35,000 Extra Heart Beats in a 24 Hr. Period

[Francesca10]

I have been struggling with PVC VT for the last 3 years, and I see my electrocardiologist about every 3 months for a 24 hour halter monitor. I had one sucessful, but only temperary heart ablation. My second ablation could not be done, because when I lay down on the operating table, my heart acts normally. My hearts top speed is 35,000 extra heart beats in a 24 hour period. Medication works a little, but not enough to take me out of the danger zone. I am currently facing another heart ablation in about 2 months if my new meds don't work. My doctor is not happy using the medications because I also have asthma, but I am currently on Verapamil 120 mg & Bisoprolol Fumarate 5mg.

I am beginning to wonder if I am going to drop dead from this like my father did. Yes, there is a LOT of family history in heart disease in my family.

How can I find a cure for this?
Am I dying?
Thank you for your time and help.

[Wisconsin2007]

Francesca, I sent you a note - hopefully you got that.  :)  

Since I know that stress is such a big trigger for me, I've been spending time trying to figure out ways to de-stress myself.  Part of the problem is I don't know that I'm feeling stress until I start having the PVCs.  Maybe you're the same way.

Have you looked into things or tried things to release some stress?  A brisk walk or some other exercise, some kind of regular, mentally engaging kind of activity that can take your mind of your everyday worries?

I often have a hard time finding time to do that myself, but when I do, after a couple weeks it seems to work pretty well.

Keep trying.  :)

[ireneo]

You're doing fine on this board. I'm sure we all got your message. Thank you for writing back.

There are others with tens of thousands of PVC's a  day and they're being treated some how.  Perhaps a second ablation will help you. I've had 3 done and although my heart isn't any where near being perfect, it has improved and that's a great relief.

Keep pushing forward, looking for information. I'm glad your cardio is not giving up and keeps a close eye on you. Having someone care means a lot.

[Francesca10]

When I see the worry in my doctor's eyes, that is enough to freak me out. The PVC's that I am having are at an alarming rate. This is what my doctor told me. I wish he would say that they are harmless, but mine are beyond that. DARN... LOL

Jerry_NJ, & PVChelp, & Ireneo, I appreciate all of the advise that you all have given me. I am looking into alternative medicine in other countries. I am willing to fly anywhere to find a cure for this. I refuse to give up.

I can't even change my vitamins without my eletrocardiologist's knowledge, so I talk to him about everything.

Wisconsin 2007, you are SO right about stress. I could notice on my own that when things upset me, that my heart rate went up so much that I physically got sick. So when I got my last Holter Monitor, I read one of my daughter's, who is 33 years old and can upset me to the max, emails. My doctor showed me the results, and told me not to read my daughter's emails anymore if they are going to upset me like this. So now I have to keep my own child at a safe distance. I thank God that she lives in another state, and I don't talk to her very often.

Anyway, I hope you guys get this message. I have NO idea what I am doing on this thing. I wanted to reply to each of you individually, but couldn't figure out how to do so. I can't even figure out how to get notices on when you guys replied to my message. I thought I had that set up, but I never got notice. Oh well, anyway, THANK YOU! It is nice to talk to someone who has the same problem as myself. Or somewhat the same to any degree. THANKS AGAIN!

[Wisconsin2007]

35,000 is a lot of PVCs, without a doubt.  I'm not familiar with the chinese remedies mentioned here, but I do think that for a lot of PVC sufferers (like me), so much of what's going on inside your heart originates between your ears.

I am a stress monkey, and for the most part when my PVCs get really bad for me (10,000-15,000 in a day or more), I can usually figure out what stressor is causing the problem, work to eliminate it, and be back down to 2-10 PVCs a day within 48-72 hours.  

No special tricks or medicines, just a matter of making sure I'm getting enough sleep, I try to forget about those thing I'm not able to control, cut out the caffeine and just trying to be more mellow about life in general.  Usually works.

I don't know if you've tried anything like that, but it's free and works well for some.

[Jerry_NJ]

Please remember that all medications and over-the-counter preparations such as herbs have side effect and interactions, some may be severe.  So, please be careful, my best advice is all programs of treatment should be discussed with one's personal physician.  

I know that when I go to see my cardiologist or my primary care, they always ask about and I always tell them everything I'm taking, be it Omega 3, or joint preparations... I have never used herbs.

[PVChelp]

Great point. In China both these herbs are prescribed just like they prescribe us atenolol. The ku shen even has an injectable form they give in hospitals.

A year ago I would have laughed if someone had told me I'd go beyond the realms of western medicine, but I'm sure glad I did!

I believe it is the ku shen (sophora) that is giving the benefit, they have been researching it for quite some time and it is extremely effective at treating premature beats without side effects.  

[ireneo]

Do take some time to look up information on Astragalus. It may be "natural" but there are contraindications (folks with certain health problems should not take it) and some side effects. Not much different than regular pills doctors prescribe. Don't just buy some and try it without being informed and discussing it with your doctor especially since you're already on medication now.

[PVChelp]

I'm very sorry to hear what you are going through. I couldn't imagine the fear, I was having attacks of 3-5 thousand per day and got very tired of hearing how "harmless" they are.

I was hospitalized twice due to pain and SOB when they were happening. I was put on atenolol and magnesium which did zero. Mine have many foci so I was not a candidate for abalation.  

After being told over and over there was nothing they could do I turned to alternative medicine. Hawthorne berry, selenium, potassium.....you name it I probably tried it.
I then turned to Chinese medicine taking ku shen (sophora root) and astragalus. After many prayers and one month I am symptom free.

I'll say a prayer for you and hope you get better. I got the ku shen 5:1 powder from chineseherbsdirect and take 2grams (equal to 10 grams root, start slow and work up). It tastes awful so I put it in capsules. You can get the astragalus from the same place or I noticed they now carry it at GNC.

I hope every PVC sufferer gets to read this, I feel like I have a whole new life now.

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry to read you are having so much to worry about and while in the care of a heart specialist.  I hope he/she is telling you to stop worrying about dropping dying.

As for the 35,000 extra heart beats, may I assume that's in addition to the 100,000 or so that a normal healthy heart has each day (about 1 a second + some for moving around, more if engaged in aerobic activity)?  Even at 135,000 in 24 hours we have an average of of less than 100 bpm, which doesn't even qualify for "tachycardia" - which is over 130 at rest and is the threshold of concern.  

I believe PVC is usually benign - not to worry, just try to get it under control, and ablation does offer the possibility of a drug free normal heart rhythm.

Good luck, and let us know how you are doing as you work you way through this problem.