non sustained v-tach question

[SBL8]

Hi,

I am a 39 year old female.
I have non-sustained v-tach that showed up on a holter test. I have had a normal stress test and echo. I now take 25mg Atenolol daily.

My questions-

1. In a "normal" heart, can non-sustained v-tach progress to sustained v-tach? Should the beta-blocker prevent that?

2. Would an EP specialist be beneficial or necessary in my case?
I have seen a cardiologist.

3. At night, my BP gets rather low for me, sometimes down to the 70's over 50's. Is that a concern? (I take the Atenolol at night).

Thanks so much for taking my question, this forum has been very helpful to me.

Happy Holidays!

Susan

[wmac]

I totally sympathize with you! I have NSVT also. When I found out I cried and cried all day and had myself dead and buried! I too read the web sites and thought Im dead I have six kids the younest are twins who are now 10. I was so freaked. My doctor just left me hanging with you have vtach. So any way I can relate. Its been a year now for me, and a I also found out just in the last two months I have accelerated idio-ventricular rythmn. Any way e-mail me and we shall talk about this if you would like. ***@****
wmac

[sampants]

I recently starting having noticeable palpitations.  I went to a doctor and wore a Holter monitor and had numerous blood tests done.  

I went back to the doctor yesterday.  The blood tests came back perfect.  I did have quite a few PVCs and PACs on the Holter and one 7 beat episode of V-tach.  I assume this is non-sustained since it stopped, although I am not really sure.

My doctor seems to think I have a healthy heart, though he does want me to get a stress test and an echocardiogram.  He also wants me to take 1/2 a tab of 25 mg. of atenolol once a day.

I am so upset by the incidence of v-tach that I could not sleep last night and have been crying all day.  I looked up v-tach on webmd and it sounded fatal.

I called my doctor back and am waiting for him to call because I am frantic.  I am 35, non-smoker, do have a weight problem, but am overall very healthy and exercise occasionally.  I have just started exercising more and am dieting.

I have three small kids and the thought of them is what has me so sad and scared.

Can anyone tell me if an incidence of v-tach is a definite sign that something is seriously wrong, or can it be benign?

[starling97]

Thank you Doctor for taking the time to answer my question. I do wish you and your family the very best Happy Holidays and a fantastic New Years!!

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Knee pain can be a harbinger of osteomyelitis.

A cough can be a harbinger of lung cancer.

Swollen neck lymph nodes can mean lymphoma.

A headache might mean a ruptured aneurysm.

Etc.

Etc.

It's a dangerous world.  Most people with any of these symptoms needn't worry.  It's your doctor (or other healthcare provider) that can help guide you to worry appropriately.

[starling97]

If NSVT could be a harbinger of VT in a "normal" heart, Why are most people who show NSVT on a holter and have normal hearts told not to worry? I have had this show up, my doctors told me that I don't need beta blockers or any kind of med. Now I am worried. Should I be on Meds to prevent VT?

[SBL8]

Hi Carrie,

They felt like my heart was "flopping" around a little-(although I'm sure it wasn't) but that's how I can best describe them. They didn't hurt, though.

Susan

[CareBear59]

Hi, I was just wondering what your NSVT felt like?

Carrie

[SBL8]

Thank you Hank!

Susan

[SBL8]

Hi Alice,

If I remember correctly, I had just gotten into my vehicle when I felt the one that showed up on the monitor. It was 5 beats long. I do remember thinking that the episode caught on the monitor was not as long as some of the other ones I had felt.(But I was just glad that there was a recording of one at all so the doctor could see it!) I usually would detect them when I was still, like in the car, or lying in bed watching tv. My holter was read by the cardiologist at my HMO, and I think there were just some PVCs and PACs also- though not very many.

Susan

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Susan,

Thanks for the post.

Q1:"In a "normal" heart, can non-sustained v-tach progress to sustained v-tach? Should the beta-blocker prevent that?"

Yes, rarely NSVT can be a harbinger of VT.  Usually this is associated with an underling disorder, like RVOT VT or ARVD, both of which are uncommon.  The beta-blocker will not prevent the development of a disorder like RVOT VT or ARVD, but will certainly decrease the likelihood of you developing VT, even if you have one of these uncommon disorders.

Q2":Would an EP specialist be beneficial or necessary in my case?"

Depends on your cardiologist.  Many cardiologists feel totally comfortable treating NSVT, if yours does, then seeing an EP is probably redundant.

Q3:"At night, my BP gets rather low for me, sometimes down to the 70's over 50's. Is that a concern? (I take the Atenolol at night).

70/50 is a bit low, but probably ok if you feel alright.  It is worth mentioning to your doctor prior to changing the dose.

Happy Holidays to you.