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20 PVCs in a row

after wearing the halter monitor the doctor was telling me at one point i had 20 pvcs in a row.. for about 12 seconds.  i guess this is what he is most concerned about.  reading online says over 3 is potentially dangerous.

i'm not really sure if this means i can drop at any minute??  i'm having some anxiety tonight thinking about it (he just told me today).  i don't have any history of heart problems, but was reading these can come out of nowhere
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Avatar universal
Is anyone here?   this thread is so old. I doubt anyone will see this question.. Of anyone is here still.. I have a question I would like to ask you guys...

  I don't know what i have.. i had an echo a few years ago.. that was normal.. i had a  holter monitor a long time ago.. that was normal.. I had a chest xray recently that was normal...  I do suffer from anxiety disorder and i believe panic attacks.. lately it happens as im dozing off or i wake up sometimes from it.. I just feel this odd feeling of panic or nervous tension, and i start getting hot.. and than my heart starts building up and racing.. Its a fast and steady heart beat.  sometimes if i feel calm during it,, it doesn't last long at all and than slows back down to normal..  Once in awhile It continues and i get even more nervous and start sweating and getting really hot.. I feel like i have to catch my breath more and my heart goes even faster...  I don't get chest pain, or feel dizzy during it.  Sometimes I think they are panic attacks, other times im not sure.. I just know i seem to know when it is coming before it happens.. i feel that tense feeling and start getting hot, and i feel my heart beat start accelerating into a rapid beat..  I believe or think i am very sensitive to pvc's and pac's.  Id on't get many of them anymore.. but ill feel one and might not get another one for another day or several days.. or even a couple of weeks.  its usually just one contraction feeling, type thing and thats it.. once in awhile ill get some in a row.. ill get one.. and maybe a min later or 30 seconds later ill get another etc.   so from peoples experiences and symptoms, is what I am experiencing more like a panic attack, or an svt, vt, etc.
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967168 tn?1477584489
According to the European heart journal Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia or NSVT
is defined as 3 or more consecutive beats arising below the AV node with a rate 120 beats/min and lasting less than 30 seconds and is one of the most common problems encountered. http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/25/13/1093.full

so, a couplet which is 2 pvc's in a row does not meet the criteria for NSVT

The approach to treating NSVT should be considered within the particular clinical context in which the arrhythmia occurs. In the absence of heart disease, spontaneous NSVT does not carry any adverse prognostic significance. But it does say Exercise-induced NSVT may predict increased cardiac mortality, this is where a stress test is very helpful.

However, VT's that is prolonged (over 30 sec) can result in low cardiac output, low blood pressure, and fainting (syncope) that's why it's important if you have symptoms such as these to be seen by a cardilogist & ep and have a full cardiac workup just to be safe.

Here's a very interesting link I found after reading back on my replies -  some very useful info for reading http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-abnormal-heart-rhythm

"In the United States, more than 850,000 people are hospitalized for an arrhythmia each year." that's alot of people.
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Avatar universal
whats this about couplets being non sustains vtach? I have a lot of couplets and none of the cardios call it nsvt?
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Avatar universal
ok I have these paplitations out of no where...I was shopping earlier today and my heart took off beating fast and abnormal rh..I even felt it in my throat it only lastest a couple of sec..it scared me to dealth i was not stressed or anything i was having a pretty good day till that happend,,,I have felt the same thing befor while I was sleeping and it woke me up again it only lasted a few sec..can any one help!!
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967168 tn?1477584489
I went to a cardiologist and she sent me straight to an electrophysiologist (doctor specializing in electrical disorders of the heart)  if you haven't been to one, it might help to ask and go and have one take a look at you.

The tilt table test is to try and find out why I pass out/faint/blackout and to see if there's a relation to my heart/brain. They're going to do it prior to my ablation in the EP lab of the heart institute I'm going to.

Ablation is normally done in the EP lab and basically like a cardiac catherization.  There is invasive & non invasive ablation (check webmd, cleveland clinic or mayo clinic for more specifics) so it all depends on what's wrong with you and what problems they may encounter during the procedure.

I've read some have general and some have "waking" anesthesia (sp) I think it depends on the type of ablation you have, you may or may not be awake during the procedure.

I know about it being confusing, it's so confusing it's almost too much info to handle :)
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Avatar universal
What is tilt table test?

yesterday getting off the plane I felt my first 'flutter' since taking the meds (toprol)  I got nervous because the doctor told me if I started feeling anything again the next step is ep which I guess is invasive procedure.

Are there specialists who just deal with rhythm issues?  Like a specialized cardiologist?

