Aa
PVC's
Hi, and thank you for taking time to respond.
I am a 42 yr. old female with a long history of benign PVC's.
This past July, I completed my annual Stress/Echo/EKG with a Cardiologist who also specializes in Electrophysiology. Tests revealed PVC's prior to 140 bpm, sinus tachy, and questionable mild regurgitation. No CAD or structural disease.
Due to panic, I ended my test at about 159 beats per minute and was short of my target area. Blood tests revealed low end of normal mag and potassium. Was started on MagOx and was instructed to increase potassium via eating habits. I was also given Xanax as needed.
Yesturday, I started having huge rolling PVC's every second to fourth beat for short periods followed by somewhat calmer (every sixth to tenth beat) periods. I can't remember ever having them so closely together except when my daughter suffered anesthesia induced lung collapse and this time, Xanax did nothing to calm me emotionally.
My questions are these:
Due to reflux, I take huge amounts of Calcium based antacids for days on ends. Could an overload of calcium be a source of increased PVC's?
I haven't had an holter done in 18 years. I feel this is because the doctors have always been able to catch my arrhythmia's on EKG's.
Should I request one at this time? Or would the 3 hour strips I had in the hospital while having PVC's be enough to catch other arrhythmia's?
Like most others, I go through series of these darn things.
Would beta-blockers during these bad times help? Can I take them as needed as well?
Thanks a million, I appreciate your insight
I am a 42 yr. old female with a long history of benign PVC's.
This past July, I completed my annual Stress/Echo/EKG with a Cardiologist who also specializes in Electrophysiology. Tests revealed PVC's prior to 140 bpm, sinus tachy, and questionable mild regurgitation. No CAD or structural disease.
Due to panic, I ended my test at about 159 beats per minute and was short of my target area. Blood tests revealed low end of normal mag and potassium. Was started on MagOx and was instructed to increase potassium via eating habits. I was also given Xanax as needed.
Yesturday, I started having huge rolling PVC's every second to fourth beat for short periods followed by somewhat calmer (every sixth to tenth beat) periods. I can't remember ever having them so closely together except when my daughter suffered anesthesia induced lung collapse and this time, Xanax did nothing to calm me emotionally.
My questions are these:
Due to reflux, I take huge amounts of Calcium based antacids for days on ends. Could an overload of calcium be a source of increased PVC's?
I haven't had an holter done in 18 years. I feel this is because the doctors have always been able to catch my arrhythmia's on EKG's.
Should I request one at this time? Or would the 3 hour strips I had in the hospital while having PVC's be enough to catch other arrhythmia's?
Like most others, I go through series of these darn things.
Would beta-blockers during these bad times help? Can I take them as needed as well?
Thanks a million, I appreciate your insight
Hey there! How you feeling today? Better I hope!!
About the big rolling PVC's.....Yes and no with the multiples.
I had a few dozen of them last night, most were singles followed by a few normal beats. I did however have some couplets, or what felt like 2 in a row back to back...but from different parts of my heart. I don't know how to explain it, but sometimes I swear I can feel the side that the extra beat is coming from.
Today has been better for me so far. Just a few dozen or so.
I was reading an article about the vagal nerve/stress/reflux connection and I think it's me to the T and I've gotten to the point of not wanting to eat because it seems that they get so much worse. I have also found that like most women, my monthly cycle seems to kick them into full gear.
Just got off the phone with my Cardiologist... He wants me to come in next week to have a quick once over and is willing to discuss starting me on a beta. He also wants me to increase my Mag this week and take my Xanax twice a day and start on something like Zantac instead of Calcium carbonates to see if my system will calm them down before hand. He seems really hesitant to start me on the beta's, perhaps it's my history of reflux induced asthma??
He didn't seem concerned about the "big rolling ones", or the couplets though. Just told me to take a big breath and count to ten and remind myself that they aren't going to kill me. (He has them too) Funny how just talking to him seems to have reduced my stress level ten fold!! Maybe I need to find a live in nurse or Dr.! You want a job NurseK?? LOL.
Out of curiosity, ever gone to the ER and your symtoms just about vanish after walking in the door? Thats happened to me more times then I can remember during the last 24 years.
Anyway...I hope this finds you well and PVC free!
Celeste
About the big rolling PVC's.....Yes and no with the multiples.
I had a few dozen of them last night, most were singles followed by a few normal beats. I did however have some couplets, or what felt like 2 in a row back to back...but from different parts of my heart. I don't know how to explain it, but sometimes I swear I can feel the side that the extra beat is coming from.
Today has been better for me so far. Just a few dozen or so.
I was reading an article about the vagal nerve/stress/reflux connection and I think it's me to the T and I've gotten to the point of not wanting to eat because it seems that they get so much worse. I have also found that like most women, my monthly cycle seems to kick them into full gear.
Just got off the phone with my Cardiologist... He wants me to come in next week to have a quick once over and is willing to discuss starting me on a beta. He also wants me to increase my Mag this week and take my Xanax twice a day and start on something like Zantac instead of Calcium carbonates to see if my system will calm them down before hand. He seems really hesitant to start me on the beta's, perhaps it's my history of reflux induced asthma??
He didn't seem concerned about the "big rolling ones", or the couplets though. Just told me to take a big breath and count to ten and remind myself that they aren't going to kill me. (He has them too) Funny how just talking to him seems to have reduced my stress level ten fold!! Maybe I need to find a live in nurse or Dr.! You want a job NurseK?? LOL.
Out of curiosity, ever gone to the ER and your symtoms just about vanish after walking in the door? Thats happened to me more times then I can remember during the last 24 years.
Anyway...I hope this finds you well and PVC free!
Celeste
Hey! Thanks for answering!! Umm, it only lasts secs to a few mins tops. It's just a new feeling for me, one I don't particularly enjoy. Being underwater is that pressure feeling, but the best way I can describe it is if you put your fingers over your carotids for a moment and feel that pressure in your face, thats it for me exactly.
I thought it could be bp changes, weird enough from the beats. I mostly have been drove with these "new sensations" like you discribed. It feels like maybe mulitple pvcs or something, anyway it has me feeling nervous again. Arg, soon as your doing good bam the nerves are back! Do your new beats you describe as "rolling" kinda feel like that it may be multiple ones?
