Tell Me About Your PVCs - Heart Rhythm

by Sunshine47, Dec 29, 2007 02:44PM

Well you have lots of questions but I can try to answer the best I can,
I have had PVC's and PVC's for 37 years minus 6 of those due to RFA. They now have returned but not the SVT's (Thank God)
2. After 6 years of being free of them I have about 10,000 a day. WOW!!!
3. Yes, I don't talk about it when I do because when I think they are gone I get a big case of them. Mind over matter.
4.Sugar, Caffeine, Large meals are my big ones.
5.Lying on my left side, sitting after eating, bending over too fast.
6.Very Bad, I can't tell if it does or not since I have them so often.
7.I was born with a heart defect. I had 2 A-nodes instead of one. I had 5 flaps of skin grown over my electrial path and I had it ablated and am looking at another ablation soon.
8. Not really. Pregnancy was not good on me, but when I was having my babies I did not have one PVC or PAC.
9.Actually exercise makes mine stop.. well I say stop it could be that I am not sitting waiting for the next one.
10.Many times. Everyday for the last 4 months especially.
11.NO
12.Yes. Atenelol and now Metropolol. I can't tell much diference. I also take Xanax with it. The Atenelol helped for years but stopped and it slowed my heart rate down very slow. The Metropolol is not working I don't think as good as the other.
13.NO
14.Ihave found nothing and if you haveany suggestions please HELP!! I have cut out things that I know that triggers it but nothing ever makes them stop.

I am so tired of these things that I would love to have a normal body. I hate them. They scare me after all these years and I am aware of everyone of my heratbeats. It stinks. I want to be free forever from them. I wish there was a cure I would do whatever it takes to stop them.
Hope I have answered some of yoru questions.
Karen

by tomah, Dec 29, 2007 03:07PM

1. How long have you had PVCs?  about 15 years

2. On average, how many per day? at least 100's! I also have PACs and palpitations.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? I don't know if I don't have any at all, but there are times when I don't feel them.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? I haven't figured out a trigger yet.  I don't drink caffeine or eat chocolate and never drink alcohol.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? stress, lack of sleep - but I get them regardless of what I do, it seems.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Yes, I have GERD, but I don't think it aggravates my PVCs.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? I currently have a blocked coronary artery which has created collaterol vessels on it's own.  But, I've had PVC and PACs longer than I've had the blocked artery.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? Mine were always worse the week before my period, and got really bad when i was going throgh the beginning stages of menopause.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? They seem to get worse when I first start excersing, but if I keep on a routine, sometimes they get a little better.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? Yes - and a recent event monitor showed a run of 8 that may have been atrial fibrillation.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? no

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?  I used to take atenolol and now am on 50mg of Toprol XL.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? no

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  Sometimes a xanax will help - I don't know if it lessens the number of PVCs, but it helps me worry about them less.

I'll answer below too.  I think it will be interesting to see how people respond.

by Momto3, Dec 29, 2007 03:29PM

1. At least 30 years (wish I could say I'm only 31.....lol)

2. A handful post ablation, some isolated, bigeminy, nsvt, but with no frequency; pre ablation was having at least 20,000/day

3. Yes, I do now!

4. Caffeinated sodas were definite triggers for me.  No Pepsi, Coke or Dr. Pepper : (
    MSG and anytime I had a gastro flare up from spicy, oniony, oriental, greasy foods.

5. Sleep deprivation and anxiety were big triggers for PVC's.  Other times, nothing at all would precede major "storms" of PVC's.

6. No

7. I have valve disease (MR), but no know CAD

8. When I was having a lot of PVC's, hormonal fluctuations were catalysts.  I know they were active during pregnancies because my GYN is the one who kept insisting I see a cardio.

9. My PVC's used to improve with exercise, but as soon as I was back to a normal resting pulse, they were back..

10.  Lots of periods of chronic bigeminy, trigeminy.  Thousands of couplets; frequent bouts of NSVT.

11. No pacemaker or ICD?

12. I have taken Inderal, flecainide and rhythmol.  The Inderal worked for many years, and still does for flareups.  The SCB's helped a lot, but I didn't like the side effects.

13. Hormonal fluctuations used to aggravate the PVC's

14. What helped me most was FINALLY believing that they were benign.  This forum has been a HUGE help to me.  Just knowing that other people were dealing with the same issues was like "medicine."  I'm still careful what I eat (asian food is a gamble, but I love it; fast food only on occasion; better sleep habits).  Reading and relaxing had no effect on the PVC's when they were frequent.  I find great comfort in being able to use a BB as needed.  It is like insurance in my pocket, but not something I have to rely on daily.

Great idea anacyde!!

by dbranden, Dec 29, 2007 04:42PM

To: anacyde

1) I've had PVC's since my 2 ablations for IST in 2003--so for almost 5 years.
2) I only get 15-20 per day unless something triggers my bigeminy, then I get lots more.
3) No
4) Alcohol, too much sugar, coffee
5) Bending over, squatting, laughing hard, cold air, getting angry or overly upset will give me bigeminy for several minutes.
6) yes and yes.
7) No
8) Yes. I developed IST as a result of pregnancy
9) Worse with exercise until I get my HR high enough that it outpaces the PVC's.
10) Bigeminy, couplets
11) No
12) Toprol XL. I feel them less strongly.
13) GERD
14) A daily vitamin, Gatorade, lots of prayer!

by anacyde, Dec 29, 2007 05:01PM

1. How long have you had PVCs?
I've had the atrial ectopy since I was a child, and the PVCs came on the scene around age 17.

2. On average, how many per day?
Anywhere from zero to 200.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
For years at a time they vanish, but when the come, wow, they are relentless.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
Caffeine triggers both PAC/PVCs.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Sitting hunched forward, laying on my left side too quickly after getting in bed, rapid changes in position (also true for PACs).

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
Yes, and yes.  When I have particularly severe GERD flare-ups, I notice far more ectopics.  I suspect the vagus nerve is a roleplayer here.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
I had an enlarged heart following (and due to) my second pregnancy, though amazingly I had no PVCs during that.  Had plenty of unrelated PACs though.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
Pregnancy caused my PACs and PVCs to flare up in the early weeks, around 12 weeks, again around 26-28 weeks and once more following delivery.  PVCs tend to occur with periods, PACs tend to occur mid-cycle.  There are no hard and fast rules on this, however.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
It depends on what kind of mood they're in lol

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
I have no proof as of yet, but I suspect ventricular couplets.  I know I have atrial couplets and supraventricular tachycardia.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No.

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
No.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
They keep testing my thyroid, but it keeps coming back totally normal, so no.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
I love my tibetan singing bowl, it's so awesome.  Regular exercise and just staying active as to be focused on other things.  Yoga is pretty awesome, though I wish I had more time for it.  And this forum!

by Ihatepalps2, Dec 29, 2007 05:17PM

To: anacyde

Great idea!!!

1. How long have you had PVCs?  about 18 years

2. On average, how many per day? Some days I may just have a few. Other days--has to be hundreds.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? Yes...but..Im fooled too, because I will think Im having a good day--and will ( out of habit--) take my pulse..and I will feel the skips and jumps--even when I cant feel them myself.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? Well, I have cut out EVERY drop of caffeine- but once in a while, I will gamble and eat some chocolate..I love it sooo much...but very rarely have any..thats a big trigger for me. Anything spicy..with MSG as well.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? For me, a BIG trigger is just simply EATING! I can be having zero palps...and I will eat a regular meal, and within moments after eating...they are suddenly there...fast and furious. Its horrible. Also fear--and my ever present General Anxiety.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Ive never been formally diagnosed with GERD....but I do have heartburn on occasion...I think it does aggravate PVCS, but I do not know why.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? After much testing, absolutly no heart disease at this moment.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?   I can tell when Im PMS-my palps will increase. I did not have ANY palpitations during 3 pregnancys...but the first time i had them, was in the hospital after the birth of my last child, 18 years ago. I actually experienced my first panic attack that same night--I didnt know WHAT was going on with me that night, but it was the start of everything!

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? They do disappear--briefly. For example--I take the stairs DOWN, every night at work. Thats 72 steps. During the trip down, no palps. The walk to the car. No palps. I get in the car, heart pounding a bit, but regular rhythm....but as it slows....they come back stronger than ever...jumping all over.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? I do not know what some of those terms mean---but I know I have bigeminy and trigeminy...and probably couplets too....just not sure....

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? Nope

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?

Yes. Im on 100mg Atenolol, for years now. I still have tons of palps...but I just think of how many I would have if I WASNT on the Atenolol. I have major anxiety issues ...so I am on Xanax---like someone else here said, Xanax doesnt lessen the palps...but it lessens my terror when Im having them.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? Not sure....dont think so.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  Well, coming here makes me feel alot better...doesnt lessen the palps, but relaxs me a bit. This, and the Xanax. I pray nightly that my palpitations will go away. They do affect my quality of life....I get so Tired of worrying about them.

by SassyLassie, Dec 29, 2007 05:28PM

1. How long have you had PVCs? They started when I was in my early 20's, not many then even though, just a few episodes, then, for about 20 or more years, I did not have any, then, after my mother was stricken with her heart attack and we were in and out of hospitals so much, they started up again in 2004. Since 2004, I have had them on occassion, sometimes have gone many months without any, my biggest flare up has been this year since April, I have noticed them a lot more.

