PVC PAC

[cyn123]

Hello and Thank you for answering my question.  First I'll give you my history.  I had SVT for 13 yrs and had an ablation done in 2000.  Approx one yr before my ablation  I started to feel flutting or skipped beats.  After my ablation i have not had one svt moment since but still feel skipped beats.  They seem to come on sometimes in my swimming pool, or when i take a deep breath.  Anyway i had an all day episodes of these and went to my Doctor  not my EP Doctor.  I wore a halter which showed  in an 18 hour period i had 15 pvc and 560  pac.   Although iam greatful  that they finally caught them on tape, i was wondering if i should be concerned about them.  They have really stole my life away from me.  They make me very scared  even though my doc says they are not harmful but annoying.  He talked about  Beta blockers  but i am very scared to go on any meds.  Is they amout of pvc  and pac  enough to go on meds ?  Are there any long term adverse side effects of beta blocker?  I seem like i cant just ignore them like i wish i could.  I guess i really dont believe that they are not harmful and need constant reasurance.  I stay away from caffene and alcohol.  Iam scared to exercise due to the fact that i hate when my heart gets elevated.  I dont know if   beta blockers is the answer to my fears or not.  What do you think?  Thank you so much for you time.  Have a nice day.

[quint]

I have premature beats similar to yours and every doctor I have talked to about them has told me they wont hurt me. I am on Toprol 50mg a day (beta blocker low dose) and I havent noticed any negative side effects (tiredness or weakness). My hr has slowed by about 20-30 bpm on average - my resting heartrate is now in the 60s-70s rather than 90s-100s and doesnt get nearly as high when Im nervous or doing physical activity (it used to reach as high as 190). My bp has also seen an improvement, usually around 110/70 while not physically active or nervous. I really haven't had any problems with beta blockers and would certainly recommend them to anyone whos indications might suggest them.

[heartbeat]

I was put on a low dose of beta blockers (metoprolol 25mg) many years ago.  The first 6 months I felt miserable, always tired and no energy.  But then eventually I felt okay again.  I guess our body does adjust to the pill.  It's a good pill, keeps my heart rate down, helps when I get AFlutters and what I like most of them is they are cheap.

[Dr. Erik]

Hello there:

According to my Cardiologist and numerous studies on the use of Beta Blockers, they prolong your life in many ways. First, they keep the heart rate slower which allows the heart to rest more and keep it strong and help maintain the ejection fraction. My doctor says that the higher your ejection fraction the longer you live. Second, they are proven to prevent both first and second heart attacks. Third, they keep blood pressure in check. Fourth, they have anti-arrythmia properties which suppress annoying PVC's and PAC's and can help ward off SVT's, A-Fib and VT.

[hbp702]

Why will beta blockers prolong her life if the PACs or PVCs won't shorten it?

BTW, I've taken beta blockers for high BP. Had no energy or desire to do anything. I'd rather live a short life without beta blockers (and feeling well) rather than a long one with (and feeling poorly).

Quality of life is important, and beta blockers trade off quality of life for length of live.

Your body makes adrenaline for darn good reasons. Switching it off (even partially) may not be such a good idea.

[mightymuppet]

Actually cyn, your symptons are similar to mine...i was put on a beta blocker(low dose)and it has helped a lot...i still get them, but certainly not as much as i did before...the beta blocker is a good drug(very safe)and you'll be started on a low dose just to see how you take to it i guess....good luck, these pac's etc are annoying!

[cyn123]

Thnak you Eric   You made me smile.  I needed that!!!!!!!