I hope we feel better soon and it's all nothing and just worries over normal things. Thanks for responding :)Anything else about your experience is welcomed!
I thought it could be bp changes, weird enough from the beats. I mostly have been drove with these "new sensations" like you discribed. It feels like maybe mulitple pvcs or something, anyway it has me feeling nervous again. Arg, soon as your doing good bam the nerves are back! Do your new beats you describe as "rolling" kinda feel like that it may be multiple ones?
I hope we feel better soon and it's all nothing and just worries over normal things. Thanks for responding :)Anything else about your experience is welcomed!
Hi again!
I forgot to comment on your question about "pressure"...
Yes! I have that too! I have had it off and on for years now.
I noticed mine about 3 years ago when I rolled over in bed. Kind of like a surge of pressure that came up from my chest to my throat/face/head and it has really affected my ears at times. The only way I can explain mine is like a sensation of moving into a tunnel underwater, if that makes any sense. Mine only lasts a few seconds to minutes, but it's disturbing just the same. At times, I wonder if it's sudden change in blood pressure due to flucuations in heart rate?? How long does your last on average?
Best wishes,
Celeste
I forgot to comment on your question about "pressure"...
Yes! I have that too! I have had it off and on for years now.
I noticed mine about 3 years ago when I rolled over in bed. Kind of like a surge of pressure that came up from my chest to my throat/face/head and it has really affected my ears at times. The only way I can explain mine is like a sensation of moving into a tunnel underwater, if that makes any sense. Mine only lasts a few seconds to minutes, but it's disturbing just the same. At times, I wonder if it's sudden change in blood pressure due to flucuations in heart rate?? How long does your last on average?
Best wishes,
Celeste
OK, you can walk and run almost every day. You can carry your baby and the groceries without sweating, gagging, and gasping from the effort (gasping from anxiety is different). Probably you can go up stairs without effort, too--apart from trying to juggle baby, diaper bag, and everything else you now have to carry, huh? Sure, you can ask for an echo, though. If your insurance will pay, it might reassure you a little bit, because the odds are great that nothing will show up.
The thing about real heart disease is that, in most cases, you cannot do these things without feeling physically sick or you cannot do them at all. It is tremendously important to understand and accept this.
As to whether or not worrying about your symptoms is making them worse, well, yeah, it probably is, because when you concentrate on something, it just gets more and more important in your mind. But the thing about panic is that it's almost impossible to ignore it (fat chance!) or will yourself out of it. Curiously, when you give in to it, face it, and say to yourself, "All right; let's see how much worse it can get," it often diminishes. This technique is described in an old but helpful book called "Hope and Help For Your Nerves," by Clair Weekes.
I'm glad you're seeing a therapist soon. Just taking a positive step to deal with your fears should help quite a bit. One caution: If your therapist is not an MD, he or she will not be able to prescribe medications for you. Talk therapy will help, but if you need meds, I hope you will be seeing a psychiatrist on a regular basis. Followup is really important with these drugs, and many GPs don't have the time or expertise for that.
The thing about real heart disease is that, in most cases, you cannot do these things without feeling physically sick or you cannot do them at all. It is tremendously important to understand and accept this.
As to whether or not worrying about your symptoms is making them worse, well, yeah, it probably is, because when you concentrate on something, it just gets more and more important in your mind. But the thing about panic is that it's almost impossible to ignore it (fat chance!) or will yourself out of it. Curiously, when you give in to it, face it, and say to yourself, "All right; let's see how much worse it can get," it often diminishes. This technique is described in an old but helpful book called "Hope and Help For Your Nerves," by Clair Weekes.
I'm glad you're seeing a therapist soon. Just taking a positive step to deal with your fears should help quite a bit. One caution: If your therapist is not an MD, he or she will not be able to prescribe medications for you. Talk therapy will help, but if you need meds, I hope you will be seeing a psychiatrist on a regular basis. Followup is really important with these drugs, and many GPs don't have the time or expertise for that.
I understand that I may have panic disorder and maybe even hypochondriasis but I read a new article on women and heart disease. It said that women can have "impending sense of doom", indigestion and chest pain a month before a heart attack. If this is true, how do I know what to believe? I also read that there are no tests to diagnose an impending heart attack. I have read on this site that people have passed stress tests adn still had heart attacks. I know I'm young and possibly healthy, but how can I be sure this isn't heart related? I also read most heart attacks occur from small blockages that can't be seen on tests. This scares me a lot. I am seeing a psychiatrist on Wednesday adn hopefully she will put me on new meds to help. but what if this extreme anxiety is my body's way of telling me I'm going to die? Is that possible? I'm sorry to sound so pessimistic but I'm just scared and want advice. I'd appreciate any. By the way, I do get winded from doing certain things and chest pains but they also sometimes occur at rest - there is no definite pattern to them. If it moves around and is deep, isn't that characteristic of cardiovascular?
thank you so much!!
thank you so much!!
I've had palpitations, as I called them, but was told they are an 'extra beat', aka PVC's and they are benign. Of course, they are terrifying and make you feel as though there is something very wrong.
I started having them in pregnancy a little, and was told it was high levels of Progesterone.
But, even after the birth of my baby girl, I had experienced them again, in spells of weeks or more. They would come at different times, and feel almost as if my heart was skipping a beat every couple of beats or minutes, etc. All different. Plus, sometimes it made my body feel as if it was out of gear, so to speak. Imagine stepping on a gas pedal in your car, real quick and hard and waiting for the engine to 'catch up', like it's sluggish. That's the only way I can explain it.
I had an EKG and echo, and all came back good, despite noting the PVC's. I was told they will not hurt me and to try to get more sleep, cut out caffeine,stress, chocolate, etc. That did help, a lot, and for the most part, they have stopped, except whenever I get very worried about things (I am a panicky type person inside, although I never think I'm under much stress... I am a deep thinker, very conscientious to a fault) they can come on again.
I hope my post can provide some reassurance to others, as we all know how frustrating and debilitating it can be. I've talked to many others who have experienced this too and many of them said getting rid of stressors and caffeine definitely helped.