2. On average, how many per day? zero to 3 a day

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? Yes, many times, as I said, I can go weeks and months without any, then, bingo, here they are again.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? Caffeine, chocolate, water if I drink a lot. Actually, anything if I over do it as it makes me full, and that will trigger the flops.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? STRESS, ANXIETY, WORRY, bending down, lying down on my left side, sometimes nothing, they just decide to show up.

6. Do you have GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Yes, I have GERD, mainly felt only in my throat, and YES, I definately feel they aggravate these things. I think they may also be related to having a hiatal hernia, cause when that acts up, so can the flutters.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease No

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  Yes, the first two days of my period, I will definately notice more, especiallly when I lie down, I have never been pregnant, so, I do not know. I think hormones play a big part in having these, and also going through menopause or peri-menopause

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise, or are they about the same no matter what you are doing? Well, I really have not had many while exercising, mainly just a "dropping in my tummy" feeling when I exercise, if that even. They are never worse.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? I think I have had bigeminy and trigeminy, I am not sure about the couplets or triplets. I may have had NSVT only once when I was in my early twenties going through lots of stress, my heart beat super fast for a few seconds then calmed down, I have not experienced that since, praise God.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVC's? No

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVC's? No

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs? Prayers, reading about others on this forum knowing I am not alone, chiropractor treatments, acupuncture and cranial sacral, CoQ10, magnesium, Carnetine, iodine, and a good "B" vitamin. However, most of the time, nothing, they scare me so badly, that I absolutely go nuts even if I feel just one little "blurp" Also, depends on my mood, if I am in an upbeat mood, they do not bother me as much, if I am depressed or anxious however, watch out, I am really scared them.

by anacyde, Dec 29, 2007 10:47PM

I find it interesting that a couple of people have mentioned eating as a trigger. That's a big one for me too, and I'm curious as to why.

by sueinns, Dec 30, 2007 06:25AM

1. How long have you had PVCs?

Have had them infrequently for years but only became bothersome after a bout with the flu one year ago.  Also have SVT which is way worse.

2. On average, how many per day?

I'm not really sure but I have them all day.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?

Sometimes but this is getting to be less and less.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?

Definitely alcohol or eating a big meal.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?

Anxiety provoking situations like being late for an important meeting.  Post-exercise.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?

No GERD.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?

No.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?

No.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?

Sometimes it's hard to exercise but definitely worse post-exercise 95% of the time.  When running, I need to stop quite a bit to catch my breath.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?

Trigeminy and SVT.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?

No.

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?

Metoprolol but could not tolerate this.  Then Cardizem which worked really well for about 4 months.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?

No.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.

Except for the dizziness, they don't bother me a whole lot even though I feel them most of the time.  When I'm having an episode of SVT, I take deep calming breaths and this seems to help.

by topinka, Dec 30, 2007 11:28AM

To: anacyde

1.How long have you hed PVC? Since 1993 that I know of and went to the Dr. Was put on rhythmol because I was so worry about them. I guess it helps there is monthes and days I don't feel anything. But then there is days and week there all the time. The Dr. told me rhythmol will not stop them completely.
2.On a average they seem to be all the time in the thousands and every day. This time I have had them for 6 days off and on.
3. Yes I have episodes where I have none or at least I don't feel them. Its been 1 year and I had none now I'm back to every day all day and night. So I worry because I forget how they feel.
4.I don't know of food or beverage that triggers them maybe sweets or I'm going to cut that out.
5.none

by topinka, Dec 30, 2007 11:43AM

To: anacyde

Sorry about that I push enter.
6.No I do not have GERD
7. No structural or heart problems heart disease that I know of from my ck up in may 2207 which was a echo and stree test.
8.Yes I think they increase with shifts in hormones. I started having them after my last pregnancy. I had trouble having my baby and they gave me something and what every it was I think started my PVC
9.My PVC disappear with exercise or when I'm moveing on a fast pace day.
10.No I never experienced bigemint. trigeminy,couplets, triplets NSVT, VT
11 No I do not have a pacemaker or ICD
12Yes I take Rhythmol I think it helps or I would hae a lot more
13.I have a non cardiac conditionthey thought thyroid but that was normal. DR. said 10% don't know why they have them. I think they run in family my dad has them his two sister and there daughters have them.
14.Going to the Dr. or calling him and telling me not to worry he's not worry one week I called him twice and he told me the same thing.He is not concern. I have high anxiety and stess. It seem when I'm high stress I don't have them but then when I'm not I have them.
I know I want them to go away there taking over my life.
At least I'm not alone and its interesting to read about other people having the same problems.

by dolfnlvr, Dec 30, 2007 12:15PM

Nice thread.  Here goes...

1. I've had PVC's for 7 years...since the birth of my first child.

2. I have been clocked at 1500 per day, but that's during a bad run.

3.  I don't know if I ever have "No PVC's at all"  but I have periods of time when I don't notice them at all.  I love those times :-)

4.  Caffeine triggers mine.  And the occasional red wine will as well.  But usually they just show up when they want to.

5.  If it is really hot outside or if I'm sick or have not gotten enough rest the PVC's are MUCH worse.

6.  I have a hiatal (sp?) hernia which is controlled 100% by Prilosec.  I got this after already having had PVC's for 4 years, so I wouldn't say it is a trigger.

7.  I do not have a structural deficiency or heart defect of any kind.  Though, while going through all the tests required for this mess I was told I had an atrial wall aneurysm.  This means that the wall between my two atria moves slightly when my heart pumps.  I was told that 90% of the population has this, but it's never found because it is not abnormal :-)  (So why call it an aneurysm and scare me to death???)

8.  That time of month is most definitely a trigger for my PVC's.  So yes...hormones affect them. But, when I was pregnant I had NONE!!!  NONE!!!!!!!!  Then, when I weaned my babies they hit like a wall of bricks!!!

9.  More exercise increases my PVC's.  But I think it is a fatigue factor more than a heart issue.  When I do too much it makes me physically tired, and if I don't get enough rest it causes my PVC's to act up.

10.  I have had issues with bigeminy, but it's all mixed in with the rest of it.  I also have issues with short spurts of SVT--thank GOD they seem few and far between.  Finally...I suffer from vasovagal syndrome which causes my HR to drop to as low as 11 beats/min when I pass out.

11.  No pacemaker or ICD.

12. I take 12.5 mg of Metoprolol daily.  Seems to help.

13.  No other health triggers known.

14.  SLEEP helps and I take Magnesium and fish oil supplements (but I think they are purely placebo)

8.

by poohbear2026, Dec 31, 2007 11:45AM

1. How long have you had PVCs? I have had them on and off for about 15 years

2. On average, how many per day? Holter caught over 3000

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? At least I don't feel them some days

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? not sure

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?any kind of stress or worry

6. Do you have GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? yes and yes I have an esophageal stricture that has been stretched twice

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heartCongenital heart disease? no

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  yes

Pregnancy - health risks affect your PVCs? I had hardly no pvc while pregnant

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exerciseAerobic exercise? don't know I am too scared to try.
Aging and exercise

are they about the same no matter what you're doing? yes

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? I think so but only one or two couplets have been documented

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication
   to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? I have been on beta blocker, Ativan, Paxil and lexapro.  Some help but not completely.

by Uboat, Dec 31, 2007 02:32PM

To: anacyde

1. How long have you had PVCs?
6 years.

2. On average, how many per day?
On a really good day, couplets two or three times an hour that go away by noon, rest of the day palp free. On a bad day, episodes of Afib throughout the day lasting up to 2 hours with 2 to 3 hour intervals.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
See #2

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
A heavier than usual lunch can do it, also caffiene, of course. Drinking something ice cold sometimes will trigger a mini PVC episode lasting up to a minute.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Poor sleep and stress.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
No GERD. I've got a cast iron stomach.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
Heart is structurally normal. Actually my last treadmill and ultrasound were better than three years ago.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
My hat's off to the ladies. I can imagine how bad and scary that could be.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
They go away with exercise. When I'm having a bad run of palps, I go for a brisk walk and they go away...for a while anyway. they always return

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
Mostly runs of couplets, but the afib episodes are the ones that really scare me.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No. My 83 y.o. mom has had one for 20 years. She still gets Afib occasionally.

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
I'm on Toprol 100mgs, Digoxin 0.25mg. It doesn't do the job as much as I'd like. One day I skipped the meds and learned a lesson. I'd be miserable without them.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
No.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
I take Fish Oil, I think that helps. I've tried anti-anxiety meds but don't like the side effects. What helps keep me going is the assurance by my cardiologist that new ablation treatments are in the pipeline that will cure this, finally.

by warrain, Dec 31, 2007 05:22PM

1. How long have you had PVCs?
25 years at least.

2. On average, how many per day?
Sometimes none noticed, some days every few beats day and night for several days.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
See #2

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
Not sure. Can go for weeks having a coffee a day and a few teas without any noticeable PVC's.  Too much sugar may be a trigger.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Poor sleep and stress.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
Yes I do, possible aggravates PVC's.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
No, have been checked by Cardiologist.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
N/A

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
Sometimes can get worse with exercise.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
Not to my knowledge.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No and no family history of heart disease.

