Aa
v-tach
What a wonderful forum!!!!
I am a 40 year old female with a history of PVC's, PAC's and short runs of non-sustained v-tach (which was documented on a holter monitor 8 years ago).
I have since had every cardiac workup imaginable including an EP study which they could not make my heart go into any funky rhythm.
After my most recent visit to the EP doctor, he told me that since I have a normal heart that it is no big deal to have short runs of PVC's together and what was abnormal was my reaction to these. (I have read enough things in medical books and looked at a lot of things on the internet to know that v-tach is a big deal though). I am terrified!!!!! He also stated that if they were to put holters on everyone out there that 10% of these people would return their monitors with short runs of v-tach, but most people would not even feel it???? I find that hard to believe.
1. Is it possible that when the short run of v-tach was caught on my holter that it could have been something else (maybe atrial fib or something - since they have not caught anything else except a short run of 4 PVC's on a previous king of hearts monitor)? How bad are runs of 4 PVC's????
2. Is this true that short runs of PVC's are not dangerous in a normal heart?
3. I have suffered from anxiety for years because of this diagnose of v-tach and I am so scared everytime I feel my heart skip that it is going to stop. What sort of med would your recommend for a person that is completely obsessed with these things now? I have tried beta blockers but I do not do well on them. Should I be on anxiety meds instead? As I say, this is ALL I think about now (my heart).
5. I have read that 300,000 Americans die each year from some form of irregular heart beat. Do these people suffer from arrythmia or some form of heart disease?
I really appreciate your forum. Any light you could shed on this issue for me would be very much appreciated.
Thanks!!!!
I am a 40 year old female with a history of PVC's, PAC's and short runs of non-sustained v-tach (which was documented on a holter monitor 8 years ago).
I have since had every cardiac workup imaginable including an EP study which they could not make my heart go into any funky rhythm.
After my most recent visit to the EP doctor, he told me that since I have a normal heart that it is no big deal to have short runs of PVC's together and what was abnormal was my reaction to these. (I have read enough things in medical books and looked at a lot of things on the internet to know that v-tach is a big deal though). I am terrified!!!!! He also stated that if they were to put holters on everyone out there that 10% of these people would return their monitors with short runs of v-tach, but most people would not even feel it???? I find that hard to believe.
1. Is it possible that when the short run of v-tach was caught on my holter that it could have been something else (maybe atrial fib or something - since they have not caught anything else except a short run of 4 PVC's on a previous king of hearts monitor)? How bad are runs of 4 PVC's????
2. Is this true that short runs of PVC's are not dangerous in a normal heart?
3. I have suffered from anxiety for years because of this diagnose of v-tach and I am so scared everytime I feel my heart skip that it is going to stop. What sort of med would your recommend for a person that is completely obsessed with these things now? I have tried beta blockers but I do not do well on them. Should I be on anxiety meds instead? As I say, this is ALL I think about now (my heart).
5. I have read that 300,000 Americans die each year from some form of irregular heart beat. Do these people suffer from arrythmia or some form of heart disease?
I really appreciate your forum. Any light you could shed on this issue for me would be very much appreciated.
Thanks!!!!
What a nice reply Green. Thank you so much, you have eased my mind tremendously. You sound like you know what you are talking about. I actually have gone through 2 EP studies because of my persistance to my family doctor. I am driving everyone crazy with this. Do you know of any anti-anxiety meds that do not make the heart act up at all? I have tried Buspar (too many headaches), and Paxil (made my heart skip worse). I am lost as what to do next. I would love to put this behind me and not have to let it control my life.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I don't believe it is true that "usually they attribute PACs, PVCs, etc. to serious structural heart concerns." Do you have any medical research for this belief?
Cindy et al:
Unfortunately, you only know if you are a candidate for an ICD if you have a serious V-Tach event or if you have a full EP study where they put you into a fast rhythm and then see if they can use drugs to get you out. Even that is no guarantee as studies have been done to show that drugs are not as successful at preventing Sudden Death as oppossed to ICDs. BUT THAT IS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO!
It is true that most people have skipped beats, but to me it's like telling a skin cancer patient that most people have moles. AND, usually they attribute PVCs, PACs, etc. to serious structural heart concerns.
So, just keep on top of it. Good luck.
Unfortunately, you only know if you are a candidate for an ICD if you have a serious V-Tach event or if you have a full EP study where they put you into a fast rhythm and then see if they can use drugs to get you out. Even that is no guarantee as studies have been done to show that drugs are not as successful at preventing Sudden Death as oppossed to ICDs. BUT THAT IS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO!
