had this experience or a long episode of heart flutters that went on for 20 seconds to a minute before they straightened out. Thanks, Ted

[SeaSoul]

Hi Ted, yes I have had several episodes where my heart flutters for about 15 or 20 seconds before getting back to normal. It is very scary and unsettling. Interesting about the magnesium. I have read that magnesium is absolutely necessary for normal heart function and that most people with today's diets don't get enough. I will try it. I have also found that sometimes eating a banana will calm my heart flutters so maybe potassium is a key too. I feel like my heart has just become ultra sensitive to any deficiency or additives that are bad (msg, sulfates, etc.)Please post again if the magnesium cures you! Good luck.

[LORIANDTOM]

Hi.  I too am having a real problem with anxiety and the PVC's.  I also have a shortness of breath (all the time) can this be anxiety related too?  This whole thing with the skipping beats is ruling my life.  I  don't want to go anywhere in case i get a good run of PVC's although i seem to have them 24/7 which also scares the heck out of me when I see a lot of people only have a few a day.  I tried zoloft but it seemed to make the pvc's worse.  Right now I take xanax but it's so I can tolerate the skipping, I am fully aware it's still going on.  How does one conquer this and go on.  I tried beta blockers but they did not stop the skipping and made me feel very short of breath and tired.  I am driving myself crazy with this and would love some advice so I can go on.

Lori

[Furnace fixer]

Hi LORIANDTOM.
  I,ve been having PVCs for about 15 years. I have been
told many times by many doctors that they are not dangerous
but I know your anxiety about them. The last big episode
a few weeks ago caused me to get another psyical. I was
due anyway. My doctor assured me by a Treadmill stress test
with Thalium pictures and even as far as an Arteriorgram
(catheter). I found out that I have a healthy heart. He
went this far because of my risk factors of smoking and
overweight and being 40 years old. Anyway, The best way
to relieve your stress about them is to go ahead and demand
to your doctor that you have a Treadmill and Thalium tests.
If he or she wont do it than I would find another Doctor
because I have found that the stress of PVCs are probebly
far worse than the PVCs themselves. These tests relieved
my stress and also lowered greatly the number of PVCs.
  Hope you can get relief........Jon.

[BobSauer]

I am a 40 year old male and have PVC's for years.  Lately, however I they have become painful when the "thud" occurs.  No lasting pain and if I continue to exercise I feel fine physically.  Anyway, has anyone else felt a change in their PVC or, alternitively, does anyone describe their PVC's as painful?  What does your doc say about this?

[jimmyb]

If misery loves company, this is a great site! I am 45 and have had PVC's since I was about 12. Not coincidentally, I have also suffered anxiety and panic attacks from then, also. I also have occasional PSVT which is REALLY scary. I have taken an anxiety course which has helped somewhat, but it is so ingrained in my way of thinking, any time my heart starts to go a little faster than normal, even while exercising, I start to feel uncomfortable. I have had every test in the book several times, and my heart is very healthy, with no family history. I do have a bicuspid aortic valve which apparently is part of the cause. The bottom line is that it's very hard to live a normal life this way, but with hard work you can overcome the anxiety. I still have a ways to go, but I know one day I'll beat it... and you can, too! Just keep reading and picking up as much info as you can... knowledge is power! Sites like this are wonderful... any time I feel a little nervous I read a few postings and take comfort in the fact there are others out there like me. Good luck, everyone!

[gpkid]

See my post here:

http://medhlp.netusa.net/perl6/cardio/messages/C33122-25.html

Good Luck!

[Niecey]

Hello/ I am so happy to finally meet people that I can relate to. I have been having the whole nerve racking heart experiences (PVCs, skipping, fluttering, etc...), but what bothers me most is the skipping. Has anyone ever had their heart skip so bad that it almost feels like it has stopped briefly? If so, please let me know what you have felt.

[Kelliu]

Great website. I recently visited the doctor regarding maybe a dozen or 20 skipped beats a day. I was assured - with an EKG - that my heart was fine. I believe it is; I hike and exercise regularly, never feeling any "chest pain." My question is: Does anyone feel light-headed, not really dizzy, when the heartbeats skip? Or, as in my case, not necessarily right after the skip (usually just one skip) but off and on throughout the day when I am aware of possible and actual skipped beats?

[wilson-wilson]

I had the dizziness/lightheadedness when I first started having these "wonderful things" they frightend me initially, so I would over breath/hyperventilate, and it seemed to kinda stop them.

In my case, I believe the hyperventilation made -me- dizzy/lightheaded. Since I have "kinda" learned to live with them I no longer "over breath" and just continue breathing normally...so I have not experienced the dizziness/lightheadedness as much.

wilson-wilson

[classicgirl]

I was recently diagnosed with PVC's.  I'm assuming they are a result of MVPS (which I was diagnosed with about 6or 7 years ago).  My doctor prscribed a beta-blocker that I started taking 2 days ago.  So far so good.  I was relieved after reading all of the comments regarding PVC's on this site.  And an even bigger relief to know that PVC's are not a dangerous condition.  Now, my boyfriend knows I'm not crazy when I say "I feel them more when I lay on my lefy side!"  Thanks for the support.

[classicgirl]

I was recently diagnosed with PVC's.  I'm assuming they are a result of MVPS (which I was diagnosed with about 6or 7 years ago).  My doctor prscribed a beta-blocker that I started taking 2 days ago. I was relieved after reading all of the comments regarding PVC's on this site. Now, my boyfriend knows I'm not crazy when I say "I feel 'them' more when I lay on my lefy side!"

[ILUVPOOHBEER]

HI EVERYONE, I AM NEW TO THIS FORUM!!!
      I STARTED TO HAVE EPTOPIC HEART BEATS WITH MY THIRD PREGNANCY, IT THROUGH ME INTO A STRAIGH FULL FORCED DEPRESSION AND PANIC, I WAS TO THE POINT WHERE I COULDNT SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE THAT WAS WHEN I FIRST FELT MY FLUTTER, THERE FOR EVERYTIME I WOULD TRY TO SLEEP I WOULD ASSOSITATE IT WILL THE FLUTTER, AND FREAK OUT.. IT GOT SO BAD WITH MY LACK OF SLEEP ECT. THAT I STARTED STUDING ALL PHSYCOLOGY BOOKS I COULD FIND, BOY WAS THAT A MISTAKE EVER I FELT EVERY SYMPTOM THE BOOK HAD I SWEAR TO U NOT, I THOUGHT AT ONE POINT I WAS SCHISOPHRENIC.. BUT I AM NOT. I LATER LEARNED ABOUT THE BOOK PHOBIA FREE. OMG WAS THAT A EYE OPENER, THAT BOOK ITS NOW MY COMPANION. IT LINK ALL PANIC,PHOBIA,FEAR,ANXITEY TO INNER EAR PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE.. MAJOR EAR PROBLEMS... WELL THE REASON I AM WRITING IT IS THAT I HAD A FLUTTER THE OTHER DAY IT FREAKED ME OUT I HAVNT HAD ONE IN ALMOST A YR.. BUT SINCE I FOUND THIS SITE I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE.. REMEMBER ANYONE NEED TO TALK E MAIL ME PLEASE
***@****

[marlene1255]

A related discussion, Anyone had ablation then get pvc was started.