PVCs plus head throbbing .. anyone else?

Hi everyone. I've been recently diagnosed with PVCs by my cardiologist. Currently trying to make up my mind if I should get ablation, or go the BetaBlocker route. Anyway, PVCs have been going strong for months, but about two weeks ago I noticed my head is constantly throbbing. It doesn't actually hurt, its just like I can feel my pulse in my head. Its very localized on the back-left side of my head. I know this will sound crazy, but its like my scalp is bubbling in that area, and the rest of my head is doing the same, just not as severe. Also experiencing light-headedness when getting up from sitting or laying down position.

Anyone else out there experiencing similar issues along with their PVCs??? I am curious to know if the PVCs are causing it, or if these symptoms are unrelated. I have a followup with my cardio in a few days ... just hoping to get confirmation from others with the same problem.

Thank you

[deedle1976]

I'm guessing, you must have very frequent PVCs to be considering ablation? There is a forum member here called lol7 who had an ablation about a fortnight ago for very frequent PVCs in the order of 25,000 a day with alot of bigeminy (every second beat). She suffered from lighthededness as a result of her PVCs being so close together.
I'm not sure about the throbbing in your head. Is it possible that you are just becoming more aware of you pulse since having the PVCs? I can feel my pulse just about anywhere on my body if I think about it.

[tcook328]

Hi deddle1976. Yes, they pretty much go all day long. I've been trying to isolate any food or beverage as a potential trigger, but so far no luck. I am concerned about the ablation procedure, but would rather go that route if its likely to cure them, versus taking meds potentially for the rest of my life.

The throbbing in my head is definitely new. Its quite pronounced ... certainly something I never had before, which is why it has me worried. I've read several posts from others who suffer from PVCs and experience a light-headed sensation, but so far it seems I'm alone with this throbbing sensation (sigh).

[bonnytiz]

Hi, I ahve the same throbbing sensation as you have, its not very pleasant, when I first had it I thought it had got to be a brain tumour, I mentioned it to the doc and he said it was fairly common and went with the condition, it seems to be when the PVCs and extremely regular, like every 2,3rd 4th beat etc., I have thousands of PVCs a day and its the head I find the most difficult so reluctantly I have gone onto beta blockers,they havnt taken it off completely but its a whole lot better and I am only on a very small dose so maybe its worth thinking about,I am not going to increase the dose and I can cope like this, I think thats preferable to going down the ablation route at this stage, if b/blockers help why take the more difficult route, just my opinion.
Good Luck

[Momto3]

I have not experienced the throbbing sensation, but can definitely relate to persistent pvcs. Have you asked your doctor about the throbbing?  

In 2003, I had 2 ablations for pvcs (tens of thousands/day) and so far, so good.  It is amazing how weird it felt to have a "normal" rhythm after years of chronic pvcs.  Has your doctor suggested ablation(s)?  If you go that route, be sure to have a very seasoned EP do the procedure.  In the right hands, the procedure can be very successful.  Let us know what you decide.

Have a great day!
connie

[tcook328]

Hi bonnytiz. Like you, I also mentioned the throbbing to my caridologist, but he seemed reluctant to draw a connection between the throbbing and the PVCs. But since its all going on at the same time, I can't help but think its all related, you know? I am encouraged to here that beta-blockers are working well for you. Its been difficult for me to make up my mind if I want to try that or just get the ablation, since I am somewhat anti-medicine. I guess I'm primarily worried about side effects. Have you had any? And if so, did you eventually adjust to them? The doc said if I go that route, he would recommend 25mg of atenolol.

Thanks!

[tcook328]

Hi Momto3. Did you experience any lightheaded sensations or headaches prior to the ablation, and if so, did they go away post-procedure? Also curious to know if you tried beta-blockers first, and what level of success you might have had from them? My doc seems to be leaning towards trying the BBs first, but I'm not a huge fan of the idea of taking meds for years and years, especially if they come with side effects.

Thanks!

[Momto3]

I had occasional lightheadness, but nothing too bad.  

I took beta blockers on/off for many years and had the most success with Inderal.  My doctors were not advocating ablation until I needed to be on antiarrythmics.  I got to a point where I tried taking the Inderal as needed instead of every day.  It worked pretty well for me.  A few years ago, I developed pvc induced cardiomyopathy and needed to take antiarrythmics.  That's when the doctors began to consider ablation(s) a more plausible form of treatment.  The ablations were successful and my EF is back to normal.