I get confused by reading different things.  Many articles say that if you have NSVTs and you don't have some sort of heart disease, then there is really nothing to worry about.  Other things i read say you are at higher risk for problems and.. well you know.  

thanks
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967168 tn?1477584489
Oh my; if chocolate chips are going to make mine worse, then Ill have to live with them :P may as well be happy while we're here.

I tried process of elimination; when I first found out just to be safe. The only thing I find that make me feel worse is if I get really angry (adrenaline maybe?) Luckily that doesn't happen often, because when it does wow; I get cold & sweaty at the same time, weak with a flushing through my body feeling and then I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack (squeezing crushing sternum pains for hours)

Whats wrong with me and my heart's electrical system they have no clue yet, the ep didn't think to seem it was "environmental" more my brain/heart system so I have to have a tilt table test done to see if there's a connection.

I'm there with you guys on the BB; I can live with the pvc's I have but can't stand the way meds make me feel.  I'm going to be very leery with taking anything if they ask me to after surgery.

But just to make you feel better about them - my father in law has taken Toprol for years and no problems other than feeling sleepy;  my sister in law had to have an ablation 9 years ago (forgot what she has but her HR goes to 250; HBP stuff like that but not very often) and doesn't have any symptoms from it; but it doesn't stop all of her attacks.
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Avatar universal
I also have these fluttering episodes and it scares me half to death even though the cardiologist told me they were not particularly dangerous. Like you, sometimes I have them when I bend over or turn over in bed and other times they will hit when I'm just sitting and reading a book. Go figure! I've had echo and ekg which shows no structural damage to the heart at all. After a prolonged episode (my first where it would not stop) in Feb and a trip to th ER, the cardiologist put me on BB (25mg/day) and 25mg of Lisinopril/day to help control my BP (running in the 140'/80's) and slow my heart rate down a liitle. I still have these flutters and they still scare me to death. The BB has slowed my heart rate somen but I don't like the way it makes my heart seem to 'pound.' Is there anyone else out there who has this feeling with BB's? Thanks for listening and for any input anyone has...it really does help.
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Avatar universal
The Nuclear Stress test was easy but time consuming.  you basically get an injection of low dose radioactive material and take pictures of your heart at rest.  then they wait a bit and put you on an treadmill to get your heart up to a certain rate.  once you hit it you can stop and they inject you again so they can take pictures of your heart stressed.

i too like caffeine but now frighten to have any.  I freaked out when the ice cream i was having had chocolate chips!  lol

the longest NSVT was at 11:15 at night.

I'm very doubtful caffeine caused this because I had stopped drinking and was still feeling flutters days later.

I'm just not sure what to do next.

Also I'm beginning to think the beta blocker is starting to make me feel a bit light headed.  i've just started to notice it last two days.
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967168 tn?1477584489
That's wonderful news though, at least you have some answers now, having that many in a row can't be to deal with.  Did they tell you what times it happened? Maybe check those times to see if you can relate them to something?

I'm not sure I could not have caffeine more than 24 hours though, no one would be able to live with me...I had to do it for my tests and it was horrible.  Luckily I only drink coffee in the morning and water the rest of the day.

What's the nuclear stress test like? My second EP suggested I have one, but I'm not sure why - but she didn't suggest a tilt table test like my first EP did.
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267401 tn?1251852496
That's a good starting point, and it's a good thing that they caught the worst your heart has to offer, so they know what they're dealing with.

Keep us updated.
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Avatar universal
I just came back from cardiologist.  He reconfirmed all was well with Nuclear Stress test.  He just wants be to continue on beta blocker and see how I feel for a month.  He said the next step is an EP which is invasive procedure and with some risks, so he rather wait to see if I have more episodes.  

I asked what exactly showed in 24 hr holter monitor.  He said I had 9 NSVT's.. with some around 4,5, and 7 irregular beats.. and the one that went for 20.  he said the heart rate for these were 136.

He told me no caffeine, chocolate and alcohol.   It seems strange this started two weeks ago and now seems to be abating.

I'm not sure what to think.  I don't think i was drinking much caffeine or alcohol when this started.  He is hoping that's what caused it.

I'm not sure if second opinion is in order.  
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967168 tn?1477584489
"@Lisa - those numbers make a lot more sense, and should also be a lot more reassuring. "

I like the 188,000 w/134,000 normal beats/54,000 abnormal beats ALOT better.    That would have been 21% abnormal beats vs 42% abnormal beats, so does that make me really abnormal or just normally abnormal? [chuckles]

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967168 tn?1477584489
It's definitely frustrating not knowing what causes these irritating things, none of my doctors know.   I have done trial & error plus tried process of elimination and nothing so far. Hopefully I'll have an answer after surgery...but they say they may never know what causes em

If you get your results that may lead to some answers. It pinpointed part of the times I was having the high HR and a couple of "runs".  Once I was driving home and aggravated, the other time was 5:44am and I was reading peacefully in the dark & quiet; so nothing to bother me so who knows :P

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967168 tn?1477584489
I saw this interesting article I think web md "In the United States, more than 850,000 people are hospitalized for an arrhythmia each year."

