sinus pause?

[justanothergirl]

Firstly, many thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedules to answer my question, i really appreciate it.
Right, now i'm a little confused...i was reading through the posts yesterday and somebody gave their ECG report, which said 'no pvc's, no pauses' and it panicked me cos is sinus pause a completely different arrithymia to pvc's? I suffer from benign pvc's and I know exactly when one happens cos i feel a fluttery feeling, a SLIGHT pause and then a big thump. Reading through the archives i think most people feel this pause and then big thump and I think the explanation is that it takes longer to pump the excess blood out of the heart? Is this normal? My cardiologist said nothing about sinus pause, just that I have benign pvc's and the occasional PAC and not to worry-I don't ever feel any other pauses throughout the day, just with the feeling that accompanies the PVC's. I'm on 25mg atenolol x2 daily.
Am I worrying about nothing now? Or do all pvc sufferer's (or the one's that experience the big thump) also have sinus pause? It is a very quick pause mind you...
Anyway sorry to be a worrywart, just wanted some info.
Many, many thanks, have a great day.

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Justanothergirl,

This is completely normal.  When your heart has a premature ventricular beat it resets your hearts pacemaker (sinus node) and can lead to a pause longer than the normal interval between beats.  This longer interval gives your heart more time than normal to fill and leads to a larger volume of blood prior to contraction.  When your heart is stretched -- like with this larger than normal blood volume following a PVC -- it leads to a stronger contraction.  This is the skip......THUMP that you all feel after a PVC and is completely normal.

This is not a problem and don't give it a second thought.

And to Mattiebaby, kudos to any 72 year old that knows how to use the internet!!!!

Good luck and I hope this helps.

[tickertock]

i understand that sinus pauses can be common, though pvcs and pacs to all some degree cause a pause whether a full pause or incomplete pause , a sinus pause is actaully a delayed regular heart beat not triggered by an ectopic beat either in atria or ventricle, the sinus beat merely pauses for a second or two.

pauses from one to 2.5 seconds are usually no cause for concern, but pauses 3 seconds and more if it happens frequently should be investigated thoroughly.

  i understand this is common in well trained athletes and other healthy persons, an occasional sinus pause that is. i am not a medical doctor, this only what i read regarding a sinus pause and my interpretation and oipinion only, I am sure the doctor can clarify your concerns much better.

[mattiebaby]

Hi everyone, I too have skipped heart beats. I am a 72 year old female and as far as I know am in good health, I am very active and do not take any medication. Howerever, my heart beats three times in a row, then skips a beat then then beat three times again, this is repeated all the time. My heart doesn't beat hard but does feel a little "nervous" is the best way to describe it. Is this what you are refering to when you called it sinus? I did have rheumatic fever when I was a child, so perhaps this is the results of that, many years later.
Mary
PHX

[salis110]

DEAR JUSTANOTHERGIRL
HI
I HAVE A STRANGE FEELING IN MY HEART BUT I'M NOT SURE IS IT PVC OR NOT?CAN YOU EXPLAIN ME HOW DO U FEEL WHEN PVC OCCURS.
I'VE EXPLAINED MINE AS FOLLOW.IS IT SAME FOR U?

i feel dizzy but when i check my pulse it is normal as always for example it is 60 or little more or less.but sometimes it beats faster till 90-100 without any activity, at this period of beats i feel something happens in my chest, it is not pain or ? and after a short time (1 or 2 secs)i feel a heavy pulse and after that every thing goes ok but some anxiety.If casually through this event I check my pulse I feel an interrupt or skipping pulse.It makes me crazy.Also sometimes i feel pain in my chest bones dr.s siad they are due to ur anxiety.
I did echo which was ok and 24 hrs holter i had a period of 43 bpm during sleep at night and a 2.14 secs rest in hearts beat plus 2 rests less than 2 secs.
whats going on me? what are skips in my heart with odd feeling?
ARE THEY PVC's?


MANY THANKS

[karie]

Pvc's, Pac's and cardiogenic syncope on tilt table test. Heart murmurs are rated yearly and my last echocardiogram looked good. A sound was detected on stethoscope exam and so a neck vein (not sure of medical term) ultrasound was performed. My concern is the increase in heart pvc's,pac's sensations and not just with stress, fatigue, hormones. Healthy lifestyle but still concerned with the increase.
Wish I had a cardio-beeper available to test any new heart sensations and then receive confirmation of what and why they are occuring.

[charm 8]

Please tell me what pvc's and pac's are.  My heart has been skipping beats for the last 4 days, about 20 to 30 times a minute if I'm being active and probably 15 to 20 times if I'm relaxing.  I am going in for a stress test in a week but wonder if I should go to the emergency room. Thanks alot.  Charm

[juliecharlie]

A related discussion, heart pauses was started.