PVC's

[NME562]

Is it normal for you to lose your breath when having a skipped beat? I started noticing these PVC's after I was diagnosed with GAD... Ever since then, I notice them every few days.. I'll get like 2 episodes in a day sometimes.. It's pretty scary, it feels like your heart is stopping... It kicks my anxiety up a notch too... Is it okay to take xanax when you're having these? Also excersise? They're really scaring me and the doctors usually say it's nothing major without even doing the appropriate tests.. They usually will just do an EKG and listen to my heart and send me on my way.. EKG's are not useful if you're not having the symptoms at the time of the test..


This discussion is related to Pac's and pvc's.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i say go see a cardio dr they will run test and put your mind at ease

[ChatterAlly]

Have the echo for sure, but, yes.  Any arrhythmia can cause a sensation of having your breath taken away.  That is how I explained it to my doctor.  I started with the "flutters" in my mid 20s and I said then that my breath was taken away for that split second. I also had a heart rate of 120 at that age. I was prescribed Inderal for the rapid heart rate.I stopped taking that after a few months. It has slowed down a lot with age. I think, from my stand point, it's good that you are paying attention to this.  I was just in the hospital with stroke symptoms, or so I thought.  I was all stress related!!! The headaches, the numbness.  Anxiety can wreak havoc on the body and mind. But if you truley feel something needs attention, act on that feeling.  Follow up with your doctors.  I sat in the hospital pondering what I had been told and realized that it was stress and they were right.  But in someone else's case it may not be stress. Like I said, continue to follow up with your doctor until you have that peace of mind, and go on living!  Take care, Ally

[erijon]

I agree, if you're that concerned ask for an ECHO, it will give you all the answers. If your doctor won't, keep looking for one that will. You should also request a holter device as well, may as well get everything done, it will help your anxiety in the long run.

Jon

[NME562]

I also have a rapid heart rate... At rest it's usually about 100.. For some reason I keep thinking that there is something up here..  My doctor said I do have a fast pulse... I just wish they would do all the tests that would confirm if something is wrong or not.. I hate that they are always saying "well for your age" and you're too young"... There are young people that die suddenly from heart problems they weren't aware of and I don't want to be one of them.. Peace of mind is what I need..

[NME562]

Thanks.. I'll probably mention that next time I see the doctor.. I don't really get shortness of breath when I get the skipped beats, I actually get shortness of breath when I get anxiety because of the skipped beats.. So frustrating!!!! I wish they would just go away for good..

[erijon]

These are very likely normal and nothing to worry about. If you would like some reassurance, you could ask for an ECHO as that will confirm you have a normal heart structure. PVCs with a normal EKG and ECHO are almost always nothing.

Taking Xanax will not make it worse, it will most likely make you feel them less. Also, you should be able to exercise, but again ask your doctor. As far as having them take your breath away, that is also normal. The shock of a PVC will sometimes hinder a breath reflex causing that feeling. If they are leaving you short of breath you need to discuss that with your doctor as well.

Hope this helps,

Jon