Holter Monitor Results - I am very worried!

[Barbara]

Some background: I am a 35 yr. old female. 3 years ago I was diagnosed as having had a silent heart attack. The only symptom I had was palpitations, which I mentioned to my Internist during a routine exam. An ekg showed abnormal results, and an echo showed a small area of damage. I subsequently had a thallium stress test and a heart catheterization, which showed the damage from a "moderate" heart attack, although I had normal coronary arteries. My EF is 50%. None of my doctors could give me any reason for the MI, and they couldn't tell me when it happened. I do not smoke, do not take drugs, drink very rarely and am otherwise healthy, although I could stand to lose 30 lbs.

I recently wore a 24-hour holter monitor to evaluate my frequent palpitations. My internist told me that the monitor showed that PVCs occurred 1% of the time over the 24 hours - she said this was ok. However, she said that there was 1 occurrance of 3 PVCs in a row during the 24 hrs. She said that this was somewhat concerning, and that she recommended I start taking beta blockers. She didn't seem too concerned, but I read somewhere that 3 or more PVCs in a row was called V-tach, and that this is a very dangerous rhythm, possibly leading to sudden cardiac death. Should I be very concerned about this? Do I really need to take beta blockers?
What are the chances that this could be a life-threatening condition?  I have an appt. with an electrophysiologist next week, and I am very worried about this.

Thank you in advance for any info you can give me.

[kelly]

I was hooked up to a monitor because my heart rate went too fast. They had to do it twice.

[kelly]

I had a seizure which caused my heart to beat very fast and I was admitted to the hospital for tests.

[Sandy]

I am a 51 yr. old female who had a heart attack 26 yrs ago at the age of 25.  I have doctored since then but no serious problems till the present when I also have been told that I am going into A-fib?  I have amonitor on now and will get the results by Thurs whether I need to see an electrophysiologist.  I am quite confused how and why all of this is occuring?  Any help or suggestions would be great
Thank you for listening.

[Jim Robson]

Valerian Valerian Valerian... calms me down at night.. i figured if a DOCTOR... ok .. i KNOW i will catch heat from this... but here goes... Everyone loves to make money.. and if there was something that the Hospitals and doctors COULD do if pvc's were that bad believe you me, they would do it.. but to just say " they are benign" must kill them :) think of it that way.. if they could make m oney by giving you treatments they WOULD.. but they are just letting you walk away.. ,, hell i dunno.. that logic works good for me! i figure if something was really bad.. they would be cashing in on it :)

ok.. all the doctors can yell at me now.. :)

[sally]

Dear Tammy,

I have just read your post.  There is a lot of information in this Forum!  "Lesley" has previously posted a question asking if tachycardia is hereditary (date 12/20/99). It might be useful for you to read the Doc's answer. Good luck!  (ps.. Lesley's post is near the top of the site, if you are scrolling thru!)

[Tammy]

My daughter (age 3.5 years) has been getting a rapid heart rate on occasion.  Doctor says may be Superventricular Tachycardia.  Going in for a Holter Monitor (for 48 hrs.) on Monday.  My questions: (1) Is this disease hereditary?  If so, from mom, dad, or either?  (2) If medicine is necessary for regulation, what side effects may occur?  (3) Is daily medicine really that good for a little child? (Well, I guess if it keeps her regular).  Thanks for any ideas/advice.