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]

Forgot to mention something...while I'm bending over, the irregular beats occur only when I inhale or hold my breath; I exhale and the beat returns to normal.  Anybody ever have this?

[dartmouth03]

yes, i've had this happen to me many times.  it's weird i know!  positional changes can set them off for me as well as a deep breath in or when i sniffle with my nose.  it's strange, but i've had all the tests come back normal except for pvcs and pacs.  i'm young and healthy too (23 years old).  i guess they happen to everyone, just some people don't notice them.  so don't be scared, if i bend over, sniffle, take a deep breath, etc. i can cause a few extra beats here and there.  take care.
best,
alex

[VikingColumbus]

Yep, that phenomenon bothers me as well. As one of the
Cardios mentioned not long ago, unusual things may occur
when the threads of our nervous systems go at odds with
one another (sympathetic versus parasympathetic). Consider
our internal organs are networked with the threads and
when you bunch them up when bending over, well, things may
happen (confused signaling )to further disturb an already irritable heart muscle.

That's my take from dealing with arrhythmia for 30 years
now. SVTs (Toprol XL) Afib (Digoxin) BP (Lisinopril)
PVCs, PACs, Couplets, Suspected nonsustained VTACH.

It's no fun. I sympathize.

[Ianna]

Hi,
-
Yes, I too am sure that the nervous system is the culprit.
Like VikingC. said:-'confused signalling, and thus disturb an already irritable heart'- That's just it.....
-
I cannot eat a large meal cause then the party begins!
Or bowel-problems can set them off...
Bending over is a well-known booster for PVC's too.
-
If your Dr. says your heart is ok then THIS will not kill you, but it is VERY ANNOYING I know!
Good luck!  ;-)
-*Ianna*-

[sheryl1945]

Thanks Viking and Ianna for your input.  I live in such fear!  I can't seem to break the compulsion to bend over and "test" my heart and it's driving me nuts.  When I feel the irregular beat I panic.   Nothing really happens...just the irregular beating, no other symptoms.  This has been going on for 8 years now...you think I'd be used to it by now.  Sometimes I actually dread waking up in the morning because of this.  How can I get over my fear?

[jaz5802]

Fear -- I don't think we ever actually overcome it.  We learn ways to cope with our condition.  The hard part for me was accepting my condition because I wasn't in control of it!

I've had these things forever so you would think by now they'd just be like getting up and getting dressed in the morning. Not! Some days are better than others though and it's not all gloom and doom.  I don't fear them anymore -- they just annoy me mostly.

What has worked for me is taking everything very slowly.  That gets my heart out of it's sensitivity.  Slow, deliberate walks.  Breathing deeply.  Being peaceful. Telling myself that I'm okay and I've been through this a million times before.  Eventually, my nervous system calms down which also calms my PVCs down.

Yoga, dancing, meditation, eating healthy, plenty of water and RELAXING and not over racting to things all help me.  Plus knowing I can come to this website and listen/talk to other people who are just like me or very similar.

Try sitting still and relaxing for awhile.  Or take a slow walk and notice the trees, the birds, etc.  Maybe that will help you too.

Beth