Too many PVCs?

[PAT65]

Hello- I have been reading the forum and have also reviewed some archive topics, so I want to be sure I am understanding what is being said regarding PVCs correctly. From what I read if your heart is structually normal and have no previous heart history e.g. heart attacks than the number or kind of PVCs are basically of no concern. Is this correct? I will give you some of my test results. By 24hr holter I had 7,487 isolated PVCs. 1,176 couplets, and 174 bigeminal episodes.According to my echo report I had 60% EF, trivial if any MVP, mild mitral insufficiency,mild tricuspid insufficiency and trace pulmonic insuffficiency, aortic valve was OK. The Drs didn't seem concerned about any of these findings. I had a normal routine treadmill. So here are my questions. 1.According to what I have been reading, even though I have that many PVCs I still shouldn't worry? 2.Over a period of a few months it seems I have started having more couplets, triplets, and even a couple 6-9 beat runs, How can I be sure the PVCs I have will not deteriorate into something more ominious? 3.My EF was 60%. Is that OK? and does it fluctuate or stay about the same?  it seems I had an Echo one other time and my EF was higher than that. 4. How often should I repeat these tests in followup?  PS. I am a 37yo female.

[PAT65]

Hi Again! I mentioned this at another time but I noticed it does seem strange that a lot of people in their late 30s start having PVCs. I wonder why? Momto3, If you and your Dr. find a medicine that works please let me know. Like I said I do trust my Dr. but he's not a cardiologist and I don't feel like he has tried all the options or maybe he is not familiar with all there is out there. He was concerned when I told him I thought I had some VT so now I get to do an event monitor for a month! Do you guys think according to your drs. that he may be overeacting? PS. I do have a regular EP cardiologist but I can't get in to see him as quickly.

[alexa's mom]

Your symptoms of the short run of VT sound like what I experience at times.  It feels like my heart quivers or vibrates for like 5 seconds....feels much different than a regular PVC.  I also compare it with the feeling you get when your chest is congested and you breath in and it's all gurgley in the area that caves in between those two rounded bones where your chest meets your neck.

I had a stress test yesterday which was all normal. My internist just told me to ignore these symptoms........kinda hard to do!!

Michelle

[Momto3]

I believe that hormones are involved!!  Two years ago when I started get the palps very frequently, I asked my OB/GYN about perimenopause?  I had the FSH test done and it came back normal.  Interestingly, when I asked my EP about it, she said she was in the middle of a study regarding just that subject, but funding got pulled...I plan to discuss it with her again in April. Although I get PVCs whenever, I had a terrible bout with them a couple of weeks ago...PMS!!!  As for the flutters, I can't that that is really what I feel.  I get a little off balance and feel a bit shaky when they are really acting up.  I also get that quivery feeling sometimes, though I'm told so far it's still PVCs.  When I was in the hospital in January, I went for another stress test to be sure the medicine did not send me into a NEW arrythmia pattern.  Anyway, the tech said, "Oh, you're the one with VT, right?"  I said, I don't think so, just LOTS of PVCs.  I mentioned that to my doc and she said, "Yes, you do have VT."  I was kinda surprised.  Apparently, it has something to do with runs of PVCs...and I get those!!!  Funny thing is until the EF dropped, they still weren't concerned other than making me comfortable....Since I visit this board often (at least daily), I will keep you posted after the echo. My doctor is very into research so she is very interested in what happens. I feel so blessed to have found her....Good luck to everyone!!  I'm always watching the boards so please keep me posted....Thanks!

