Aa
Arrythmia's
I've seen this a couple of times and wanted to ask what research or info this comes from.
What does a person's weight have to do with arrythmia's, pvc's vt etc? I know it makes the workload more for the heart, but people of all weights get heart disease as well as rhythm problems. Anyone have any research or articles for me that points to weight being an issue specifically for arrythmia's, if so I would love the links =)
As a female, I've been up and down the weight rollercoaster too many times to count and when my arrythmia's were the worst I was in a normal (for me) weight range. I find this very curious when I read being over weight can cause pvc's. I have not noticed them anymore or less in relation to weight loss or gain - maybe weight has nothing to do with arrythmia's but more to do with CAD heart disease?
Maybe exercise and eating healthy is more important than being in a "normal" weight range? thoughts, research, articles are much appreciated
What does a person's weight have to do with arrythmia's, pvc's vt etc? I know it makes the workload more for the heart, but people of all weights get heart disease as well as rhythm problems. Anyone have any research or articles for me that points to weight being an issue specifically for arrythmia's, if so I would love the links =)
As a female, I've been up and down the weight rollercoaster too many times to count and when my arrythmia's were the worst I was in a normal (for me) weight range. I find this very curious when I read being over weight can cause pvc's. I have not noticed them anymore or less in relation to weight loss or gain - maybe weight has nothing to do with arrythmia's but more to do with CAD heart disease?
Maybe exercise and eating healthy is more important than being in a "normal" weight range? thoughts, research, articles are much appreciated
thanks for the info in Dr Sinatra, it could be that it's the magnesium that helped - this has been shown to help many with pvc's.
I am so hesitant to take anything prescribed or OTC; I have such a quirky system and what may not affect others may affect patients such as me with ANS issues - it's always best to ask your dr before taking anything.
oh yeah; that's all i need is faster heart rates right? lol (sarcasm loaded there) I don't think I need that with mine at 195 and my ICD fires at 220....that helmet is looking better and better...
I am so hesitant to take anything prescribed or OTC; I have such a quirky system and what may not affect others may affect patients such as me with ANS issues - it's always best to ask your dr before taking anything.
oh yeah; that's all i need is faster heart rates right? lol (sarcasm loaded there) I don't think I need that with mine at 195 and my ICD fires at 220....that helmet is looking better and better...
Hi Alterquest. I am so glad you got to be helped! I dont want you to feel I am attacking your post, as I am not. I looked up L-Carnitine and I read that the majority of people can tolerate it very well. I just want to remind people to research prior to taking anything.
I read people with thyroid issues, or on seizure meds or dyalisis or have kidney or liver issues are not to take this.
It can cause some people to vomit and there have been a few cases of people having some dangerous side effects like fast heart beat, high blood pressure. I dont think we are allowed to post links so I wont, but if you google the name of the stuff you are looking for and type in side effects you will find it.
I read people with thyroid issues, or on seizure meds or dyalisis or have kidney or liver issues are not to take this.
It can cause some people to vomit and there have been a few cases of people having some dangerous side effects like fast heart beat, high blood pressure. I dont think we are allowed to post links so I wont, but if you google the name of the stuff you are looking for and type in side effects you will find it.
I recently had chest pain and arrythmia. I went to the ER at the hospital but they said nothing was wrong. The arrythmias lasted another 4 days! So I did more research and came across a book (on Amazon.com) by Dr Sinatra. He recommended L-Carnitine and and magnesium tablets and D-Ribose powder (a type of sugar which helps the heart muscle. After taking the Acetyl L-Carnitine and magnesium (I got these from www.iherb.com in the USA) my arrythmia and palpitation has gone and I am feeling much better. Living with arrythmia is not really 'living'. It is scary and you never know when it will come on. Before I started the tablets I was too afraid to go out of the house on my own. These natural products sustain and give necessary nutrient and biochemical substances to the heart and help it to alleviate the problem.
I got part of my records for my hospital stay 7/26/2009 - it says suspicous CP & CHF symptoms.
My CT and EKG's shows Cardiomegaly of the heart; vascular crowding and frequent multifocal pvc's; which I didn't know I had multifocal pvc's before now; everything else pretty much goes along with my other tests I've had.
I'm still sifting through hundreds of pages of material that I can barely decipher due to poor fax quality, so I'm going to request a hard copy and tape of my CT next week.