[bonnytiz]

Hi tcook, I am taking bisoprolol a b/blocker, only 5mg, they  havnt taken the PVCs away but they are certainly better than they were,I am very anti drugs but I got so fed up with the throbbing head and thought that if a small dose would help it would be worth a try, I have only been taking them for 6 weeks and they are making me a bit more tired than usual but if it stays like this then I will continue to take them. I do worry in case I will need the dose increasing but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I think as Momto says you could take them when you need them but I havnt tried that yet, my doc seemed to think that it was best to take them for a couple of months first then try to take then as required.Its definitely worth a try and if they dont work you havnt lost anything. Best wishes.

[tcook328]

Hi bonnytiz. It sounds like you're saying the bisoprolol has decreased your PVCs. Did it completely get rid of the throbbing head or only decrease it? My follow-up visit with the cardiologist was yesterday and we agreed to start out with a betablocker (20mg of nadolol) instead of an ablation procedure. He seemed reluctant to connect the throbbing head or lightheaded sensations with the PVC, but I just can't help but disagree since it all started around the same time. Do you ever feel any minor, quick pains in your chest? I've had ever test imaginable and they call come back saying my heart is in excellent shape, but nevertheless I have about a dozen episodes of pain per day. They are very quick (about 2 seconds) and typically located in the heart area of my chest.

[u4iachic]

May I ask if you experience PVC's any more, and still experience increases and decreases in amounts.  I had an ablation for ventricular bigeminy, but still get some PVC's daily and am wondering if anyone else is having a similar experience.

[bonnytiz]

Hi again, the b/blockers have decreased the PVCs but sometimes (each day) i get a run of them and at that time the throbbing head starts, so they definitely go together, up to now today I have been fairly good and havnt had the head at all, but at about 5am each morning I seem to have a run of PVCs for about an hour and the head throbs at the same time so I think that that proves it!!
I dont have any pains, sometimes my chest aches, I usually put these things down to anxiety, and if you look on the anxiety forum you will see that lots of people have pains etc.,Try not to worry about it as your heart must be healthy so the pains cant be connected to that.Let us know how the b/blockers work.

[tcook328]

Update: I'm on my third day of Nadolol (20mg beta blocker) and so far so good. Its significantly decreased the PVCs ... to the point where I only have a couple a day. The pain in my chest and head throbbing also seem to have also disappeared for the most part. In other words, this seems to be working pretty well. I'll be convinced for sure after I give it a couple of weeks ....

[bonnytiz]

Hi, great news, i am sure you will continue to feel better, i find the only drawback is feeling tired. I'm having a bad day today due to tiredness which I think is the beta blockers, I'm hoping it wears off as I get used to them, keep in touch.

[marie719]

Hello,  Hope all is well as I am reading your post about five and a half years after your original posting.  Just found this post as I am recently diagnosed with PVC's and am taking the beta blocker for about a week now.  The chest has calmed down somewhat, not gone, but the throbbing is still going strong.    Went for all types of cardiac testing and everything seems normal.  Just as you stated I also have a bad throbbing in my head and it started at the same time the PVC's did.  Looked it up on the computer today because I am starting to feel like the throbbing is all in my head.  My regular MD thinks i'm stressed, I don't agree.  My cardiologist actually laughed out loud today when I was complaining of the throbbing in my head.  Like you I feel there is a connection as they started at the same time.   Where do I go from here?  Want to know how your situation is after all these years have passed.  Are you still having the PVC's and the throbbing?  Was the throbbing ever diagnosed?

[MojoMary]

Yes Yes Yes.  I would describe it as my head feels clogged, stuffy.  I don't get headaches but sometime it throbs.  But mostly feels clogged.  

My cardiologist prescribed beta blockers.  I did get it filled, but never took one.  I just hate the idea of taking meds for the rest of my life.  So for now I am trying to just deal with it.  And, trying to determine what actions, food triggers my attacks.  And what actions I can do to stop them (run in place, do some pushups)  I know I can't cure this, but if I can control it, that is good enough for me.

I do have another post here...where I wonder if my morning routine of a soymilk shake didn't trigger these terrible constant events everyday.  I have stopped drinking soymilk and only time will tell.