It is true that most people have skipped beats, but to me it's like telling a skin cancer patient that most people have moles. AND, usually they attribute PVCs, PACs, etc. to serious structural heart concerns.
So, just keep on top of it. Good luck.
Hi Julie,
I've been having supraventricular tachycardia, pvcs, pacs.. even with medication, but medication has made a big difference, particularly with the tachycardia. I might be facing valve surgery pretty soon, and I am not looking forward to it. I have lived with heart disease since my mid-20s,when I had my first heart surgery, and I'm now 47. Coming to terms with heart disease was initially very, very difficult for me. I was traumatized. Over time, though, I've managed to live a full life and without giving heart disease much thought.
I don't know if this helps, but to live is to live with risk of all kinds. I know maybe there's a higher risk for me in roller blading or riding a bike or cross country skiing than there is for most people. I love these sports though, so with the thought that I want to be happy doing what I love to do, I just go ahead. I don't take all risks with my cardiac (and other) health - I try to eat reasonably well and I don't do heavy lifting. I guess mainly what I want to say is don't be too discouraged, because being happy is attainable despite risk, loss, and other hardship. I've seen it with me and others too - more I think as I get older. Hope things get better soon for you!
I've been having supraventricular tachycardia, pvcs, pacs.. even with medication, but medication has made a big difference, particularly with the tachycardia. I might be facing valve surgery pretty soon, and I am not looking forward to it. I have lived with heart disease since my mid-20s,when I had my first heart surgery, and I'm now 47. Coming to terms with heart disease was initially very, very difficult for me. I was traumatized. Over time, though, I've managed to live a full life and without giving heart disease much thought.
I don't know if this helps, but to live is to live with risk of all kinds. I know maybe there's a higher risk for me in roller blading or riding a bike or cross country skiing than there is for most people. I love these sports though, so with the thought that I want to be happy doing what I love to do, I just go ahead. I don't take all risks with my cardiac (and other) health - I try to eat reasonably well and I don't do heavy lifting. I guess mainly what I want to say is don't be too discouraged, because being happy is attainable despite risk, loss, and other hardship. I've seen it with me and others too - more I think as I get older. Hope things get better soon for you!
Cindy,
I read your article and understand your concerns. You have valid
concerns, however you do not have to worry. I have been in Emergency Medicine now for over 10 years. Yes the runs of VT could be life threatening if there was a major underlying condition. It sounds like you have gone through every possible test to find the problem. And I applaud you for going through with the EP study, because most people would not have done it.
Since you have been living with this problem for near 8 years.
Chances are you WILL live to be a very old woman. There are many many reasons and causes for VT. In my opinion, if they could not induce VT in the EP lab with the strong and powerful drugs. Chances are you will NOT have any problems with sustained VT.
Your body can not make enough adrenalin compared to the amount they pumped into your heart during that EP study.
Some people actually do walk around and live with runs of VT everyday with no problem. But keep in mind that nothing in life is guaranteed. Be grateful that the problem was found on the holter monitor. Because most monitors do come back problem free, when there actually is a problem.
Just follow your Doctors orders, comply with your meds, get plenty of sleep, stay away from chocolate, caffiene, and coke products. Watch the stress in your life, be slow to anger, and I think you will be perfectly fine.
I read your article and understand your concerns. You have valid
concerns, however you do not have to worry. I have been in Emergency Medicine now for over 10 years. Yes the runs of VT could be life threatening if there was a major underlying condition. It sounds like you have gone through every possible test to find the problem. And I applaud you for going through with the EP study, because most people would not have done it.
Since you have been living with this problem for near 8 years.
Chances are you WILL live to be a very old woman. There are many many reasons and causes for VT. In my opinion, if they could not induce VT in the EP lab with the strong and powerful drugs. Chances are you will NOT have any problems with sustained VT.
Your body can not make enough adrenalin compared to the amount they pumped into your heart during that EP study.
Some people actually do walk around and live with runs of VT everyday with no problem. But keep in mind that nothing in life is guaranteed. Be grateful that the problem was found on the holter monitor. Because most monitors do come back problem free, when there actually is a problem.
Just follow your Doctors orders, comply with your meds, get plenty of sleep, stay away from chocolate, caffiene, and coke products. Watch the stress in your life, be slow to anger, and I think you will be perfectly fine.
Hi, everyone who has any kind of problem with your heart should stay on top of it..I'm a 44yr old woman who had a heart attack in May..they gave me TPA then I went into V-tach...the doctor had to run in and punch my chest...I was then transferred to another hospital where the did angioplasty...I know have irregular heart beats that the doc said 'don't worry about' yeah right! take care
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