I know cardiomegaly is enlargement of the heart; which would be a cause in the cardiac cath for them saying no alcohol; no clue what vascular crowding is or what causes it...multifocal pvc's puts a wrench in my thinking of my pvc's :P
I'm just wondering what else I'll find that my dr's haven't told me...
My CT and EKG's shows Cardiomegaly of the heart; vascular crowding and frequent multifocal pvc's; which I didn't know I had multifocal pvc's before now; everything else pretty much goes along with my other tests I've had.
I'm still sifting through hundreds of pages of material that I can barely decipher due to poor fax quality, so I'm going to request a hard copy and tape of my CT next week.
I know cardiomegaly is enlargement of the heart; which would be a cause in the cardiac cath for them saying no alcohol; no clue what vascular crowding is or what causes it...multifocal pvc's puts a wrench in my thinking of my pvc's :P
I'm just wondering what else I'll find that my dr's haven't told me...
The dr's said 8/22 was a fluke (tech error on the leads) and there was no way 50,000+ pvc's were there then gone then return - a few hundred maybe, but not thousands.
I was in bigeminy; day in day out that didn't go away :P they had no clue what happened on 11/2008 I had 3 ekg's and the dr only sent 1 to me that showed Bradycardia. I've questioned each doctor i've seen - it's just banging my head against the wall lol :P
My family knows what happened, but have no clue what it is - they've all felt skipped beats but couldn't believe I had 50,000 pvc's and they were dangerous/malignant and didn't act like anything was wrong with me. They saw me walking/running working, even push mowing the yard here in FL @ 2pm in the summer heat and really believed like I did I was healthy as a horse =)
They all had the same questions; will you die from them; can I get them, what do they feel like; why didn't they catch this sooner.
Yes I am in the <1% who have malignant heart arrythmia's, no tests showed any morphology that mine may be dangerous - just that I could develop cardiomyopathy, I can die from them - polymorphic VT can cause VFib but I had a pacemaker/ICD implanted so probably not, they feel like my heart stops beats when they happen, sometimes I get short of breath, chest pains and faint from runs of them; but that's been happening since age 9; so I adapted throughout the years and just learned to live with them; yes you can get them, but not from me, they did catch them sooner - in 2007, but my pcp chose to ignore the fact I had thousands and was in bigeminy and had complained of SoB and CP.
I developed cardiomyopathy, which worsened and did not reverse as some with frequent pvc's do. The treatment for my ANS worsened my problems and I didn't have any relief of symptoms from August 2009 until Sept 2010 when someone suggested I stop the treatment - salt/water loading they had me doing were making me worse. Within a couple of weeks, I started feeling better although weak and out of shape. As long as I don't push myself (which I do too often) or do stupid stuff; I'm at a happy medium and don't take any meds or treatment - Inderal as needed when I get VT runs or syncope issues; sometimes it works, other times not so much.
My husband isn't one of those touchy feely type of guys empathy is not his strong suit lol; it's forget about it; get over it and it will all be fine - unless he sees me cry; I'm a tough old bird and I can handle just about anything - little old pvc's are cake compared to major VT runs where I pass out - can't stand those - knocks me for a loop and sets me back awhile - then he gets scared. More like OMG is she going to die and leave me with these kids LOL j/k
Arrhythmia's and fainting have been a part of my life for almost 40 years, you get used to them and just cope however best you can - I trusted dr's who told me it was all ok; now it's hard to trust anyone in the medical field because I second guess everything they say. One day I'll find another pcp I can trust, until then - I'll keep searching
I was in bigeminy; day in day out that didn't go away :P they had no clue what happened on 11/2008 I had 3 ekg's and the dr only sent 1 to me that showed Bradycardia. I've questioned each doctor i've seen - it's just banging my head against the wall lol :P
My family knows what happened, but have no clue what it is - they've all felt skipped beats but couldn't believe I had 50,000 pvc's and they were dangerous/malignant and didn't act like anything was wrong with me. They saw me walking/running working, even push mowing the yard here in FL @ 2pm in the summer heat and really believed like I did I was healthy as a horse =)
They all had the same questions; will you die from them; can I get them, what do they feel like; why didn't they catch this sooner.