[Ianna]

Hi,

I have the same problems you have.
Only I AM menopausal. I am 57 years young....
It has got to do with hormones too I'm sure, beside stomach, esophagus-problems, stress, anxiety, sensitive nerves, etc etc.
I have the 'runs' of flutters too, and the PVC's. Sometimes palpitations.
Have had all the tests, everything is fine, slight MVP, little bit of high BP.
I take the beta-blocker Inderal. Feel ok with that med.
But the 'flutters'.
Don't know what they are, they never got them on the Holter.
You mention 'short runs of VT'.
It feels like my heart is shivering for 7 to 10 seconds, and I feel a very nasty surge going through my body, like 'I'm going to pass-out or die if my heart is not going back to normal very soon', it's very scary, and it is NOT a PVC, it is different and after 'the run' I feel a little shaky, as does my heart.
What exactly do YOU feel when you mention a short run of VT?
Is it dangerous? And indeed it is usually once a month.
The PVC's I can handle fairly well, but this feeling I really hate...
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Let me know if you like (or anyone else?)
Thank you.
-
Bey  -  ***Ianna***

[Momto3]

Hi again!!  Congrate to your mom!!  I hope we follow in her footsteps : )
As for my doctor, she is absolutely fabulous.  I have yet to find someone who actually took all the time I needed to reassure me and such. When I call to ask a question, SHE calls me back personally.  When I initially asked about the ablation, she told me it may work, but it has its risks (hmmmmm).  Anyway, she has since talked to a few of their group's "ablaters" (her words) and they said they felt they could successfully perform the procedure.  However, she would prefer to try the meds first.  Sounds like a good plan.  The PVCs are definitely bothersome, but I'm just not sure an ablation is the answer.  My doctor prefers non-invasive methods to getting control of this stuff.  I guess it may depend on the results of my echo in April. If you are in the Cleveland area, I would highly recommend her.  As I recall from my first appointment, she HAS PVCs so she GETS IT!!
So, did your doctor think that the PVC's (in these outrageous numbers) could cause the EF to drop??

[CLM]

It will be very interesting to hear what your echo shows in April!  I hope you can find a way to post that so that we VERY frequent pvcers can learn about it.  

I wanted to respond to those asking about magnesium supplements.  My cardiologist "prescribed" four tablets of "Slo-Mag" a day (its combined with calcium) and I have been taking them for nearly six months.  Well, sad to say, it has not done a heck of a lot for me, as I am still getting -- at times-- 6++ pvcs per minute for hourse at a time, couplets, short runs of vt (only once a month or so, but it is not a fun feeling).  The only difference I can tell is that I don't really do bigeminy anymore since being on the magnesium.   What I have noticed is a very strong correlation to hormones:  ovulation in particular, but also pms-time.  At 37 I wonder if some perimenapause stuff is going on here.  Stress/adrenaline a factor and I am struggling to get that under control.  I really do think that "retirement" of some kind would in fact make my numbers go down, but there are times that it seems just like the "wrong time of the month."

[PAT65]

Hi! Thanks for your comments. I did mention to my doc today about the decrease in EF related to PVCs and he said it could drop during the PVC which might explain why the low EF if you have many, many PVCs. I told him I had had a previous echo that showed 70-75% EF and this one was down to 60%. He said there was also a measure of different interpretations by different physicians. Who knows. By the way, Your Dr. sounds great, but at what point does she think an ablation might be warranted? My Dr. mentioned it today but I don't feel like all the other options have been  tried yet. I have heard only mixed reviews about ablations and I hope not to have to go that route. You had asked about my mother whos PVCs seem to have dissapeared. According to what she can remember,The PVCs she had were found by accident at a routine appt. She had a holter, stress test etc. They said she had more than 6 PVCs a minute and multiple PVCs on the stress test. Back then they started her on quinidine which helped. She took it for 10 years then her stress level dramatically decreased (retirement). She was able to wean off the quinidine and now about 12 years later she only has what she calls an occasional flutter. I hope to go that route!

[karie]

So appreciate this board and all the PVC's posts....I have MVP and pvc's and Just purchased a book called Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome/Dysautonomia Survival Guide and found that the autonomic nervous system is a huge factor in our hearts function. My cardiologist had mentioned Dysautonomia at my last visit in regards to potassium levels, pvc's.
Hope to read More

[Momto3]

