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Signaficance of unifocal vs multifocal PVC's in a normal heart structure
Hello- and thank you for taking my question. I tried to go on the archives to find out this answer but could not find it anywhere so hence the question.
1. How significant are unifocal vs muti-focal PVC's (2 focal vs. 1 focal) in a normal structure heart. Note: echos, stress, Holters all deemed normal except for PVC activity on the latest holter which showed 10 PVC in 48 hours, no runs, and one couplet.
2. Doctor has me taking 12,5 mg of atenenol when required for onset of sinus tachy which later degrades into PVC activity when nervious or when I get an episode of PVC's.(may get 200-400 PVC's during a bad episode over 2 days when they occurr) Typically I take a 12,5 mg tablet of Atenenol several hrs before flying because it prevents tachycardia and limits PVCs. (I hate flying) My question is how safe or appropriate is it to take atenenol when required? I am concerned about starting a meds for 5 days and then sloweley tapering off once the episoide of mainly PVC's stop? Typically, I might get an episode every 2-3 months where I may take atenenol for 2-3 days at 12,5 mg once per day.
3. I have noticed that my PVC activity tends to be worse almost erratic when my pulse is below 65 bpm with atenenol. Is this common to get more PVC activity when your pulse is slow?
4. Are there other meds that might be used as a substitute for Atenenol that may not cause more PVC activity at lower pulse rates?
Note: I do suffer from generalized anxiety and do take ativan when required (might take it .25 mg once every 2 months when needed.
Many thanks-
1. How significant are unifocal vs muti-focal PVC's (2 focal vs. 1 focal) in a normal structure heart. Note: echos, stress, Holters all deemed normal except for PVC activity on the latest holter which showed 10 PVC in 48 hours, no runs, and one couplet.
2. Doctor has me taking 12,5 mg of atenenol when required for onset of sinus tachy which later degrades into PVC activity when nervious or when I get an episode of PVC's.(may get 200-400 PVC's during a bad episode over 2 days when they occurr) Typically I take a 12,5 mg tablet of Atenenol several hrs before flying because it prevents tachycardia and limits PVCs. (I hate flying) My question is how safe or appropriate is it to take atenenol when required? I am concerned about starting a meds for 5 days and then sloweley tapering off once the episoide of mainly PVC's stop? Typically, I might get an episode every 2-3 months where I may take atenenol for 2-3 days at 12,5 mg once per day.
3. I have noticed that my PVC activity tends to be worse almost erratic when my pulse is below 65 bpm with atenenol. Is this common to get more PVC activity when your pulse is slow?
4. Are there other meds that might be used as a substitute for Atenenol that may not cause more PVC activity at lower pulse rates?
Note: I do suffer from generalized anxiety and do take ativan when required (might take it .25 mg once every 2 months when needed.
Many thanks-
I to find pvc's,pac's alarming to say the least!
They have increased over the years and wondering if peri-menopause could be a factor?
My last echocardiogram looked great. My heart murmurs and heart palps are reviewed yearly by a electrophysiologist. I was born with heart murmurs, But started having MVPS symptoms in my early 20's. I follow a heart healthy diet , exercise and have maintained this for 11 years. Have you ever worn a cardio-beeper? or had a tilt table test?
I have cardiogenic syncope and currently not taking any meds.
Some weeks are too much! Appreciate the Sharing
They have increased over the years and wondering if peri-menopause could be a factor?
My last echocardiogram looked great. My heart murmurs and heart palps are reviewed yearly by a electrophysiologist. I was born with heart murmurs, But started having MVPS symptoms in my early 20's. I follow a heart healthy diet , exercise and have maintained this for 11 years. Have you ever worn a cardio-beeper? or had a tilt table test?
I have cardiogenic syncope and currently not taking any meds.
Some weeks are too much! Appreciate the Sharing
Hello!!
You may have read my story if you were reading through past posts. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy as a result of very frequent pvcs. I'm talking over 20,000 pvcs on holter monitors. I had TONS of pvcs for years and finally they took their toll on my heart. The good news is that 2 ablations have fixed the problem. I get a handful of pvcs once in awhile (most days I don't get any) and my ejection fraction is back to normal.
I was told by the doctors that pvc-induced cardiomyopathy is indeed VERY rare. As long as your doctor is pleased with your health, please try not to worry about your pvc's turning into something more significant. Sounds like your doctor has run the standard tests that are used to rule out structural anomalies. If you are still worried, you might want to get a 2nd opinion.
CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!! How exciting!! Despite MVP, a leaky valve, and a funky heartbeat, I had 3 great pregnancies and 3 great kids!!
Have you discussed your fear about having your BP taken with your Dr.? Maybe you could get a home monitor and record the readings for your Dr. to see. When I got my BP machine, I took it to the doctor's office to make sure our readings agreed.
Again, congrats on the pregnancy!! When is your baby due?