I also noticed that sleeping on my left side was very uncomfortable, almost "spurring" on the palps. I simply don't like sleeping on my left side because of it and rarely do anymore.
I started having them in pregnancy a little, and was told it was high levels of Progesterone.
But, even after the birth of my baby girl, I had experienced them again, in spells of weeks or more. They would come at different times, and feel almost as if my heart was skipping a beat every couple of beats or minutes, etc. All different. Plus, sometimes it made my body feel as if it was out of gear, so to speak. Imagine stepping on a gas pedal in your car, real quick and hard and waiting for the engine to 'catch up', like it's sluggish. That's the only way I can explain it.
I had an EKG and echo, and all came back good, despite noting the PVC's. I was told they will not hurt me and to try to get more sleep, cut out caffeine,stress, chocolate, etc. That did help, a lot, and for the most part, they have stopped, except whenever I get very worried about things (I am a panicky type person inside, although I never think I'm under much stress... I am a deep thinker, very conscientious to a fault) they can come on again.
I hope my post can provide some reassurance to others, as we all know how frustrating and debilitating it can be. I've talked to many others who have experienced this too and many of them said getting rid of stressors and caffeine definitely helped.
I also noticed that sleeping on my left side was very uncomfortable, almost "spurring" on the palps. I simply don't like sleeping on my left side because of it and rarely do anymore.
Does anyone get the pressure in the face sensation i discribed on palps or just randomly when you feel something is going on with your heart?? thanks, i'd appreciate any comment :)
I forgot to answer your question. No, it doesn't seem to be any worse with exercise - I walk or run everyday. In fact, I don't see a pattern to the pains at all. Sometimes I wake up in a panic with shortness of breath and sometimes I'll feel pain just watching TV but most of the time this is on my mind and its hard to do my full time job, care for my baby and husband with all this going on.
I'd appreciate any help
I'd appreciate any help
Thank you so much for taking time to care about me. I appreciate your comments so much! I think you may be right on what I've read about panic disorder. I am seeing a therapist on Tuesday and hopefully she can help me. I just can't help but think there may be something wrong with my heart. I have had shortness of breath as well. Its been 4 weeks of these symptoms and I'm wondering if I'm not making them worse by worrying. My poor husband and baby need me and I'm hoping I can be there for them soon. I wish the symptoms would go away but I don't think there are any more tests they can do for me. Should I ask for an echo?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Hi there!
momto3girls, my heart rate has always been fast, but the first time I sought help for it I had tachy for 2 weeks straight! That was the worst. Now I usually get it after meals, and in the recovery phase after working out. I usually have PVCs with it, but not necessarily.
I notice many factors trigger tachy for me, but the worst, like I said, are meals and exercise. The problem is that you can't do without either of them! LOL. I'm taking 20 mg Inderal before lunch. My cardio said I can take 40 mg, but he also said I may develop resistance to the drug if I take too much. The CCF doctor who replied to my post on beta blocker said usually patients don't develop resistance. I'm really worried about this because so far the BB has been a miracle cure for me (except a few episodes when it just doesn't work...I guess way too much adrenaline). Anyway, most of the time Inderal both slows my HR down and eliminates PVCs. My PVCs are triggered by catecolamines like my sinus tachy. So usually I get them together, though I can have them separately also. Does that all sound like you, momto3girls?? :-)
Celeste: if it's fine with your cardiologist, please give the beta blocker a try!!! Hey I'm not a representative for a pharmaceutical company! LOL I say this because if I take it before a meal, afterwards I have very few symptoms. If I don't take it, I can be fine but most of the time I get tachy for hours like you!! Do give it a try. If it doesn't work you'll have other options. My cardio said that if I get worse he will try an antiarrhythmic. But for now we will wait. I'm still on a low dose of the BB so I know I can increase it before trying the potent drugs. He doesn't recommend ablation for me, because he said that even if I get rid of the PVCS I will still have the sinus tachy.
Good luck!!!
Fran
momto3girls, my heart rate has always been fast, but the first time I sought help for it I had tachy for 2 weeks straight! That was the worst. Now I usually get it after meals, and in the recovery phase after working out. I usually have PVCs with it, but not necessarily.
I notice many factors trigger tachy for me, but the worst, like I said, are meals and exercise. The problem is that you can't do without either of them! LOL. I'm taking 20 mg Inderal before lunch. My cardio said I can take 40 mg, but he also said I may develop resistance to the drug if I take too much. The CCF doctor who replied to my post on beta blocker said usually patients don't develop resistance. I'm really worried about this because so far the BB has been a miracle cure for me (except a few episodes when it just doesn't work...I guess way too much adrenaline). Anyway, most of the time Inderal both slows my HR down and eliminates PVCs. My PVCs are triggered by catecolamines like my sinus tachy. So usually I get them together, though I can have them separately also. Does that all sound like you, momto3girls?? :-)
Celeste: if it's fine with your cardiologist, please give the beta blocker a try!!! Hey I'm not a representative for a pharmaceutical company! LOL I say this because if I take it before a meal, afterwards I have very few symptoms. If I don't take it, I can be fine but most of the time I get tachy for hours like you!! Do give it a try. If it doesn't work you'll have other options. My cardio said that if I get worse he will try an antiarrhythmic. But for now we will wait. I'm still on a low dose of the BB so I know I can increase it before trying the potent drugs. He doesn't recommend ablation for me, because he said that even if I get rid of the PVCS I will still have the sinus tachy.
Good luck!!!
Fran
I'm sitting here bawling again, not in a bad way, but in relief.
You know, I wouldn't wish PAC's, PVC's on my worst enemy...but I have to tell you all what it means to know there are others out there that can understand and sympathize with what I'm dealing with. Thank you for sharing and caring from the bottom of my heart! Without you all, I just don't believe I could cope at times.
As far as tachy goes, I'm right there with you all. After meals is the worst for me also. Pizza is a killer and at times it lasts for hours after a big meal. My Cardiologist said it was normal to have an increase, but I don't know how to deal with it at times. Tonight has been horrible. I went to dinner with my family and the PVC's were bad enough that I couldn't eat. I was too worried about the tachy that I was sure would ensue.
