IDIOPATHIC PVCs w/o HEART DISEASE, CHANNELOPATHY, or FAMILY HISTORY

[Dave2923]

  I'm a 21 year old male with a history of palpitations. I have had EKG's, 2 echos, 2 stress tests, blood workup, a 24 hour Holter, a 48 hour Holter, and a 30 day event monitor. All they have caught are some ectopic beats (PAC's and PVC's), but they have never caught one of my rarer more persistent fluttering sensations, just the skipped beat sensations. A cardiologist and electrophysiologist have ruled out all potential structural heart problems, electrical heart problems, and channelopathy diseases. I have no family history (extended and immediate from both sides) of cardiac arrest or death at a young age or even any heart history at all under the age of 70. I have never passed out. However, my palpitations come in waves and give me great anxiety when they happen. Basically, they have said this would have to be a form of idiopathic PVC's, which I have found would likely be caused by an ectopic foci in the RVOT or LVOT. I have read that these things tend to be very benign with excellent prognosis, but I have also read that there are some rare cases where people who have only presented with PVC's and benign monomorphic VT go on to later develop a lethal polymorphic run of VT. Is this more the exception than the rule? Would it really be worth it for me to try to ask an electrophysiologist about the possibility of anti-arrhythmic drugs and/or ablation? Or is this something that has such a small chance of ever becoming a cardiac arrest in the absence of structural disease, channelopathy, syncope, or family history that it would likely not be worth it? Your professional advice will be much appreciated. I should note that there seems to be no correlation to the timing of the palpitations. I have had PVC's and PAC's while at rest, as well as during exercise, and post exercise. Most often though not during, just post-exercise and at rest at night, but it can happen whenever, and like I said they can go away for months and then come back for a few weeks.

[ChicagoDude617]

I'm not a doctor, obviously, but I am 21 years old and have had similar worries as you had... and I just came back from the Mayo Clinic and asked the doctors similar questions that you asked here. Only difference is, I had a short run of VT [NSVT] caught on an event monitor. Even that didn't seem to concern the doctors over there because my echo and MRI looked normal. If your doctors said you're good, you're good. Good luck dude.

[tickertock]

You read too much, just like myself at 21 years with the same symptoms.I'm nearly 48 and still around, it ain't worth worrying over , you are probably just fine and will always be. Don't waste your time worrying, life is met to enjoy, don't miss out on it just because of BENIGN PVCs.