4 PVCs or more in a row?

Does anyone here know or has experienced a PVC that beats quickly like 4 or 5 beats, and then stops?  Maybe my self-diagnosis is possibly incorrect.  I have experienced PVC's where is just a skip, then pause, then back to normal rhythm. But.. I have experienced ones where I feel the flutter, then thump-thump-thump-thump, then back to normal rhythm.  Is this considered SVT, or NSVT?  I'm just inquiring to ease my worried mind of course.

Zach

[Brooke_38]

HI Zach...

It can only be a guess, since this was not captured on an EKG or monitor...Since I have had both SVT and VT, to me, they both felt the same...

I wouldn't worry too much about it, since it did stop. There are many who experience either short bursts of SVT or NSVT.

Hope you're able to find yourself at ease and able to sleep well tonight:)

[Mrs_Spock]

I, too, sometimes will get 4or 5 rapid beats in a row.  It eventually straightens itself out.  One night I had this for many hours in a row before it stopped.  I waS exhausted by the time it passed.  I try not to worry about it.  Today it has been occasional  fluttering.  But I am going to try to focus on work now but I will check in later.  Thanks for sharing.

Jeri

[ireneo]

I get those mini-tachys as I call them - anywhere from 4-10 quick beats in a row. Yesterday was one of those days for mini's. I figured they were just my atrial tachy popping out now and then. At my stress test they said something about me having NSVT, 3 beats in a row. So I don't know what my mini's are but I don't care as long as they stop.

[andrew0099]

Hey Brooke.  In regards to your comment about SVT and NSVT, how likely is it that someone with SVT is suseptible to NSVT?  Are they completely unrelated?  I have been diagnosed with SVT, but I am always worried that I might someday experience NSVT or even sustained V Tach.  Is NSVT usually accompanied by other symptoms?  I have had sustained SVT for a few hours with no additional symptoms.  I sure don't want to experience a sustained Ventricular Tach!?

[Brooke_38]

Hi Andrew...

I don't have the statistics on that question. I would imagine that anyone who has a documented SVT along with ventricular ectopy (PVC's) could have a burst of NSVT.

sustained V-Tach > 30 sec duration or requiring intervention for termination

NSVT requires a minimum of 4 consecutive Ventricular Ectopic's and a maximum duration of 30 seconds. (some would say that minimum of 3 consecutive beats would =NSVT)

Symptoms of NSVT vary from no symptoms to shortness of breath, palpatations or even syncope.

Since this is a ventricular origin it is unrelated to SVT.

I wouldn't worry too much about this happening to you. Don't base your fear on my original comment on having both. I am the exception to the rule. I have been an electrical nightmare to both my cardiologist and EP. I did however have an ablation for the RVOT-VT this past Aug. I am happy to say that of the 5 procedures I've had, this one was successful...have had no VT since then  (crossed fingers) -----> x  

What are you being treated with for SVT? How was it diagnosed?

[andrew0099]

Hello Brooke.  I am currently not being treated with anything for SVT (diagnosed by Holter monitor).  My episodes of SVT have been pretty rare (epidoses that I am aware of anyways)... had a lone episode of sustained AFib a year ago and have had 2 or 3 very brief episodes of tachycardia (less than 10 beats) since then.  A structurally normal heart(echo), so Im guessing they decided not to put me on meds.  I have had examinations from an electrophysiologist and my GP, who both agree I have SVT.  My GP is referring me to a new cardiologist and recommending a cardiac MRI to ensure there are no structural problems... still, i worry constantly.... mostly because my A Fib a year ago could only be stopped by electric cardioversion.  I have sensations and weird things going on in my chest quite a bit, but I sometimes think that it is just stress/anxiety/reflux...  I am on meds for reflux...

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

Been there and done that, too. Trip to the ER for Afib with rapid ventricular response. ER Dr started with 2 rounds of Adenosine then tried IV Lopressor, Cardizam, Digoxin. When my BP was 60 palp, he then sedated me, and did cardiovert me with 100joules. If I never go through that again...it will be too soon!

Do you have any symptoms at all? even PAC's or PVC's?

