sorry, same old question, how many PVC's are too many?

I know it has been asked by many, including myself, but I am in a BAD run and I guess I need to hear from others again.  These PVC's are coming ALL DAY LONG!!!!!! Every so many beats, sometimes every other beat, sometimes they feel like they are EVERY beat!  I am going crazy!  I am pregnant, about 6 weeks along, and am miserable.  I have had these PVC's for about 5 years now on and off through the years.  I have had all the tests, twice.  An echo, a holtor, a ekg, all show normal except PVC's and sinus tach.  My EF was estimated at 55-60%...normal.  I am 35 in good health, just going a little crazy.  I have no caffiene, don't smoke or drink, I excercise, to no avail.  Does anyone else seem to have them constantly?  They even hurt a little, like someone is jabbing me in the chest, sometimes take my breath away.  I have the real BIG ones that throw me off for an hour, and the little hiccups.  So how many is too many?  When should I worry?  My doctor don't want to rum anymore tests, but what is they missed something?  All this stress is not good for my baby I know.  Should I be worried because this is my first pregnancy with PVC's?  Can it turn to a more dangerous rythm?  Some help would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks.

[momto3girls]

Hi there honey,

Congratulations on your pregnancy!  It's exciting, isn't it?  Oooh, I loved being pregnant (:

About your palpitations...have they increased since you got pregnant?  I know for me that pregnancy brought some fun little palpitations along with it.  Yup, I've had the ones where they suck the breathe out of me and I've had ones where it actually hurts!  I too have run the gamut of cardiac testing and they all say the same, I'm fine.  I know they're annoying and scary at times.  There are some wonderful people here on this forum who have lots of them, like you, so hopefully they'll chime in.  If you're really concerned, call your doctor and maybe ask if you can wear a holter monitor or something to catch them and reassure you that you're fine.  Nobody needs added stress when they're pregnant, right?  Good luck with your pregnancy and best wishes!

momto3girls (:

[frs87]

Not smoking and doing exercises is good for you. But a great factor that also increases palpitations is stress, and I can see you're under a lot of it. You can't let these PVCs control your life. I have lots of them every day. They can be scary sometimes, especially on those days in which they seem to happen all the time. But it is harmless. Just enjoy your pregnancy e try to stop worrying. If you can do this, I'm sure you'll feel a lot better and have a nice peace of mind.

[kitcurious]

A Holter monitor is a good idea to assure you,  but if you are tuned into and reacting to every beat of your heart you won't really feel any better until you learn to stop listening so hard to them.

In the absence of heart disease the benign palps just don't hurt people and the more stressed you get the more of them you will get.  Hormones and all.

Having a child is a joy, but it also brings worry and stress with it. Look for ways to diminish the negative responses.

Try calling your doctor and talking very honestly to him or her about your fears and stress. They can get you a Holter and perhaps they can point you in the direction of ways to help you relax.

One thing many people use for relaxtion is yoga, but you'd need a medical clearance before starting a program.

Congratulations on your baby and I sure hope you can make a plan that will help you feel better soon.

[anacyde]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Early pregnancy, the sixth month and the final two weeks and first two postpartum weeks were PAC/PVC flare-ups for me.  I think it has a lot to do with hormones and blood volume changes in pregnancy.  Definitely check with the doctor if it goes on or becomes intolerable, but chances are you'll feel better soon.

[Barbarella]

You said your doctor took all the thests.  Did you mean only heart tests or also blood work.  A friend of mine had severe PVC's like you recently and her doctor did a blood test before he ran any heart tests, and the blood test showed that her potassium was at a dangerous low level.  He prescribed potassium pills and in no time her PVC's stopped and she now is off the potassium pills, but has to keep in eating a banana every day.

I had what you have and my bloodwork including heart tests were fine.  I used to go into panic the minute these PVC's started, and had them every other beat for weeks.  It was a nightmare.  Once the Cardiologist told me my heart was fine, no sudden death from them, I lost the fear.  I still get them but not as severe and not as long.

[spratty]

hi im currently 30 weeks pregnant. i have suffered with these for about 2-4 years on and off and yes the same as you as soon as i fell pregnant they came much more frequent. I am only 20 yrs old and these started when i miscarried at the age of 16 so i believe they are hormonal but that doesnt stop me crapping myself every time i get one! Heres my story, at about 5-6 weeks pregnant they started coming on, then i had a period for a couple of weeks where they settles down, then one day at work, this is when i was 13 weeks pregnant i had a massive palpitation then a huge panic attack, i even shouted out im having a heart attack i called an ambulance and was took to a+e. After that i could not return to work and i was in a compete state, having panic attacks everytime i had PVC. This is no joke i think i went to a+e about 10 times in the space of about 5 weeks. I was having a nervous break down, couldnt eat, sleep, relax. I lost half a stone in 2 weeks and had to go on a drip for a day. All i could think was i dont want to be pregnant! At about 22 weeks pregnant i started to cope better, i would ahve periods where i would only have a few palps and then i would have loads. I still get panicy when i have them but i dont ring for an ambulance. Iv just recently seen cardiologist and he assures me they are benign and they are not life threatening. Since then i have started to feel better, however i do have relapses like yesterday i had runs of them and thats why i came on here today. I feel your pain as all i could think of at 6 weeks pregnant was that i wouldnt be alive at the end of it, im now 30 weeks pregnant and im still here. My pregnancy has been so rough that i have already said i will not have anymore kids! But i think i will change my mind when i see my little bundle of joy. I hope this reassures you that other people have experienced the same and have not been harmed by them and i hope this site helps calm you down so you can enjoy your pregnancy!

[shemeantwell]

Currently pregnant and having PVCs throughout day for 10 days straight.  I am 4 mos along.  I do have a slight, non interfering valvular problem also, but not underlying heart disease like a heart attack damage or coronary artery disease or heart failure.  I HATE THE WAY I'M FEELING.  i'M SO NAUSEOUS, CONSTANTLY THROWING UP, HEART BURN, INDIGESTION, CONSTIPATION, SEASONAL ALLERGIES, AND NOW PVCs!!!  My husband was just layed off from work.  The heart arrythmia leaves me TIRED, and exhausted like I am breathless.  Please tell me I won't feel like this forever?  I was so happy about my baby and so looking forward to this little guy/or girl and now I can't even remember why I was happy.  I feel frightened that I am going to have a fatal arrhythmia and suddenly die.

I heard that fish liver oil helps, along with potassium and magnesium. Don't know if you can have the above when pregnant though.  

I feel hopeless.