PVC's after Stress Echo

[ladyjake]

Hi, just a couple of quick questions.  On the way to the docs for my stress echo, I had a batch of PVC's, got to the office, was hooked up, passed the test with flying colors and NO PVC's the entire time.  I left the office and have had nothing but PVC's that hurt, lurch and jolt all day and into the evening.  Did have a 24 hr holter (a couple of weeks ago) that should a 'few' PVC's and PAC's, but nothing like I have been experiencing for the last 6 months and today is really driving my up the wall.

So, the doctor thinks I cry wolf, and says not to worry.  But jerk, jolt and lurch, I really feel depressed now.  Also, have a high heart rate of over 100 whenever I stand or sit up, but laying down it's in  the 80's.  What in the world do I do to cope.  He is pretty sure that if I have the start of Athero, due to age, it's not past the 50% mark and I am supposed to start a baby aspirin a day and start on Red Yeast Rice to lower my Cholesterol/trigly's etc.  Very frustrated.  Thanks

[ladyjake]

Hi, I have your info and sent the links to the studies.  Hope you find them interesting.  I've printed out the vitamins and minerals they used.  One study tells the amounts, the other didn't (maybe I just went through it too fast and need to re-read), but both have magnesium/calcium/potassium, CoQ10, the B's, and C's.  Have a great day

[jkfrench]

I think I got it.  Let me know.  

[jkfrench]

I would love to get the information.  I clicked on your profile and couldn't find where to e-mail you.  Where do I find that info?
thanks
Frenchie

[ladyjake]

I'll be 60 this year and have had these heart wallops for about 30 years  I've read that they can become more frequent with age.....well, that is certainly true.  I've gone from 1 to 4 a year to 1 to 4 an hour.....of course, none of this shows on the holters or any of the tests as my heart likes to be more 'normal' when it's being monitored.  However, I do show some events, where in the past they never caught any of them, so guess that shows that I am having more.  

I just came across a really interesting study that was done on using vitamins, minerals and a few other nutrients that greatly reduced the PVC problems amongst the patients.  The whole basis was on cellular activity.  I made a copy of the amounts and lists of what they used.  I'm going to compare it with the vitamins I take.  The study suggests that doctors have not delved into making our cellular activity healthier and just say that they don't know what causes the PVC's.  It was pretty good.  If you would like the link, send me an email and I'll forward the info  It's good reading and they don't sell any products so it's more informational and not pushing any special products.  Take care.

[jkfrench]

I know exactly what you mean about talking and having your voice jolt.  I'm just tired of feeling tired.  period....When these start up, they stay a while.  I think this is the start of menapause for me.  (I'm 48)  I'm not looking forward to it if the pvc's continue to increase.
I am not overweight and I exercise every day but my cholestrol is a little on the high side. (around 210)
My overall ratio is low because of good ldl and good hdl so my doctor doesn't seem concerned.  I have never heard of Red Yeast Rice.  I'm going to check that out.  
You might have something with the overly acidic body causing pvc's.  I notice when I drink OJ, that they start up.  I do drink 1 tablespoon of Organic Apple Cider Vinager in a large glass of water every morning.  That is supposed to help with the ph balance among other things like cholestrol, high blood pressure, acid reflux and even weight.

Good luck to you too.  
Frenchie

[ladyjake]

It's frustrating isn't it?  All the tests say we are fine and logically we should feel better, but emotionally & physically our lives come to a stand still.  I feel the same as you do, and, as do so many others, we let the fear of these things rule our lives.  They are very uncomfortable and frightening and I would say that if the doctors had to deal with them like we do, they would sing a diferent tune.  Sometimes it's annoying to have your upper body lurch forward when the really big ones hit or be talking and your voice jolts around......and then you get really scared and break out in a sweat and then your chest hurts and you scare yourself into having a few more. It's just wonderful!!!!

I'm doing some research into a water additive that helps with the bodies PH levels and they mention having an overly acidic body can trigger all kinds of fun things like PVC's.  I'm not too sure about that yet, but it makes sense.  I may have to wait on trying the stuff as I've got to try Red Yeast Rice per my cardiologist to lower my cholesterol which is pretty high, loose weight and exercise (what fun I'll have with the PVC's).  

I'm also going to try the deep breathing for vagal conditioning.  Anything to help.  Take care and hope you get some relief from your PVC's.    

[jkfrench]

Hi
I went through the same thing this week.  I had my yearly echo (my stress test was in June).  After the echo I went home and started getting horrid pvcs.  The kind that come so early in the beat that the pause feels extra long and I feel it in my stomach.  These are the worst for me.  My doctor called the next day to tell me my echo was perfect yet I still suffer from these bad beats.  I just got back from my walk and even had a few on the walk.  You would think that hearing about the results of the echo would make me feel better but these skips are really bad.  My technician who did my echos even tried to reassure me.  I told her my heart was skipping today and she said it's not that bad.  You are just getting a few.  You should feel mine.  Why can't this put my mind to rest.  The skips that I'm getting over the last few days are the depressing kind.  The kind I feel deep in my stomach and the kind where the pause feels extra long.  It really depresses me and makes me feel like I should just sit at home.  ughh will this ever change...
Good luck to you and I hope you feel better.
Frenchie

[ladyjake]

Hi, I've worn the monitors and have just taken a "treadmill stress echocardiogram", they first do the echo-cardiogram, then you do the treadmill and then stagger over to the table and they do another echo-cardiogram.  My cardiologist is very highly respected and does take time to 'look and see', and to him everything is fine.  I logically am aware that the PVC's are 'normal' for me, but, yet.........there's still that doubt as when being monitored or tested, my heart pumps along pretty nicely, which is good, but disappointing as you wish to capture THOSE events  And what is even better is that I can have the BIG THUMP, feel the skip in my pulse (the fingers waiting for the next one syndrom) and not have it register on the event monitor, what is that?  I know others have the same thing, so I'm not crazy.  Nobody can answer that one.  Frustrating all around.  Thanks for replying

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry to read you are having problems getting the support you need from your doctor, answers and fixes would be even better, of course.

I don't really know what you mean by "stress echo".  I've had several stress tests including nuclear stress, as well as several echo-cardiograms, but I've never had a combination of the two.  Are you talking about a workout on a treadmill while an echo (something) is being done?

As for the baby aspirin, I think the advice to the general public that if their stomach can take it, take an aspirin evey day is a good heart protection regiment.  I recommend it, a baby aspirin? why not, expense? how about 1/2 a regular aspirin, works for me.  The cost of pill splitter make cutting aspirin easy and it pays for itself in a bottle or two, and can be used for other medications which may come into your life if you heart conditions continue.

It does seem to me that your condition should be checked with an "event monitor", I think that's what it is call, I've had one on for a couple of weeks a few months back. This device is a mini-EKG, just two point of contact, or was it three, I forget.  In any case, every time I had an event I pushed a button and answered a couple of questions on a monitor menu.  The device was wireless and if I was within a wireless cell the monitor would send my data to a station.  In my case it proved I had an ongoing (chronic) case of AFib, nothing else.  Some good, some bad.