At times, I spend 10 minutes running my wrists under ice cold water, bare down, hold my nose and blow air thru pursed lips, everything I know of that helps slow down the heart via the Vagal nerve. Usually, nothing helps. If the beta's don't help me, I will definetly follow with albation.
This is so depressing. <sigh>
cmiller~~ Thank you for your insight! I have followed many of your posts throughout the many months visiting here and you are so helpful. A true asset here.
I have often wondered about intracellular Mg due to my levels being so low on the standard Chem7 they run. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with hypokalemia and hypomag and have at least stayed in the low end of normal since then. I don't understand why the doctors have not checked me intracellular. I guess I will have to be insistant when I call my Cardio on Monday. Thank you again. Your wisdom is greatly appreciated!
You know, I wouldn't wish PAC's, PVC's on my worst enemy...but I have to tell you all what it means to know there are others out there that can understand and sympathize with what I'm dealing with. Thank you for sharing and caring from the bottom of my heart! Without you all, I just don't believe I could cope at times.
As far as tachy goes, I'm right there with you all. After meals is the worst for me also. Pizza is a killer and at times it lasts for hours after a big meal. My Cardiologist said it was normal to have an increase, but I don't know how to deal with it at times. Tonight has been horrible. I went to dinner with my family and the PVC's were bad enough that I couldn't eat. I was too worried about the tachy that I was sure would ensue.
At times, I spend 10 minutes running my wrists under ice cold water, bare down, hold my nose and blow air thru pursed lips, everything I know of that helps slow down the heart via the Vagal nerve. Usually, nothing helps. If the beta's don't help me, I will definetly follow with albation.
This is so depressing. <sigh>
cmiller~~ Thank you for your insight! I have followed many of your posts throughout the many months visiting here and you are so helpful. A true asset here.
I have often wondered about intracellular Mg due to my levels being so low on the standard Chem7 they run. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with hypokalemia and hypomag and have at least stayed in the low end of normal since then. I don't understand why the doctors have not checked me intracellular. I guess I will have to be insistant when I call my Cardio on Monday. Thank you again. Your wisdom is greatly appreciated!
... HAVE BEEN HAVING MOSTLY LEFT SIDED CHEST PAINS FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. I AM VERY CONCERNED NOW THEY ARE MOVING TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE MIDDLE OF THE STERNUM. I ALSO SOMETIMES FEEL PAINS IN MY LEFT SHOULDER, ARM, AND FINGERS.
Pains that migrate this way are not part of the usual picture of heart disease in either sex.
...BLOOD WORK, EKG MONITORING, CHEST X RAY, CT SCAN AND ALL CAME BACK NORMAL. MY CHOLESTEROL WAS 135 AND MY BP WAS GOOD. I HAVE NO HISTORY OF FAMILY HEART DISEASE. I HAVE HAD ANXIETY IN THE PAST BUT THIS FEELS DIFFERENT. I'M SCARED EVERYDAY OF DYING AND I JUST FEEL A DOOM CLOUD OVER MY HEAD.
You are a young woman, and therefore already at low risk for heart problems. Add to this your lack of a family history of this kind of disease, your low BP, low cholesterol, and good EKG and scan, and I think you can pretty much rule about a cardiac problem, especially--and this is important--if you can physically do your ordinary daily activities. Can you?
So, what to do now? Well, you could have yet another series of tests, but most likely, you'd get the same results. You could try the magnesium supplements some here have found useful. It probably wouldn't hurt, unless you took a form or amount that gave you diarrhea.
However, you several times mention feelings of doom, and while that can indeed be associated with heart attacks, it's much more characteristic of panic attack. Ask me how I know.
You may not like to hear this, but I suspect your distress may be a combo of hormones, which take a while to settle down after giving birth (and some cynics feel don't return to normal until some twenty-one years later), plus exhaustion, plus whatever evil gene it is that gives some of us hyperactive autonomic nervous systems.
Based on my own experience with panic attacks + PVCs, I'd suggest moving on to see a good psychiatrist. You're already on psych drugs, but they clearly aren't working, so seeing a shrink who specializes in this kind of therapy might shortcut the whole process for you. My own treatment has shown me that it may take a fair trial of several SSRIs, not just one, because people differ so widely. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another. For example, Paxil makes me really nervous, while I find Zoloft calming.
Your fear of dying and not being able to care for your child is surprisingly common, by the way. It's something women report all the time here, and it's perfectly understandable. It's just that in your case, it's almost certainly not justified, and it's getting in the way of your enjoyment of your life, right?
A good shrink may also want to get you into some cognitive therapy to deal with non-productive fears, because such therapy in combination with the right drug is reported to get faster results than one or the other alone.
Pains that migrate this way are not part of the usual picture of heart disease in either sex.
...BLOOD WORK, EKG MONITORING, CHEST X RAY, CT SCAN AND ALL CAME BACK NORMAL. MY CHOLESTEROL WAS 135 AND MY BP WAS GOOD. I HAVE NO HISTORY OF FAMILY HEART DISEASE. I HAVE HAD ANXIETY IN THE PAST BUT THIS FEELS DIFFERENT. I'M SCARED EVERYDAY OF DYING AND I JUST FEEL A DOOM CLOUD OVER MY HEAD.
You are a young woman, and therefore already at low risk for heart problems. Add to this your lack of a family history of this kind of disease, your low BP, low cholesterol, and good EKG and scan, and I think you can pretty much rule about a cardiac problem, especially--and this is important--if you can physically do your ordinary daily activities. Can you?
So, what to do now? Well, you could have yet another series of tests, but most likely, you'd get the same results. You could try the magnesium supplements some here have found useful. It probably wouldn't hurt, unless you took a form or amount that gave you diarrhea.
However, you several times mention feelings of doom, and while that can indeed be associated with heart attacks, it's much more characteristic of panic attack. Ask me how I know.
You may not like to hear this, but I suspect your distress may be a combo of hormones, which take a while to settle down after giving birth (and some cynics feel don't return to normal until some twenty-one years later), plus exhaustion, plus whatever evil gene it is that gives some of us hyperactive autonomic nervous systems.
