tachycardia and pvc's

[blan3556]

I have posted before and the last answer confused me.  I have terrible PVC's and tachycardia.  I am 34, I excercise daily.  I had a 24 hour monitor and a echo a year ago.  My echo showed trace regurgitation other than that normal, the 24 hour monitor showed PVC's and sinus tach, low dose beta recommended.  On the last post the doctor answered saying that a 34 year old should not have tach and that I should investigate it furthur, that worried me.   1. I have had a echo and 24 hour monitor what more do I need to do?  My doctor don't want to run more tests.    2. Is this tachy dangerous to my health?    3. Should I worry about this more than the PVC's?  My doctor wants me on 25mg Atenenol and the cardiologist who ran just a ECG and read only the reports from the last test wants me to go off it,   4. so is it dangerous for me to go off atenenol with my PVC's and tach?     5. Should I stay on the atenenol or would that be more dangerous? I am so confused.     6. My PVC's are real bad right now how do I know if they are worse and I need more tests?     7.  Why did the last post doctors answer say I need more tests, when I have had tests already?     8. What are my chances of sudden cardiac death when I have PVC's and Tachy?        9.  Does when you have PVC's and how many in a row make them more dangerous?          10. What are the chances of all this becoming more sinister?            11.  My heart rate is always been fast between 90-110 is that dangerous?          12.  I am sorry I am scared please help me understand what is dangerous and what is not.  You are very appreciated

[tickertock]

Sorry I meant to write blan3556, not 3536.

[tickertock]

Your situation sounds very similiar to mine though i dont have any regurgitation the valves. I have had a fast heartrate all my life, like you my heartrate was always in 90-110 range at rest, though it would be lower sometimes, I am now 40 , about 15-20 years ago I developed prolonged episodes of Pvcs, lasting from a day or two , then weeks to months, although I always had an occasional one even as young child.

I take 100mg of atenolol daily in divided doses thats completely controlls the tachycardia and probably helps with the PVCs also, I only have rare one now and then , i guess one day they'll soon flare again.

I am not a doctor , but i think your heart would have to beat above 120 consistently for quite a number of years before any damage would occur, I guess like anyone else it might affect some earlier than others, others it might never affect.

I am made to understand with a normal cardiac evaluation its doesn't matter whether your pvcs occur at a lower or higher rate, the prognosis is the same.

If this can be of any comfort I know a man that is now in his 80s and has a resting heartrate rarely ever lower than 100 most of his life , he usually clocks in at 105-115,with pvcs occuring with that rate at that, though he tells me he has never been aware of his fast heartrate or the PVCs, only what hes been told by doctors from time he was young man, yet his heart is totally healthy even at his age.

I know how horrible it is suffer with this problem and the anxiety and worry it can cause. I think the bottomline is to try and learn to live with it and if the beta blockers help and your doctor prescribes them and the side effect are limited, i would take them.

In the long run , I think it probably easier on your heart to beat 70-80 at rest, but its one tough organ and made to take a hell of a pounding before it wears out.

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Blan,

I think you are pointing out one of the limitations of the forum.  Single statements do not apply to everyone.  For us to know exactly what should be done (and in some cases this is fairly subjective), we would need to see the studies.  Tachycardia is a broad word.  A heart rate of 100 is much different than a heart rate of 190 -- but both are considered tachycardia.  I know this is not what you meant, but I am using an extreme case to point out that there are nuances to every case that makes comment to one person potentially not applicable to all.

1. I have had a echo and 24 hour monitor what more do I need to do?
2. Is this tachy dangerous to my health?
3. Should I worry about this more than the PVC's?

I would have to see the EKGs and holter to determine if there is enough information to make this decision.

4. so is it dangerous for me to go off atenenol with my PVC's and tach?

probably not, but again, I would need to see all your information to make this judegment.

6. My PVC's are real bad right now how do I know if they are worse and I need more tests?  

PVC's come and go in cycles.  We don't know what causes them to start or stop, but we know some cases are related to stress, hormones, emotion, fatigue, caffeine, tea, etc.  Odds are they will go away as fast as they came, but again, I haven't seen your data.

7. Why did the last post doctors answer say I need more tests, when I have had tests already?

I do not know what you are referring to.

8. What are my chances of sudden cardiac death when I have PVC's and Tachy?

With a structurally normal heart, VERY low.  But again, this is not an assessment I can safely make over the internet.

9. Does when you have PVC's and how many in a row make them more dangerous?

With a structurally normal heart, no, it does not matter.

10. What are the chances of all this becoming more sinister?

With a structurally normal heart, the chances are very low.

11. My heart rate is always been fast between 90-110 is that dangerous?

No

My advice is to see another doctor.  Not because something is wroing but because I think you need reassurance.  I may be reading too much into your email, but you sound very concerned and I am afraid it is going to consume you.

One of our most respected electrophysiology attending will sometimes say to patients -- "you are not cursed because you have PVCs, you are a cursed because you can feel them."  Some people don't notice them and feel fine.

I hope this helps a little.

Good luck.