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  No, only occasional Diazepam to help with anxiety.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
No.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  Stay off caffeine (although not sure if this is beneficial) and anything sugary.

by anxiousheart79, Jan 01, 2008 02:38AM

1. How long have you had PVCs?
diagnosed with PACs for a year, felt them for about 5 yrs
2. On average, how many per day?
3000-4000
3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
yes, sometimes for months on end i could have none at all
4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
I honestly dont know
5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Dont know
6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
Yes, I have GERD, Sometime i think it does affect my PACs
7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
none at all
8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
MALE
9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
I feel I have more when I exert myself
10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
not that i know of
11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
no
12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
I take metoprolol. Ive been on it for 2 months now and i feel no change
13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
Recently my Dr. found a cyst on my thyroid. Im still going for tests to see what it is
14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
I have not, to this day, found anything to help me. My anxiety gets worse with my PACs. The only thing i do is try to think of my cardiologist saying they arent serious which doent really help because I feel like they are serious and I some how always end up thinking the Dr.s are missing something.

by Barbarella, Jan 01, 2008 02:48PM

1 - 45 yrs
2 - thousands
3 - Yes
4 - None
5 - emotional stress, lack of sleep
6 - Don't have GERD
7 - No heart disease
8 - never had an effect on me
9 - either way, sometimes during exercise, sometimes not
10- All of it except for NSVT+VT
11- No
12- For a short time (Xanax) it made them three times as bad, never again.
13- No
14- Losing the fear of it and TRUSTING what the Cardiologist told me that they wont kill me

by deedle1976, Jan 01, 2008 04:13PM

1. How long have you had PVCs?
At least 13 years but only very few until pregnancy last year.

2. On average, how many per day?
During pregnancy- 2000ish
After pregnancy -500ish
On acebutolol- 20 to 30 or less.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
Not sure. Perhaps the occasional day.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? Caffeine

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? Nervousness/excitement. Viral infections.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? N/A

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? No

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? Started getting thousands per day in pregnancy last trimester) Only ever had a few PVCs per day before that and used to ignore them.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
The same with exercise but increase during sleep (probably due to slow heart rate). Holter showed 100 per hour during sleep reducing to 30 per hour after wakening.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? Bigeminy, trigeminy, nsvt. Don't think I've had VT but I had a sustained arrhythmia last week that has yet to be identified.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? Acebutolol gave me an approximately 90% reduction in frequency.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?No.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
Reading the statistics about PVCs helped relieve the anxiety, and this website.

by Barbmag, Jan 03, 2008 02:50PM

I have some questions to see how others measure up.  Just thought it might be an interesting thread for people to understand each other a bit.

1. How long have you had PVCs? I am 62, with MVP and I have had these 'skips' for years and years, but they have gotten much more numerous recently.

2. On average, how many per day? 100's-1000's w'sustained ones too.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? There are hardly any days now where I do not have any at all..I can not rem any, actually!

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? Can not pinpoint any, but I do not do caffeine, alcohol, cigs, and try to eat healthfully.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? Don't know.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Don't have it.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?No.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? I don't rem having any trouble w/pregnancy's but that was so long ago!

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? Stay the same..I never know from one min to the next.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? Yes

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? No

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal. I wish  I had a whole list of things and I do take vitamins, extra magnesium, fish oil, drink lots of water, exercise....I have tried meditation but my mind will not stop long enough to do it.

Thanks for these great questions~~~

by iggleexx, Jan 04, 2008 08:34AM

I am 38

1. How long have you had PVCs? about 4yrs

2. On average, how many per day? holter stated about 1500

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? not that i have noticed

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? chocolate if  I eat to much ...caffine

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? stress..anxiety..even if i'm relaxed  they come all the time

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? no gerd

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? yes....congential heart disease...I have had 4x bypass 09/2003, mycardio infractions

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? not that i have ever noticed

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? scared to exercise to find out had a 3 beat tac when I had my last stress test done in 4/07 did'nt feel it but showed up on ekg...nurse freaked ..scared the heck out of me..

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? holter said i had a few couplets ..not sure the difference my heart just always feels like it is fluttering all day..I do feel the premature beats they said i have from holter...

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? no

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? I was on toprol xl at 50mg aday before the pvc complaint and now they lowered it to 25mg aday as I have bracardia down to 33pulse at sleep...seems to help with the lower dose of toprol xl

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? no

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  xanax seems to help if i take it ..they want me to take it 3xaday I take it as needed...I also avoid drama...and try to stay to my self more...I also try to just be happy ...

I hate having these feelings all the time ...I just dont understand why i have them ..I think that after I had my bypasses that this is what has triggiered them...I have read that when they do bypass some of the muscles and fibers that they cut / fiddle with can cause pvc pac's after a procedure like this..they are calling it benign at this point ...EF is 55/65

by suesouth, Jan 06, 2008 12:17PM

To: anacyde

   I have some questions to see how others measure up.  Just thought it might be an interesting thread for people to understand each other a bit.

1. How long have you had PVCs? 20 years

2. On average, how many per day? over 8,000 PVC/PAC's

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? rarely

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? Alcohol, caffeine, overeating

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? lack of sleep, stress

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? yes

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
yes, just had stent placement in LAD, still have blockage (80%) in D1
8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? Yes, worse since my cardiologist stopped my HRT treatment

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? about the same

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
all of the above (The VT may have been an artifact (they weren't sure)
11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? Yes, it helps (I take toprol xl 50mg in morning and 25 mg at night.  when I have a bad episode I taken 25 mg of metroprolol and a ativan 1 mg.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? not that I'm aware

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  I meditate, use vitamins supplement (fish oil, flax seed oil, multi, b complex, CoQ10), exercise 5 days a week  ...but still they persist!!!!

by iamfaithful, Jan 07, 2008 11:21AM

1. Started in May of 07-May 11 to be exact
2. Not sure how many per day-maybe 1-5 on a bad day-but back when it first started I was getting lots of them.
3. Not sure If I'm not having PVC's or I'm just not FEELING them....but I will take what I can get :-)
4. I think salty foods, sugary drinks or food and caffeine, but I haven't had that since May...well, I have had some chocolate, but haven't really noticed anything after I indulged.
5. STRESS and ANXIETY are my main triggers.  I can be thinking of something that will stress me out and a few moments or even hours later I can feel the PVC's.  Hormonnes and lack of sleep contribute to them.
6. I have GERD, but am on medication for it which helps tremendously, but I have noticed that gas makes them worse.
7. No
8. OH MY WORD YES, YES AND YES!  My hormones make my PVC'S awful.  The beginning of my cycle, middle, end, a week after or before-you name it.  I thought I could pinpoint it, but they changed up on me.
9. I don't exercise as much because of the fear of my PVC's so I'm not sure.  I did walk yesterday and I was fine.
10. Can someone exlpain what these are exactly?  I don't know if I have had them or not.  I know sometimes I get the flutters and then other times I get the flip flops that FREAK me out....are those couplets?
11.NO
12. Yep.  I'm on 25 mg of metoprolol daily and Xanax as needed
13. No that I know of...been tested for Thyroid problems.
14. PRAYER and lots of it.  I read the bible, inspriational/success stories of people  who have overcome anxeity.  The message boards help a lot-the folk on it giving great advice.

by iamfaithful, Jan 07, 2008 11:21AM

1. Started in May of 07-May 11 to be exact
2. Not sure how many per day-maybe 1-5 on a bad day-but back when it first started I was getting lots of them.
3. Not sure If I'm not having PVC's or I'm just not FEELING them....but I will take what I can get :-)
4. I think salty foods, sugary drinks or food and caffeine, but I haven't had that since May...well, I have had some chocolate, but haven't really noticed anything after I indulged.
5. STRESS and ANXIETY are my main triggers.  I can be thinking of something that will stress me out and a few moments or even hours later I can feel the PVC's.  Hormonnes and lack of sleep contribute to them.
6. I have GERD, but am on medication for it which helps tremendously, but I have noticed that gas makes them worse.
7. No
8. OH MY WORD YES, YES AND YES!  My hormones make my PVC'S awful.  The beginning of my cycle, middle, end, a week after or before-you name it.  I thought I could pinpoint it, but they changed up on me.
9. I don't exercise as much because of the fear of my PVC's so I'm not sure.  I did walk yesterday and I was fine.
10. Can someone exlpain what these are exactly?  I don't know if I have had them or not.  I know sometimes I get the flutters and then other times I get the flip flops that FREAK me out....are those couplets?
11.NO
12. Yep.  I'm on 25 mg of metoprolol daily and Xanax as needed
13. No that I know of...been tested for Thyroid problems.
14. PRAYER and lots of it.  I read the bible, inspriational/success stories of people  who have overcome anxeity.  The message boards help a lot-the folk on it giving great advice.

by SassyLassie, Oct 31, 2008 05:39PM

To: MomTo3

I am going to post to this article, hopefully, it will bump it up to the beginning, I had forgotten this post, it is good, and I feel great for all of us that have forgotten its contents or for those that have not seen it.

Thanks Momto3 for the link.

Susie

by Skippi, Nov 01, 2008 07:52PM

To: sassylassy

oh, thank you for bumping this one up again! Hadn't seen it, always so re-assuring to read about others, and that we are not alone! Helps more than any medications!!!! here my answers (nothing new really :):

1. How long have you had PVCs? 13 years

2. On average, how many per day? varies, from 6 to lots and lots and lots

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? well, not really, but I consider having 2 - 3 "no PVC's"....

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? Coffee, Alcohol, anything spicy, white bread with lots of chemicals in it, pizza with homemade dough (yeast!), vinegar based sauces

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? tiredness, stress, fear

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Apparently I have GERD (no symptoms, but a barium meal showed very free reflux). YES, it triggers PVC's galore, so I do watch very carefully what/how I eat, which helps. Slipping up at times of course :( I envy "normal" people who can drink coffee to stay awake, or have a glass of wine to relax....