Yes I am in the <1% who have malignant heart arrythmia's, no tests showed any morphology that mine may be dangerous - just that I could develop cardiomyopathy, I can die from them - polymorphic VT can cause VFib but I had a pacemaker/ICD implanted so probably not, they feel like my heart stops beats when they happen, sometimes I get short of breath, chest pains and faint from runs of them; but that's been happening since age 9; so I adapted throughout the years and just learned to live with them; yes you can get them, but not from me, they did catch them sooner - in 2007, but my pcp chose to ignore the fact I had thousands and was in bigeminy and had complained of SoB and CP.
I developed cardiomyopathy, which worsened and did not reverse as some with frequent pvc's do. The treatment for my ANS worsened my problems and I didn't have any relief of symptoms from August 2009 until Sept 2010 when someone suggested I stop the treatment - salt/water loading they had me doing were making me worse. Within a couple of weeks, I started feeling better although weak and out of shape. As long as I don't push myself (which I do too often) or do stupid stuff; I'm at a happy medium and don't take any meds or treatment - Inderal as needed when I get VT runs or syncope issues; sometimes it works, other times not so much.
My husband isn't one of those touchy feely type of guys empathy is not his strong suit lol; it's forget about it; get over it and it will all be fine - unless he sees me cry; I'm a tough old bird and I can handle just about anything - little old pvc's are cake compared to major VT runs where I pass out - can't stand those - knocks me for a loop and sets me back awhile - then he gets scared. More like OMG is she going to die and leave me with these kids LOL j/k
Arrhythmia's and fainting have been a part of my life for almost 40 years, you get used to them and just cope however best you can - I trusted dr's who told me it was all ok; now it's hard to trust anyone in the medical field because I second guess everything they say. One day I'll find another pcp I can trust, until then - I'll keep searching
Support system for someone like us is great. My wife of 32 yrs has Hyperthyroidism and did the neck nuke 30 yrs ago so she has bouts of •Rapid, forceful, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
There is nothing like being comforted by someone who understands your situation. Has your husband and children been advised of your situation during these bouts?
I know my wife just holding and caressing me during these times helps me fall asleep. Wake up to a new day :)
There is nothing like being comforted by someone who understands your situation. Has your husband and children been advised of your situation during these bouts?
I know my wife just holding and caressing me during these times helps me fall asleep. Wake up to a new day :)
You obviously have something so I wouldn't buy "nothing is wrong with me". But while my 24 hr. monitor said 7000 that certainly wasn't a bad day, so I know first hand what mega PVC's feel like. Every few seconds all day long. To be honest, with no meds I doubt one could handle that for years and a cliff would be the choice for most. So that being said and your own words that yes there are times when they are not present, you need to find that happy place again. It does exist! Like Disneyland.
That means giving the meds a chance or the surgery. Frustration is not going to solve the problem. Go back to 8/22 no pvc's, however you got there. Baby steps.
All with a big hug
Jyant
That means giving the meds a chance or the surgery. Frustration is not going to solve the problem. Go back to 8/22 no pvc's, however you got there. Baby steps.
All with a big hug
Jyant
I've had complete bloodworks, 8 vials twice; once for normal things 2nd time was for genetics and autoimmune stuff; out of norm things - all clear except sodium & efgr 1 pt low, I've always been as healthy as a horse :P no plumbing problems thankfully just the whacked out electrical system; with autonomic nervous system problems (cardiac related)
No meds have helped; with the exception of Inderal and that only works for a short duration; ablation worked for a week or so but I developed PAC's after surgery and then pvc's returned and increased in numbers to where they said in dec 09 I needed another ablation.
I have cardiomyopathy so they're a bit leery with meds along with my ANS problems they don't quite understand at all. 2 EP's 4 cardiologists 2 pcp's have no clue what's wrong or what's caused my problems - maybe ARVD, cardiac MRI says inconclusive, no Brugada syndrome, possible HCM since I have CM and concentric LVH and other things that point to it another says nothing is wrong with me....
I think the weirdest thing is, I had tons of pvc's on my EKG in 4/2007 (bigeminy) 11/2008 no pvc's but Bradycardia, 6/2009 - 7/15 tons of pvc's, 8/22 no pvc's; 8/26 tons of pvc's, then 8/27 pac's - so how or where do some 50,000 pvc's go...then return and go, then return and surprise! they're a malignant form and will kill me...[major confusion]
No meds have helped; with the exception of Inderal and that only works for a short duration; ablation worked for a week or so but I developed PAC's after surgery and then pvc's returned and increased in numbers to where they said in dec 09 I needed another ablation.