Connie
You may have read my story if you were reading through past posts. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy as a result of very frequent pvcs. I'm talking over 20,000 pvcs on holter monitors. I had TONS of pvcs for years and finally they took their toll on my heart. The good news is that 2 ablations have fixed the problem. I get a handful of pvcs once in awhile (most days I don't get any) and my ejection fraction is back to normal.
I was told by the doctors that pvc-induced cardiomyopathy is indeed VERY rare. As long as your doctor is pleased with your health, please try not to worry about your pvc's turning into something more significant. Sounds like your doctor has run the standard tests that are used to rule out structural anomalies. If you are still worried, you might want to get a 2nd opinion.
CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!! How exciting!! Despite MVP, a leaky valve, and a funky heartbeat, I had 3 great pregnancies and 3 great kids!!
Have you discussed your fear about having your BP taken with your Dr.? Maybe you could get a home monitor and record the readings for your Dr. to see. When I got my BP machine, I took it to the doctor's office to make sure our readings agreed.
Again, congrats on the pregnancy!! When is your baby due?
Connie
I have read so many of your posts and they seem to make me feel better. I just got done reading about people who get cardiomyopathy and now I am scared to death that my PVC's will turn into that. Or that they will turn into something lethal. I did have an EKG and an ECHO, both were normal. I had a holter that showed 300 pvc's I know I get more than that most of the time.
I also have a fear of taking my BP. I am pregnant now and I am scared to get tit taken at the doctors. This fear started with my last pregnancy, with son # 2. It went up so high but as soon as I left I knew it would be fine.
Anyway if those tests were normal so you think that my chances of cardiomyopathy or a lethal arhythymia are that of a normal person??
I am so scared.
Thanks for listening.
I also have a fear of taking my BP. I am pregnant now and I am scared to get tit taken at the doctors. This fear started with my last pregnancy, with son # 2. It went up so high but as soon as I left I knew it would be fine.
Anyway if those tests were normal so you think that my chances of cardiomyopathy or a lethal arhythymia are that of a normal person??
I am so scared.
Thanks for listening.
Janibo+Karen 23,
As you can see I came on this thread because the other one is full. I just realized that I started a thread on 11/26 with the question "EKG shows false previous heart attack". Only one person besides the doctor answered and there is plenty of room. We might make people mad if we take up room on this thread, I don't know if we can do that.
If you have anymore questions or would like to discuss further scroll down till you see the question by me I mentioned above.
As you can see I came on this thread because the other one is full. I just realized that I started a thread on 11/26 with the question "EKG shows false previous heart attack". Only one person besides the doctor answered and there is plenty of room. We might make people mad if we take up room on this thread, I don't know if we can do that.
If you have anymore questions or would like to discuss further scroll down till you see the question by me I mentioned above.
Yes, I'm the same as you when it comes about test results. The waiting of the outcome is unbearable. I wish I could be like my husband he doesn't worry about anything. He sits in the waiting room reading a book totally calm when waiting to see the doctor about a test result. All he says "I can't change it, why worry".
Yes, stress can definately raise your Cholesterol. I read a book one time by a Cardiologist and he said that a teaching hospital experimented one time to see if stress can raise cholesterol, they tested the cholesterol of medical students and law students several weeks before their big exam. Their cholesterol was normal or low. One day before their exams their cholesterol was checked again, and some of them had an increase of 100 points or more. A month after the exam their cholesterol was back to normal.
Yes, stress can definately raise your Cholesterol. I read a book one time by a Cardiologist and he said that a teaching hospital experimented one time to see if stress can raise cholesterol, they tested the cholesterol of medical students and law students several weeks before their big exam. Their cholesterol was normal or low. One day before their exams their cholesterol was checked again, and some of them had an increase of 100 points or more. A month after the exam their cholesterol was back to normal.
Dear Karen,
I too get at times PVC's during my exercise walk. I read conflicting stories about PVC's during exercise. My Cardiologist said "not to worry". Of course he checked me out first. The more you worry about these PVC's, the more and stronger they come.
I got my panic attacks under control when reading books from Dr. Claire Weeks. She has about 4 books out, she has died several years ago, she was the ONLY one who got me over my panic attacks 90%, she took all the fear out of me of "sudden death". About "Ativan" these were the last tranquelizers I was on and again they did zero for me. I get more relaxation eating a bag of M+M's. :) I had my first panic attack when I was 15. I'm now 61. Panic attacks will NOT kill you, but oh man are they so very uncomfortable as you know. My closest friends to this day don't know about it out of fear they'd not understand.
About these books I read everybody is different, they helped me tremendously other people swear that only drugs helped them. I tried it all, drugs, therapy, biofeedback, group therapy, but to be honest with you the therapists did NOT really understand about panic attacks because they never had them.
