PVC's with exercise

[erijon]

I have been getting over a severe lung infection over the past few weeks. I started feeling well enough to start working out again starting last week. I do 45 - 60 minutes on a treadmill at a heart rate of 130 - 140 with no  cardiac symptoms or problems with exercise tolerence. I have proper BP and heart rate response to exercise as well. Since I started working out again I have noticed my PVC's more when I exercise than usual. I still feel some chest congestion but otherwise feel well.

About me, I am a 50 year old male, about 50 pounds overweight, have lost 70 in the last year and a half due to expercise and diet, no family history, no smoking or drinking ever, controlled HP and a total cholesterol of 151 with an LDL of 58 and an HDL of 40. Since February 2005 I have had two Thallium Stress tests, two echos, annual blood workups and numerous EKGs, all normal. I work out EVERY day with no issues. My cardiologist says I have a normally structured heart and no longer need annual workups. I only started seeing a cardiologist because one night in 2005 I fet some chest pain and went to the ER where I got an education on how to live right.

My question, is it more likely to feel PVC's when recovering from something like a lung infection? I have had them all my life and the Cardiologist says they are not an issue as my heart is normal structurally.

Your thoughts?

Jon

[yoopertom]

I have had PVCs for years. I was pretty much unaware of their existence except from time to time I would feel an odd sensation from my heart, but did not attach much importance to it. In January 2007 I underwent major surgery which resulted in the removal of a cancerous tumor. Everything is fine. However there was obviously a great deal of stress related to the incident. About three months after surgery there was a pronounced increase in the number of PVC's and I felt all of them. Since that time I have joined a forum that deals with irregular heartbeats, I've read this forum from time to time and have had a thorough heart workup. I have now convinced myself that my heart is in not danger from the irregular heartbeat. The sensation I had felt from the PVC's/PAC's has diminished below my conscious level for some months now. However, when I have a bad day, when some stress develops because I am really bugged about something, I can be more aware of the irregular heart beat than normal although not nearly as aware as I was a year ago.

About a year ago I actually exercised to get rid of the irregular heartbeat. My heart would go crazy when I started out, then it seemed like fifteen minutes after I began my walk my heart would "Cadillac" out into a normal rhythm and would remain in a normal rhythm for much of the day. However, when I would leave work and drive home it would start up again. Now it is nothing. I do believe our awareness of an irregular heartbeat is accentuated by the daily levels of stress we encounter.

Good luck, it sounds like you've been through your share of health problems.

Tom

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

People have different triggers for PVCs and some people have no identifiable trigger.  It is common for people with PVCs to feel more when they are tired, stressed, over caffeinated, etc.    It is possible that they are related to your recovery from an infection but there is no way to prove it.

PVC with a structurally normal heart are not thought to increase the risk of cardiovascular events unless they happen while recovering from exercise.  Even than, they are a non modifiable risk factor.  You can't change the fact that you have them.  If you doctor feels comfortable with you exercising, you should feel comfortable. That is what I would tell my patients as well.

Good job losing the weight --- that can be hard to do.  Now the key is keeping it off.

I hope this helps.