What do I have?

[tntspecialties]

I am a 37 year old masonry contractor. Married for 16 years. I have 3 daughters 11, 3 & 1. I have done hard work all my life. So several years ago I started having very bad back problems and have taken alot of narcotic pain meds over the years. I currently take methadone.
My "Heart Rhythm" question: Do I have a PVC? About 10 years ago is when I first noticed my problem and only would have them every now and then. I just thought that they were a "flutter". Then after my second daughter was born (all most 4 yrs ago), I became more aware of what was happening. The hospital sent home the stethascope that was used on our new baby. I had one of my "flutter" episodes and thought, I'll use that to listen. It was then that I heard just what was happening. My heart will be beating and then pause and then kick back in sort of hard. Is this a premature ventricular contraction (PVC)? I don't have thousands a day (that I know of) like the others that I've read about. They seem to come on when I do something vigorous or haven't eaten for a long time. Something strange is when I am having an episode, I can make my heart do "it" by taking a deep breath. Now why is that? I would say that on days that I have had alot, I have had only 45 or so. Give or take. Could the pain meds have caused my problem? Only thing is, when I first started having them, I had only been taking pain meds for a year or two. Sometimes if I have several in a row (10 to 20) I will get a bit tired. Since I am self-employed, I don't have health ins. As a side note, I believe I have sleep apnea too. I have started taking fish oil. Please, anyone who can help, please do. I have not seen a Dr. yet. Thank you in advance to anyone who can offer any info.

[Jerry_NJ]

Too complex for any real guess, but I do note that all pain medications I have read the label on say not to use them continuously.  That said, many of us take aspirin every day as prescribed by our doctor(s) relative to reducing clot formation... e.g., treatment fo Atrial Fibrillation and other heart problems.

I assume you have read about PVC symptoms and treatment.  Then you know many people have benign PVC episodes.  My reading would say you are likely in that category, however, it would be a good idea to have a full physical (including EKG) at least every couple of  years, at your age.  Old guys like me get them every year.

[itdood]

not sure what you have (probably PVCs), I have other advise though.

My PVCs progressed markedly in my 40s.  When I turned 41 they went from a level like you have (even less than you actually) to being almost constant literally overnight.  I take very good care of myself.  None smoker, no meds at all, BP excellent.  I even look like a kid, people think I look around 32, but my heart didn't feel like I was 32 anymore.  By the time all the health tests were done I was looking at $12k in bills.  thankfully I had health insurance.

Think about this in the grand scheme of whether you should have health insurance at your age....  easier said than done, I know.  I remember being at an age when I wish my company would let me keep the insurance premium instead of having the health insurance.  Now, I'm willing to pay for it myself if I had to, especially now that I have 2 young children.

[Gene918]

Just a couple of comments . . . Many of my pvc's come because of some type of exertion, and I've read posts from others that say the same thing. Also, many of us who have these dreadful things can indeed do something to "bring them on". So what you have stated doesn't sound too far out of the mainstream of what others say.

Hope all goes well with you!

[tntspecialties]

Thanks so much for posting comments. I'm grateful to anyone who would offer help. A couple of things that I forgot to mention were: @ 37 yrs. old I'm about 5'-10" and weigh 200 lbs. I need to lose at least 20 lbs, but even when I was 175 lbs 10 years ago, I had symptoms. Just not as frequent. My B/P and pulse are normal. My father and grandfather both had heart problems (by-pass surgery, etc.) I do not smoke. I did smoke "some” in high school, but only for about 1 1/2 years. Don't drink alcohol. So as I said, if I do anything strenuous I have an episode. It feels like there is a small air bubble in my heart. I guess that’s the pause before the hard restart (kick-in).
Bless You All