I have cardiomyopathy so they're a bit leery with meds along with my ANS problems they don't quite understand at all. 2 EP's 4 cardiologists 2 pcp's have no clue what's wrong or what's caused my problems - maybe ARVD, cardiac MRI says inconclusive, no Brugada syndrome, possible HCM since I have CM and concentric LVH and other things that point to it another says nothing is wrong with me....
I think the weirdest thing is, I had tons of pvc's on my EKG in 4/2007 (bigeminy) 11/2008 no pvc's but Bradycardia, 6/2009 - 7/15 tons of pvc's, 8/22 no pvc's; 8/26 tons of pvc's, then 8/27 pac's - so how or where do some 50,000 pvc's go...then return and go, then return and surprise! they're a malignant form and will kill me...[major confusion]
Lisa
Ran over your journal..Keep your chin up, you sound like a strong women. You can beat this.
Just curious if you have taken a hard look at your electrolytes or tried a calcium blocker?
Have the Dr.s ever been able to stabilize your rhythm and with what? No hospital stay where they tried different intravenous drugs? If I'm reading this right you have no heart disease.
Ran over your journal..Keep your chin up, you sound like a strong women. You can beat this.
Just curious if you have taken a hard look at your electrolytes or tried a calcium blocker?
Have the Dr.s ever been able to stabilize your rhythm and with what? No hospital stay where they tried different intravenous drugs? If I'm reading this right you have no heart disease.
you can look under my profile and journals; there's quite a bit of information and personal stuff there - or just go straight to my journey journal http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/237059/My-Journey?personal_page_id=861727
I just tell myself I'm ok and it's nothing to worry about; which can be a good and bad thing - sometimes I'm set back months because I do stupid stuff like go 3 days to Disney and walk the entire time with my family when I should use a wheelchair or cart thingy (sorry brain fog, I can't remember what they're called).
Another fault of mine is I ignore symptoms; not a recommendation for sure - find a happy medium to stay healthy but not obsessed. I hear ya; when they told me 54,181 pvc's I had no clue I had that many - since I had been told by a dr in 2007 nothing was wrong even though he saw I was in bigeminy - I felt them, but ignored them because I had a clear ekg :P
I just tell myself I'm ok and it's nothing to worry about; which can be a good and bad thing - sometimes I'm set back months because I do stupid stuff like go 3 days to Disney and walk the entire time with my family when I should use a wheelchair or cart thingy (sorry brain fog, I can't remember what they're called).
Another fault of mine is I ignore symptoms; not a recommendation for sure - find a happy medium to stay healthy but not obsessed. I hear ya; when they told me 54,181 pvc's I had no clue I had that many - since I had been told by a dr in 2007 nothing was wrong even though he saw I was in bigeminy - I felt them, but ignored them because I had a clear ekg :P
"I find no direct relation of 10,000 - 50,000 pvc's related to how much I weigh"
Just off the top of my head, I wouldn't think you could. I feel for you. This is just an over the top amount of pvc's.
I know when I had my 24 hr. monitor I would try and estimate how many I was having. I had assumed it would be 2,500, so I was kinda shocked when I heard 7000.
I haven't looked to see how you have dealt with your issue, some place I can read that?
Just off the top of my head, I wouldn't think you could. I feel for you. This is just an over the top amount of pvc's.
I know when I had my 24 hr. monitor I would try and estimate how many I was having. I had assumed it would be 2,500, so I was kinda shocked when I heard 7000.
I haven't looked to see how you have dealt with your issue, some place I can read that?
ahhh =) sorry was a bit confused what you meant at first
I haven't found any research that show a direct link that obesity or being overweight causes pvc's; only that obesity can cause coronary heart disease - I still feel like I'm missing something - I've read on MH forums 3 or 4 times in the past month about weight issues or weight gain and pvc's but nothing to back those statements up
I can say this - I've been thin, heavy and everywhere in between at some point in 43 years - and I find no direct relation of 10,000 - 50,000 pvc's related to how much I weigh
I haven't found any research that show a direct link that obesity or being overweight causes pvc's; only that obesity can cause coronary heart disease - I still feel like I'm missing something - I've read on MH forums 3 or 4 times in the past month about weight issues or weight gain and pvc's but nothing to back those statements up
I can say this - I've been thin, heavy and everywhere in between at some point in 43 years - and I find no direct relation of 10,000 - 50,000 pvc's related to how much I weigh
While studies may indicate that weight is an issue to some degree of arrythmia's, I am of the opinion genes play a much more vital role in our overall health long term. Thus I discount alot that I read in some studies.
