Athletes and PVC's???

[g_rock]

I seem to have PVC's that wax and wane. I'm a triathlete and I rarely feel these PVC's while I'm running or biking. As a matter of fact, the better shape I'm in, the less frequent are these visits of PVC's. I seem to experience them in my off season more than any other time. I'm wondering if I truly have a heart condition? Is it coincidence that in the off season I seem to get what feels like congested chest colds. If my left ventricle is damaged from the PVC's could it be possible that these "chest colds" are really not chest clods at all rather a form of pulmonary edema??  Maybe I'm over thinking this but everything I read about COPD points to this as a possibility. Maybe I'm an otherwise healthy guy with a bad ticker? Whenever I begin training, my chest clears from respiring so much and my heart (although with an enlarged left ventricle) is perfusing blood in a fashion more like the way it should? This is scaring me big time!
Right now I'm getting PVC's worse than ever (off season). Usually every 4 beats and sometimes consecutively. I'm feeling like I can't relax. I've stopped all the major triggers like coffee and alcohol and I'm not sure what else I should do? I feel like my doctor doesn't take this seriously because we haven't been able to catch these PVC on the holter monitor. The porblem with the Holter is I have to wait for one to come available. Murphy's law, no PVC's occuring when I had the monitor.

[maggiemag]

I'm sorry you are bothered by all this, and it is a shame that you have not been able to capture your problem on Holter.  If you end up having PVC's, then, no, you do not have a heart condition.  Your left ventricle would not be damaged by PVC's unless you were getting 30,000/day and then maybe not even then.  It would be a possibility then.  You don't have pulmonary edema.  You do not have a bad ticker. You do NOT have COPD.  And you ARE overthinking this!  ;-)  I would guess that the reason you get more off season is because you have more time to think about them.  If you can't relax, then THAT is the trigger, they are fueled by adrenalin from anxiety and worry.  If you pay attention, you will notice that there are usually less people complaining about their *palps* on the weekends because they are busier doing fun stuff.  When people are at work, they usually notice less *palps*.  I know it's easy to say, but go out and get another time consuming fun hobby during off season to occupy your mind.  And don't read anything on the internet related to hearts!

[mclare38]

maggiemag,

that is the BEST ADVICE EVER!!! i just started experiencing PVC's and i am definitely prone to anxiety. that they happened out of the blue scared me and the fact that on day 4 they are still happening is annoying. however my doctor is amazing and told me i was absolutely fine and that she understood the scariness of the feeling. she gave me ativan to relieve the anxiety off my heart. hopefully that will work! fingers crossed. i know i'm not dying i would just really like them to stop! but you are abosolutely right, reading about the heart on the internet is the WORST thing you can do! so after i post this, i am officially done. thanks!!!

[BarqueSailor]

Hi:
I too, have been in your shoes. I was a marathoner in my mid 40's. Now in my late 40's I find myself with PVC's... I had a complete cardiac work-up; no heart disease thank God.

However, these things CAN drive you crazy, and the more you dwell on them, the more they will bug you.

For me, cutting down on caffine helps but does not make them go away. I have been supplementing with magnesium and that does seem to help a bit.

I also agree with mclare38... crusing the Internet for health info can be a terrifying experience that will make the PVC's worse. One thing I did learn today from the Internet is that PVC's are more common in endurance athletes with cyclists being the most common.

My advice is to see a cardioplogist to get a good cardiac work-up (EKG, Sonogram, perhaps a Holter monitor). If the Dr. says your heart is structurally OK... so be it. Avoid the beta-blockers and other meds if you can. Some of their side effects can be far worse for you than a PVC any day of the week.

I have only had them for the past 2 or so years, and I'd do just about ANYTHING to make them go away for good. However, for the meantime I continue to exercise and just live with them.

Good Luck :)

[kirky1960]

I have had PVC"s for years..Doctors have always told me that I am fine.
Long time athlete and all tests have been normal, per the doctors.
However, I also notice that my B.P. is also a little high especially when I go to the doctors. The Doc seems to think I just have a fear of visiting the doctors office...was just wondering if hypertension is a common symtom with PVC sufferers...
Thanks, KPS

[IMFletcher]

Hi - elevated bp, also known as "white coat syndrome" is a well documented condition. When one is experiencing high anxiety, especially during an episode of PVCs, a spike in blood pressure and heart rate is very common. I have had the exact same problem in the past. If you have any concerns about your bp, speak to your doctor and he/she can put you on a 24 hour bp monitor. It will give a range of readings, while active and at rest, and allow your doctor to properly assess your situation. Finally, remember what all doctors and members on this site are telling you - PVCs in the absence of heart disease are totally benign. Hopefully this may help to ease your anxiety.  

[IMFletcher]

Sorry - just to clarify - "white coat syndrome/hypertension" is the term for the elevated bp and heart rate you experience when going to the doctor's office, or ER....likely because you are anxious about a medical condition (eg PVCs and heart disease).