Sudden increase in PVCs

[pandora9048]

Hi,
   Thank you for taking my question.
HX:  30 y/o old female.  I have history of heart palps, mainly tachycardia, in the past occasional PVCs, except for one episode of PVCs lasting for hours soon after giving birth.  
     Recently for the past couple of weeks I've noticed an increase in PVCs.  I've been getting them every day now, sometimes 2 in a row.  the worst was 4 missed beats one after the other last Saturday.  In the past I would get them occasionally, maybe once every few weeks approx.  My cardio workup has been labs done a year ago, normal resting echo and 21 day event monitor done in August of '03 (this was for tachycardia). Doctor blamed the rapid heartbeat on anxiety.  I've had ekg's, the last being in July of '04, & a stress echo done August '04, which were interpreted as normal.  These were for chest pain.
   My questions are:  (1)  What could be causing this sudden increase in PVCs and should I be concerned?
(2)  Should I have any other tests done?  
(3) Is having 4 PVC's in a row dangerous?  I don't get dizzy when I get the PVCs but sometimes my arms feel numb for a second or two right after getting one.
There have been no changes in my lifestyle.  I smoke about 5-7 ciagarettes a day a maybe a half cup of coffee.  I know this can cause heart palps but it hasn't increased them in the past.  I take .5 mg xanax 2x a day for anxiety.  I haven't been on any other meds and I don't drink.  I do have thalassemia which makes me slightly anemic.  My mom & sister have history of PVCs, but mine have increased suddenly.
Please help:(  
Sincerely,
Pan

[cookie2]

I think bigemy is every other beat and trigemy is every 2 beats. I have had them both and I cant tell you in words how scarey it is. Doc still says in a normal heart all is ok. hope i answered your question. take care

[pandora9048]

Hey everyone,
   I know there are a lot of people on this forum who have worse problems w/ pvcs, etc.  When I say I had 6 today so far, that may seem like nothing to some people, but it's scaring the s**t out me.  It seems to happen if I'm lying down for a while, get up quickly and then sit down again.  It's just rather sudden I guess, so naturally I'm thinking something is wrong that they missed.
I have 2 questions, if anyone can answer:
    what is bigemy and trigemy?
Also, I know it's said that pvcs in a structurally normal heart are considered benign, etc., but what about in time (if I live God willing,) I get heart disease as millions of people do as they age, then what?  They won't be benign anymore and they'll kill me?
This is such a terrible way to live, first the tachy nonsense and now these !@#!@# pvcs.  
Thanks to everyone who posted.
P.S.  to LynnSB, a while back u gave me info about dunking my face in cold water when my heart decides it wants to race, and it worked, so I thank you!
God bless to all
Pan

[Mel22]

"Could you post a link to the story about zithromax and heart attacks? thanks so much!"

I read it "hard copy". There is a webiste, but you have to be registered to use it. It's free though. You could do a search on Zithromax.

www.washingtonpost.com

Good luck!

[Mel22]

oops, "bkj". Please excuse the typos.

[Mel22]

Thank you for responding, doctor.

I *do* have hypertension, but it's controlled by meds. That's why I was worried. I understand what you are saying now.

[cookie2]

Hi
I think I know what you mean. I get one regular beat then a really fast one and they feel like they are together, not like the paulse with pvcs. is that what your feeling?. I think v tech is over three pvcs in a row. also pacs could be 3 or more in a row and it wouldnt be v tech. I am not a doctor so I am just telling you what I heard from others.
                                         Take care