And yes there is a weight gene or genes. This isn't a car assembly line, we are all different in our make up. Our bodies can process foods, exercise, stress and so on at much different rates.
And yes there is a weight gene or genes. This isn't a car assembly line, we are all different in our make up. Our bodies can process foods, exercise, stress and so on at much different rates.
It's in the genes. I've been obese/morbidly obese most my life, but active. Very healthy person, blood work most would die for. Mom 81 and smoking for 63 years. I don't even have high blood pressure.
lol @ arrhythmia.
I hate the word too. When I spell it I say it phonetically in my head. I start off by saying ARR (like a pirate). Then HITH (but with a Y). Then MIA (as in momma MIA).
I was researching this for you on google and found this awesome paper. I've always wondered if anyone studied the effectiveness in using beta blockers for PVCs and there is one!
I found these really cool stats on PVCs. They looked at three conditions that enhance PVCs, meaning more occur.
Tachycardia enhanced (28%)
Bradycardia enhanced (24%)
Indifferent pattern (48%)
What they found was that beta blockers worked best for the Brady and Indifferent groups. Well duh!! We've been saying that on this board forever :-)
The paper does cover some stats on weight/age/and BMI of PVC frequency.
It even gets into talking about the role of ANS and nerve activity into the heart for causing ectopics. It's a really cool paper.
http://www.cardiology.org/recentpapers/PDF307/HRPVCEngel.pdf
I hate the word too. When I spell it I say it phonetically in my head. I start off by saying ARR (like a pirate). Then HITH (but with a Y). Then MIA (as in momma MIA).
I was researching this for you on google and found this awesome paper. I've always wondered if anyone studied the effectiveness in using beta blockers for PVCs and there is one!
I found these really cool stats on PVCs. They looked at three conditions that enhance PVCs, meaning more occur.
Tachycardia enhanced (28%)
Bradycardia enhanced (24%)
Indifferent pattern (48%)
What they found was that beta blockers worked best for the Brady and Indifferent groups. Well duh!! We've been saying that on this board forever :-)
The paper does cover some stats on weight/age/and BMI of PVC frequency.
It even gets into talking about the role of ANS and nerve activity into the heart for causing ectopics. It's a really cool paper.
http://www.cardiology.org/recentpapers/PDF307/HRPVCEngel.pdf
awww c'mon Is_something_wrong I'll buy you dinner if you diagnose me hehehe j/k j/k - hey, I have no problem with any of us trying to help others find answers - those who do just need to go to the expert forum and only post there :P I understand the rules of a "member's community".
all kidding aside, we've had alot of discussions on my weird heart/system - I know I do not have cardiovascular disease since my cardiac cath said my pipes were squeaky clean regardless of weight issues - I really think that's due to exercise; eating healthy and genetics
I still have 300-400 pages of info I have to get from doctor's & hospitals that I have to buy; first thing I'm going to get is my CT from before surgery to see what it says; but they weren't concerned by it.
As you can probably tell; I only posted part of the pages of my results what seemed to be most important, but my echo does say normal RV size and function. My MRI showed nothing that points to ARVD, but also says LV is limited due to wall motion degredation and patient movement since I couldn't complete the test - inconclusive results and it says further testing needed. Why they didn't biopsy things when they were in there for my cath after my ablation & mri is beyond me.
Some things I still don't understand, my LV mass is below average, but I have concentric LVH - maybe I'm thinking opposite. I thought my LV Mass would be high? I can't find any reasons for decreased LV Mass though.
I know when the diastolic volume is below the average like mine, it can be a sign of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, my last cardiologist suggested this but did no testing.
