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Heart Rhythm (Expert Forum)
Could my doctor be missing something with my PVCs?
Questions in the Heart Rhythm forum cover topics that include heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
Could my doctor be missing something with my PVCs?
by thea_e, Dec 28, 2008 12:48PM
Hi. 30 yr. old mom, 5' 3" 115 lbs. No med. history (adopted). Nursing a baby.
This time last year, went to the ER with odd heart beat, EKG showed PVCs. Xray and enzymes were normal, was told it was stress and sent home. Follow up with Dr. showed low potassium. Stress echo (non-contrast) and another EKG were normal. Three months later, woke up in the night with pounding chest and tingling fingers. Did some steady breathing, got some water, walked around a bit and went back to sleep, but felt exhausted the next day. Went back to Dr.; Troponin came back normal again, did a 24 holter, Dr. called to say it came back 'normal' (no details).
Now, for the past few weeks, I've been noticing the PVCs with increasing frequency, but no clear pattern. It's not usually during exercise, but sometimes it is. My heart rate will be 115bpm when I get done running, but down to 70 within 5 minutes, but then if I'm just sitting around, it might go up to 115. But when I'm really relaxed, like in bed at night, it will be 55bpm. I didn't have the best diet in my 20s, in fact, it was really awful, and I had a colonoscopy and endo. which diagnosed irritable bowel and GERD. I was put on protonix, but stopped when I got pregnant (about 4 years ago) and haven't seen the gastro. or taken any other meds. since. The irritable bowel has cleared up. I then had a series of migraines (for which I only took advil), but those seem to be gone as well.
Friends tell me I'm too young and too skinny to have heart disease, but a nurse said that stress echo. can't diagnose blockages. I just worry that I'm about to drop dead because everything I read about PVCs says that they're far more serious than atrial palps. Without doing a cardiac cath. which I do not want, is there any test I should be asking for to get to the bottom of this? How could they come on all of a sudden and why are they increasing? I don't want to drop dead!
This time last year, went to the ER with odd heart beat, EKG showed PVCs. Xray and enzymes were normal, was told it was stress and sent home. Follow up with Dr. showed low potassium. Stress echo (non-contrast) and another EKG were normal. Three months later, woke up in the night with pounding chest and tingling fingers. Did some steady breathing, got some water, walked around a bit and went back to sleep, but felt exhausted the next day. Went back to Dr.; Troponin came back normal again, did a 24 holter, Dr. called to say it came back 'normal' (no details).
Now, for the past few weeks, I've been noticing the PVCs with increasing frequency, but no clear pattern. It's not usually during exercise, but sometimes it is. My heart rate will be 115bpm when I get done running, but down to 70 within 5 minutes, but then if I'm just sitting around, it might go up to 115. But when I'm really relaxed, like in bed at night, it will be 55bpm. I didn't have the best diet in my 20s, in fact, it was really awful, and I had a colonoscopy and endo. which diagnosed irritable bowel and GERD. I was put on protonix, but stopped when I got pregnant (about 4 years ago) and haven't seen the gastro. or taken any other meds. since. The irritable bowel has cleared up. I then had a series of migraines (for which I only took advil), but those seem to be gone as well.
Friends tell me I'm too young and too skinny to have heart disease, but a nurse said that stress echo. can't diagnose blockages. I just worry that I'm about to drop dead because everything I read about PVCs says that they're far more serious than atrial palps. Without doing a cardiac cath. which I do not want, is there any test I should be asking for to get to the bottom of this? How could they come on all of a sudden and why are they increasing? I don't want to drop dead!
If you have a normal EKG, stress test, holter, and echo, the likelihood of these being dangerous PVCs is very low. It is very unlikely that your doctor is missing something. Increased PVCs are very common in pregnant and post partum states. It has to do with hormonal changes.
If you are still concerned, discuss your concerns with your doctor. It does not sound high risk.
It sounds like you have had all the appropriate tests.
They are likely a result of your pregnancy and hormonal changes. PVCs tend to come and go through out life, often with little "logical" reasons to explain it.
Thanks again for the reassurance!
Also, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and spicy foods are definite triggers. gb63 .