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? No

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? YES, 1 week before my period, I have more and during too.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? not sure as I am too scared to really exercise....it freaks me out. I walk, but avoid running or am freaked out to have to go up hill in a hurry, etc....lots to do with anxiety of course.... I do yoga, which is great!

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? have couplets and triplets, don't know the others? one night I had continuous ectopics, when lying down, not when sitting up, what do you call those? CONTPVCS?

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? Sotocor Beta Blockers (low dose). they help with my anxiety during bad episodes, not necessarily with pvc's. sometimes pvc's go away with them too, so I love having them with me, wherever I go! My insurance too of not going insane!!

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? No, docs have checked my thyroid 1000times by now, nada! I'm skinny and they look at me and think, thyroid! well, it's NOT!

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal. Magnesium/Vitamin B6/not to think about them all the time (yeah right!)/avoid stress/drama in your life (yeah right)/accept them, they are there to stay!/this forum, love it! pls find a miracle cure for these "bastards", I hate them. I'm not scared of dying anymore, I'm scared of living at times, like that! But mostly, I'm ok... so soldier on!

by coribell, Nov 01, 2008 09:43PM

To: anacyde

I cant believe so many people have this problem like i do they are new to me and im scared all the time but im thankful im not alone how do i get past the fear?anyone?

by Skippi, Nov 01, 2008 09:58PM

To: coribell

well, I don't think you will ever go past the fear, sorry to say that. You can however learn to better cope and to accept. When I have them particularly bad, I get scared, I know it's not going to kill me (well, so far it hasn't:), but it makes me utterly miserable and depressed at times. You learn to appreciate the "good times", and to appreciate life as such really. The beta blockers help me immensely. Mind you, I don't take them a lot (up to 5 times a year!), but just knowing they are there helps. I admire people in this forum who have them all the times, how on earth do you guys cope!!!!

by jondsam, Nov 01, 2008 10:27PM

To: Fellow PvC'ers

1. How long have you had PVCs?
For 4 years
2. On average, how many per day?
I have about 5000 a day on a holter monitor for 24 hours
3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
No, never
4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
alcohol, coffee,coke-cola,sweet tea
5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
lack of sleep, anxiety, stress,
6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
NO
7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
NO
8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
Im a man
9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
Tend to subside with exercise but dont disappear.  Pvc can be dangerous with increase of heart rate.
10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
I have couplets many times and they scare the **** out of me
11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
NO
12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
NO
13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
NO
14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
Omega 3, For some reason when I take Zocor it helps
I'll answer below too.  I think it will be interesting to see how people respond.

by RNRita

, Nov 02, 2008 03:42AM

1. How long have you had PVCs?  31 years

2. On average, how many per day?  Anywhere from 0 to THOUSANDS

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? Yup

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?  Eating too much is definitely a trigger.  I don't think any food gives them to me.  When I have them, certain foods may SEEM like they are making them worse.  Oh, and alcohol gives them the next day, but I think that is the dehydration.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?  Stress, anxiety, antacids, proton-pump inhibitors

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Yes, and yes.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? No

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?  Yes, and pregnancy made them much worse.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?  About the same, mostly.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, no.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No.

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? I take beta blockers to decrease my high resting heart rate.  They do NOT help PVCs.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? Probably.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  Not thinking about them.  Cutting back on my beta blockers.  Magnesium.  Not taking anything for my poor GERD.

by SassyLassie, Nov 02, 2008 01:56PM

To: Everyone

This thread is great, I wish there were some way we could keep it at the top, that way, newcomers could see it and post their experiences as well. Any ideas on how to "clip" it to the top?

I know it has sure helped me. We are not alone in this.

Hugs
Susie

by Momto3, Nov 02, 2008 03:00PM

It's great to see this thread being active again. I agree, it's really comforting to know we're not alone. I'm so glad you guys kick-started this thread. MH does not generally pin a general thread, but there is a way we can keep it going. When it is inactive, go to the "post comment" box and type "bump." That will keep it active.

by coribell, Nov 02, 2008 04:13PM

To: everyone

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone here your comments has helped me so much.My doc believes i have mvp and have taken a cardiogram and get the results the 13 this month.

by Me967, Nov 02, 2008 04:21PM

1. How long have you had PVCs?   ~7 years.

2. On average, how many per day?  Not sure.  I feel my own heartbeat all the times and get chest pains about every 10 minutes (some little some really big zaps).

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?  Not anymore

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?  carbonated drinks, alcohol and eating too much.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? sitting splotched over, worries, and pains/spasms.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?  No.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?  Not really.  I have an aneurismal atrial septum and my last echo this year showed a 50-55% EF.  The size of my heart is actually smaller this time. Go figure.  LOL  Was told my heart beats really hard.  Oxygen level is riding about 92 now.  Ya.  Was told it was alright.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?  Monthly issues yes, they are stronger.   Pregnancy I wouldn't know.  Not in the picture for me.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?  This depends on the type of exercise.  Treadmill, they are ok during but then bad ~10 - 20 minutes later.  Cutting grass is very bad.  I have to take a lot of breaks.  The pains get very bad.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? Not sure what these mean.  On EKG's (not that they count much) a lot of times I have a lot of  small P waves without the QRS.  They say that has to do with an incomplete block.???  Don't think there worried though.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?  No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?  I take Lopressor twice daily and diuretics.  I know if I miss them in the AM or at night because my heart feels like it's going to bounce out of my chest.  Though for the last year it seems my BP and HR are going threw spells where they are high one week and low the next.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? Yes.  I'm hypothyroid, low sugar, low iron, low calcium and high cholesterol.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  I take an low dose aspirin daily, vit. E drops.  The thing that really seems to help is reading on here that other's are going threw the same thing and that it's not going to kill me.  LOL  I try to ignore it as much as possible.  The embarrassing part is grabbing my chest in pain and having to explain to others in the world that it's nothing.  LOL

by julesluvsdrew, Nov 02, 2008 04:32PM

To: everyone

I have had pvcs for about 10 years
On average I would say I have 100-1000's
I cant remember a day where I didnt have any
I honestly dont have food or drink "triggers" I have them when I drink caffeine or dont
Non edible triggers are,lack of sleep,eating too much,or when I get excited,AND STREss
I DONT have GERD
I dont have any structural heat problems and as far as I know no heart disease for now
Dont have any kids so cant answer that,and no hormonal problems yet,am not 30 yet
Exersise can cause me to have pvcs during AND after
Have experienced SVT,NSVT,couplets,bigemeny and VT but never passed out
No pacemaker or ICD
I take beta blockers for high blood pressure,they have no effect on my pvcs ect
Not sure if my high blood pressure effects my pvcs,I would say more then likely!
Cutting my beta blocker from 50 to 25 mill at night helped me not have the bigeminy

by SassyLassie, Nov 02, 2008 09:52PM

Bump. Let's try to keep this near the top for all to see and for any newcomers.
Hugs
Susie

by may67, Nov 03, 2008 08:47AM

To: all

1. How long have you had PVCs? 4 years

2. On average, how many per day? don't know, some days none, some days ALL day

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? yes

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? caffeine, alcohol, msg. BIG meals

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? stress, laughing hard, bending over, sitting to standing quickly, during and after exercise...particularly during recovery, constant bigeminy after walking far.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? No

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? No

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? Diagnosed during pregnancy. Much worse symptoms pre-menstrually and during period

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? worse during and just after exercise

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? bigeminy

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? no

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? no

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? no

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal. magnesium supplement, omega 3 (only just started taking these) and have just started acupuncture

by may67, Nov 03, 2008 08:48AM

To: all

Forgot to mention tiredness and gas as aggravators of my PVCs.

by SassyLassie, Nov 05, 2008 03:57PM

Bumping again for new folks.
Susie

by SassyLassie, Nov 10, 2008 02:23PM

I think I will bump this one more time in case anyone wants to read it or post in it.

by Larua, Nov 11, 2008 07:48PM

Thanks for bumping this thread.  I just found you and it's just what I needed.  Family is tired of hearing about it, and I can't blame them.  So here are my answers..

1. How long have you had PVCs?
I was diagnosed in Feb 08, but I now know I was having them for years.  Feb 08 was the first time I had an EKG - I was in trigeminy.

2. On average, how many per day?
Varies from almost none to 1200 an hour all day.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
Yes - Went for two weeks in September with none.  It was wonderful.  Then they slowly came back.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
Haven't noticed any.  Tried going without all the usual - caffeine, etc.-made no difference.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Again, haven't noticed any.  They seem independent of what I am doing or feeling.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
Nope, don't have it.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
Not that I know of.  I do have a pectus chest deformity.

8.  Don't know about hormones. I've been on the pill for years.

9. Exercise seems to help.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?

Trigeminy often, including once when hooked up to a bedside monitor for 3 hours and I could watch my oxygen saturation go down every third late beat.  And in the beginning I had to wear an event monitor for a month (stressful device!) and I had a near fainting episode that was recorded as 7 missed beats.  Neither the doctors or the monitor company believed it.  They said my lead must have come off for 7 seconds (and then apparently spontaneously stuck itself back on!).  I know it didn't.  Luckily I have not had another episode like that since.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No.

