PACs, PVCs and Pulse

[Andrew]

Doctor,

From a long term PAC sufferer - a couple of quick questions regarding pulse taking at the wrist and neck.  1.) Can PACs or PVCs both be felt in one's pulse?  2.) Does SVT or VT result in a rapid pulse, or might the rapid beats not be represented in the pulse and only on the EKG?

A side note, I think most users of your forum are saddened by the cut backs in posts and responses.  Is there any chance of it returning to its previous glory?  Its a fantastic resource.

Thanks.

Andrew

[steve]

A few months ago I began to get an irregular pulse at first this didnt involve any pain just mild discomfort and a feeling of uneasiness. That would have been fine only over the next few weeks the symptoms became much worse my doctor did an ECG and referred me to a cardiologist who after doing the treadmill test reassured me that lots of people get this sort of thing and it sorts itself out! he also told me that the ectopic beats I was experiencing disappeared on excercise so I was fine - nothing at all wrong with my heart.
I returned to my own doctor as by this time I was feeling really physically ill my hair had fallen out in great patches I was having chest & back pain loss of appetite fatigue and was really confused as to what was happening. I even offered to be treated for stress but was told no as the doctor didnt think it was that, he then reffered me to a gastrointestinal consultant for further tests I have had every gastro test you can think of numerous blood tests all of them coming back negative. I was getting a constant baffled response from everyone, things came to a head about a week ago when I was admitted to hospital as an emergency, still more head scratching gastro team then handed me back to cardiology, first one examined me and said couldnt find anything out of the ordinary but when I saw the senior reg' he took out the results of the treadmill test I had originally to show me what was the problem! the test that I was told showed me how healthy I was. He explained to me the frequency of the extra systoles and that they didnt disappear during excercise but did get a lot less.
I have been reassured that I will not have a heart attack, but as some of you have described, the feeling of foreboding I experience with the pain makes you wonder how much worse it could be.
I have now been prescribed Atenonol, which even after a few days seems to be making a difference.
I felt I had to write to this page as I recognised the way a lot of you feel and though I'd rather not have this its a comfort that I'm not alone, and not losing my marbles!!
e-mail address.  ***@****

[priscilla]

I was diagnosed with PVCs and told to live with them they were not serious.  It got to the point that my life quality depended on whether I thought I was going to have another beat.  Terrible at night.
Finally, my cardiologist put me on TOPROLxl.  Started with 50 mg. a day, now up to 100 mg. a day and it has completely restored my beat to normal.  It took some experimenting to get dosage correct, but it has been wonderful.  No side effects or problems that I know of with me.  Ask you doctor about this great med.

[marilyn]

It certainly helps to read the same emotions expressed by others with arrhythmias.  I just saw a cardiologist today and was told my episodes are not life threatening, but this doesn't make them any easier to accept.  In the last month I've had two episodes that I couldn't stop and went to the emergency room.  They lasted 3 hours and not sure why they stopped.  It was finally caught on an EKG.  I've had a thallium stress test and that was normal.  I'm on 25mg of Atenonol in the morning and 50 mg at night.  Sleeping is the hardest as they will come on during rest.  I've been taking 0.5mg of Alprazolam at night and manage to get 5-6 hours of sleep. I've quit caffiene, nutrasweet, chocolate, alcohol and sugar for the most part.  This sensation seems to rule your days and nights as you are never sure when they will hit you.  I'm told to get rest, exercise, avoid stress and anxiety.  I'm hoping to try get back to some kind of normal living where my heart beats but doesn't tell me about it every second. Nice to know I'm not alone.

[janet]

I am amazed at how many people suffer with these symptoms -- lightheadedness, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart races to 250 beats/minute, and passing out.  This began during her senior year in high school. Her doctor said she was fine and told her to take large quantities of Advil.  After a number of visits, we looked for new doctors.  Some finally took her seriously.  She has undergone nearly every test, been misdiagnosed, worn a variety of heart monitors, and finally after 4 years we may have some direction.  Her electrophysiologist told  her he may finally have the necessary evidence needed to perform an ep study and catheter ablation.  We have studied and read about the risks for the past year.  I feel this may be our only hope.  Beta-blockers, anti-arrhymia medication, and pills to raise her blood pressure haven't helped.  People just do not realize how these symptoms affect the quality of life -- how disruptive it can be to school goals or employment -- how consuming this can become.  The symptoms erase hours and days from life.  The long episodes eventually land her in the ER and it takes nearly a day to recoop from the collapse.  She wants so desperately to be a dedicated student and employee.  Sometimes it just isn't possible.  I am grateful to hear the success stories regarding the ep study & ablation.  The risks are there and we'll pray to our Heavenly Father that she can be one of the "successes". May God bless you all in your search!

[Randy Lawson]

I am 44 yrs old and I have had PVCs for 2yrs. I have had all the test you can have. I even had a Heart Cather to see if I had blockage. I have chest pains sometimes, and also I break out into a cold sweat and get all clammy and lose my color. My Dr. has put me on a beta blocker called Toprol 50 mg. a day. It dont seem to help much. I want to know if any one else is on this medicin and if anyone has these same symtoms with there PVCs.

[Aris]

Hi all. I am too experiencing PVC's and PAC's ,tachycardia etc.
But i also experience another type of arrythmia. When i am like ordinary,and someone just shought and i'm scared,or if an important phonecall just rings i get something like an adrenalin rush,that in fact dosn't make my heart race,but like stop,and then pound really hard and slowly...After about 20-30 secs,this returns to normal BP like 65 or so. I have had 4 ekg's and 1 ultra sound and all turned up showing ok. I also feel dizzy after i stand up from a sitting position. I must say that i was overactive last years (now 20) and doing extreme sports,but also very stressed(depressed)? that i actually felt that when releasing adrenalin,i was more calm afterwards. Anyone with same symptoms? e-mail: ***@****