Chest pain, PAC, PVC's

[ljrod]

42 female, had a occipital stroke June 2004, found to have a Patent ovale foramen.  Had a cardio seal implanted in Aug, 2004.  Have been under tremendous stress last four months.  Last 5 weeks been have severe chest pain on left side, up left arm with anxiety.  Just had a Holter monitor put on and found to have PAC's and PVC's that registered along with my noted events.  I was told yesterday to see my cardiologist which I have called.  I have had two EKG's wchich showed not events.  The chest contractions have slowed down, they were coming consistently for weeks.  I am now on Lexapro and Clonazepan which have helped some.  Could the cardio seal and stress be putting too much strain on my heart.  I take 81 mgs of apirin a day.  The risk of an additional stroke is now causing more anxiety.

[salis110]

DEAR LJROD
HI
I HAVE A STRANGE FEELING IN MY HEART BUT I'M NOT SURE IS IT PVC OR NOT?CAN YOU EXPLAIN ME HOW DO U FEEL WHEN PVC OCCURS.
I'VE EXPLAINED MINE AS FOLLOW.IS IT SAME FOR U?

i feel dizzy but when i check my pulse it is normal as always for example it is 60 or little more or less.but sometimes it beats faster till 90-100 without any activity, at this period of beats i feel something happens in my chest, it is not pain or ? and after a short time (1 or 2 secs)i feel a heavy pulse and after that every thing goes ok but some anxiety.If casually through this event I check my pulse I feel an interrupt or skipping pulse.It makes me crazy.Also sometimes i feel pain in my chest bones dr.s siad they are due to ur anxiety.
I did echo which was ok and 24 hrs holter i had a period of 43 bpm during sleep at night and a 2.14 secs rest in hearts beat plus 2 rests less than 2 secs.
whats going on me? what are skips in my heart with odd feeling?
ARE THEY PVC's?


MANY THANKS

[ljrod]

My echo cardiogram in November did not show any flow across the PFO.  The cardio seal appeared to be effective.  Thanks for the feedback regarding the stroke.  I have four small children and am still terrified it could happen again.  I was very fortunate that the stroke resulted in minimal visual damage.  I will definitely sleep a little better tonight.

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi ljrod,

I am sorry to hear about your medical problems at such a young age.  I have not heard of people with chest pain syndromes after a PFO closure.  Is it safe to assume you have a negative stress test?  Symptoms like this can certainly be caused by anxiety, but is appropriate to address the possible coronary disease first.

If you follow-up TEE did not show residual flow across the PFO, you should not worry about recurrent stroke (I know, easy for me to say).  You should continue the aspirin.

The good news is that the pacs/pvcs correlate with your chest pain -- which makes coronary artery disease or your concern about the closure device much less likely.

Make sure you follow up with your cardiologist. Good luck and stay healthy.