PVCs AND reflux

Hi there,

I know it's a common topic but I thought I'd tell you about my experiences over the last 12 months.

I have been to the ER three times with really bad PVCs.  The last time I was experiencing really heavy thumps every 4 or 5 beats.  The usual response.... ignore them - you won't die- see your GP.  The last bout lasted for 16 days at more or less this intensity.

I visited my GP after each of these and he reiterated the "ignore them" advice.  At the same time though, I got a fresh prescription of omeprazole for occasionally symptomatic reflux which I thought was a seperate issue... 5 days later the PVCs are gone.  Zero PVCs in 24h (confirmed by Holter monitor).

I decided to stop the omeprazole - 3 days later PVCs are back... back on the omeprazole again and the reflux and PVCs gone a few days later.

I mentioned this to my GP and he was annoyed that I approach him with such a nonsensical theory - all a coincidence as far as he is concerned.

I wondered if any of you have seen such a marked response on taking antacids or reflux meds- going from 20,000+ PVCs in a day to zero just by controlling acid reflux?

[surfgirl]

you had 20,000 PVCs a day??  And they didn't even give you a little bit of a beta blocker? Did you mention this to your cardiologist, about the reflux?

[scotty27]

I had my head around the PVCs OK.  I knew I was structurally normal and the PVCs only ever lasted for a couple of weeks each time until the acid meds kicked them out.

I turned down beta-blockers because I was told the would only mask the symtoms (symptoms) and provide little more the psycological relief.  I was happy to ignore the PVCs and keep busy.

I have never seen a cardiologist.  They look at me ECG and Echo results and just advise me I'm fine through my GP( in the UK).

[surfgirl]

ahhh, yes, the system is different in the UK. :)  Anyway, it is great you are feeling better!

[KLB32]

That gives me hope because I am told I likely have acid reflux/GERD.  As a matter of fact, I am going for an endoscopy tomorrow.  I actually hope they do find that I have GERD because then they can treat it and hopefully it will alleviate my palpitations!

[wunabnorm]

i believe this somewhat true. i also feel like after i eat a big meal or have heartburn, that the pvc's are def worse! But the dr's dont seem to think it is a factor! I think they need to do more research!

[lulama]

My cardio says that GERD is definitely a trigger for my arrythmias, and  I have certainly have found that to be true..........unfortunately, apparently there are other triggers too, but I can tell that heartburn is a sure one........I take Pepcid complete, and only need it when I eat too much fat, or spice

[sb786]

Hi i'm in the uk too!! My GP never believed me when i told him that omeprazole helped settle the pvcs but my cardiologist an EP both said it was possible and common!!

[deedle1976]

Hey, I'm in the uk too. The last doc I saw (locum gp) said "What are pvcs?" then "Wow, You obviously know more about this stuff than I do" I then told him what medication I wanted and he wrote the prescription.

[sb786]

Sounds like the same gp i have been seeing for the last few months! When i had an increase in pvcs the only advice he was able to offer was to print off a pvc info leaflet from the internet!! By the way i'm in Yorkshire where are you?

[deedle1976]

Hey sb786, I'm in London. Do you ever find it surprising reading these forums how in the states they seem to run every single test even for rare PVCs they seem to do echo, the lot. Can you imagine the NHS doing that?! Even with 1876 PVCs and several ECG changes they didn't think I needed an Echo at first. In the states people seem to get an echo for a couple of dozen PVCs as standard. Of course it's mainly down to lack of cash here but supposedly there is also a policy of not wanting to  'overmedicalise' people. Apparently if you send people for every test available it can actually make them worry more as they think their symptoms must be serious and become too focused on them. Anyway hope you are having nice weather up there. nice and sunny here at the moment. Maybe we'll get a bit of a summer after all.xxx

[sb786]

Its funny you should mention that. My GP listened to my extra beats many times and didn't even suggest a 24 hr holter never mind an echo! Eventually i just paid privately for 3 holters, an echo and many consultations!! Its so frustrating considering the amount of tax some of us have to pay!!
The weather here has been lovely for the past week or so but i think its more rain next week, so much for summer!! xx

[Tiffany172]

I only get pvcs when I get a bad case of acid reflux.  The first time it happened when I was in Saudia Arabia and drinking their bottled lemon tea.  I was put in the field hospital and may the monitor showed where my heart was palpitating.  I stopped the tea, got rid of the acid and the pvcs stopped.  Now, I've had acid for about a week and the pvcs are back.  Whenever I eat anything, my heart will go off about once.  VERY SCARY.

[RNRita]

Indigestion, relfux, gas...you name it, ALL can trigger PVCs .  The vagus nerve (responsible for innervation of the heart) is located right next to the   Activation of the vagus nerve is common in GI settings because "The vagus is also called the pneumogastric nerve since it innervates both the lungs and the stomach."
  Any GP should know this but too many don't.  But I DID sleep at a Holiday Inn last night.  (Not sure if you UK guys will get that joke).

[greendave]

This is really interesting as this is my main reason for tracking down this site as I am convinced that there is a correlation between my PVC's and my stomach
Back in 1981 as a perfectly healthy (up to that point) person I ended up in an Ambulance off to hospital where i spent a week lots of tests and nothing wrong with my heart. When I was discharged the consultant said to me that sometimes smoking and alcohol could produce the symptoms of a heart attack.
My GP prescribed beta blockers and 27 years later is still the offer which I refuse as they do not agree with me.
Thanks for all the comments as it has given me new ideas to follow up

dave

[mamamia624]

This has been so interesting to read. This summer I was diagnosed with LPReflux--and my PVCs were the worst they have been for a long time. I often feel the most irregular heartbeats after I eat--especially if I eat too much or eat too much fat. So if indeed that vagus nerve is close to the heart mechanisms--or however it works--that makes perfect sense. For now I am doing lots of Omega 3s to help with the PVCs and it seems to have worked.