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Heart Rhythm (Expert Forum)
how to live with heart skips
Answered by
Michael J. McWilliams, M.D. - atrial fibrillation, Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Arrhythmias (SVT, VT), PVC/PAC, Ablation
Wilmington Health Associates
Wilmington - NC
Questions in the Heart Rhythm forum cover topics that include heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
how to live with heart skips
by Barbara, Dec 10, 2008 11:15AM
I have dealt with heart skips for about 10-15 years. Have done everything possible, including a heart catherization about 3 years ago. Medications I take are synthroid 112mg.,atenolol 50mg, avalide 300/12.5mg. lipitor 20mg. During the last month I have been getting bigeminys more than ever. If I am awake 15 hours, I would have bigemins about half this time. Sometimes when they start, they scare me so badly because I think my heart is not going to start. They have actually ruined my life. I just now turned 70 years old and would love some releif. I also go to a very popular teaching hospital. They all tell me the same thing===they won't hurt you. "We can put you on a pill to stop this, but you must go into the hospital for approximately 3 days." Isn't this cute. Must be a good pill to put you in the hospital. Doctors have also told me that sometimes the pills are more dangerous than the skips. I thought about coming out to Cleveland, but I live in Northeast Pennsylvania which is quite a ride. Besides catherization, echo-cardiagram, holter monitor, stress test, ekg, therapy, valium, and many emergency room visits, what can you do for me? I am a person who worries about everything.
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J. McWilliams, M.D., Dec 10, 2008 09:54PM
, Dec 10, 2008 09:54PM
Your doctors are correct that the treatments can pose more risk than the pvc's. The medications with 3 day observation are very safe but they do require in patient hospitalization to make sure you tolerate them.
the standard teaching is to reassure you so that you know they pvc's are low risk. If they are "ruining your life" then using medications that slightly increase the risk but may improve quality of life can be appropriate. I doubt cleveland would offer different insights than your current doctor team.
If you can't live with it, it is worth thinking about trying the medication as long you understands the risks, benefits and alternatives.
the standard teaching is to reassure you so that you know they pvc's are low risk. If they are "ruining your life" then using medications that slightly increase the risk but may improve quality of life can be appropriate. I doubt cleveland would offer different insights than your current doctor team.
If you can't live with it, it is worth thinking about trying the medication as long you understands the risks, benefits and alternatives.
Member Comments (1)
by MDAVEY, Aug 20, 2009 07:10PM
A related discussion, Possble Blockage? was started.
by oldie, Aug 21, 2009 12:44PM
A related discussion, skips was started.
by monsterof2, Oct 22, 2009 09:29PM
A related discussion, Blacking Out was started.
