Can carrying twins cause permanent heart damage?

[ncmomof4]

I am a 34-year-old mother of four, including a set of twins.  I received excellent prenatal care and had no specific heart problems up until recently.  I did have pre-eclampsia w/two of my preganancies, one of which was the twin preg.  I am slightly overweight, non-smoker and regular exerciser (4 times per week).  In March, I saw my obgyn who picked up on a heart arrythmia (never heard before) and he sent me to have an EKG.  The EKG confirmed the arrythmia and then I had to wear a Holter Monitor.  The results of that were a substatial number of PVCs, which got me a referral to a cardiologist.  He ordered a sleep study (came back negative for sleep apnea), a echocardiogram and a treadmill stress test.  After getting those results, he said that my heart did not recover well from the stress of the exercise and he ordered a heart catherization for this week.  I have been experiencing chest pain for the past couple of months as well.  I have been told that it may have been possible that my heart was damaged by the stress of carrying the twins and so I am asking if that is true and if so, what course of treatment can I expect with this condition?  Thanks.

[ncmomof4]

Thanks fellow NC mom, I exercise at the Y where they have "free" child care ;-)
The doctor did not say I had Postpartum Cardiomyopathy or I should say I have never had that diagnosis.  It's just this heart issue came out of no where and someone told me it could be a permanent effect from carrying the twins.  My cardiologist has not confirmed that, but said we would discuss a diagnosis and a treatment plan after my heart cath.  
kate - the cardiologist did not say the PVCs were "dangerous", but that they were "concerning."  He also said that the PVCs were consistent and only went away with exercise.
Thanks both for your replies!  

[kate9106]

Did the cardiologist say that all the PVCs you were having were dangerous?  I have them too but have been told that people can have thousands per day and they will not die from them.  

[Momto3]

Hi ncmomof4,  (I'm in NC and a Mom of 3....all grown)

Welcome to the Heart Forum!

How in the world do you have time to exercise?  Pretty impressive : )

OK, back to your question....Do you remember if your doctor mentioned Post Partum Cardiomyopathy?  Sometimes, women develop PPCM after a pregnancy.  Sometimes, it is reversible....I can't say for sure, but maybe that's what they are checking out...Did he/she say why the cath??

Connie