12. Re: Drugs -Tried metropolol every day for awhile - and it worked for two weeks by making them less noticeable, and then they came back same as before. I guess as I got acclimated to the drug.  It gave me insomnia, so I stopped taking it.  Now I prefer wine.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
No.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
Reading forums like this!  I really don't feel anxious.  On the contrary, they make me depressed.  I was suicidal the first month, after that near fainting episode that no one would believe.  I was alone when it happened.  Well maybe I was anxious - I was really afraid to be alone after that for awhile, figuring no one would find me until too late if I collapsed.  Anyway, I used to take pride in my health (never took sick day).  I still don't take sick days, but I don't feel healthy.  I feel old and broken (I'm 45). Thanks for letting me share.

by SassyLassie, Nov 20, 2008 10:02PM

BUMP

by jondsam, Nov 20, 2008 11:58PM

beat beat BUMP

by richvetter, Nov 21, 2008 12:41PM

It's interesting that I have seen no acectotal evidence that anyone has ever gone into cardiac arrest due to PVC's. These stories only confirm that.

They are extremely annoying, but not life threatening!

by SPetteway, Nov 22, 2008 01:27PM

I'm a 62 yr. old woman who is experiencing skipped heartbeats.

1. How long have you had PVCs?
For two months.  Had "flutters" when I was in my 40's and have experienced "racing" in my late 50's.

2. On average, how many per day?
Started out being all day, now down to occasionally.  I have some good days where I have very few.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
Not since they started two months ago.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
Caffene and chocolate.  I drink decaf, but still notice it brings them on.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Definately stress, overeating, indigestion.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
No, but do have heartburn occasionally.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
Congenital MVP

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
Did not have them then and have been off HRT for years.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
Disappear when I walk, which I try to do at least 1 mile a day as fast as I can walk.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
I'm new to this, so I don't know what most of those are.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
No

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
Could have a thyroid problem as readings are up and down.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
Reading about others experiences, deep breathing, walking.  I'm also taking Magniesium, CoQ10, Fish Oil and eating a banana a day, also drinking V8 midday.  These suppliments have helped decrease the episodes.

Right now I don't have insurance, so I am waiting until I do before I go to the doctor.  I've had the tests, Echo, ECG, Holter Monitor for the MVP and racing heartbeat and all were normal, the MVP was said to be mild.  The last Echo was probably 4 years ago.  If anyone has tried to get private insurance, you know what I mean.  I'm afraid of setting myself up for a "pre-existing" condition.  While I've been healthy, up to now, LOL, it's unbelieveable what insurance companies will deny you for.  I was denied because I had a partial knee replacement !!   This all started after our insurance ran out, plus a few other stressers.  I do believe it was brought on by stress, now I just have to figure out why I'm still having them.  If I'm not thinking about them, meaning, if I'm busy doing something, I don't have them.

This would be my question.  If stress is a factor, why don't they go away when the stressful situation is resolved?

by Barbmag, Nov 23, 2008 09:16AM

To: all

1. How long have you had PVCs?
I am 62, and have had PVC's and PAC's fordecades. Use to have tachy but had an ablation in '93. The PVC's seemed worse after that.

2. On average, how many per day?
Too many to count with episodes of bigeminy, trygiminy, etc....these episodes can last anywhere from minutes to hours. V scary.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
Well, yes like right now, I am not having any but they tend to be frequent during the day. Few days where I have none at all...in fact, I can'f rem when that would have been!!

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
Can not seem to pinpoint any triggers at all.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Again, can't seem to find what triggers them. I wish that I could!!! I lead a healthy lifestyle and have tried to not do things that would trigger them.

6. Do you have GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
Don't have this.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heartCongenital heart disease
epression and heart disease?
I have been diag. with MVP...a long time ago.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones/
Back when I was hormonal, I don't rem the PVC's being more numerous.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise?
About the same.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
Yes, many, many times. I can have these every day, some lasting hours.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
I have tried a couple of BB's and also Varapamil. I am currently on Toprol XL 50 mg. I can not see a decrease in the number of PVC's., really.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs?
No.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?
I do take supplements, like fish oil, drink lots of water but no  matter what I do, they seem to be a constant in my life.

This is a great forum, super people here and what a great set of questions!! Thanks much!!!

by Skippi, Nov 24, 2008 05:21AM

bumpedibump

by matt_s, Dec 04, 2008 08:25PM

i am new here, thanks in advance for help.

1. How long have you had PVCs?
I am 47 and had them since teenage years

2. On average, how many per day?
typically 5-10, however a couple months ago I had an episode of 1000's a day for 3 days.  I went to the emergency room twice, had multiple tests, diagnosed with benign PAC's.  Over the past couple days I had another episode, not as severe perhaps 50 an hour.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
yes

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
I suspect GERD, although latest episode seems not related.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
stress, anxiety, and the self fullfilling circle, stress-> anxiety -> PAC's -> more anxiety -> more PAC's

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
yes, perhaps

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
no

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
???

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
no

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
Xanex which helps

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?

no

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.

No, I am looking for help.  During the attacks I am not able to function, I am worried about work and just being able to function.  Anymore attacks and I will go nuts, I know the PAC's are harmless, but they throw me into a depression.......

by cathyw911, Dec 05, 2008 09:07AM

To: anacyde

This is a great idea!
1. I am 51 and was diagnosed with PVC's at about 19, but I'm pretty sure I had them before that.
2.  Sometimes I don't feel any; other times, like this past week - constantly all day.  I would guess about 15 per minute at my worst times.
3. Yes - love that!
4.  Alcohol, Asian food, caffeine.
5.  Laying on my left side, sometimes laying on my back (most nights I lay on my right side).
6. No.
7. Not until this past February when I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse
8. Yes!  Birth control pills seem to really help.
9. My PVC's disappear with aerobic exercise.  At times like now when they are bad, they will come back about an hour or so after exercising.
10. Not that I know of.
11. No.
12. No.
13. I'm guessing hormonal imbalance since birth controls help.
14. exercise, laying on my right side.

by Zachs, Dec 06, 2008 12:18PM

To: anacyde

Greets! Maybe some of my senarios & situations could put some of you at ease with this life quality robbing condition that seems to strike without rational cause or warning. I know from experience that PACs PVCs have put my life on hold for months at a time, and being constantly aware of my bodily functions ever so exaserbates this condition!  In my opinion, these sensations I feel throughout the day, even more so in the evening/night has caused a circumference of fear!!  It takes many months to finally convince myself that there's nothing wrong, and I have to move on, or else-- ****-it!  I wish I could someday find the "lightswitch" that destroys my courage, confidence, and trust of my own body which entraps me in a never ending loop of fear-- fear of dying that is.
I'm a 32 year old intellectual male, married, 2 kids, living with my parents on a family investment property we had all bought together back in 2003 to flip/remodel, but all of us have been very stressed because of market conditions which are postponing our financial goals.
I'm going to fill out this questionaire in detail which has enspired me greatly. I appreciate those that have participated in this as it's helped me find a sense of normality within myself living with this.
1. How long have you had PACs and/or PVCs? -- off and on for 15 years. "WHO'S FLIPPING THAT SWITCH?!?!"  :)  even though in my early years being aware of skipping heart beats, and looking back on what I've experienced, is that when I first expereienced them while trying to rest, especially during a nap mid-day because of fatique/stress/physical exhaustion-- all job related I'm presuming.  I would feel them in 2 beat successions, one soft beat, then one hard beat continuously for minutes at a time, and then subside. It would do this on/off for 30 minutes or so until I finally reached sleep. That was the flopping/fluttering/vibrating sensations in my early statges. Now since I'm older they have changed intensity somewhat.  I don't have the sensations as much trying to sleep at night or taking a nap, which is good for my sleeping, but now I experience lurching and thumps without warning, which has scared the dog poop out of me here latley.  I'm know the physiological properties of a PVC, and the scariest part is the 'pausing' or 'resetting', then WHAM!  I've had these for the past 8 years so so now.

2. On average, how many per day? -- It really depends on the situation. They're uncontrallable you know? Some days PVCs every hour or 2 all day, more so at night after dinner while trying to relax and watch the news/tv, etc..  They will come without warning, and if I'm obsessing on how I feel, it sends me into a full panic resulting in spells tachycardia (120-150 BPM) and high blood pressure (160+/100+)-- anxiety realated I'm presuming.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? -- Yes! I wish they were more often latley to give my mind and heart a rest!!!

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? MSG, Aspartame, Caffine, Fast Food, and I'm assuming anything that makes me feel guilty! :)  Extreme hang-over will send me into tachycardia & PVCs

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? Nicotine from smoking cigarettes sometimes, and then again depending on the situation. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning I can't feel my heart beating because I'm so relaxed and that even scares me. I'm used to feeling my heart beat all day, and I wonder why I'm not feeling it anymore, and then anxiety kicks in. Before I know it I'm having a panic attack in the shower. I rarely experience PVCs during tachycardia from panic, but sometimes in real crisis, I do have a few jolts during tachycardia.  Sometimes streching my legs and arms causes increased heart rate, and of course a racing mind triggers just about every imaginable arrythmia you could experience.  I've noticed as well during non-exerted sexual activity 'foreplay' where I get a overwhelming sense of passionate/intimate feelings, I expereince abnormal rhythm's, and sometimes PVCs.  Weird...  They've happened right before orgasm as well..  Reading up on the hearts functions or reading materials realated to my condition "factual", scares the heck out of me.  I do have non-anxiety symptoms as well.  Sometimes anxiety/tachycardia triggers the PVCs, and sometimes PVCs/tachycardia trigger the anxiety.

6. Do you have GERD , and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? -- Yes. When I've eaten a larger meal than normal, or if I have indigestion, acid reflux, or pressure it seems I can feel the PVC's more, and also creates anxiety which leads to more PVCs, tachycardia, paranoia.  The loop of fear. ANNOYING!!..

