Was Rushed To Hospital on Friday - Bigeminy? - Please Help!

[*Robin*]

Hi Everyone,

I've posted here before, so some of you may know that my heart issues seem to be caused by Lyme Disease, and it's co infection, Babesia. Prior to getting Lyme, I was a perfectly healthy 23 year old.

Now, at 25, I have all these heart symptoms.

I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance on Friday morning because I was having constant palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath. It's a miracle that I didn't pass out.

On the ambulance ride there, the guy said that I was having "runs of bigeminy". I have no idea what that is, and no tests that I have had previously have showed that.

Now, Sunday morning, I am still having lots of PVC's. It is truly interferring with my life and I am very scared.
  
I have an appointment with my Cardiologist on Monday, and the doctor at the hospital suggested I go for an E.P. Study because he believes there is a problem with the electrical part of my heart. I told him I have Echo's that were normal.

Does anyone know anything about bigeminy? I'm so scared and confused.

[sueinns]

An example of bigeminy is "beat" "beat"  pause/PVC.  This becomes a pattern.  I have trigeminy in which every third beat is abnormal.

It's good that your echo was fine.  Although they can feel terrible, in a structually normal heart, PVC's are not dangerous.  In most cases they are caused by an electrical problem with the heart.  Having an EP study will give you a more definitive diagnosis.

[Momto3]

In a structurally normal heart (shown by echo), bigeminy is considered benign.  Bigeminy is a common pattern for people with extra beats.  Try not to worry about the bigeminy (anxiety can make it worse).  It is quite likely your doctor will be able to reassure you tomorrow and he/she may agree with the idea of an EP study.  An EP study is a test performed in an EP lab (like a cath lab).  The electrophysiologist tests the patient's heart to see if his/her electrical system is working properly.  Cardiologists see bigeminy and other rhythm patterns daily, and are able to correlates the rhythm to the patient's history and other test results to determine if there is reason for concern. Many times the rhythm is determined to be more of an annoyance than a caridac problem.  

I used to be in bigeminy for many hours every day, so try not to worry.  Hope the appointment goes well.

connie

[*Robin*]

Thank you for your replies.

Would an Echo show if the Lyme has done anything to my heart?

Is it normal to also feel weak with these constant PVC's?

I read somewhere that when you have PVC's in a row, it is considered V-Tach, and you are at risk for sudden cardiac death. Is this true?

Thank you for your help. This is so scary.

[Artaud]

Hi,

PVCs in a row refer to an non interrupted stream of them, Bigeminy is not considered as having V-Tach. Bigeminy is a normal beat and a pvc, such as:

Beat PVC Beat PVC Beat PVC.

VTach would be:
PVC PVC PVC PVC. (Very Fast).

A Doctor's answer from elsewhere on this forum:

"Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is when >3 ventricular beats occur in a row. Sustained ventricular tachycardia lasts for >30 seconds or results in hemodynamic compromise(serious drop in blood pressure).

In the setting of a structurally normal heart NSVT or PVCs do not portend a poor prognosis. Beta blockers are an excellent medication for controlling NSVT and PVCs."

When the Doctor says 3 Ventricular Beats in a Row, this does not refer to a Bigeminal Pattern, this is 3 beats without a normal beat in-between.

Be well.

[*Robin*]

Hi,

Thank you for that explaination.

When laying on my left side, I definitely get more than 3 PVC's in a row. It's so bad that I feel them in my throat and stomach too. I don't notice them being very fast though. They would have to be 3 PVC's in a row, fast, to be NSVT?

[Momto3]

When I have an episode of NSVT, it is as if my heart is tumbling.  There are no "normal" beats for the duration.  

Bigeminy is a pattern like Artaud said, beat, pvc, beat, pvc, beat, pvc......

NSVT is pvc,pvc,pvc,pvc,pvc......For me, it's like my heartbeat is trying to catch itself.  Some people feel lightheaded, dizzy, weak during an episode.  Others, don't notice much more than the rhythm disturbance.

An echo shows the heart's function, wall motions, chambers and valves.  If Lyme affected your heart's ability to pump or function, it should be apparent on echo.  What does your cardio say about the results of the ehoc?

[Barbarella]

Did ever anybody started to caugh real hard when having NSVT?  I have that once in awhile, I cough real hard and the rhythm goes back to normal instantly.  If I don't cough it will last longer.

[tami344]

hi

I am 40 yrs old and I have been diagnosed with PVCS in fact newly diagnosed and right now on my Holter Monitor they showed 14,000 spilling out in 24 hours and lately my energy level has gone done and so tired.  The doctor is trying different meds but nothing is doing the trick and I am having these pvcs with palpitations.  In fact these pvcs are constant and the palpitions are with me daily.  I have been admitted several times over the past month.  These are annoying and getting disruptive in my life.  I have cut down the caffeiene ALOT so dont know where to go with this.  Got any ideas?