PVC etc. vs. Heart Attack vs. Heart Disease vs. Panic Attack

[Yuy00]

33 year old healthy female, no meds, no hospitalizations, no surgeries, family hx of coronary artery blockage, hypertension, adult diabetes controlled by diet, stroke:

2.5 weeks ago at rest, my heart suddenly was pounding in my chest, heart rate 100-110, SOB and it took a couple or more hours at the emergency room in the hospital to go down to 96 then 84bpm and my blood pressure 176/92.
I was sent home without a blood test and told it was Acute Stress Reaction. I did have stress over a few weeks and had just taken 1/4 of a 1 mg Ativan for the 3 rd time in my life.

5 days later I had vertigo episode, sweating, heart racing while driving with 3 people in the car. Thankfully I was able to stop right away and pull to the side. A couple hours later I was ok. I was also just getting over a head cold and was stuffed up, ate a lot of carbs.

A few days later I started having episodes of skipped beats, palpitations, short of breath upon exertion or talking, tired sometimes, feeling faint at times while sitting up mostly, lightheaded, dizzy spells, intermittent nausea.  No chest pain, only constantly feeling like it was fluttering, skipping beats etc.  I went to the hospital 2 nights ago (after over a week of this) and they took chest xray (negative), blood work  (negative) and sent me home with a Holter Monitor telling me its PVC's and probably from stress or caffeine.  My caffeine intake is the usual one to cups of coffee and/or tea a day.  My stress was a little high for the past month and sleeping 12:30am or 1:30am till 8am.  

I handed my Holter Monitor in and started having a feeling of gas in one point of my heart. The previous day with the holter on, I felt a little burning over my heart area, and a couple little squeezes.  I read that SOB, Nausea, Palp's, Pain, etc. are a female warning for a heart attak.  I was back at emergency and more blood work (negative), urine sample (negative), monitor (high blood pressure 144/92) respiration normal, o2 normal. etc. Doctor discharged me saying its PVC, take no caffeine and go see the doctor for anti-anxiety pills temporary period.

Waiting for Holter Monitor results (INITIAL results state 200 skipped beats in 24 hours, 8 each hour), otherwise ok:

WHAT IS THIS?
WHAT NEXT STEP SHOULD I TAKE?
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED WITH SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS?

[Jerry_NJ]

Sounds like you are doing the right things, getting medical advice.

From what I read here PVCs can be uncomfortable, are common, and are mostly benign.  I also read anxiety and stress can cause a lot of symptom problems.  So bringing that under control will surely help.

I drink caffeine-free coffee and cola (not that either are particularly good foods) and one cup of regular black tea a day.  You're still young, but as I got older I found caffeine was causing some problems for me.

If you can tolerate it an aspirin a day with a meal may be a good idea.  As stated on the aspirin bottle, one should not take it continuously without a doctor's recommendation.  I think low dose, or even a single regular dose, isn't any threat beyond possible stomach upset.  My stomach deals well with either/both.

I doubt your weight is causing any problems, still getting 10 to 20 pounds off would likely be better all-round.

[Yuy00]

Sorry, forgot to mention, non-smoker, social 1 beer/wine or 1 shot drinker, somewhat sedentary, height 5'5'' weight 158 pounds, 33 yrs old, female