You asked about if I have a phobia, yes, a very big one fear of having my BP taken at the doctors, afraid it will be high. I could not get any help for that, I'm suffering from this phobia for 30 yrs. The older I got the higher my BP was at the doctor's office, it landed me 3 times in the ER. My cardiologist said not to have my BP taken at any doctor's office anymore, to take my BP at home and bring in my readings. That is what I do, my BP is perfect at home. If I had a choice of winning several millions of dollars or get over this phobia I'd pass up the millions of dollars just to get cured of this phobia. For if I've to have a test done etc the BP needs to be taken at the hospital. I tried to get help many, many times, but they have no idea at all how to help people like me. I thought this was very rare or I was the only one until I "googled" it and found tons of people who go through the same thing (fear of having their BP taken). To my surprise more men than women.
I too get at times PVC's during my exercise walk. I read conflicting stories about PVC's during exercise. My Cardiologist said "not to worry". Of course he checked me out first. The more you worry about these PVC's, the more and stronger they come.
I got my panic attacks under control when reading books from Dr. Claire Weeks. She has about 4 books out, she has died several years ago, she was the ONLY one who got me over my panic attacks 90%, she took all the fear out of me of "sudden death". About "Ativan" these were the last tranquelizers I was on and again they did zero for me. I get more relaxation eating a bag of M+M's. :) I had my first panic attack when I was 15. I'm now 61. Panic attacks will NOT kill you, but oh man are they so very uncomfortable as you know. My closest friends to this day don't know about it out of fear they'd not understand.
About these books I read everybody is different, they helped me tremendously other people swear that only drugs helped them. I tried it all, drugs, therapy, biofeedback, group therapy, but to be honest with you the therapists did NOT really understand about panic attacks because they never had them.
You asked about if I have a phobia, yes, a very big one fear of having my BP taken at the doctors, afraid it will be high. I could not get any help for that, I'm suffering from this phobia for 30 yrs. The older I got the higher my BP was at the doctor's office, it landed me 3 times in the ER. My cardiologist said not to have my BP taken at any doctor's office anymore, to take my BP at home and bring in my readings. That is what I do, my BP is perfect at home. If I had a choice of winning several millions of dollars or get over this phobia I'd pass up the millions of dollars just to get cured of this phobia. For if I've to have a test done etc the BP needs to be taken at the hospital. I tried to get help many, many times, but they have no idea at all how to help people like me. I thought this was very rare or I was the only one until I "googled" it and found tons of people who go through the same thing (fear of having their BP taken). To my surprise more men than women.
PVCs in my opinion are harmless in a structurally normal heart. They can be annoying but will not harm you. Sometimes, if you stop caffeine, smoking keep stress under control, exercise they become less bothersome.
Just wanted to offer my support as well. These things seem to come and go and I'm glad for this forum.
I have been told the same thing the dr told you just now many times. They are so hard to accept as being benign and I totaly understand that. Hang in there hun.
I am a male 39 yrs of age no other risk or health factors, cholesteral is within normal guidline ranges. Weight is appropriate (not overweight) and do not smoke or drink otherwise healthy.
HI Abeybaby,
The good news is it doesn't matter if they are unifocal or multifocal PVCs--if you have a structurally normal heart, there is no need to worry about them. I understand they make you feel uncofortable, but it is not harmful.
If you do not have coronary artery disease, it is safe to start and stop beta blockers. Rapid withdrawl of beta blockers will sometimes increase the demand on your heart, but this only matters with coronary artery disease. It sounds like you have an appropriate strategy to deal with your PVCs.
The symptoms of your PVCs may be increased at slower heart rates. The more time your heart has to fill, the stonger your next heart beat is. At slower heart rates or after long pauses in heart rate, you are more likely to the "thump." It is also true that some slower rates will allow more PVCs, but that is usually at rates in the 30-40's, not 60's.
Atenolol would be the same as any other beta blocker. There are some beta blockers that may prevent it from slowing down as much, like pindolol. I use this beta blocker as an example, not as a recommendation because i have never seen it used for this reason.
I hope this helps answer your question. Good luck.
The good news is it doesn't matter if they are unifocal or multifocal PVCs--if you have a structurally normal heart, there is no need to worry about them. I understand they make you feel uncofortable, but it is not harmful.
If you do not have coronary artery disease, it is safe to start and stop beta blockers. Rapid withdrawl of beta blockers will sometimes increase the demand on your heart, but this only matters with coronary artery disease. It sounds like you have an appropriate strategy to deal with your PVCs.
The symptoms of your PVCs may be increased at slower heart rates. The more time your heart has to fill, the stonger your next heart beat is. At slower heart rates or after long pauses in heart rate, you are more likely to the "thump." It is also true that some slower rates will allow more PVCs, but that is usually at rates in the 30-40's, not 60's.
Atenolol would be the same as any other beta blocker. There are some beta blockers that may prevent it from slowing down as much, like pindolol. I use this beta blocker as an example, not as a recommendation because i have never seen it used for this reason.
I hope this helps answer your question. Good luck.
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