PVCs and exercise

[rmontgom21740]

Hello All,

I am still dealing with my heart flutters (pvc's and pac's).  The doctor tells me not to worry that all tests are normal.  He suggested that I exercise to help decrease the PVC's.  I have been riding my bike a lot trying to get into shape.  I am going to RAGBRAI this summer which requires 50 to 60 miles a day.   I rode 50 miles yesterday and it was hot.  I did not have any PVC's during the ride and was very tired when I was finished but felt OK.  About 1 hour after riding, while I was resting, I started to get a TON of PVC's and this continued for several hours.  My heart rate which is normally about 70 bpm was still at 100 bpm 6 hours later. It took about 8 hours to get back down to normal.  Has anyone else experienced anything like this?  Just wondering if its normal and if there is anything I can do to help deal with it a little better.  I would really like to go on my biking trip this summer but at this point I'm close to calling it quits because I'm worried it will happen when I'm away from home.

Thanks
Rich

[oceanminded]

The benzos for me just take the edge off when the palps get bad, it doesn't stop them. Eating also will raise your heartrate so if you have a bunch of adrenaline in your body then you eat a big meal it raises the chance of getting palps to us heart sensitive people. There are times however where I can stuff my face, drink alcohol, exercise etc., and I'm palp free, where other times if I do that I'm a mess with non stop palps for weeks at a time. I truely believe they have a mind of their own. The good news is that over time you will either get way less of them or you will be able to deal with them better. At first I used to run to the E.R. when they were at there worst. Now I just go with the flow and try to live with them as best as I can. I do know if they get out of control people try beta blockers or even albation. Also there are people on this board who have had them bad for over 30 years and there doing fine, minus the palps. Continue to exercise and just monitor yourself. Good luck with the race!

[chuparosa]

Wow! Congrats on that 50 mile ride. That is quite an accomplishment. Don't let those pvcs get in the way of ragbrai. Sounds like an amazing event. Go for it!

[rmontgom21740]

oceanminded,

Thank you very much for your response.  It helps to hear I'm not the only one.  It really does suck when you are in the middle of a bad run of them.  I do use xanax only when I can't stand it any longer to control the nerves.  Just wondering if you have noticed more PVCs a few hours after taking xanax?  For me, seems like it works initually but then gets worse a few hours later.  I dont kow, I can't figure it out.  I try to watch everything I put into my body and it seems like everything causes it.  Just wish there was something to make it go away.  I also agree that its better go keep busy because I have been scared to death in bed just waiting on the next one to occur and its not a good place to be.  So for the most part... I just try to push mysefl through them.  

Last thing is I also have to agree with the stomach and vagus nerve.  After I rode the 50 miles I was fine until I ate.  Started right after that.  Not sure what you can do about it.  Again, seems like everything causes it.

Thanks again,

Rich

[oceanminded]

Rich,
I have the same problem. I also get the PVC/PAC's about an hour after I exercise as well as an elevated pulse for several hours. I too have been cleared from a multitude of tests. All we can do is trust the DR's and go on with our lives. I've been dealing with this for several years now and I thankfully don't get the skipped beats as much as I used to. They do have a mind of their own and can come on at any moment. There are times however when I think they are linked to stomach issues and the vagus nerve. I would recommend exercising on an empty stomach and stay well hydrated. I would go on your trip and have fun. You've been checked out by the Dr so just accept them as harmless skipped beats even though they do suck. You may want to have some benzos on hand like ativan or xanax to calm your nerves when they get really bad. Remember a good diet and exercise is way healthier than just sitting around and doing nothing waiting for the next skipped beat to occur. Good luck!

[rmontgom21740]

Hi,

Thanks for responding.  I have had many tests including 28 day monitor and ECHO and stress test.  The 28 Day test showed many PVCs and PAC's.  They didn't see any other problem and told me my heart was healthy.  Still not fun when they occur.

[is_something_wrong]

Hi,

This can have many explainations, the most likely is probably excess adrenaline after a very hard workout, athletes often get palpitations after exercise because their adrenaline levels are still high, while the heart tries to slow down.

This can explain your somewhat elevated heart rate after exercise.

However, your symptoms can theoretically be caused by something else, and I think you should see a doctor before riding 50 miles again. My first thought were loss of salts (electrolytes) during the ride, if the weather was hot, and 50 miles is a quite tough workout:) There can be other causes, and only your doctor would know for sure.

Do you know for sure this is PVCs by the way, or just assuming?