Based on my own experience with panic attacks + PVCs, I'd suggest moving on to see a good psychiatrist. You're already on psych drugs, but they clearly aren't working, so seeing a shrink who specializes in this kind of therapy might shortcut the whole process for you. My own treatment has shown me that it may take a fair trial of several SSRIs, not just one, because people differ so widely. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another. For example, Paxil makes me really nervous, while I find Zoloft calming.
Your fear of dying and not being able to care for your child is surprisingly common, by the way. It's something women report all the time here, and it's perfectly understandable. It's just that in your case, it's almost certainly not justified, and it's getting in the way of your enjoyment of your life, right?
A good shrink may also want to get you into some cognitive therapy to deal with non-productive fears, because such therapy in combination with the right drug is reported to get faster results than one or the other alone.
Hi Celeste,
Sorry to hear of your challenges.
Can Ca supplements or Ca "tums" increase PACs;
yes. High calcium levels may strip Magnesium/competes for intracellular Mg. See if you can find a physician who will test your red blood cells for Magnesium. I suspect you are way low. Be aware that low levels of Mg in plasma can be even worse intracellularly AND it can be very difficult to get re-balanced. Mg acts like a calcium channel blocker and impacts hundreds of processes in the heart. insist that you have ongoing measurement of your intracellular (at LEAST Red Blood cell Mg) to make sure you are getting back on target.
Mg and K supplemenation have been shown to reduce heart palps. taurine will help you move Mg and K into your cells. Be aware that this takes TIME to restore levels of these ions on a permanent basis... some people have intractable deficiency (I am worried I am one of them). You may also find yourself feeling better, as Mg will also help modulate catecholamines. (adrenaline). Search the net and you will be amazed how much powerful ifnormation you will find on Magnesium. Why this is not used more regularly by phyicians is beyond my comprehension, particularly given the level of data out there to support its use and low toxicity if you have healthy kidneys. I use them (mg/k) to control mine along with taurine and healthy dietary intake and other supplements. search this web site for my name, you will find many good things that may help you.
Good luck.
Sorry to hear of your challenges.
Can Ca supplements or Ca "tums" increase PACs;
yes. High calcium levels may strip Magnesium/competes for intracellular Mg. See if you can find a physician who will test your red blood cells for Magnesium. I suspect you are way low. Be aware that low levels of Mg in plasma can be even worse intracellularly AND it can be very difficult to get re-balanced. Mg acts like a calcium channel blocker and impacts hundreds of processes in the heart. insist that you have ongoing measurement of your intracellular (at LEAST Red Blood cell Mg) to make sure you are getting back on target.
Mg and K supplemenation have been shown to reduce heart palps. taurine will help you move Mg and K into your cells. Be aware that this takes TIME to restore levels of these ions on a permanent basis... some people have intractable deficiency (I am worried I am one of them). You may also find yourself feeling better, as Mg will also help modulate catecholamines. (adrenaline). Search the net and you will be amazed how much powerful ifnormation you will find on Magnesium. Why this is not used more regularly by phyicians is beyond my comprehension, particularly given the level of data out there to support its use and low toxicity if you have healthy kidneys. I use them (mg/k) to control mine along with taurine and healthy dietary intake and other supplements. search this web site for my name, you will find many good things that may help you.
Good luck.
COULD YOU HELP???
COULD I HAVE ANGINA OR A PENDING HEART ATTACK FROM LOW MAGNESIUM OR ANYTHING ELSE? I AM A 25 YEAR OLD FEMALE ADN HAVE BEEN HAVING MOSTLY LEFT SIDED CHEST PAINS FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. I AM VERY CONCERNED NOW THEY ARE MOVING TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE MIDDLE OF THE STERNUM. I ALSO SOMETIMES FEEL PAINS IN MY LEFT SHOULDER, ARM, AND FINGERS. I WENT TO THE ER 3 WEEKS AGO WITH CHEST PAINS AND AN IMPENDING SENSE OF DOOM. THEY DID BLOOD WORK, EKG MONITORING, CHEST X RAY, CT SCAN AND ALL CAME BACK NORMAL. MY CHOLESTEROL WAS 135 AND MY BP WAS GOOD. I HAVE NO HISTORY OF FAMILY HEART DISEASE. I HAVE HAD ANXIETY IN THE PAST BUT THIS FEELS DIFFERENT. I'M SCARED EVERYDAY OF DYING AND I JUST FEEL A DOOM CLOUD OVER MY HEAD. I READ AN ARTICLE WHERE WOMEN HAVE DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS THAN MEN INCLUDING THIS SENSE OF DOOM, INDIGESTION, ETC. I HAVE ALL THESE AND IT SAYS YOU CAN HAVE THEM FOR A MONTH BEFORE THE HEART ATTACK. I JUST KEEP WAITING FOR IT. MY DOCTOR DID AN EKG WHICH CAME BACK WITH INVERTED T WAVES SO HE ORDERED MYOVIEW NUCLEAR STRESS TEST WHICH CAME BACK NORMAL. HE ALONG WITH THE CARDIOLOGIST ENSURES ME MY HEART IS FINE. I'VE HEARD STRESS TESTS AREN'T VERY ACCURATE AND I'M JUST WONDERING, COULD I BE HAVING ANGINA LEADING TO A HEART ATTACK? I'VE BEEN TOLD EVERYTHING FROM GERD TO POSTPARDUM TO ANXIETY (I HAD A BABY 5 MONTHS AGO). I'M ON PROZAC, TRANXENE, AND PRILOSEC WHICH DON'T SEEM TO BE HELPING THE INDIGESTION OR WORRY. WHAT SHOULD I DO? SHOULD I PRESS FOR MORE TESTS? I'M SO SCARED I'LL DIE AND NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF MY BABY. PLEASE HELP!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP IN ADVANCE!!!