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? -- Not that I know of.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? -- I'm an active person, but I do not do cardiovascular exercise as I should. Sometimes I fear of over exterting myself in that I'll have a bad episode of PVCs and die instantly. Then again anxiety kicking in!  I have not noticed any significant difference in PVCs resulting from excercise or exertion or occur because lack of, or too much of, or being active or not active.

10. Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? -- Yes, NSVTs probably, where I've had 5-6 PVCs in a row which is very scary and annoying. I'd say I've only had about a dozen episodes where this has happened.

11. Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? -- No

12. Do you (or have you ever) taken  medication to help control your PVCs? If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? -- No.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems?) - Not that I know of.  I have had my blood checked for possible abnormalities of potasium, calcium, & magnesium. They were normal, EKG/ECG were normal.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)? This can be meditation, vitiman supplemets anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  -- I"m still on the path of finding the ultimate heart skipping stopper, or should I say I'd rather have the skipping beats if I stay alive?  They are extremely annoying, and scare me half to death most of the time.  I have been taking it easy here lately. I've cut all all nasty foods, fast food, sodas with caffine or stimulants.  No foods containing MSGs or Nitrates (lunch meat/bacon etc), I still smoke though, but I'm only alowed 10 cigarettes a day.. That has helped too.  I drink about 4-6 16oz bottled waters a day, take nutrilite daily multi-vitamin, twice a day. (morning/night).  I take a daily regimine of Asprin just in case, usually take the Asprin at night before bed because it does help with blood pressure, almost a 10 mm/g drop before rest.  I've also cut way back on drinking alcohol, as I was drinking almost every day.  I didn't drink everyday and get drunk, but I was getting more drunk than I wanted to sometimes.. Lets say my lifestyle hasn't been the best one... But I can think of other lifestyles that would for sure have killed me already.
A big learning expereince for me.  In my opinion, PACs, PVCs are merely symptoms of stress & anxiety.  The constant bombardment of adrenaline & cortisol to the heart and body does some weird things.  Though I don't think it's immediatly life-threatening, but I would have to presume that if some intervention is not exercised that it could lead to less length and quality of life, which *****!   Hope this helps!  Zach

by SassyLassie, Dec 07, 2008 10:20PM

I have been reading this since I bumped it to this page. It is so interesting to see how many of us experience almost the same symptoms and triggers. I guess that goes to show us that they ARE indeed benign and nothing to worry about. However, if you are all like me, you WILL definitely worry, it is normal as any strange feeling in your heart will cause fear.

by SPetteway, Dec 13, 2008 07:01PM

I noticed that a poster mentioned Asian food as one of her triggers. I don't eat Asian food, mostly because it's too salty, but was talking to my oldest son and he said he has to be careful where he eats it because some contains a lot of MSG and that messes with his digestive track. I remember seeing possible triggers listed, and MSG was one of them, which could be why Asian food is causing problems for some people.

by kane3, Dec 14, 2008 01:15AM

1. How long have you had PVCs?
I have had PVC's around for 35 days or so.....

2. On average, how many per day?
It has ranged from 1 or 2 noticable PVC's to hundreds even thousands of noticable PVC's

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
I have had 2 or so noticable PVC's in the last week.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
I believe when I drink sports drinks like gatorade, chinese food, and spicy food as well, caffeine and alcohol.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Stress, depression, anxiety, and so far i believe sports related (high intensity)activity.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
Not that I'm aware of, but will be soon. It's a possibility

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
Not that I'm aware of, waiting for a whack of results to be finished...

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
Not a lady, but my fiance had noticed some "flutters" while pregnant.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
As of right now..I believe worse with exercise. They seem to appear at a high heart rate and somewhat knock the wind out of me and force me to quit what I'm doing at that time. Its a touchy subject for me, since iv'e just put some of the peices of the PVC's ive been experiencing, happens with the exercise. I love physical activity.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
Ive experienced couplets and triplets, but rare. Seem to ignite with a high HR when exercising

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
NO

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
I haven't. But if they continue to get worse..the topic is up in the air for me. Side affects from what Ive heard can be nasty. But i'm always down for trying. Ive already felt the lowest point in which i feel, so really how bad could it be..

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
No that i'm aware of...but i will know more as time goes on

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
Light exercising, walking, medications such as xanax or ativan, (sometimes they seem to contribute with the pvc's, but relax my nerves), SLEEP IF POSSIBLE helps, company, and talking to great people on here!!

by Mrs_Spock, Dec 14, 2008 08:28PM

To: Tell me about your PVCs

1. How long have you had PVCs?    Many years but more consistantly in past 8 weeks

2. On average, how many per day?  approx 2000-3000

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?  yes, occasionally

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?   not sure because even when  I stay away from typical triggers, I still get them.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?   same as #4

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?  no

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? only mitral valve prolapse shown by echo with a little aortic regurg

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones? NO How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? never had them then

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?  I think when I consistantly workout, it was fewer...not sure

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? Yes, many times

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? I've been taking Lopressor 100mg bid and Avalide  for blood pressure for years but doctor just changed to Cardizem 180 mg 1 qd but I don't think I will stay on it because I think it was a little better with Lopressor

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
I take Synthryoid but I don't think that it's a factor
14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.   No sure what really helps.  Thanks for the participating in this forum.  It has been a tremendous help to me to read about everyone else.  I know that I am not in this alone.
Merry CHristmas to everyone,
Jeri

by SassyLassie, Feb 01, 2009 01:53PM

To: ALL

"Bumping" for those who have not seen this. It is a great thread.

by Johnbo34, Feb 01, 2009 02:59PM

1. How long have you had PVCs?  Just had them spotted a little more than a month ago.

2. On average, how many per day? Not quite sure yet. The 48 hours picked up 6 or 7 PAC and PVC's

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? I would bet so.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? Not sure yet

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? Not Sure Yet

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Havent been Diagnosed, but suffered from Acid Reflux for years...I bet I do have GERD.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? No

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?  N/A

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? I would say they do not exist with exercise. I had a Nuke Stress and there where 0 PAC and PVC's

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? No

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? No

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? I Might..still under testing.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal. Try  not to think about them right now. Although I think Anxity gets the best of me soetimes :P

by Wisconsin2007, Feb 01, 2009 09:47PM

To: all

1. How long have you had PVCs?  Back in '99

2. On average, how many per day? Depends.  Most days it's less than 10.  Once in awhile it's closer to 10,000.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? Yup.  Quite a few.  Probably months at a time.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? While I have food/beverage triggers, I think they are all secondary to stress for me.  They can make my PVC's worse, but if I haven't had any PVC's in awhile, I can consume large quantities of all my triggers without a problem.  Anyway - chocolate, alcohol, caffeine.  The usual suspects.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? Stress is my biggest.  Kinda wish it WAS edible.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? I do not have GERD.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? No

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?  N/A

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? I'll sometimes have some "transitional" PVC's as I ramp up to a full effort, but once I'm humming I usually don't have any.  I also don't usually have them afterward.  Beyond the scope of a single exercise session, in general they decrease the more exercise I get.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? Yes to bigeminy, trigeminy.  Not sure about couplets, triplets and VT.  Might have had short runs of NSVT.  But then again, it may have been SVT or PSVT.  That's what's being tested right now.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? No meds so far.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? No.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  All of the things doctors recommend have worked for me at one time or another.  Long-term exercise (exercising once may make it worse, exercising for a week usually makes it better), any kind of meditation.  Haven't taken any anxiety meds, but might consider it.  Haven't really tried any vitamin supplements.  Of particular importance to me are two things:

Lemon Balm Tea - Could be placebo effect, but that works for me about 96% of the time.

Minimal mental engagements - because ongoing stress is such a big trigger for me, one thing that works well for me are simple mental engagement outside of the activities that cause me stress.  Playing with my kids in a setting where I can't just zone out and worry works great for me.  Something that just engages my brain enough that it can't focus on the other stuff.  A day of that and I'm usually right as rain.

by SassyLassie, Feb 14, 2009 06:49PM

I just read some posts from some folks here regarding PVC's what causes them and what helps. I am bumping this post to the front as I think reading this will be of some help. Too bad we cannot paste it here permanently.

by judymarie47, Feb 16, 2009 04:06PM

1.24 years
2.depends on the day i'm having
3.yes
4.caffeine, chocolate, pop, too much sugar
5.STRESS AND ANXIETy
6.Yes i have GERD and yes i think it makes my pvc's worse
7.no
8.yes i think menopause is a biggie and so is right before period time
9.about the same
10.couplets holter monitor caught two of em
11.no
12.yes and i think it helped some
13.no
14.xanax, inderal and verapamil and prilosec if it's brought on by eating wrong and this site decaf tea and going for a ride in my car

by NIKOLE_RENE31, Mar 06, 2009 10:33PM

To: anacyde

1. How long have you had PVCs? SINCE I WAS A CHILD (31Y0 NOW)

2. On average, how many per day? MORE FREQUENT IN PAST 4 MONTHS (NEVER COUNTED BUT GUESSING 20-100 A DAY)

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? NOT SURE I ONLT CAN COUNT FOR THE ONES I FEEL

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? CANT SAY I SEE A PATTERN BUT WHEN I EAT LARGE MEALS IT IS MORE FREQUENT
CHOCOLATE A TRIGGER TOO

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? STRESS!!!!!!!!!! TIREDNESS

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
YES AND YES!!!
7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? NONE NOTED

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? I GET THEM MORE FREQUENT WHEN CLOSER/DURING  MY PERIOD

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? ABOUT THE SAME.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? NOT SURE NONE NOTED BUT I DO GET THEM 1-3 TIMES IN A ROW BY FEELING THEM

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? NO

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
NOT YET
13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? NONE NOTED

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal. RELAXATION, DISTRACTION, WHEN I AM OCCUPIED OR AM NOT SO STRESSED I NOTICE THEM VERY LITTLE SO I DONT KNOW IF I HAVE THEM AND DONT NOTICE THEM OR IF I REALLY DONT HAVE ANY
HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT!!!
I'll answer below too.  I think it will be interesting to see how people respond.

by kazak, Apr 20, 2009 10:55AM

1. How long have you had PVCs? 3 months

2. On average, how many per day? about 30

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? since it started only two or three days

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? none

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? lack of sleep, 12 hour work shifts

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? no

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?  no

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? yes they disappear, maybe one or two max but normally go away for rest of day after exercise

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? no

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? no

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? atenolol no change

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.

by greatfoxmusic, Apr 20, 2009 09:55PM

Hi there, 35 yo male here..

