24 Hour Holter Help

[SleeplessInNewJersey]

Doctor didn't seem concerned and thinks I have an anxiety problem. Can anyone make sense of my 24 holter?

Heart Rate Data 95492 Total Beats.
Min HR 45 3:30am (sleep)
Max HR 125 11:04am (think I was weight lifting)
Avg HR 66bpm

Heart Rate Variability
ASDNN 5 : 82.8 msec
SDANN 5 : 143.3 msec
SDNN : 698.3 msec

ST Episode Analysis none

Pacer Analysis none

Ventricular Ectopy
Total VE Beats 1
Vent Runs 0
Triplets, Couplets, 0
Single/Interp PVC 1/0
R on T 0
Single/Late VE's 0/0
Bi/Trigemingy 0/0

Supraventricular Ectopy
Total SVE Beats 13
Atrial Runs 0
Atrial Pairs 0
Drop/Late 0/9
Longest N/N 1.4 secs at 3:33 AM
Single PACS 4
Bi/Trigeminy 0/0

Interpretation
Underline Rhythm is sinus.
1 isolated PVE was seen.
4 PAC's in 24 hours; no SVT's.

[Wisconsin2007]

I haven't tried Xanax myself, but mainly because the stress that triggers my PVCs is not a sudden thing like a panic attack.  It's more of a slow ramp up (weeks), and also a slow ramp down.  Xanax has a very short half life, which means it's good for a quick fix, but doesn't last.  SSRIs actually take about a week or two before you even feel anything, as they slowly build up the serotonin in your system.  

I would compare the relationship of a benzodiazepine like Xanax and an SSRI like Zoloft to that of a cigarette and the patch.  The cig will give you a quick punch, but the patch gives you a nice, slow release.

And your pcp doctor can prescribe SSRIs, too.  

[Ihatepalps2]

hi! I am totally NO expert...other than having palpitations for 15 years....but just looking at your holter results...I say....holy cow...theres a ton of people here that would like one like that! But, I know ANY cardiac issues make us uneasy. I am on Xanax--and dont feel a bit funny about being on it. I have panic attacks...they can manifest with all sorts of symptoms..some of which you are having...
I would give the Xanax a try--wont hurt...and could help. It rather short lived--will stay in your system about 4-6 hours....and doesnt knock you out at all...just "takes the edge off" any anxiety that you might be having.....
good luck...

[SleeplessInNewJersey]

Thanks really. Really blows me away that I'm active and this is happening. Doc gave me xanax to take as needed and he stated I'm the only one he knows that "fights" xanax. But I think I need the shrink to get me on some real meds that will help. I hate doing this, but I have to before I drive my wife crazy as me. The only pills I take are vitamins.

[Wisconsin2007]

Feel jittery?  Any tingling in your hands or forearms?  

I had the same symptoms back December - February.  And the docs said the same thing.  And they were right.  Got me on an SSRI and within a couple weeks I began to feel much better.  Took a few months before I felt normal again, but just feeling like I was climbing out of that hole in the first weeks was enough to really change my outlook!

Hang in there.  If you're up to it (I HATED the idea at first), ask your doctor if s/he might prescribe something for the anxiety.  I'd tell you to get some exercise to relieve stress, but uh, you're already doing that.  :)  

[SleeplessInNewJersey]

Hey thanks for the response, I really needed to hear that. I run about 30-60 minutes a day and try to hike in between that. Yea here's the thing, having some really werid episodes of shaking, weird heart race symptoms, got checked out and everything is fine so they are telling me it is anxiety. I don't believe anything they say and I have no clue why. Very weird shaking, heavy feelings, heat rushes in my heat, chest, back, arms. No clue. It is literally driving me insane.

[Wisconsin2007]

If this were a calculus exam, you'd have just scored a 99.  (And you know?  Nobody scores 100 on a calculus exam!)

Are you in really good shape?  The resting heart rate is a little low, but can be normal if you do a lot of cardio.  My father had a resting heart rate like that (actually, lower) during the period when he was running marathons.