COULD I HAVE ANGINA OR A PENDING HEART ATTACK FROM LOW MAGNESIUM OR ANYTHING ELSE? I AM A 25 YEAR OLD FEMALE ADN HAVE BEEN HAVING MOSTLY LEFT SIDED CHEST PAINS FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. I AM VERY CONCERNED NOW THEY ARE MOVING TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE MIDDLE OF THE STERNUM. I ALSO SOMETIMES FEEL PAINS IN MY LEFT SHOULDER, ARM, AND FINGERS. I WENT TO THE ER 3 WEEKS AGO WITH CHEST PAINS AND AN IMPENDING SENSE OF DOOM. THEY DID BLOOD WORK, EKG MONITORING, CHEST X RAY, CT SCAN AND ALL CAME BACK NORMAL. MY CHOLESTEROL WAS 135 AND MY BP WAS GOOD. I HAVE NO HISTORY OF FAMILY HEART DISEASE. I HAVE HAD ANXIETY IN THE PAST BUT THIS FEELS DIFFERENT. I'M SCARED EVERYDAY OF DYING AND I JUST FEEL A DOOM CLOUD OVER MY HEAD. I READ AN ARTICLE WHERE WOMEN HAVE DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS THAN MEN INCLUDING THIS SENSE OF DOOM, INDIGESTION, ETC. I HAVE ALL THESE AND IT SAYS YOU CAN HAVE THEM FOR A MONTH BEFORE THE HEART ATTACK. I JUST KEEP WAITING FOR IT. MY DOCTOR DID AN EKG WHICH CAME BACK WITH INVERTED T WAVES SO HE ORDERED MYOVIEW NUCLEAR STRESS TEST WHICH CAME BACK NORMAL. HE ALONG WITH THE CARDIOLOGIST ENSURES ME MY HEART IS FINE. I'VE HEARD STRESS TESTS AREN'T VERY ACCURATE AND I'M JUST WONDERING, COULD I BE HAVING ANGINA LEADING TO A HEART ATTACK? I'VE BEEN TOLD EVERYTHING FROM GERD TO POSTPARDUM TO ANXIETY (I HAD A BABY 5 MONTHS AGO). I'M ON PROZAC, TRANXENE, AND PRILOSEC WHICH DON'T SEEM TO BE HELPING THE INDIGESTION OR WORRY. WHAT SHOULD I DO? SHOULD I PRESS FOR MORE TESTS? I'M SO SCARED I'LL DIE AND NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF MY BABY. PLEASE HELP!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP IN ADVANCE!!!
Hi Celeste,
Wow, frustrating stuff isn't it? I think everyone with pac's or pvc's and tachycardia wants to hear definitively that we're not going to drop dead nor will they cause long term damage down the road! I suffer from very similar pvc's and hey, how about some unexplained tachycardia to go along with it!
I have days where I'm checking my pulse and waiting for the inevitable sudden cardiac death and then I'm fine for weeks. Go figure. I try to talk myself down from them when they start furiously coming one after another. I know what you mean....it's hard when your heartbeat feels so strange. But you are in very good and excellent company here! The thing that stinks is that you can go weeks with hardly a blip and then boom, they come on end and you think this it!
I too am on a very low dose of beta blockers (12.5 mg atenolol 2 times a day). It helps some but mainly I take it for the tachycardia I get. I wanted to point out too that taking calcium antacids can interfere with beta blockers so be sure not to take them together! I learned that lesson the hard way (: Good luck to you and best wishes (:
Fran,
What are your tachycardia episodes like? Curious to see if we're in the same boat! Take care (:
Wow, frustrating stuff isn't it? I think everyone with pac's or pvc's and tachycardia wants to hear definitively that we're not going to drop dead nor will they cause long term damage down the road! I suffer from very similar pvc's and hey, how about some unexplained tachycardia to go along with it!
I have days where I'm checking my pulse and waiting for the inevitable sudden cardiac death and then I'm fine for weeks. Go figure. I try to talk myself down from them when they start furiously coming one after another. I know what you mean....it's hard when your heartbeat feels so strange. But you are in very good and excellent company here! The thing that stinks is that you can go weeks with hardly a blip and then boom, they come on end and you think this it!
I too am on a very low dose of beta blockers (12.5 mg atenolol 2 times a day). It helps some but mainly I take it for the tachycardia I get. I wanted to point out too that taking calcium antacids can interfere with beta blockers so be sure not to take them together! I learned that lesson the hard way (: Good luck to you and best wishes (:
Fran,
What are your tachycardia episodes like? Curious to see if we're in the same boat! Take care (:
Hi, I too suffer from PVCs and sinus tachycardia. I'm taking a beta blocker daily - a small doese for now - and except for rare occasions it works so well it relieves my symptoms almost completely. The worst for me is right after meals. Taking the BB before a meal works the best for me. Like the doctor said, not everyone responds to beta blockers. I would definitely give it a try though. Taking them as needed is OK (see the doctor's reply to my question on beta blockers I posted a few days ago).
Take care
Take care
Hi sweetie, sorry to hear about the increase in palps, I know it can be hell. I am having the EXACT symptoms as yourself and it's my first time with them like this too. It's 5 wks now, not to discourage you, and they seem to be leveling off slightly. They are not at me every minute like the last few weeks,but now spurts throughout the day. Bending over is terrible for mine, haha, some say you feel them more, well, I simply have more on bending over. I have never had heartburn and that stuff, so I don't know if I can connect my stomach so much as yourself. Though, I do find after eating a meal I am tachy and more likly to get PVCS. That might be one! :)
I have been having what I think is mulitple PVCS? I dunno, but they may be that ROlling you mentioned. What does that feel like? Also, since you seem to be going through the same thing right now...have you ever got the feeling of blood rushing to your head? At night the other day and yesterday after walking and sitting down, I had a funny feeling in my chest (not the thump thumps like usual) and had a pressure/blood rushing/like someones applying pressure to my throat. Anyone else get this?
I have been symptomatic on a holter twice, one reading PVCS the other Ectopic Beats. So, should I be concerned about these ones? They do feel different! Sorry for the long post. I have been avidly reading and felt I could possible give you some peace of mind :)
Best of luck sweetie!
Nurse Kagome
I have been having what I think is mulitple PVCS? I dunno, but they may be that ROlling you mentioned. What does that feel like? Also, since you seem to be going through the same thing right now...have you ever got the feeling of blood rushing to your head? At night the other day and yesterday after walking and sitting down, I had a funny feeling in my chest (not the thump thumps like usual) and had a pressure/blood rushing/like someones applying pressure to my throat. Anyone else get this?
