PVC's and PAC's - Normal or not?

[FAP777]

I have read different stories on whether PVC's and PAC's and eposides of irregular heartbeats.  Some say it is normal cardiac activity to have these and others say it is not normal to have these hence my question to a rhythum specialist.  I have had all kinds of tests because of these irregular beats and same conclusion each time - struturally normal heart.

Can you tell me if these are normal cardiac activity?  I don't really get very many.  Some days are worse than others.  On a normal day I would feel maybe 50 and on a bad day they would come one after another every couple of beats for hours and then just stop.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

There is not a great answer to that questions.  In the perfect heart there are no extra beats, but that this rare.  Most people have PVCs every day and everyone has them sometimes.  I think the point to focus on is that people with normal hearts have a good / normal prognosis.  I tell patients that it is normal for them but it might not be normal for some one else s heart.  

It is always important to understand that sometimes there is not an answer that you will finding satisfying to some questions.  This is one of them.  People get stuck on the idea of "is this normal."  My daughter asked me the other day "why is green, green?"  I didn't know how to answer it -- your question is a little like hers. It's green because it is..... it is a matter of definitions.

I hope this helps.

[marlinspike]

I think you have asked a question that many of us with pvc's etc. have wondered about. I am sure we have all thought, "This can't be normal" when we feel skips, jumps, thuds etc. That in itself sets off anxiety and worry. I am trying very hard to get myself away from the thinking that 'my heart is not normal' because I think it is very unhelpful to see myself as someone with a heart condition - I have ectopics, had some tests and have been told I am okay

I am trying to accept the idea that whilst so many missed beats is not usual, my heart is structurally normal and statistically I am at no greater risk of cardiac death than anyone in the general population. It's maybe not 100% 'normal', and it's certainly distressing, but it's harmless which is what matters.