PVC's

[vj40]

40 yr old female.  PVC's every other heart beat. Discovered at annual physical by gynecologist when heart rate was 36.  Cardiologist put me on Atenolol.  No change.  He suggested I have a catheter ablation.  Once meeting with surgeon, he is confident the exact location of my heart they need to get to is in a bad location - too high risks for heart attack/stroke.  So, I was put on 240 mg Sotalol.  Three EKG's later, I was taken off - no improvement in PVC's and heart rate was 44 with serious side effects. I have now been prescribed Flecanaid.  Any suggestions?

[vj40]

You guys are right on!  The Flecanaide did stop the PVCs and my heart rate increased to 60, but I went to Emory in Atlanta for a second opinion.  The doctor there suggested I take nothing!  He suggested an annual echocardigram to make sure all was well, but no need to take medication if I didn't feel these PVC's and no effects from them.  The reason my heart rate is so low, the extra beats are not counted.  To answer some of your questions... I have a 20 yr old son and no signs of menopause.  There was very little talk of a pacemaker by the nurse originally, but nothing since I started this medication.  The Flecainide doesn't make me feel tired like the beta blockers, but I don't want to take medication if it's not needed.  I don't know what the long term side effects of this drug could be if I take it forever! And, I felt GREAT before all of this started with the meds!!!

[lucyluu]

What is some more of your background?  Have you recently had children, are you going through menopause etc?  I had a baby 5 months ago and 4 days after the birth my rest, standing, walking hr was 45 and it would dip to 37 sleeping.  It was very scary.  It went on for about a month and then corrected itself.  

[dolfnlvr]

I'm concerned about this as well.  Many times, a cardiologist's assistant will see PVC's or other benign rhythms on an EKG and bring them to the attention of the doctor.  Often the doctor will ask the patient, "have you been having palpitations or other strange sensations?"  If the answer is, "no" then often the doctor won't even bother to tell the person that the PVC's were there.  

EVERYONE has PVC's.  And, unless there is some underlying condition that is dangerous, if you don't notice them, then there is no need to treat them at all.  Statistically PVC's, PAC's and other benign skips and thumps are NOT components in shortening the life span of the person experiencing them.  So...if you arent' experiencing discomfort, why treat them at all???

If I didn't feel them, I'd never bother taking anything to begin with.

As for the slow heart rate, I agree with RNRita.  Why would they give you a med that lowers heart rate and BP if your rate is already far below normal?  Are you having problems with fainting at all?

I would ask my doctor some of these questions if I were you.  If the 36 BPM was not your "normal" rate, then you may have no reason for any of these treatments at all!!!!

Keep us informed...your's is an intrigue.....

[RNRita]

This is a tough one. I am sooooo wondering why you were prescribe beta blockers when your HR was already so low.  I have found, in my experience, that bigeminy (every other beat is a PVC) comes more with a slow HR.  (Here is where I point out that someone was in bigeminy and never felt it!) I am more worried about the slow rate.  I think if they could get your rate up, you would have a better chance of getting rid of the bigeminy, or it wouldn't matter anyway.  Did they talk of a pacemaker???