Hi Pat,
Yup, I have quite a few of the buggers.  My doctor became concerned in December when my most recent echo showed a falling ejection fraction.  However, I must point out that initially we were not sure if the EF reading was even accurate because during the test....you guess it....tons of PVCs.  Therefore, the picture quality and computer calculations may have been distorted.  So, in order to clarify the numbers, the doctor suggested I be admitted and try Flecainide to get control of the PVCs and then redo the echo for better images.  I did that and the echo showed 45% (first one showed 40%).  She was still somewhat concerned.  Apparently, she read a study where this frequency can CAUSE a decreased EF...YUK!!  Anyway, the plan is to stay on the antiarrythmic and have another echo in April.  If the EF is normal...then she believes that the study may have some real merit.  If the EF is not better, then I go on an ace-inhibitor.  My doctor is not at the Cleveland Clinic, but at another major hospital in the area.  However, in 2000 because she thought I probably needed MVP repair she sent me to the CCF for a TEE....She felt that THEY were the BEST for repairs...I have tremendous faith in her....I used to see an internest, but I much prefer the EP who deals with this stuff everday. Even when I had "benign" PVCs (before the EF problem), she saw me at least once per year to recheck, etc....Keep me posted!

[Ianna]

Hi Gary,
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I cannot chat with you, I'm sorry.
We can talk here on the board.
OK?
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See you!
-
***Ianna***

[Ianna]

Yes, sometimes there is a connection to the stomach.
Look under archives on this site and search for questions and answers about this subject.
There are a lot of 'us' with PVC's-stomach related problems.
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Good luck - ***Ianna***

[PAT65]

Hi! You both mentioned having thousands of PVCs a day just like I  have. You also mentioned having short runs(VT) of PVCs. Do either one of your Drs. show any concern about this? Momto3, You mentioned that you see an EP doc at the Clevelan clinic, Do they seem concerned at all? I went for a followup appt. today just to my regular internist whom I respect very much and he said the short runs I have were not "normal" at all and he ordered an event monitor for me to wear for a month! It kind of has me concerned. Let me know what you guys have heard. Thanks!

[Jade12]

Hi all,
I also experience PVCs and palpitations quite often throughout the day. Have done an ECG which showed bigeminy. Still waiting on the results from a recent Holter and echo. I am a 22 year old healthy female. Exactly how many PVCs a day I do not yet know, but I'd expect it in the thousands (since I am often in bigeminy or trigeminy for hours at a time). Tho from reading this forum I understand that the number of PVCs isn't important as long as your heart is structurally fine.

I was just wondering if anyone else has chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath? For the past 3 days I've been having chest pains on and off. I'm not too concerned about it as I've had chest pain before, just not for so many consecutive days and so frequently. The pain is localized into several specific points, and sometimes feels like stabbing. Have any of you experienced something similar? And if so, did your doctor say anything about it?

Finally, I'd like to thank you all for contributing to this forum. I've kept these symptoms a secret from my friends and family, and have found comfort in your shared experiences.

[h82bl8]

I have been having PVC's since 1973.  The first one I noticed was while sitting in a college classroom.  Scared the **** out of me.  Like many of you, I thought I was alone.

Today for the first time, I went into Google and searched PVC's.  I found this site.  I'm really glad.

My Pvc's seem to be worst after I eat.  When I feel bloated.  Someone raised the issue of acid reflux - maybe there is a connection to the stomach.

[dartmouth03]

I totally understand about other people's lack of understanding...some people just aren't as intune with their bodies as we are i guess.  i think trying a magnesium supplement wouldn't be a bad idea.  i personally am one of those people that hates pills and doesn't take anything.  however, my doctors, uncle who is a doc, etc. all say to try magnesium (usually taken with calcium) supplements and hawthorn berry for the pvcs/arrhythmias.  i get like 10 or so skipped beats a day...on my holters once showed 4 pvcs (one of which was a couplet so that counts for 2) and 9 pacs, and the other showed 50 pvcs and 4 couplets, and another showed 0 pvcs and 4 pacs, etc - so i figure i can try and cope with them without taking supplements right now.  but the bottom line is, no matter how many you get, each one is distressing and can ruin a persons day/mood.  the supplements are worth a shot though.  another thing that helps is to make sure you drink lots of water.  my cardiologist said that some of his patients just start drinking lots of water and the pvcs are reduced in number dramatically.