I have been symptomatic on a holter twice, one reading PVCS the other Ectopic Beats. So, should I be concerned about these ones? They do feel different! Sorry for the long post. I have been avidly reading and felt I could possible give you some peace of mind :)
Best of luck sweetie!
Nurse Kagome
anacyde, hello!
Thank you for the well wishes. Support really means alot!
Your post really got my attention. I, too, am wondering now if I might be overly sensitive to certain minerals. For me, it appears that it might be potassium and to much calcium.
This past weekend my pvc's started up after almost a 4 week hiatus and I increased my potassium on Sun. Tues. and Wed. to about 2000 mgs. aday with orange juice and yogurt.
On Thurs., yesturday, they became unbelievably worse.
Connection maybe? I really have to wonder!!
I don't feel really stressed (other then the PVC's) and can't understand the god aweful worsening for the life of me.
For the past 3 weeks, I have had company staying here, had tons of kids around, a slight cold, deadlines at work, etc. and I was feeling really great considering. This past Fri., everyone left, work was completed, cold went away and I was feeling so peaceful.
Then BOOM! Sat afternoon arrives with a series of PVC's.
It's just so crazy how this works!
I can't take the newer PPI's either. 2 years ago I tried Aciphex and ended up with horrible chest pains and PVC's. Doc told me to get off it and not take them. I have had Tagament though, and if I remember correctly, I did fine with that...so, maybe I should try it. I did ditch the calcium based antacids yesturday and bought some Mylanta as it is Aluminum and Mag hydroxide based.
I have also read in some of the posts here that Mylanta has really helped some fellow PAC's and PVCers.
Out of curiosity, do you suffer from positional episodes?
I found that bending forward slightly really gets mine going as does bending over to tie my shoes etc, yet lying flat on my stomach with arms propped on my elbows almost eliminates them...
For me, there is definetly a stomach/heart connection.
Best wishes.
Celeste
Thank you for the well wishes. Support really means alot!
Your post really got my attention. I, too, am wondering now if I might be overly sensitive to certain minerals. For me, it appears that it might be potassium and to much calcium.
This past weekend my pvc's started up after almost a 4 week hiatus and I increased my potassium on Sun. Tues. and Wed. to about 2000 mgs. aday with orange juice and yogurt.
On Thurs., yesturday, they became unbelievably worse.
Connection maybe? I really have to wonder!!
I don't feel really stressed (other then the PVC's) and can't understand the god aweful worsening for the life of me.
For the past 3 weeks, I have had company staying here, had tons of kids around, a slight cold, deadlines at work, etc. and I was feeling really great considering. This past Fri., everyone left, work was completed, cold went away and I was feeling so peaceful.
Then BOOM! Sat afternoon arrives with a series of PVC's.
It's just so crazy how this works!
I can't take the newer PPI's either. 2 years ago I tried Aciphex and ended up with horrible chest pains and PVC's. Doc told me to get off it and not take them. I have had Tagament though, and if I remember correctly, I did fine with that...so, maybe I should try it. I did ditch the calcium based antacids yesturday and bought some Mylanta as it is Aluminum and Mag hydroxide based.
I have also read in some of the posts here that Mylanta has really helped some fellow PAC's and PVCers.
Out of curiosity, do you suffer from positional episodes?
I found that bending forward slightly really gets mine going as does bending over to tie my shoes etc, yet lying flat on my stomach with arms propped on my elbows almost eliminates them...
For me, there is definetly a stomach/heart connection.
Best wishes.
Celeste
Ronaldpall,
Welcome!
I hope you find as much comfort here as I have.
Being newly diagnosed can be a confusing and extremely frustrating and scary time. Having an holter is a great starting point, but I would follow with an electrolyte blood workup as well as an Stress/Echo with a Cardiologist.
Ruling out electrolyte imbalances, disease and structural damage are important too.
From what I've learned, most Dr.'s tell you to accept and live with your symptoms, something that is alot easier said then done.
Fortunetly for me, my Cardiologist has PVC's himself, and has been alot more understanding then most.
(I also have a long history of Panic attacks/Anxiety.)
As far as calming down during an episode, taking my mind off of them as best as possible is the first step. Xanax during multiples (couplets) seems to help at times, as does relaxation techniques, yoga, positive affirmations (I won't die from these), PC games, gardening etc.
It takes some work, but I rarely fly into full panic mode now, and rarely end up in the ER.
Cutting out all triggers, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, chocolate, cold remedies, really helps, as does exercise. Some have found relief with Mag, potassium, counseling, beta-blockers, and various other things, but for me, nothing seems to help.
(Although, I am going to try beta-blockers next.)
My PVC's come on for weeks or months at times, and then disappear just as mysteriously. I can have thousands a day, or just a handful.
It's maddening at times, and getting upset and angry only seems to make them worse. I can only assure you that I've had these things on and off for 24+ years, and I'm still here. Try doing a PVC search on this site if you haven't already...there are hundreds of us PVCers posting here, and the support is unbelievable!
Without them all, I would be crazy by now.
As far as tinnitus, I haven't had that problem, but my dad does. His started after taking a aspirin based cold medicine and has been with him for 9 years now. I do know that for some people, it too disappears as mysteriously as it starts.
Best wishes on your upcoming test. Hopefully your PVC's are very short in duration and you don't have them like some of us here. Stick around and by all means ask questions as they arise. Most of us PVCers here have a wealth of experience and info and will gladly provide as much comfort as possible!
Welcome!
I hope you find as much comfort here as I have.
Being newly diagnosed can be a confusing and extremely frustrating and scary time. Having an holter is a great starting point, but I would follow with an electrolyte blood workup as well as an Stress/Echo with a Cardiologist.
Ruling out electrolyte imbalances, disease and structural damage are important too.
From what I've learned, most Dr.'s tell you to accept and live with your symptoms, something that is alot easier said then done.
Fortunetly for me, my Cardiologist has PVC's himself, and has been alot more understanding then most.
