PVC

[skippintime]

I have a question concerning the significance of PVC, mainly multifocal and couplets.  I am a 32 y old white female significantly overweigt, pretty sedintary, Stress test a year ago okay, excercised to 5.4 mets on a Modified Bruce.  Echo 2 years ago pretty normal except for some septal enlargement but on the larger size of normal, and mitral and tricupsid minimal leaking, and aortic calcification small amount. Cardiac Cath done in 1999 was essentially normal except for small PFO no treatment on that.  I am terrified of excercise after the study showing PVC's after excercise put the person at a higher risk of death within 5 years.  I suffer from occassional pvcs, but yet documented on event recorder multifocal pvc's and couplets, these were on two seperate recordings.  When this happens it scares the **** out of me and I worry about it.  I have PVC's daily but not this type daily is that of any more significant?  I may NOTICE a couplet every month, but not daily.  I have cronic hypotension as well, and I normally have a fast heartrate, 90-120 range.  I also get episodes of bradycardia which are very uncomfortable.  I am tired of just living with this as it is almost impossible.  I am worried about the PVC's, expecially the couplets.  I take Toprol XL 50 mg in am and 12.5 in the evening, this just a okay job keeping heartrate lower than it used to be 110+ all the time, but has caused more Bradycardia and I think more PVC's.  I have been on that for 3 years.  How significant is all this?  

Thanks for your time in answering my question!

[sheryl1945]

re Arthur's info on PAC's...it was VERY reassuring because that's EXACTLY what I have.  This forum is such a comfort.  I learned today to be careful who I talk to; I was at a picnic and an in-law of mine who is a nurse was there.  I mentioned my irregular postural heartbeat to her and she suggested a pacemaker...scared me so much I came home and have been crying ever since!  Then I looked up pacemakers...they're for SLOWLY beating hearts; I don't have that.  My whole day was ruined!  My heart is skipping more than ever when I bend over now and it's been doing it all day; could my nervousness about it be making it worse?  My email is:  ***@**** (or answer here, thanks in advance).

[vicolive]

I thank the lord i have found this site,I know that I am not alone with this irratating skipped heartbeats,It seems sometimes I have control over them and other times I dont,I really dont know the reason for that,I am 51 years old female and I got my first one whenI was 15,at that time it was discovered that I had a heart murmer, I have noticed over the years they have come at the most hardest times in my life and mostly disapeared as quick as they came,but this time I have reduced the stress that I have been going through, but they just seem to stick around this time,I dont know if getting older is a factor, I do know once I get the first one of the day, it scares me and they seem to be there for the rest of the day,I am convinced anxiety is a major factor and being over tired,its hard to think other thoughts once they are there,please does anyone have any idea,, how to control these things once they have started, thank you

[Ianna]

Hi Sheryl,
-
About postural arrythmias and posture and inhaling.
-
Did you read the thread on this Forum named SKIPPED HEARTBEATS?
I believe at the bottom of the page right now.
Arthur explaines about the phenomena.
The date nov-02.
He did lots of research about PVC's etc.
He's not a Med.Dr. but a serious intelligent guy.
-
Have a nice weekend!
-
Bye - *Ianna* -

[Jinkster]

FYI : I found this question and answer on another website.

My heart sometimes palpitates when I am startled or sometimes when I bend forward. Should I worry? Also, I sometimes have panic attacks, and my heart will race--is it logical to assume that I am experiencing palpitations?

Both of the questions relate to a similar underlying mechanism, and that is the effect of substances in the body such as adrenaline which cause the heart rate to increase and the heart to beat more vigorously, creating a sensation of panic, heart pounding and heart racing. This is the experience of becoming aware of a natural or normal functioning of the nervous system. Anxiety, panic, and startling cause the adrenaline level to rise and create the sensation of palpitation. These in and of themselves are normal and natural and don't require any specific treatment in the vast majority of cases.


http://www.vh.org/adult/patient/internalmedicine/faq/heartpalpitations.html

[Jinkster]

Whenever I had one cigarette (just ONE) my heart would palpitate off and on for a day afterwards.  Taking potassium helped me - it seems that the nicotine upset the body's electrolyte balance, which is essential in proper heart functioning!

So stop smoking :)

[valger]

Hi, again, thanks for all the valuable info, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this board to reassure me all the time.  It looks like I've had all the tests I can have concerning my heart, I've had the holter moniter, and the nuclear stress test, EKG's, echos, all to say that my PVC's are benign, and to try to live with it, or I could go on medication.  I recently had some blood work done also, and my cholesterol was a little high, so I guess I should work on that.  I also had a high Sed Rate test, it was 38 in a range of 0-20.  I had a negative ANA and RH factor, and I feel fine other than the palpitations, does anyone know what that could mean?  They didn't seem too concerned at the doctor's office about the sed rate, but in looking it up, it seems like it can mean something serious.  I had a bad cold a couple of weeks ago, do you know if that could elevate it?  Also, I am going through menopause, but I don't think that would have anything to do with it. Also, I've been living in a highter altitude for about 5 months, coming from Houston, so I also heard that could contribute.  Well, thanks, I was just wondering if anyone knew anything about this.  Thanks again for everything!!  Val