1. How long have you had PVCs?
Since I was maybe 20-21, on and off.  The thing is, out of nowhere last year I had a butt-load of SVTs all night and then through half the next day.  Since then, they have been consistently coming back.  Before this episode last year, I was able to drink cokes, tea, all that, with no palps..  for years!!  Then all of a sudden, they're back worse than ever.  You got me on that one, cardiologist says that happens.

2. On average, how many per day?
A couple PVC's (I assume they are, those extra beats and then the big BEAT).  Lately some small SVTs, maybe 1-2 a day of those on average..  They freak me out bad.  :(

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
Yes, I have runs of normality but then they all come back.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
I think caffeine, sugary drinks, alcohol.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
STRESS.  My stress level has been directly proportional to my palpitations.  It's a total bummer, wish I could quit my job!

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
Nope

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
Not according to the tests last year.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
I'm not sure yet.  I feel better with exercise but definitely they make the palps worse sometimes..
What will set them off more times is a bunch of getting up and sitting down.  After enough of that, my heart will skip.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
Not sure.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No.

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
Yes, my doc put me on beta blockers.  Atenolol definitely helps when I get SVTs and stuff all in a row.  I take one and it works in an hour or so.  I only take the BB when a bunch of skips happen and I get really crazy.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
Not that I know of..

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.

I wish there was something....
I really do.

Doc tells me there is nothing to be done about my PVCs and SVTs.. he says ablation won't work because there is not a single point they can ablate.  It's like a whole portion of the heart making these.  I'm not sure what to think of that.

But anyway I'm getting palps worse again these past 2 weeks again, so I guess I will try some other remedies like vitamins and such.  Maybe something will help.

Until then I try not to freak out, but sometimes I do anyway.  I hate this.

by SassyLassie, Apr 21, 2009 02:34AM

I am glad this was brought to the top again, it is great for those that are new. :>)

by FightThePower, Apr 28, 2009 03:17PM

To: ALL

1. How long have you had PVCs?
Maybe 2 years

2. On average, how many per day?
Many, hundreds

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
Yeah, morning and day are usually much better than night.  When I go to sleep, it's a nightmare.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
Not sure.  I still drink caffiene.  During caffiene intake i'm ok, at night I guess when the caffiene is wearing off is when they start.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Don't know.  Lot's of stress in my life.  I try to exercise a lot.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
I have GERD, don't know how it effects though.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
Not that I know of.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
Ima dude.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
They disappear with exercise.  Exercise is a great way to reduce them too.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
I don't know what that stuff is :)

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
I take beta blockers, toprol, I think it helps a little.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
None that I know.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
Exercise helps.  Magnesium and fishoils help.  Walking around helps, or getting a little active.  Not thinking about them helps.  Being completely satisfied with death helps.

by tntspecialties, Jun 06, 2009 02:13AM

To: PVC's

I'm 37 years old. I'll make this short as I can. I think I have PVC's. For several years (8) I have had these heart flutters. They feel almost like a quiver. But over two years ago, after my second daughter was born, I listened to my heart with the stethoscope that was sent home with our baby and was able to hear what was going on. My heart will be beating and then pause, then pick back up with a harder beat. And what is odd to me is that when I'm having an episode, I can cause it to do it by taking a deep breath. Don't know why. Sometimes I will have them for several minutes. They usually happen when I exert myself but not always. Fish oil seems to help if I take it regularly and lay off the regular coffee. I believe PVC stands for Pre Ventricle Contraction. I wonder though if maybe it’s a leaky heart valve or something. Thanks for any information.

by Amethyst1974, Jun 07, 2009 09:31AM

To: anacyde

I am 35 years old, female, 202 pounds, white.

1. How long have you had PVCs?
Since I was in my twenties I use to feel one once a year. In 2007 I became aware of them. This year (2009) they are more frequent.

2. On average, how many per day?
Last month (may 2009) I did a 24 hour Holter. I got 187 PVCs, 22 bigeminy, 31 PACs a day. I was only aware of one. The others I wasn’t aware of.

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
Yes (or maybe I get them but I am not aware of them)

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
Since I became aware of my PVCs I cut coffee and tea from my diet. Also junk, salty and spicy foods.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Anxiety, STRESS.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
No

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
I was diagnosed in may 2009 with mild Mitral Valve Prolapse with mild regurgatation.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
My PVc’s are more frequent from ovulation till the day my period ends. I have no children.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
I do not exercise (I am afraid)

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
Bigeminy and VT (*****)

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No.

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
Since a week ago I am taking Bystolic (nebivolol). It helped me with the tachycardia and the high BP. But I still get the PVCs and I am now more aware of them.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
In 2005 my husband and I underwent hormone treatment to become pregnant. It failed and I got an hormonal imbalance. I gained 77 pounds. Between october 2005 and october 2007 I dropped 55 pounds. I still get 2 or 3 hormones that are not in balance.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
Meditation, reasurance, this forum (you guys) and a lot of prayers

by Me967, Jun 07, 2009 10:56AM

Cool.  I haven't seen this post in a while.  I answered this last year.  Since then:  I now have diabetes but was wondering...... "on question #8 For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? "

My answer was:  Monthly issues yes, they are stronger.   Pregnancy I wouldn't know.  Not in the picture for me.

I wanted to update to say I also noticed now it seems to be worse ~ 9-12 days after the last day of my monthly.  I havent seen anyone else yet mention this though until today.  hmmm

Catch ya all later.

by RNRita

, Jun 08, 2009 05:07AM

To: All

1. How long have you had PVCs? 33 years

2. On average, how many per day? From 0 to thousands

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? Yes.  I even count days where there may be one or two because most people have them anyway.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? Alcohol....the NEXT day.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? stress, position, and sometimes nothing at all.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Absolutely.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?  no

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?  They increased during my second pregnancy.  I hadn't had them yet during my first.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? It depends...on what? I don't know.  Sometimes they get worse during, sometimes in the recovery stage and sometimes don't happen at all.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? Yup

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? no

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? Atenolol.....It makes my heart beat a little slower which feels better for the tach, but no change in PVCs.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?  IBS, GERD

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  Xanax helps my anxiety, but I am absolutely positive that magnesium helps my PVCs.  Unfortunately, it also gives me diarrhea....( I found that Prilosec, Aciphex, others helps my IBS, but give me PVCs...I'm a wreck!  lol)

by Amethyst1974, Jun 14, 2009 08:01PM

To: anacyde

Bumping

Amethyst

by Barbmag, Jun 15, 2009 04:17PM

To: RNRita

I noticed that you said the magnesium gives you diarrhea....have you tried using Mag. Oil?? It's has never given me the dreaded diarrhea and I use it twice a day at least for the PVC's...google it.
HTH!!!

by Jackie1980, Jun 15, 2009 08:00PM

To: All

I am a 28 y/o female

1. How long have you had PVCs? about 3 months

2. On average, how many per day?  I have no idea actually..It varies day to day

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? No, some days are better than others but I get them everyday and have for 3 months straight now.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?  I don't know actually..I get them all of the time. I don't think that food has anything to do with it, but I could be wrong.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? Bending over, anxiety, panic attacks, taking deep breaths, yawning, laughing, laying down at night.. the list goes on.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? No, I don't think that I do.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? yes, I have mild regurgitation of all of my heart valves..I just found this out.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? It has started with pregnancy actually..I have never gotten them before. I found out that I was pregnant and then 1 week later they started and they haven't stopped since.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? To be honest I have avoided exercise since they started so I really don't know!

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? I have supraventricular tachycardia.. I have no idea what else is going on in there. Sometime I get a bunch of PVC's in a row.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? No, since I am pregnant I haven't taken anything.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? Not that I know of

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal. Taking in  extra potassium and magnesium, praying, paying attention to other stuff and keeping my mind off them..(Which is hard, but works sometimes.)

by coffeesbreak, Jun 16, 2009 04:32PM

I am a 39 year old female

I am glad I found this website. I have been really scared about PVC's since I started having them. Although the doctor says they are begnin, I have an appointment for a second opinion. Internet can be scary when looking things up. I also have chest pain and shortness of breath sometimes. Anyone else have that?

1. How long have you had PVCs?
I started having them in Feburary of 2009.

2. On average, how many per day?
I would guess hundrends

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? No, somedays I may have a few and other days it may be 100's

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
I can drink caffiene some days and other I don't but I am not sure it makes a difference. I am still trying to find out what triggers it.