As I scrolled down there are 12 different types of arrhythimia's with a ton of info & sub info on each type [mind boggling]

and then it talks about drug treatments "everyone is different, it may take trials of several medications and doses to find the one that works best for you" and lifestyle changes
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Avatar universal
Thanks lisa but I'm still confused why i'm getting these and if there is anything else to do?

I didn't see results on paper but the doctor in hospital told me it all looked good.

I don't think I'm having any side effects from bb's and I guess they are helping because I haven't felt the flutter feeling in a few days now.  I was getting several every day for a few weeks.
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967168 tn?1477584489
That is wonderful news!

Did you get your results from him?

For me seeing my test results on paper helps me - like the one time I had the 170 hr, I know it was when I was driving and probably stressed out from coming from the drs office, traffic was bad and I let it get to me.

are your BB's helping or do you have severe side effects that could be causing problems?

I hope you feel better & keep a watchful eye on things
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Avatar universal
The doctor who did test said all looked fine.  I had one skipped beat during the entire process.  

So now what??  The heart and arteries look good from this test but what is or was causing the NSVT (which i found out IS what was picked up on holter monitor)

He said just keep taking the beta blocker doctor had prescribed and didn't really say much else.  
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267401 tn?1251852496
Hi Madge -

Your number of PVCs over the 48 hour period really aren't that alarming.  I've had that many in a single day - and poor Lisa33167 has that many in about 8 hours.  However, if this is a new problem, it's certainly worthwhile to have it checked out.  But once a trained eye has had a look and can assure you they are benign, you should be good to go.

So you know, there was a study done that showed that 90% of people over the age of 65 had PVCs.  So you are most definitely not in the minority.  You can email me if you'd like to talk more.

@Lisa - those numbers make a lot more sense, and should also be a lot more reassuring.  A 3-beat run of PVC is still a triplet, and 170 bpm for it is really not that fast - so that's a good thing.  And the resting HR of 67 is in the right range, too.

And I agree, Momto3 has a great story that can provide inspiration to many.
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967168 tn?1477584489
I'm not Wisconsin2007 but I'm sorry hear you're going through this.

I was interested in your post because of the drop in bp on metoprolol - the dr acted like I was crazy when I went in to the ER with such a low bp and they couldn't get it back above 70/40 he told me normally it doesn't happen on low doses or quickly.

I asked someone else here, and they said it they had some side effects too and were switched to another BB.  Maybe tell your dr and asked to be switched so it won't cause the bp side effects, I'll try and look back at my posts and see who it was...I think Momto3.

I've read quite a few here say they have problems eating also - I wish there was more research for triggers & pvc's for a more effective treatment.

Hope you feel better soon
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Avatar universal
I forgot to add that I'll have the results of the 48-hour Holter monitor sent to my Madison cardiologist also.  And I think I have palpitations too, not sure.  All I know is that I feel mild thumps and twinges in my stomach, chest, and throat, especially in the evenings about an hour after dinner. This is all  new to me.

To make things worse, heart procedures like ablation and surgery are even more dangerous for me than the average person, because almost every antibiotic closes  my throat. I've nearly died twice from antibiotics, once before surgery and once when taking an antibiotic for strep throat. My doctor has called me a "surgeon's nightmare." So, there's also that. Any advice (or assurance about the palpitation thing)  that you might have would be greatly appreciated. Feeling kind of lost right now.
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Avatar universal
I live in Wisconsin too, and am going to see a cardiologist in Madison (Dr. Kushner, Dean Clinic).  I can see him in about a month, and hope he'll give me some answers.  I'll have my local family doctor send him the results of my last treadmill test in  February (was okay except for the mild mitral valve prolapse thing I've had for years).

It was a real surprise to find, after noticing an irregular pulse when listening to the beeps on my home blood pressure monitor, that I had a problem with premature ventricular beats.  There were none of those on my stress test in February.  None. The 48  hour Holter monitor a few weeks ago showed that I had 195,000+ beats over the 48 hour period, and 17,000 premature ventricular ones. I sometimes have short runs of bigeminy, but my local doctor says there were regular beats in between.  So, I guess it could be worse. I'm trying to figure out what brought this on so suddenly.  Some nights, after dinner usually, I have a variety of types of irregular heartbeat that can go on for maybe an hour, or up to several hours.  If I exercise some, it goes away, but comes back when I rest.  Oddly, it never wakes me from sleep once I turn in for the night. I'm mystified by all this, and am hoping things won't get worse.

