Just diagnosed with PVC's

About 3 weeks ago, I started having some severe "palpitations".  After they did not subside for 3 days, I went to my doctor, who scheduled for 3 days later to put me on a Holter monitor.  

The Holter recorded 15,000 PVC's over a 24 hour span.  So, I was referred to a cardiologist, a week later, and am scheduled for a stressechocardiogram tomorrow.

I have several questions, because honestly, I have never been through anything like this before, an I am bit shaken.

First, I am 49yo, low BP (avg around 124/72), and have very low cholesterol, (LDL 87, HDL 37).    Until this started happening, I was working out about 2-4 times a week, (but was told to wait to work out until I get the stress test completed.)  I do not smoke, and since these started have stopped having my single cup of morning coffee, as well as no chocolate.  Finally, the severe palpitations have subsided, and by my own rough estimate, I am experiencing about 5700 skipped beats in a 24 hour period now.  I feel fine.

But my questions are these:

1) Since this might have been a condition that I have had all of my life, but only now am feeling, am I in any real danger?  (obviously, I am a little shaken by this event)

2) I only really "feel" these events when I am in a resting state, (i.e. sitting, working on my computer, or lying down), when I am active and moving, I feel fine.  Should I be concerned?

3) Is this something that can "go away" as seemingly suddenly as it appeared?  

4) With my overall health, did I somehow "cause" this to happen?  And can a lifestyle change help?

I apologize for the length of this post, and I am embarrassed to say, I'm a little frightened.

Thank you for any suggestions in advance,
JDG

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

1) Since this might have been a condition that I have had all of my life, but only now am feeling, am I in any real danger?  (obviously, I am a little shakenShaken baby syndrome by this event)

You need test results first.  If you have a normal stress test, a structurally normal heart and a normal EKG, you do not need to worry.  If you have more PVCs immediately after you exercise, this is considered to carry a slight increased risk than non recovery PVCs.  

2) I only really "feel" these events when I am in a resting state, (i.e. sitting, working on my computer, or lying down), when I am active and moving, I feel fine.  Should I be concerned?

Probably not, but you need the results of your tests first.

3) Is this something that can "go away" as seemingly suddenly as it appeared?  

It usually does.  We do not know why the come and go, but that tends to be what they do.

4) With my overall health, did I somehow "cause" this to happen?  And can a lifestyle change help?

I doubt it. Sometimes people are sensitive to sleep deprivation, caffeine, tea, chocolate, but most people do not have known trigger.

I hope this helps.

[ironman01]

answer to
1) probably not in any danger
2) pvc is usually not a cause for concern because it is not life threatening
3)it is probably a congenital defect in the heart electrical firing-there is a thread in the forum
www.medhealth.org/forums/cardio/messages/35236.html
the doctor's answer will explain the physiology- no need to worry
4)no it probably has been there all along

[tickertock]

From my experience the PVCs tend to wax and wane, I used to have prolonged bouts of PVCs in the 1000s daily from days to months at a time , the first prolonged episode started in early 1992 when I was 27, second episode in 1997, 3rd episode in 2001. I always had PVCs from time I can remember but only an odd one  now and then. Since 2002 I haven't had any prolonged episodes. I take 100mg of atenolol which I think have kept them at bay. I still get an occasional PVC or a "bad fluttering" but nothing with a frequency even worth mentioning.

You probably always had the odd one, but then probably had an episode of increased frequency of which you became aware. They are most likely not dangerous in your case, your cardiologist will be able to advise you best, you probably will be like the majority of sufferer's and have episodes that just wax and wane.If this is your first a thorough check is usually advisabe especially over age 45, this includes  echo, ecg, holter and exercise stress test.For most sufferers there is not a particular trigger for them, others can definitely link a trigger or triggers.Good luck with your test , chances are you'll be just fine.

[ironman01]

never went to medical school. All that I can do is share my experiences. Have known about my heart's arrythmia for over 32 years. I have studied anatomy and physiology and have worked as a surgical technician and first assistant. Also, I have experience in open heart surgery. I listen to experts and consider Dr. McWilliams to be one of the leading experts in his field of medicine.

[jdg766]

Thank you very much for your replies, especially Dr. McWilliams.  That does help ease my anxiety over this a bit.  I especially am feeling better, because it seems that others here have also a similar active lifestyle and otherwise are in very good health, and they have had similar experiences.

I might post some other questions based on the outcome of my stressecho-cardiogram test today, if that would not be inconvenient.

Thank you again,
JDG

[fester1]

Sounds like me almost to a tee. I had my first bout about 10 years ago. Thousands a day,  then dropped off to just a few here and there. I just started another bout a couple of weeks ago. I only really feel them at rest. The worst part of it all is the mind game. The best help for me was putting my trust in someone bigger than me.

[mooshka]

A related discussion, pvcs was started.