PVCs/Sore Chest Muscles and Airborne Chemicals

[Stakan]

This may be way off base, but I have realized something and I wonder if there is any chance that there is a connection. I developed PVCs earlier this year - or at least if I had them before I never noticed them until this January. Like most, I didn't know what they were and was very concerned until I found out. I just live with them now.

A short time after developing the PVCs I seemed to develop chronic sore chest muscles also. The pain is right in the sternum area and is not linked to work-outs (I get it even when I haven't worked out - i.e no pattern). A question that I posted on this site didn't give me any reason to suspect that the two things were related to each other though.

Ok - to my point. The heater core in my car is cracked. I know this because a mechanic told me so, but also because I have a hazy film on the inside of my windshield. This is caused from engine coolant that leaks into the blower and ends up getting aerated and blown through the vents as an invisible mist into the cab. My A/C broke around the same time so I only use the vent now , which means that this coolant mist is blowing on me and I am breathing it in. It has hit me that this is probably not too healthy for me. Coincidentally enough, it seems that my PVCs and sore chest muscles seemed to have developed not long after the car troubles. Could there be some link between repeated exposure to breathing a mist of engine coolant and the development of PVCs and/or sore chest muscles?

Thanks.

[NBCT]

PVC's are premature ventricular contractions and PAC's are premature atrial contractions. There is a great deal of information and comments from the MD's and other posters on this site regarding normal and abnormal cardiac function. I am sure this site will provide answers to your concerns. Good Luck!!

[Basketlady]

I am a woman 56 and recently started having irregular beating. Cardiologist gave me all the tests including nuclear stress test, and nothing is wrong with my heart. But these things keep coming and going, since May of 2002. I just discovered this website today and have what may seem like a stupid question...but, what are PVC's and PAC's?

[Stakan]

Thanks for all of the serious comments. It sounds like there is no definite link between breathing engine coolant vapor and PVCs (cardiac events, not automotive valves), but that it is just wise to do something about the situation in general.

[itsa4847]

is it possible that pvc's give you pain? does anyone have pain asscoiated with there pvc's, pac's (i have both) but i noticed specially when my cardiologist cut back the toperal (he is hoping to take me off it) I take cardiezm and he wants to up that. but I noticed that now i have and have had in the past a pain at the base of my left breast. I also notice it is worse when I laydown at nite time on my left side.  I don't know if this is releated or not.  I also have cornoary artery spasms and they pretty much are under control. and I have mvp. SO where is this pain coming from it is not constant but it is there alot.

I see my cardiologist friday and plan to ask him, last time he told me it was not related.  How could it not be realated.  I'm certainly not imagining it. I have to see him, my regular did another 24 monitor and called, was sending results to cardiologist because he said my heart rate on several occassions was 38 beats per min and 130 beats per min.  Anyone know how low your heart beats can go? I know that my rate goes up cause i have that problem too.  but iam worried about the opposite.

thanks for any advise.

[PVC in NJ]

I am a Ph.D organic chemist (and fellow PVC sufferer). Aside from water, the main chemical in coolant is ethylene glycol. Boiling ethylene glycol in water does not make significant amount of sugar. Think about this. Boiling water is 100

[NSINC]

It is critical that the patient monitor their PVC valves closely.

[JohnW]

Believe it or not I was listening to NPR's Car Talk a few weeks ago, and they had a question from a lady who noticed a fogging windshield and sweet odor.  They told her that it was a heater core leak, and to get it fixed ASAP.  Ethylene glycol is toxic, but I haven't been able to find anything about links to PVC's either.  My advice is to get the heater core fixed, and I hope it fixes your problem too.

ps - I've been a long time viewer of this forum, but I've never posted.  Thanks to MHI for your advisement!!!  I've had arrythmia off and on (mostly on) for 30+ years, and your forum has been a tremendous help during the "bad times" over the last two years. Thanks also to to Hankstar - I've enjoyed reading your posts, and thanks for sharing your experiances.  JW

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

stakan,

This question would be better posed to Click and Clack on NPR's  CarTalk.

Having said that, I crossed PVC+palpitation+chest pain by ethylene glycol on Medline and got no hits.  The intentional ingestion of antifreeze by humans or animals is known to cause kidney failure and metabolic derangements.

I suspect that the boiling of ethylene glycol produces sugar and water, neither of which would be harmful if ingested.  We would need to check with a chemist to verify this suspicion.

Hope that helps.