At age 66, I'm finally retired and enjoying getting out with my friends + babysitting with our first grandchild.  I certainly didn't need this. I don't like to go out with friends in the evenings because of the crazy heartbeat thing.

I've posted elsewhere about how my local doctor suggested metoprolol, 1/2 dose once a day (taken in the morning so it won't interfere with the clonazepam I take at bedtime). I took a beta blocker once before and it dropped my pulse and blood pressure so low that I just sat in a chair (feld dizzy and had no energy) and hoped I'd feel normal the next day. Beta blockers can also make heartburn worse (I take Nexium for that). So, if I take the metoprolol, I may have more painful heartburn and esophageal damage, and also weakness, dizziness and fatigue...and I already have all of those.  What to do...I don't know.
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1 Comments
I am age 64,have suffered with pvc&#3g9;s since I was a child and diagnosed with them at age 35. I have a MVP, single pvc's and multiple runs of pvc's.  I will cut to the chase and tell you I have spent a lifetime figuring out what my triggers are, it is worth the time & trouble to keep a diary. When I would have a bad day of them I started writing down what I ate from previous day to current day.  A lot of mine are caused from food example, MSG, a biggy, and it goes by about 35 other names just google it.  Decafe drinks, including teas - there is something in tea leaves tannins or something like that, that will set me off. Anything that is very sweet - a tiny bit is fine.  Marinades, garlic, my food list goes on and on.  Eat clean, stay away from all processed foods.  Also at night don't lay on your left side. Another interesting thing to read about is your Vagus nerve and how it can affect your heart beat.  People with MVP have a tendency to be sensitive to most medications.  Anyway, I hope my experiences might have helped you or somebody else, I gathered a lot of my info from others in order to help find my triggers.
967168 tn?1477584489
Oh wow that sounds alot like me not being afraid or sitting at the ER daily lol Won't do me any good worrying over them and will just drain me of money to pay the ER that I could use for other things.

That is terrifying though you went from watching your mvp to cardiomyopathy in a year. Maybe the meds helped in the 7 months  you were on them even with side effects...I shudder just thinking about the side effects lol I'm such a wimp sometimes. I'm surprised you didn't notice a difference in that year of anything happening, you are alot braver than I am - I would be anxious over every symptom.

btw I found this interesting thing from one of the universities I think Utah - salvos (4-6 PVCs in a row), also called brief ventricular tachycardias  - since it was brought up in the explanation earlier, I read that and chuckled thinking that's a strange name for them since the others are couplets, triplets. quadruplets, etc.  

I'm so glad you're sharing with us, hearing others who have success really makes me less fearful of surgery,  Thanks :)

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21064 tn?1309308733
I was first told of my "quirky" heart around the age of 19.  I didn't really have any triggers, though caffeine could make them worse.  My PVCs were there regardless of my stress, anxiety, what I ate, etc.  Those things could just exascerbate (sp?) them.  Around 24, I learned that I had MVP and mitral regurgitation.  I had periodic echocardiograms to watch for any changes, but no problems.  I took beta blockers on/off for around 12 years, but eventually was able to take them only as needed, which was great!  

Around 40, my "quirky" heartbeats were driving me batty, and I was referred to an EP.  More tests and continued serial echos.  Still doing well despite thousands of PVCs daily.  They were "normal" for me.  About 4 years later after an annual echocardiogram, my doctor phoned to tell me she thought it was probably time for valve surgery!!  I was scared!  I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic where I had more tests, and it was determined the valve leak was moderately severe, but I was not a surgical candidate at that time...WHEW!!

The following year, I went for the annual echo, and that's when I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy!  I was shocked since I had been feeling pretty good.  Because of the mitral valve stuff, the doctor was very assertive with a treatment plan.  I took the meds for about 7 months, but when I realized I would be on them for the rest of my life (side effects), I agreed to try ablation.  I had 2 ablations, and my ejection fraction returned to normal and the cardiomyopathy eventually resolved.  I had 2 procedures because I was multifocal, there appeared to be 2 predominant sites, and the doctor wanted to proceed conservatively.  

I was never afraid of the "weird" beats, but that could be because they felt "normal" to me.  NOW, when I have a PVC or a short run of NSVT, I am more aware since it is such a difference to NSR  : )  
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