PAC and PFO question

[Avantls1]

Hello, I have had PACs for the past 7 months, I seen a cardiologist about the problem. It all started when I really got into working out. I would work out for 3 hours every other day. Lifting weights and running. One day I notice I was really shakey so I lifted weights thinking I would feel better but I was even weaker and more shakey. The next day I woke up with skip heart beats about 3 to 4 skips beats per minute. I went to my regular doctor and he said it looks like PACs so he gave me a beta blocker. I didnt take them at first because I read about the side effects about 2 weeks later they were really getting to me so i started to take them but by that time my skip beats reduce to about 2 per minute. I finally got to see the cardiologist but by that time 2 months later they have really gone away. They did a echo of my heart and found a small PFO and said its small and not to worry about it. I ask him is this causing my PACs he said no not at all. He gave me a calcium blocker to help reduce the PACs when I workout. When I workout the PACs come on. I did not take the calcium blockers but I notice the PACs were going away. I now have PACs when I wake up in the morning about 6AM on through about 2PM when I move a certain way or walk for to long or walk up a step hill and when I workout in the mornings by late afternoon they really kind of go away. My question is I tend to have PACs when I wake up, hungry, and I put to much stress like working out on my body it tends to act up, is the truely a PACs or is it the PFO causing the PACs? Another thing I notice is I have a sharp pain from time to time between my left nipple and middle chest bone and its pretty common and sometimes head to my back area not to often as the front of my chest. I am male 5'9 168lbs 36 years old and in good shape. The Cardo docs said its just PACs and work thorugh them and I shouldnt worry about anything he also said that my heart was normal size and from the echo its pumping very strong and a stress test they said it was normal. I have the PACs everyday during the same times. I keep thinking its the PFO they found even though they told me its small. I just dont get it when  I workout put to much pressure on my body it starts to skip. Anyone with answers please let me know or have the same problems and tried anything new. PS  I did get a second opinion but they just read my records from the first heart doc and said the same thing! What should I do?? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

[Avantls1]

Thank  you rilesnic for your thoughts. Yes when I sleep I have to lay on my left side if I lay on my back to long or right side I start to have PACs. I really want to stay away from meds right now. I know in time I may have to take them but I am trying my best to stay away from meds. I like to thank everyone who reads my post.

[rilesnic]

Thanks Linda :)

[LindaTX]

It's a patent forman ovale

[rilesnic]

I have PAC's as well.  I have had them since I was 22, and I'm now 38.  I notice them when I workout, do heavy lifting, any type of confrontation...good or bad, when I eat msg, fried foods, lots of green veggies, or even when I'm hungry, like my blood sugar may be low.  I too have been assured that my heart is healthy and that many people have some type of arrythmia...some feel every one of them and some never feel one (lucky guys).  I do take a beta-blocker (atenolol) every night. They terrify me when they come in sets and many times throw me into a panic attack...which makes them even worse.  Sometimes they make me feel really bad, like being very weak, and sometimes even sleepy...they can be exhausting.  I do have a cardio and a PCP that I trust completely, so I try to take their word when they say I'm ok.  I think my size has a lot to do with me feeling them as well...I am very thin, 5'2" and 104 on a heavy day...when I try to fall asleep on my left side, my heart just pounds...I have to always turn over on my right side to go to sleep.  Keep in touch with your doctors and let them know if something comes up. I hope you start feeling better soon.  Best to you!  Oh- what is a PFO?