PVC/PAC during exercise

[rocksRcool]

Is it bad to have occassional PAC/PVC during exercise (not hard exercise--just light)?  I have had everything short of a stress test b/c GP didn't feel I needed it.  I still get skipped beats from time to time, especially if I am getting my heart rate up for exercise (jumping, stair climber, carrying heavy objects up and down stairs) or if I don't eat regularly. In a period of 6 months I have had a 24holter, 4 ekgs, 2 echos, and several blood tests.  If my GP (her husband is a cardio doc) says I'm good to go because my heart seems structurally normal just have some sinus tachy, should I seek further medical attention?  I want to workout and not feel anxious that I will get more PVC/PAC....


Story below for more details if you wish...


I am 29, female, was very athletic until the birth of my son two years ago.  I don't drink anything other OJ and water and I eat very well.  About a year after the birth of my son I have developed anxiety and panic attacks that come and go.  My first few skipped beats were felt while doing some jumping jacks and then push-up sets.  I stopped and freaked out of couse b/c I thought I was having a heart attack or something.  This caused the first onset of my anxiety and panic attacks.  I went to my GP and they did an ekg, echo, and bloodwork.  All was normal minus my cholesterol was on the high side 187 (good was low 37).  Well my family has a history of horrible chol and heart disease.  But, my GP said to not worry and go about my life because everything checked out.  Well, I still was having skipped beats hiking or running up and down the stairs for laundry.  So, I went back to my GP who ordered a 24hr Holter.  I tried to induce the skipped beats, but no such luck while on the monitor.  My GP did tell me that I had 7 PACs and that was it.  He said my anxeity probably was causing them and I should try taking xanax during panic attacks or high anxiety.  Well, I tried this and my panic attacks became less frequent and my anxiety only occus during parts of my menstral cycle (1/2 way and just before and during menstration).  Everything seemed to be going fine until one day I was running a low grade fever and my heart rate at rest was 130's.  I decided to go to urgent care after 5 hours of this.  They did xrays, ekg, bloodwork...and everything came back normal except my WBC was very, very high.  Worried I had cancer or a bad infection I was sent to the hospital.  I stayed over night, on a holter, bloodwork, more xrays, antibiotics given, and nothing showed up.  So I was sent home b/c my WBC was back to normal.  Well, this same episode happened again a month and a half later.  This time I decided to just see my GP.  Got some bloodwork done and again my WBC was high with my fast heart rate and mild fever.  GP wanted to watch and see, so the next day I went back for WBC counts, fever gone, heart rate gone, and WBC back to normal with no antibiotics this time.  GP said he had no idea what it was.  I was sent to another GP for second op.  They talked with Cardiologists and other Docs and all said the same--no clue!  GP said it was like my body went into slight shock and dumped all my young blasts (WB cells) in responce to some kind of stressor.   Thinking it could be anxiety related, GP said to take xanax daily for a while.  I did, and no more episodes of fast heart rate and high WBC.  Just occassionaly PVC/PACs some during exercise some at rest.

[kane3]

My pvcs are out of control during the peak of my HR during exercise .....and come around usually half an hour after exercise. I exercise usually 5 times a week for an hour or so and try to keep active for the most part. Ive had pvc's for awhile now and exercising at the same time. I haven't had to many scary experiences I can recall...just a few dizzy moments and  a few pvc runs...but other than that, I would say it's safe to exercise! Don't let these things discourage you from wanting to do normal things in life. Always follow up with a doctor or specialist if you have, if you think something is still wrong. Take care
Kane

[cindy707]

I don't know.....you may want to read the post i just posted for rockmum previously....i know its scary for absolutely anyone that when we feel something is wrong with our hearts we take that from A to Z in less than a minute.  I think with all of us the fear of dying or getting some sort of deadly disease is something we have all gone thru and the trick is to just get past it.  You've had more tests done that the average bear and even and overnite in the hospital for observation and still nada.  Sounds like you have a nice caring doctor but it sounds to me like you aren't getting the reassurance that you need so that you'll believe it because your doc talked to that doc and so on and so on. If it was my body i would make my own appt. with a cardiologist so you can speak face to face with him/her and tell them all fo your fears, what you are feeling, all of it so that you can put this to rest once and for all.  We as humans have super overactive imaginations and unless your hear it for yourself you'll probably stay on this merry go round.  It will be the best 50.00 i bet you'll ever spend ...with a low grade fever it would be normal to strain your heart a little so the 130 sounds about right to me....remember for non athletes between 70 and 120 beats per min. is normal so you were just a little on the high side for a short period of time...make the call, make the appt. i bet we'll hear great things from you.....