[andrew0099]

I am familiar with the terms PAC and PVC's, but only through this forum... I don't recall my doctor or electrophysiologist using either of those terms... with that said, I also have never asked if they showed up on my Holter... What my GP has said is all my issues have supposedly been in the atrium... and I hope she's correct!   I will be meeting with a new Cardiologist in Feb. and will ask about the PAC/PVC's then.   Are PAC's and SVT's completely different things?  Regardless,  I haven't gone a day or even hour in the last year without thinking about my heart!  

When my SVT occurs, I don't really feel any symptoms other than the palpitations and a complete rush of fear/anxiety... my face gets flushed and warm, and Im not sure if that is a symptom or anxiety??

One additional thing is that I do sometimes get a tightness in my chest if I stand up too fast and my heart seems to skip a beat and become somewhat irregular for a second or two... could this be completely unrelated?

[Zachs]

Lots of lingo. :)  So SVT is atrial in origin.  NSVT is Non-Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia, which is what I could have possibly experienced late the other night while trying to sleep.  It feels like a PVC, or it starts like one, but instead of 1 premature beat, there was like 4 or 5, couldn't count as it happened so quickly.  It didn't really scare me through as much as normal PVC does.  Don't know why. I think I thought to myself that I didn't want to go into a state of panic over it because it could exaggerate my symptoms and possibly make more of them come on.  I'm trying to be in this state of mind when I do have several PVC's per hour or so while working, resting, or just plain having a conversation with someone.  

I think it may be time to get some tests done and make sure my heart is normal and healthy as I never have had a stress test, echocardiogram, or MRI of the heart.  Do you think they are necessary?  I do experience weird sensations though in the chest.  I do have chest pain, but its never in one particular location, and it rarely encompasses the who chest area.  I have experienced sharp twinges of a dull pain in the left side chest area when I wake up sometimes.

Wow, I just experienced a long session of rapid beats just this minute and I got really light-headed and my ears are ringing a little bit now. It lasted about 4 or 5 seconds this time. Whew... These things are getting stranger here these past few days.  Nothing like the PVCs I've experienced.  No noticeable chest pain and shortness of breath though during it.  I actually forced a cough to try and make it stop as I've read somewhere to do this. vaugas manuvere or something like that.

Well I'm actually debating going to the ER now...  Scared.... Zach

[Brooke_38]

Hi Zach...

Are you still around? I really can't say that I know for sure what is going on with you...You are the best judge of how you are feeling and if you are there scared to death, that isn't going to help you. If going to the ER is going to put you mind at ease, than you should go.

Please check back to let us know that you are OK:)))) We're here for you!

[Zachs]

I haven't gone yet. No..  I was totally relaxed and typing that last message when my heart felt like it was going haywire.  I'd say about 10 ectopic beats in a row, maybe 6 in a row with a normal beat, and then another run of 6, its too hard for me to tell because of course for one I don't know which arrhythmia it is, I'm not on a monitor, and I'm not a doctor. :)  I've had these before, for the past 4 years now.  But that one really scared me... Never got light-headed before during an episode.  I really don't know.  I'm pretty calm now, and I'm not being irrational or having irrational thoughts causing me to panic.  I've had PVCs for a long time, since I was 19 years old.  I'll be 32 on Jan 24th.  I can deal with the PVC's, its just these runs on ectopic and if they are ventricular or atrial in nature.. Not sure.  I doubt If I go to the ER right now that I'll have another episode like that, and even hooked to a EKG and it happening is probably doubtful as well. I dunno what to do at this point.  Zach

[Zachs]

I can say at this point a positive to all these ectopic beats, is that it has my divine attention.  I've quit smoking, eating fast/processed foods, the daily 3-5 sodas/caffeine.. You name it I've stopped it.  Now after doing all this, I'm now experiencing something a tad worse than what I've dealt with.   You name it, I've experienced it as far as the benign abnormal heart rhythms.  I've experienced panic induced tachycardia,  I've been woken by just weird sensations which has induced panic again.  Awaking to get in the shower and experiencing sustained high heart rate which makes me so nervous i have to get out of the shower and try to calm it down before getting back in.  Its just awful when you feel like you have forward progress in beating these sensations you experience a different one.  This is not fair at all.  I can go through life expecting to dismiss my heart health, and not to worry when new symptoms occur.  Of course I'm speaking with still the doubt of not knowing if I really do have underlying heart conditions.  I hope that I don't...  I'm pretty active..  *sigh*   Zach  

