Low pulse and frequent PVC's

[tszott]

Over the past few months, I have noticed that my pulse has become quite low (mid 30's to low 40's).  This has been veriefied by machines and nurses/doctors.  I am a distance runner and relatively fit, but what is curious to me is that I am running much less than i was a few years ago, when my pulse was consistently in the high 40s and low 50's, sometimes even right around 60.  In other words, performance wise I am less fit, but the heart is a lot slower.  

I just had an ekg, and the dr. said I had very frequent PVC's, so I am getting an echocardiogram monday.  I mjust wondered if anyone has seen a connection or has a theory about the low pulse and frequent PVC's.

Thanks

[lol7]

PVC's are premature ventricular contractions where the heartbeat originates in the ventricles of the heart. Frequent PVC's can occur in many patterns, for example they can occur every second, third or fourth heartbeat, in isolation, or many in succession.

If the PVC's occur every second heartbeat, the pattern of heartbeat is known as ventricular bigeminy. You have a normal heartbeat followed by a PVC, folllowed by a normal heartbeat followed by a PVC and so on. You may not feel the PVC's when you take your pulse as they are much weaker beats. The result is that your pulse feels as if it's half of what it really is.

I hope this helps!