What I can't figure out is why my elevated LVEDP being 34 means, although I did read over 24 means systolic heart failure; if so why didn't my dr's do anything. I know there's not too many reasons for Polymorphic VT, so maybe I do have more than 1 cardiac thing going on and they've missed the boat again :P
LV Mass – [Average: 141 grams] 105g
LV End Diastolic Volume – [Females 20-50 - Average: 118 ml] 100ml
LV End Systolic Volume – [Females 20-50 - Average: 42ml] 30.5ml
Normal LV Wall Thickness - [10mm] 11 on echo; 12 on MRI
Cardiac Output - 4.9 liters/min
Stroke Index - 28.89
Cardiac Index - 2022
Any clue where to find info on the following normal parameters?
LV (5.1cm) and RV (3.7cm) end diastolic midchambers
RV end diastolic midchamber lateral wall (4mm)
Interesting you say about infection - until May 2009, I was walking running and doing fine - arrythmia's didn't bother me and when I first started researching that's what I thought caused my problems. We spent a week at the beach in the middle of April and when we came home, I felt sick like I had the flu. My echo on 7/6/2009 didn't show CM and my EF was 55 - 60% yet on 8/28/2009 my cath showed I had CM with EF of 40%, which baffles me.
Around May is when I noticed I had to cut my exercise back and running was a struggle; doing things I had done previously began to get difficult. I think they would have picked up infection though; I had every blood test known to medicine done - including tons of genetic testing - all normal except sodium and efgr both 1 pt low.
This thread wasn't entirely due to my problems, just comments about weight in general in a couple of different threads/forums made me ask for some info =) and trying to piece together my cardiac puzzle.
I don't see a connection between PVC's and weight, but I do understand it with CAD - what am I missing?
all kidding aside, we've had alot of discussions on my weird heart/system - I know I do not have cardiovascular disease since my cardiac cath said my pipes were squeaky clean regardless of weight issues - I really think that's due to exercise; eating healthy and genetics
I still have 300-400 pages of info I have to get from doctor's & hospitals that I have to buy; first thing I'm going to get is my CT from before surgery to see what it says; but they weren't concerned by it.
As you can probably tell; I only posted part of the pages of my results what seemed to be most important, but my echo does say normal RV size and function. My MRI showed nothing that points to ARVD, but also says LV is limited due to wall motion degredation and patient movement since I couldn't complete the test - inconclusive results and it says further testing needed. Why they didn't biopsy things when they were in there for my cath after my ablation & mri is beyond me.
Some things I still don't understand, my LV mass is below average, but I have concentric LVH - maybe I'm thinking opposite. I thought my LV Mass would be high? I can't find any reasons for decreased LV Mass though.
I know when the diastolic volume is below the average like mine, it can be a sign of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, my last cardiologist suggested this but did no testing.
What I can't figure out is why my elevated LVEDP being 34 means, although I did read over 24 means systolic heart failure; if so why didn't my dr's do anything. I know there's not too many reasons for Polymorphic VT, so maybe I do have more than 1 cardiac thing going on and they've missed the boat again :P
LV Mass – [Average: 141 grams] 105g
LV End Diastolic Volume – [Females 20-50 - Average: 118 ml] 100ml
LV End Systolic Volume – [Females 20-50 - Average: 42ml] 30.5ml
Normal LV Wall Thickness - [10mm] 11 on echo; 12 on MRI
Cardiac Output - 4.9 liters/min
Stroke Index - 28.89
Cardiac Index - 2022
Any clue where to find info on the following normal parameters?
LV (5.1cm) and RV (3.7cm) end diastolic midchambers
RV end diastolic midchamber lateral wall (4mm)
Interesting you say about infection - until May 2009, I was walking running and doing fine - arrythmia's didn't bother me and when I first started researching that's what I thought caused my problems. We spent a week at the beach in the middle of April and when we came home, I felt sick like I had the flu. My echo on 7/6/2009 didn't show CM and my EF was 55 - 60% yet on 8/28/2009 my cath showed I had CM with EF of 40%, which baffles me.
Around May is when I noticed I had to cut my exercise back and running was a struggle; doing things I had done previously began to get difficult. I think they would have picked up infection though; I had every blood test known to medicine done - including tons of genetic testing - all normal except sodium and efgr both 1 pt low.
This thread wasn't entirely due to my problems, just comments about weight in general in a couple of different threads/forums made me ask for some info =) and trying to piece together my cardiac puzzle.