[Bacse]

I have just looked for (and found, obviously) this website.  These PVC's are driving me nuts.  Exceedingly uncomfortable.  But my cardiologist disregards them completely.  My heart rate is high because I am always short of breath.  My EF is <30.  My pulse rate is about 120 and I skip at least every 6th beat.  But it isn't regular - - Skip one, beat twice; skip one, beat four times; skip two, beat, skip, beat twice, skip.  You get the idea.  I sit here and start panting for air.  And I don't know what to do about it.

BTW, I had an MI in 1992 - a major portion of the R. coronary slammed shut following a spasm caused by a medication.  It remains shut.  I had an ICD implanted a year ago because I seem to be prone to "sudden death".

Any ideas???

[alexa's mom]

Thanks so much for your reply. I too get them all over my body, from my eyelids to my toes. I know what you mean by the ones in the chest. It does feel like your heart is beating weird. Would it be wise to try out a magnesium supplement? I'm glad someone else has the twitches too, I feel like a freak when I tell other people and they're like "huh"?!!!

Michelle

[dartmouth03]

hi michelle...i do know that a lack of mag. can cause more pvcs and other arrythmias. i also get fasiculations (muscle twitches) all over my body, and at times actually get them in my chest and confuse them with my heartbeat.

[alexa's mom]

Does anyone believe or know if lack of magnesium can cause PVC's? I read somewhere that it has a lot to do with functioning of MUSCLES including the heart but when I asked my doctor about it he said it was not necessary to test because it has more to do with brain function. Also does anyone experience MUSCLE twitches. Sometimes I wonder if PVC's + MUSCLE twitches = magnesium deficiency!!!

Anyone care to shed some light!

Thanks,
Michelle

[jdd]

I am from near St. Louis, MO and am only 21 years old.  My doctor said he believes the increase in EF is from my medication, but when I went in for a second opinion from a different doctor he said that if anything the 150 mg of Toprol would depress my EF, and that he doesnt' think I ever had a true cardiomyopathy.  He ran a bunch more blood tests but isn't sure what to think about the sudden improvement.  I am very relieved that I (probably) do not have DCM, but would like to find out why my EF was 30!!!

[obiwan001]

Ditto your post on potential causes.  I don't have mvp, but I have had both easy and "nasty" pvcs, over 16 years, sometimes for weeks on end.  I wonder what age has to do with them, too.  The only reassuring thing, is that so many of us are in the "family" together.  God Bless.  Obi.

[wmac]

I agree with your idea of other connections with these pvc's.
Read on mvp, its seems as though everyone with pvc's has a mvp problelm also. Now to the esophagus issue i have esophagal spams and My cardi said certian foods really could effect the heart due the fact the esophagus lies right next to heart. I quit caffaine, chocolate and smoking all at once because of pvc's.
My cardi said caffaine and chocolate dont bother most people and that it would be okay have them but i said no way. I find one of the BIGGEST things is lack of sleep, if i dont get enough rest i get alot of them the next day. Im a night owl so that has now changed.I dont want to go on meds. masking the symptoms and getting ten other problems not worth it to me! Good luck

[dartmouth03]

Hi everyone...i've been reading the posts on here since around October and they've been a great help at times and at other times have led me to unnecessary worry.  i also have been struggling with these strawberries as i like to call them since august.  i've actually had them since i was a teen, and now i'm 23...but only in the past six months have i really began to perseverate on them.  anyhow, i read that many of you guys had been inquiring about a support group and i found one through yahoo which i believe is the only one on the net.  here is the link...it helps to read others posts, etc.....http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PeoplewithPVCs/
hope everyone gets some relief....and try to take solace in the fact that the doctors consider these benign, no matter how distressing they may be.

[Momto3]

EF is short for ejection fraction.  It refers to the amount of blood contracted from the ventricle.  Normal is said to be 55-65.  I do not know if the stress test will measure EF, but if they do an echo also, you will be able to find out.  The stress test is not bad.  You will be asked to walk quickly (I have never had to run) and try to achieve your target heart rate.  I am generally only on there for about 10 minutes.  Of course, I'm twice your age : )  Good luck.....It is not bad....Not painful or invasive, just a little tiring.