PAC and PVC

[Angie388]

About 1 1/2 yrs ago (after the birth of my 3rd child), I was diagnosed with PAC's.  The doc. did and EKG and Holter monitor at that time.  He confirmed that it was simply PAC and assured me that many people have it with no other problems.  I just saw  the doc this past Thurs. for a chronic cough (diagnosed as bronchitis) and to ask him about some chest discomfort I have been having.  Upon listening to my chest, he immediately commented that my heartbeat was "extremely irregular" and performed an EKG on the spot.  The EKG result said that I had atrial fibrulation, but he said that it wasn't that.  But it did confirm that I have PAC and now PVC occuring very frequently.  He said that with the frequency of the early beats, that it is definately possible that I am experiencing chest pain and discomfort.  He wants to do a Holter monitor after I take my anti-biotics for the bronchitis.  Does this seem like the proper course of action?  I have been fighting fatigue-could this be connected?  Everyone I have heard of has PAC or PVC- is there any significance to having both?

[RNRita]

They come and go.  I have had them for 31 years.  Sometimes almost non-existent.  Sometimes every other beat for weeks.  I've tried cutting out foods, exercising, different sleep patterns.  I think they basically do what they want.

[manny777]

Hi Angie, I developed pvc's on this 4th of july, I would get them every 8-12 beats for 4 straight days then one morning I got up and the pvc's were gone, well they were gone for 3 weeks and they came back again with a vengeance, every 3-5 heartbeats, I had them for only 2 days then after that they would go away for hours then they would comeback for maybe 1/2 an hour every 20-40 heartbeats.

[Angie388]

Thanks for the info.  I have had them since May, but was afraid I was just overreacting.  They are occuring every 8-10 beats- regularly.  I'm anxious to get the monitor to be sure there is nothing else wrong.

[RNRita]

Hi there.  PACs are premature atrial contractions and PVCs are premature ventricular contractions.  Most people have these at some point in their lives or even here and there all their lives.  This board is for those of us who have LOTS AND LOTS of both!  Once you are checked out (holter is a normal course of action), and you are found to have a structurally normal heart, there is no significance to having both. Not even to having lots and lots of them!  They feel awful, but once you find out you're okay, you'll learn to live with them.  The doctor is doing the right thing, at this point!