(I also have a long history of Panic attacks/Anxiety.)
As far as calming down during an episode, taking my mind off of them as best as possible is the first step. Xanax during multiples (couplets) seems to help at times, as does relaxation techniques, yoga, positive affirmations (I won't die from these), PC games, gardening etc.
It takes some work, but I rarely fly into full panic mode now, and rarely end up in the ER.
Cutting out all triggers, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, chocolate, cold remedies, really helps, as does exercise. Some have found relief with Mag, potassium, counseling, beta-blockers, and various other things, but for me, nothing seems to help.
(Although, I am going to try beta-blockers next.)
My PVC's come on for weeks or months at times, and then disappear just as mysteriously. I can have thousands a day, or just a handful.
It's maddening at times, and getting upset and angry only seems to make them worse. I can only assure you that I've had these things on and off for 24+ years, and I'm still here. Try doing a PVC search on this site if you haven't already...there are hundreds of us PVCers posting here, and the support is unbelievable!
Without them all, I would be crazy by now.
As far as tinnitus, I haven't had that problem, but my dad does. His started after taking a aspirin based cold medicine and has been with him for 9 years now. I do know that for some people, it too disappears as mysteriously as it starts.
Best wishes on your upcoming test. Hopefully your PVC's are very short in duration and you don't have them like some of us here. Stick around and by all means ask questions as they arise. Most of us PVCers here have a wealth of experience and info and will gladly provide as much comfort as possible!
Hello,
Sorry I couldn't log on to our normal response page and have to do it through a regular post.
I am sorry to hear that your PVCs are causing you symptoms
Due to reflux, I take huge amounts of Calcium based antacids for days on ends. Could an overload of calcium be a source of increased PVC's?
There is no definite trigger for PVCs in everyone. The only way to figure it out is back off on the calcium and see if they decrease. A proton pump inhibitor like nexium or pepcid should help more than calcium carbonate though.
I haven't had an holter done in 18 years. I feel this is because the doctors have always been able to catch my arrhythmia's on EKG's.
Should I request one at this time? Or would the 3 hour strips I had in the hospital while having PVC's be enough to catch other arrhythmia's?
If the symptoms haven't changed it is unlikely to be anything but PVCs. If you haven't had on in 18 years it would not be unreasonable to check a holter. The problem is that the results are unlikely to change therapy.
Would beta-blockers during these bad times help? Can I take them as needed as well?
Beta blockers can decrease the frequency of PVCs, but it is not predictable who it will help. It may be worth a try. For extremely symtomatic PVCs, we can try an anti arrhythmic med like flecainide or propafenone. These are not used very often. We will occassionally do PVCs ablations with variable success. Again, these are also a last resort.
I hope this answers your questions. Good luck and thanks for posting.
Sorry I couldn't log on to our normal response page and have to do it through a regular post.
I am sorry to hear that your PVCs are causing you symptoms
Due to reflux, I take huge amounts of Calcium based antacids for days on ends. Could an overload of calcium be a source of increased PVC's?
There is no definite trigger for PVCs in everyone. The only way to figure it out is back off on the calcium and see if they decrease. A proton pump inhibitor like nexium or pepcid should help more than calcium carbonate though.
I haven't had an holter done in 18 years. I feel this is because the doctors have always been able to catch my arrhythmia's on EKG's.
Should I request one at this time? Or would the 3 hour strips I had in the hospital while having PVC's be enough to catch other arrhythmia's?
If the symptoms haven't changed it is unlikely to be anything but PVCs. If you haven't had on in 18 years it would not be unreasonable to check a holter. The problem is that the results are unlikely to change therapy.
Would beta-blockers during these bad times help? Can I take them as needed as well?
Beta blockers can decrease the frequency of PVCs, but it is not predictable who it will help. It may be worth a try. For extremely symtomatic PVCs, we can try an anti arrhythmic med like flecainide or propafenone. These are not used very often. We will occassionally do PVCs ablations with variable success. Again, these are also a last resort.
I hope this answers your questions. Good luck and thanks for posting.
Thank you for your helpful insight. It was very appreciated.
PS: my cardiologist suspects adrenaline is the cause of my PACs too.
Hi there. I also have anxiety, reflux and ectopic beats (mine are atrial, but the same idea). I know for me that all these things can be related. When I get stressed out, my reflux acts up. When my reflux acts up my heart rate drops (interestingly enough) and I get a lot of PACs. When I get the multiples like you describe, it's usually during times of stress or severe reflux episodes.
I was on Nexium, but began having PSVT (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) episodes. Apparently, a very rare side effect of Nexium is tachycardia, and as a result I cannot take any PPI medications now. Controlling reflux with diet alone stinks! It takes forever to get it under control.
I do notice when I use a lot of over the counter heartburn medication (Maalox, for example) I do have an increase in palpitations the next day. I suspect it's because some of these are magnesium-based, but I'm just guessing. I am very sensitive to everything, so any time I increase potassium or magnesium (in my diet or with antacids) I notice rhythm changes too. My cardiologist and GP were both surprised, but they both agreed as they observed it for themselves.
Hope you feel better soon.
I was on Nexium, but began having PSVT (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) episodes. Apparently, a very rare side effect of Nexium is tachycardia, and as a result I cannot take any PPI medications now. Controlling reflux with diet alone stinks! It takes forever to get it under control.
I do notice when I use a lot of over the counter heartburn medication (Maalox, for example) I do have an increase in palpitations the next day. I suspect it's because some of these are magnesium-based, but I'm just guessing. I am very sensitive to everything, so any time I increase potassium or magnesium (in my diet or with antacids) I notice rhythm changes too. My cardiologist and GP were both surprised, but they both agreed as they observed it for themselves.
Hope you feel better soon.
Hi Celeste07 - This is the first time on this website. I saw your post on PVC. I just found out that I also have PVC's. At first the said I was having panic attacks, so now I don't know what is going on. I am going to get a Holter monitor in 2 weeks. Do you have any ringing of the ears(TINNITUS)? which started about 2 month ago. What do you do to calm yourself down during an episode? Any tricks that you do? Any meds?
Talk care
Ronaldpall
Talk care
Ronaldpall
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