PVC or VT? Artaud or anyone?

I have problems with VT's (just had an ablation) and have an ICD.  What is the difference between the two in symptoms?  I know I occasionally have PVC's, but today lasted on and off for 4-5 hours with dizziness which I've only had with VTach.  I don't use caffeine, chocolate, chinese food (msg) and am very careful what I eat. The nurse wants me to download my ICD if I have anymore symptoms, but I'm just trying to educate myself.

Thanks,
Angel

[Artaud]

Hi,

PVCs or Premature Ventricular Contractions, are ♥ heart beats that occur earlier than expected based on the heart's own pacemaker. The heart's pacemaker, the SA Node,(located in the Atrium, the top chambers of your heart) normally controls the rhythm of the heart. But other cells on the heart are also capable of initiating the heart beat by discharging. These cells can be located in the atrium or ventricles on your heart, and are usually irritated for some reason, causing them to electrically discharge at undesired times.

Imagine that the small x is a normal beat and the capital X is the PVC.
xxxxXxxxxxxxxxxxxXxxXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX would be referred to as Isolated PVCs, meaning that there is no predictable time between the occurrence of one and the next. Consistent patterns of PVC are identified by the pattern. xXxXxXxXxXxXxX would be Bigeminy. xxXxxXxxXxxXxxXxxX would be Trigeminy, and xxxXxxxXxxxXxxxX would be Quadrigeminy.

It appears that Ventricular Tachycardia is three or more PVCs in a row, with the PVCs originating from an area on the ventricles and a heart rate over 100 beats per minute. According to Wikipedia, and other sites, if the episode is less than 30 seconds, it is referred to as NSVT (Non Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia). If longer than 30 seconds, even if the episode spontaneously stops after 30 seconds, it is referred to as Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia.

Another type of fast rhythm is known as PSVT, or Paroxysmal Supra Ventricular Tachycardia. To break it down, Paroxysmal means "sudden", Supra means "above", Ventricles are the two lower chambers of your heart, and tachycardia means a rapid heart beat above 100 Beats per minute. This type of rhythm originates from above the ventricles and is usually not as much of a concern as ventricular tachycardia.

Many people cannot feel the PVCs that they are having. Others, such as myself, tend to feel each one. It would not be as common for PVCs to cause shortness of breath or dizziness. There are normally enough normal beats in between them to permit adequate blood to flow. Often on the Internet it is said that if you have more than 6 PVCs per minute it can be considered to be a more serious problem, yet myself and many others on the forum commonly have more than 6 and our Doctors were not concerned. I have even seen a Forum Doctor respond to a poster that said he didn’t know where the 6 per minute figure came from and that having more than 6 per minute is not necessarily of concern. My Cardiologist said (different Doctor years ago) that he did not care how many I had, he wanted to know if I could walk up two flights of stairs without any problems, which I could.

Hope this helps ☼

Best of health to you and yours this Holiday Season.

[Momto3]

I've been told the same thing.  It's not too relevant how many pvcs you're having.  But, new, or significantly changing symptoms should be discussed with your doctor.  I was having quite a few more pvcs than 6 per hour and my doctor was not at all concerned about them.  She was, however, concered about my the shortness of breath and exercise intolerance.

Keep us posted angel!  Hope today is a great day!

[angelnote]

Well, now I do know the difference - for sure.  My ICD shocked me - twice yesterday so I was in VTach.  It's disappointing because now we know the ablation didn't get them all, but I'm glad that the ICD kicked in.  I was pretty wiped out afterwards, it must be quite a jolt of electricity the device administers.   I'll go see the cardiologist tomorrow unless I get shocked again, then we've been advised to go to the ER.  Tonite is a special church service and I'm supposed to play (I'm a musician) - so I'm hoping to be able to do it.  Music is therapy for me.

Thank you both for the wonderful support and information.

Angel

[Momto3]

Angel,  

Bittersweet on the ICD shock.  I'm sorry you had to go through that, but I'm glad you got the "kick" you needed.  We like having you around here : )

I hope tonight's service and the music are grand!  

Take care and enjoy the service.

Connie