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
I am assuming stress is one, although I do not think I have stress all the time.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
No, I do not have GERD

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
No, I have not been diagnosed with anything.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
I have 2 children before PVC's came on. I do notice they seem more frequent right before period, but then again, they seem to be ongoing now more than ever.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
To be honest, I am scared to exercise, afraid my heart can't take it.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
I am sure I have, but have not kept track of them. Doctor is sending my transmissions from wearing event monitor and I can see then.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
The doctor precribed Metaprolol and at first it was a low dose. Now I take 50mg twice a day, but that does not seem to help.

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
No

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.
I have found nothing helps. If I am busy,  I do not notice tham as much, but nothing I have found makes them go away completely.

by Amethyst1974, Jun 18, 2009 04:48PM

To: anacyde

bumping

by Bonneaus2000, Jul 13, 2009 06:12AM

I have some questions to see how others measure up.  Just thought it might be an interesting thread for people to understand each other a bit.

Newly diagnosed :
I am a 35 year old female,
1. How long have you had PVCs?  since April 2009
Prior to dx I would feel an occasional flushing in my chest, then one day I had many. I work in a hospital and went to the ER.  Everyone since thinks it is nothing.  It has changed my life and made me think I am falling apart.  Someone above said it well... "old and broken"

2. On average, how many per day? Holter showed thousands per da

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? Not that I notice without meds..  The beta- blockers take them mostly away.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?   Not sure?  I am and haven't been a drinker or heavy cafeine drinker.  1 cup coffee a day and occasional wine. (both in studies are triggers?)

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Stress and anxiety?  I am an OR nurse type A/B personalilty.  We built a house last year, I work 4 days a week with two kids and a busy schedule...  I believe all the stress lead me here.

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs? Very interesting because prior to my PVC's I was getting heart burn... a lot!  Never had these gerd symptoms prior other than pregnancy and it went away.  I feel this is a link..

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
Had an echo and I show a perfect structure.  I have a stress test next month to show my activity during excercise to ease my anxiety.
8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?  I felt very intense stress prior to my cycles over the last couple months, almost severe.  I was on a birth control pill that I had been on for years and felt it wasn't working right anymore.  I have stopped it.  But I do believe hormones also have a link.

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? Haven't really excercised but I think they in the beggining started after excercise.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?  All three showed on my holter.

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? no

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? Started on Metoprolol worked then stopped.  Now Atenolol and it is working but has been a couple weeks.  I am feeling a few throughout the day despite the med, but they are livable.  I was really not able to have them every couple beats all day.  I had the neck pulsing and the heart flipping.  I was really sensitive and crazy!!!!

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? No, I have mild asthma and the betablockers have been a bit noticable, but not unbearable.

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.  The betablocker and more than that this bolg is wonderful!!  Thankyou!

I'll answer below too.  I think it will be interesting to see how people respond.

by Karenowen, Jul 14, 2009 05:30AM

To: everyone

1. How long have you had PVCs? 3 years started after having postnatal depression

2. On average, how many per day? not sure per day, but 3-10 per minute

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all? no

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers? after eating is worse

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers? anxiety

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease? no

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs? after preg. started with postnatal depression, worse during ovulation, period

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing? not sure

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT? bigeminy, trigeminy

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD? no

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change? no

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)? no

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.

by Lisa33167, Aug 01, 2009 10:04AM

To: Tell Me About Your PVC's

I found this thread and thought it was great and wanted to bump it for all of us "newbies".  by anacyde, Dec 29, 2007 02:17PM

I have some questions to see how others measure up.  Just thought it might be an interesting thread for people to understand each other a bit.

1. How long have you had PVCs?

For as long as I can remember; just didn't know what they were until recently. I've had 3 doctors tell me nothing was wrong with me; their EKG's showed different.

2. On average, how many per day?

24/hr Holter - 54,181 very frequent complex ventricular ectopys with bigeminy & trigeminy.   2 runs of NSVT, 2 couplets, 3 triplets, 2 atrial contractions.  Rare atrial ectopy

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?

I used to have breaks, but the past few months to a year no breaks; past few months it's been 24/7

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?

I haven't found any

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?

Anger - causes my blood pressure to fall and my HR to raise drastically

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?

no

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?

The doctors say I have a "normally structural" heart - Echo says this:
Mild Tricuspid insufficency
Trace Mitral valve in sufficency
Mild Concentric left ventricular hypertropy
EF rate of 55%
Dilated left atrium with normal left atrial pressures

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?

No

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?

They worsen with any type of physical activity - I get more of a squeezing/crushing type chest pain

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?

My 24holter said: 2 runs of NSVT, 2 couplets, 3 triplets, 2 atrial contractions
My stress test: Frequent pvc's - 2 PVC couplets and 1 PVC triplet [4:55]
QRS segment of PVC's narrowed substantially with exercise, widening again in recovery (180 ms to 80 ms)

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?

No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?

I took 1 dose 25 mg Toprol, which dropped my BP and HR and ended up in the ER
bp stayed 70/40 HR 41 - will not take any more

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?

No

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.

Nothing

by jean-francois, Sep 08, 2009 09:46AM

1. How long have you had PVCs?
5 Years

2. On average, how many per day?
From 1 to 1000's

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
Yes, its episodic, random.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
One day I can drink 3 coffee and be fine, the next half a cup and sever PVC's

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Hot Shower, Bending, severe stress (anxiety), emotional shock

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
YES YES YES YES !!!

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
No

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
I'm a man :P

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?
Worst AFTER exercise.

10.  Have you ever exeprienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
Scary huh ? !!! Oh yea

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?
Beta-Blockers (Monocor) keeps my HR down after PVC's

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
Mitral Prolapse

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.

They come and go no matter what I do, but recently I've read alot about the link between GERD and PVC's im goign to try this approach.

by itdood, Sep 08, 2009 12:48PM

1. How long have you had PVCs?
About 35 years (I'm now 41).  I noticed my first one when I was very young, perhaps 6 or 7 years old.  Back then it was very very rare.  I knew I felt something rather odd.  As the years went by I got them more and more.  They were first caught when I was 35 during a stress test (during recovery).  That's when I tied it all together.

During my 30s I would get 2 or 3 episodes/year of about 200 per day that would last 2 weeks or so. I went 4 years in my late 30s with none.  Then in January 2009 I got my worst ever, pretty much constant in the 1000s for about 9 months so far and mostly at night when I laid down.  That kicked off all my recent testing and med trials.

My father had an acute MI when he was 42, transplanted in 1988.  He's still doing well.  Ever since then, I've been hyperaware of my heart and I will be 42 in November.

Recently I stopped getting recovery PVCs, right around when I started taking a statin (zochor 10mg).  There was a recent study that suggested this relationship.  Before starting zochor I was at 240 for cholesterol.  At only 10mg zochor once per day I'm down to 165!

2. On average, how many per day?
From 0 to 1000's

3. Do you have episodes where you have absolutely no PVCs at all?
I used to, they seem to be a part of everyday life now.  In the past 6 weeks or so much improvement and right around the time I got off all BP meds and started taking a quality mag supplement.

4. What is your list of food/beverage triggers?
Chocolate and red wine  :`(

5. What is your list of non-edible triggers?
Lying down

6. Do you have GERD, and if so, do you think it aggravates your PVCs?
Yes.  I went as far as to get a colonoscopy and endoscopy.  Everything was normal except for a Hiatal Hernia.  Not even any erosions or barrets from the gerd.

7. Do you have or have you ever had any structural heart problems or heart disease?
No.  Confirmed on EKGs, 2 stress Echos, 2 nuke stress tests, and most recently on a cardiac MRI workup.  I had the tests from when I was 35 (very little PVCs) to now (very many) to compare, and myself nor my doctors can see any structural or electrical changes in my heart.  The cardiac MRI was ordered to rule out ARVD due to family history of CAD and I'm Italian.  No ARVD detected.

8. For women, do your PVCs increase with shifts in hormones?  How did pregnancy affect your PVCs?
I'm a dude... :)

9. Do your PVCs disappear with exercise, become worse with exercise or are they about the same no matter what you're doing?

They disappear with exercise.  Confirmed during a stress test.  In my mid 30s I used to get recovery PVCs but no longer the case since I started a statin (zochor 10mg) in March.   Recovery PVCs are more worrisome according to more recent studies (funny, just a few years ago it was the opposite).

10.  Have you ever experienced bigeminy, trigeminy, couplets, triplets, NSVT or VT?
yes, couplets scare me the most.  Have not had any nsvt ot vt...yet

11.  Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?
No

12.  Do you (or have you ever) taken medication to help control your PVCs?  If so, did it help, make them worse or cause no change?

Inderal beta blocer - worse
Verapamil calcium channel blocker - much worse, also made GERD worse which is a known side effect

13. Do you have a non-cardiac condition that causes or irritates your PVCs (thyroid, hormone problems)?
None

14. What have you found that HELPS your PVCs (symptoms/anxiety)?  This can be meditation, vitamin supplements, anxiety medication, exercise - anything that helps you deal.

Xanax helps me to sleep when they are bad at night, at my worst I was taking 1mg before bed.  Now that they are better at night I'm finding it difficult to taper off the Xanax.  I made it down to .5mg OK.  Last two nights tried none and couldn't fall asleep (rebound anxiety).

Since starting a good magnesium supplement, much improvement.  not sure if related or typical waxing and waning.  using Mag Glyscinate and Mag Turate in combonation

Strangely enough, when they wake me up at night, Maalox will make them go away in 20 minutes.  Standing up also made them go away but trying to sleep like that wasn't much of an option :-)



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