PVC's - Heart evaluation needed? By whom?

KLT

I have always had what I now know are frequent but harmless PVC's. Usually fairly isolated but occasionally in short runs. I had never seen a doctor for them, but had raised the issue in other exams and been reassured they're normal. Last week they settled in as a completely irregular heartbeat, with the feeling of no regular rhythm at all for two days. On the third day, Saturday, I went to the nearby immediate care clinic for evaluation. By the time I got to the clinic the pattern had returned to normal with only occasional palpitations. The doctor did catch a few runs of irregular beats when he first listened to my heart, so ordered a EKG. Most of the time I was there, I had a normal heart rhythm, although they did catch a few runs of PVC's (just minutes long)after I attempted to raise my heart rate. The doctor said I had random patterns of bigeminy, trigeminy and quadgeminy. He said that was harmless but a bit unusual -- he thought most people who have long runs of PVC's, usually settle into one pattern or another (bi- tri- or quad-geminy.) He ordered tests of my electrolytes, magnesium, calcium, postassium - all normal. He, of course, suggested follow up this week with my doctor. My questions: 1)Is that really necessary if I'm a healthy athletic 40-yr old? 2)If so, should it be directly with a cardiologist? (I hate to pay for a visit with my regular doctor only to be referred on.) 3) Should I wait for another irreglar pattern? 4) My BP was 102/70, down from 120/70 a week earlier when I had my annual exam. Is that just a normal variation or could it be related?

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RunningMad

I'm 30 years old and in OK shape. Last week I started running again. I went on a 4 mile run, and had no problem at all. The day after that I went for a 3 mile run again no problem...until later that day. I started to get this skipping feeling in my chest. I kept running a few days after that thinking it would just go away, but no such luck. I hope this problem is just the result of an out of shape guy starting to run again, and the problem fades away. Has anyone ever had this same problem. I know all of you know the feeling I'm talking about, but is this the result of my new running program or am I stuck with this.

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RunningMad

OK I am new here. I'm 30 years old and in OK shape. Last week I started running again. I went on a 4 mile run, and had no problem at all. The day after that I went for a 3 mile run again no problem...until later that day. I started to get this skipping feeling in my chest. I kept running a few days after that thinking it would just go away, but no such luck. I hope this problem is just the result of an out of shape guy starting to run again, and the problem fades away. Has anyone ever had this same problem. I know all of you know the feeling I'm talking about, but is this the result of my new running program or am I stuck with this.

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RunningMad

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RunningMad

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mikelisa00

My wife was just recently diagnosed with PVC. I have done the research to find out what I can bout this condition and what I can do to help. It's comforting to hear that some of you have lived with this condition for quite some time. However, at the same time I'm sorry to hear that anyone has to live with this. Prior to my wife being diagnosed it was painful for me to sit there and watch the pain she would have in her chest during these contractions. Not knowing what is going on, is it serious......am I going to loose my wife. Unfortunately it's a condition that at this time has no cure. Because of the entries that I have read on this site, I now have a more positive outlook and know that my wife will be with me for many more years to come. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and stories.

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Central Illinois 1001

Glad I read these comments.  I am an unwilling PVCer since January 1990. The first time I noticed a PVC was after exercising, and I thought, "What the?  OMG, what is going on?  Oh no, is 1990 my final year?"  I was only 38. (male) It was gratifying to find out later that this condition is benign.

The last time I saw a Dr. for this condition was 1990 when he told me everything was within normal limits, so I took him at his word and stopped running to doctors since them. Hey I'm still alive and in good health.

The worst experience with these things is driving long distances and having them in a car, because there is no way to shift position or walk around which often "cures" them temporarily.

Not only cars, but airplanes.  In 1993 I took a plane from Chicago to Paris (via Belgium) and had a real horrid experience with PVC the entire way (8 solid hours).  It was only when I reached Europe that they went away completely for two weeks.  As I walked around the Brussels airport at 4AM local time, I hoped and prayed the PVCs would go away.  Luckily, they did, and while in France I do not remember getting one PVC.  Why not?  I was enjoying myself too much to worry about them!

If you have a few thousand PVCs per month, take "heart."  Since 1990 I have experienced several million PVCs, a very rough estimate for me would be 9 or 10 million total, with particularly bad years in 1990 &1991,  1993, 1995-1997, and 2002 into this year, yet in every other way I couldn't feel healthier.  I can jog further and longer than my teenager.

Oddly, in August 1997 my PVC attacks suddenly vanished for a full three years.  Now they are back and hope they "subside" soon.  They seem to be at their worst when I'm lying down in bed reading, or after a meal.

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