pvcs always occur when exercising

[jen34]

I am a 34yearold female,smoker, 2cups of coffeeday. I started having pvcs 3 years ago during a very stressful time in my life,was also consuming too much alcohol at the time. Had an echocardiogram which was normal except for slightly elevated pulmonary hypertension and mild regurg. Also wore an cardiac event monitor for 30 days which showed the pvcs which the called rare, while exercising. Just had a basic treadmill stress test done which also showed pvcs until my heartrate reached 170s then they went away. doctor said everything was fine even with the pvcs and i should ignore them.I have a few questions.
1)Would the stress test show if I had any hardening of the arteries from smoking? i know all of my cholesterol levels and everything is good.
2)Why do the pvcs come on when i start to exercise and i never notice them any other time unless i'm very upset?
3)Can these things become psychosymatic- I mean sometimes i start to feel them just by worrying about them coming on.
4)Have you ever known of the going away after you've started having a history of them?
Thank you very much for your time.

[Forum-M.D.-bkj]

jen,

Thanks for the post.

1)Would the stress test show if I had any hardening of the arteries from smoking? i know all of my cholesterol levels and everything is good.

A stress test looks for occlusive coronary disease. The results reveal that you have a low likelyhood of having a significant stenosis causing a disruption of flow to the heart muscle during exercise. It does not tell if there is atherosclerosis causing non occlusive plaque. We are at risk of developing atherosclerosis over our life time. At 34 it would be unlikely that you would have had significant blockages regardless. However, the lifestyle you choose now will impact that risk over your lifetime. In other words stop smoking and pursue a heart healthy lifestyle NOW.

2)Why do the pvcs come on when i start to exercise and i never notice them any other time unless i'm very upset?

Different strokes for different folks. Seriously, people notice different triggers.

3)Can these things become psychosymatic- I mean sometimes i start to feel them just by worrying about them coming on.

Anxiety and worry can certainly play a component.

4)Have you ever known of the going away after you've started having a history of them?

Many people see waxing and waning over time.

PS. Did I mention you shoudl quit smoking?

good luck

[anacyde]

Listen to the doctor on the smoking! lol I know you probably get that all the time.  Honestly, I quit 4 years ago and I am SO happy.  It has helped in more ways than I have time or space to list here.

Anyhow:

3)Can these things become psychosymatic- I mean sometimes i start to feel them just by worrying about them coming on.

YES!  I swear, and I was just saying this the other day about my exercise-induced palpitations...I'll think to myself, wow, I haven't had a PAC in a few...THUD...darn it!  It's as if just forming the thought in my head makes one happen.

[dquenzer]

I used to have exercised induced PAC's.  When you start exercising it causes adrenalin to go to the heart.  That irritates the trigger.  However, I found that often after I exercised for a period of time they would stop.  I found I got them more at the beginning of a run.  I probably worked off some excess adrenalin.

I don't have them much anymore due to ablation for AFIB.

Why do you want to exercise and smoke?  Doesn't make sense.  Smoking will undue any positive effect of exercise.  Also I would advise getting rid of the coffee.  Caffiene and other stimulants (nicotine) in your blood are a major cause of ectopic beats.  I never take decongestants, caffiene, or other stimulants.   They just aren't good for the heart if you are prone to ectopic beats.  Even too much sugar can cause ectopics.

[jen34]

thanks for the feedback. I know that sounded kind of stupid about smoking and exercising. i should have mentioned that i am trying to quit just not very successful so far. I heard that i should exercise while i am trying to quit to add something healthy to replace the cigs. i also need to eliminate my caffeine like you suggested but then the anxiety of trying to quit all of my bad habits at one time really takes a toll! i just hate having these things, its so depressing and very scary.

[dquenzer]

My suggestion is that you get some help medically.  Wellbutrin is something that many doctors have prescribed to stop smoking.  It is also helps with anxiety.  I would talk to a doctor about that.

I know it is extremely difficult to stop smoking.  Maybe the most difficult habit to quit.  But from what I have heard the best way is to go cold turkey.    You have to get the nicotine out of your system and the only way to get that done is to just quit entirely.

The nicotine in the system is what causes the cravings.

Good luck!

[netrox]

"We searched for nutrient deficiencies that could cause cardiac arrhythmias [premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), atrial fibrillation, and related sinus pauses], and found literature
13 support for deficiencies of taurine and L-arginine. Case histories of people with very frequent arrhythmias are 14 presented showing 10–20 g taurine per day reduced PACs by 50% and prevented all PVCs but did not prevent pauses.
15 Adding 4–6 g of L-arginine immediately terminated essentially remaining pauses and PACs, maintaining normal cardiac rhythm with continued treatment."

http://george-eby-research.com/html/taurine-l-arginine-arrhythmias.html

It's very interesting. In fact those patients had over 20,000 PVCs a day and they stopped having them after taking those supplements.

[dquenzer]

Then I think you should invest in a great deal of money and buy as much of that as possible because you will be rich.

Was this a medically guided study?  Was this a blind study?  I get a bit skeptical by these claims.  I suffered from PAC's for years.  If this were really true then it would be a boom for cardiologists whose waiting rooms are filled with people looking for answers and a cure.

I looked at their web site.  The people that published this study also state that they have a cure for the common cold.  So that tells me a bit about their credibility.

[jen34]

thanks for the advice. do you suffer from pacs/pvcs? and if so, have you tried these things and did you notice any change? i've read about all kinds of things to try like coq10, magnesium, potassium, vitamin b, etc.

[netrox]

I am just showing that link. Maybe it doesn't work. Maybe it's a scam but it's quite interesting what he wrote. I don't agree with some of his writings but sometimes there's a grain of truth in health claims.

I am trying taurine. So far, I don't really know. My PVC's come and go. It's a lot less now but I am not sure if it's because of magnesium or taurine or it's just a spontatous event that has nothing to do with any supplements I take. I use Jarrows Formula Taurine.

[Barbarella]

I glanced at that website and saw that Potassium was mentioned.  A low Potassium level for example can cause PVC's.  When I talk to people who have frequent PVC's to many tell me that a blood test was never done, but holter monitor, EKG and sometimes an echo which are important tests don't get me wrong.  But a friend of mine had a very low Potassium level she didn't know about, she had PVC's none stop her doctor did a blood test and found out that her Potassium level was VERY low, her doctor put her on Potassium pills and told her of the food she should eat rich of Potassium and her Potassium level came back to normal and her PVC's stopped.  She is off the Potassium pills but keeps on eating food rich in Potassium as in bananas, raisins, apricots and more.

PVC's can have many causes, but a low Potassium level is definately one of them and should be ruled out.

[Jennah]

Thanks for the study on taurine.  I take 1gm a day.  I got the idea from the book alternative cures.  I figure, it can't hurt, so why not.  I have noticed a significant reduction in pvc's , so I feel it is working, at least for me.  I also take COq10, magnesium,hawthorn (leaves and flowers, not berries) and fish oil.  The study seems promising, hopefully more will soon follow.