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

I'm sorry that your having such a tough time tonight...Your feeling lightheaded is normal when you have back to back ectopy like you described. I have it all the time, it only distresses me when it happens while I'm driving or I'm speaking at a conference (what a sight that would be to see the nurse take a face plant from the podeum) *LOL*

Sometimes, I find joking or laughing to help me get through  my long standing nightmare with ahrrythmia's. I'm not sure if you mentioned whether or not you've had any testing done recently...

[Zachs]

Yes, I went to the ER about 7 weeks ago for PVC's scaring me to death, which was causing severe tachycardia from the panic. I was having real bad panic attacks.  I have the panic under control to a degree to where the PVC's aren't affecting my state of mind, or sending me into irrational thinking.  My BP & HR right now sitting here relaxed is 125/74 @ 65bpm  If I had that episode that I experienced just a bit ago, I would have been in panic for well over an hour, with a HR over 120.  So I'm very calm about my heart rhythm or even possibly a irregular one.  At the ER 7 weeks ago everything was normal.  All they did was Urine/Blood/12 lead EKG, diagnosed me with PVC's, and send me on my way.  Thanks for hanging with me here this evening.  I may have to get more testing done, because I feel that there's something a bit more wrong than I previously thought.  Zach

[Brooke_38]

You most defenitely should have this worked up further. You should get refered to a cardiologist and have the standard cardiac workup...Holter, Echo, maybe even an event monitor would be better than a holter.

I sure hope that you get to the bottom of this...But we'll continue to talk you through all of these scary events:)

I'm glad that I was here to "hang" with you tonight:))

[Mrs_Spock]

Hi Brooke,

I've been reading yours and Zachs posts tonight.  Sounds awful.  My heart goes out to all of us but I am fortunate in that I am not in a panic state.  But tonight, my heart rate, again, dropped in the 40s and my question is do you think I should take my second Lopressor 50 mg..... I take one in am and pm.  I took my avalide at 5pm...that is for BP....my bp is around 140s/70s but heart rate was 44 and it is irregular. ....like every couple beats, i feel a funny one.  Sometimes I think  I am better off without the meds.  Earlier today my rate was  in the 40s and then an hour later, it jumped to the 130s.  I don't know what to do....any suggestions??  And Zach, I hope you have a quiet night and can sleep.  I really hate it at bedtime when they don't normalize.

Jeri

[Brooke_38]

Hi Jeri...

Gee, I'm sorry for you too:( I agree, it is much worse for this to occur at bedtime. It is at this time that we notice EVERYTHING that is going on.

I really cannot tell you what you should do in regard to medication. Did you take this BP with a manual cuff? Did it also tell you your pulse? Your systolic of 140 is a tad on the high side. I'm not sure that you should skip your dose tonight. You may want to give your Dr a call in the morning. Tomorrow being Friday, you wouldn't want to go into the weekend without checking on this.

I hope that you sleep well too! I'm just trying to stay awake long enough to see the latest weather report...will predict whether I have to get up and get my daughter out of bed for school:)

Please let me know how this works out...I always worry about you people when I don't hear back from you:)))

[Mrs_Spock]

This has happened before.  My cuff that  I have with me is electronic which I don't like either but it actually took an apical pulse with my stethoscope and it was 44.  It does fluctuate though.  In fact, right now it is 68 so it has come up.  It's just that sometimes I feel worse after I take the meds.  It's a crazy cycle.  But right now I feel much better...that's how fast things change.  I guess I better take my meds.  I almost hate to call my doctor....I feel like such a nut case....I've called so much last week.  I am actually away right now (freezing cold Chicago, & I thought Pittsburgh was bad) lol...I hate winter...I am a summer person.  Thanks for your quick response.  I will keep in touch and thanks for being there.
Jeri