I don't see a connection between PVC's and weight, but I do understand it with CAD - what am I missing?
Hello Lisa =)
I understand you're searching for answers, and you know that (severe) overweight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease over years and decades, but even if the heart must work a little harder when you're overweight, this can't explain your symptoms. Not a chance.
I was actually reading your profile again today after your reply on the other post. And again, I'm banging my head against the wall. I really don't know what is going on, but I really doubt you can find one disease that covers all your symptoms.
One question came up, though. Is your RV function measured?
It seems, based on the description and the EKGs (and description from EP), that your LV isn't too involved in the events. The VT was reproduced after stimulation in the RV near the pumonary artery, and the PVCs have a left bundle branch block pattern; they origin from a spot (or several spots) in the RV.
My first thought was a possible (and possible sub-clinical) infection, affecting both LV and RV (myocarditis) or other inflammation causing the cardiomyopathy. Maybe I've mentioned this before and you have ruled it out, not really sure. From what I can see from your test results, you have exercise intolerance and your heart doesn't respond well to exercise.
One example: You don't have any increase in pulse pressure during exercise. The fact that your blood pressure increases from 130/70 (pulse pressure 60) to 150/90 (pulse pressure still 60) during exercise is a sign that your heart probably doesn't increase the stroke volume properly. The fact that you fainted during the tilt test can be a similar signal (but I'm possibly on thin ice here). My blood pressure went from 120/80 (pulse pressure 40) to 210/80 (pulse pressure 130) or so during stress test, with a heart rate of 205. In other words, the heart was able to beat harder and increase it's EF properly.
In a well functioning heart, the product of systolic BP and heart rate (max) should be above 30.000 mmhg/minute. In your case it was 154 x 150 = 23.100.
If I were your doctor (if I were a doctor is probably a better word =) I would have prescribed a stress echocardiography to see the heart response to exercise in a better way. And you should definitely get an echocardiogram where the problem area (RV outflow tract) is visible. Possible a biopsy of your RV to look for cell changes? I don't know, but possibly something to mention to your doctor?
Sorry for a somewhat depressing answer, and it's by all means NOT THE INTENTION TO TRY TO DIAGNOSE YOU here, just some thoughts based on your test results.
I understand you're searching for answers, and you know that (severe) overweight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease over years and decades, but even if the heart must work a little harder when you're overweight, this can't explain your symptoms. Not a chance.
I was actually reading your profile again today after your reply on the other post. And again, I'm banging my head against the wall. I really don't know what is going on, but I really doubt you can find one disease that covers all your symptoms.
One question came up, though. Is your RV function measured?
It seems, based on the description and the EKGs (and description from EP), that your LV isn't too involved in the events. The VT was reproduced after stimulation in the RV near the pumonary artery, and the PVCs have a left bundle branch block pattern; they origin from a spot (or several spots) in the RV.
My first thought was a possible (and possible sub-clinical) infection, affecting both LV and RV (myocarditis) or other inflammation causing the cardiomyopathy. Maybe I've mentioned this before and you have ruled it out, not really sure. From what I can see from your test results, you have exercise intolerance and your heart doesn't respond well to exercise.
One example: You don't have any increase in pulse pressure during exercise. The fact that your blood pressure increases from 130/70 (pulse pressure 60) to 150/90 (pulse pressure still 60) during exercise is a sign that your heart probably doesn't increase the stroke volume properly. The fact that you fainted during the tilt test can be a similar signal (but I'm possibly on thin ice here). My blood pressure went from 120/80 (pulse pressure 40) to 210/80 (pulse pressure 130) or so during stress test, with a heart rate of 205. In other words, the heart was able to beat harder and increase it's EF properly.
In a well functioning heart, the product of systolic BP and heart rate (max) should be above 30.000 mmhg/minute. In your case it was 154 x 150 = 23.100.
If I were your doctor (if I were a doctor is probably a better word =) I would have prescribed a stress echocardiography to see the heart response to exercise in a better way. And you should definitely get an echocardiogram where the problem area (RV outflow tract) is visible. Possible a biopsy of your RV to look for cell changes? I don't know, but possibly something to mention to your doctor?
Sorry for a somewhat depressing answer, and it's by all means NOT THE INTENTION TO TRY TO DIAGNOSE YOU here, just some thoughts based on your test results.
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