Skipped beats, ST depressions

[Athena423]

I was nearly incapacitated with 2 weeks of skipped beats with inability to perform daily activities and less than 2 hours of sleep each night. After seeing the doctor, the EKG showed PVCs and ST depressions. I was then sent for a nuclear treadmill stress test, did okay, pictures were okay, and echocardiogram was okay. Now I'm told it's NORMAL for me to have had these symptoms. I've improved, but how can this be NORMAL?  And, if anything does happen in my future (I am 64 years old), I'll probably be ignored because "Oh, that's normal for her."  Would appreciate any answers or suggestions.

[Bromley]

Not sure I worded that right.  You can have st depression that doesn't meet the diagnostic criteria. Not sure what they look for,  in termsof whether it has to be reversible,  downward sloping, inferior leads,  etc,  as I am not a doctor. But from your description, it sounds like they ve got you covered on the scarey stuff.  If you have questions,  you could always go to your internist for advice...

[Bromley]

You can have st depression, but not in the way, nor to the degree required to meet the diagnostic criteria for a blockage. (Not all st depressions are equal)

[Elli126]

The above should read definite not debate. Yay auto correct! Lol

[Elli126]

You're welcome. I find when I feel ill, especially with a virus, my rhythm issues kick in big time. They also became more pronounced when I began menopause, there is ( I feel) a debate correlation between hormones and rhythm issues. Also with eating. I have IBS and if I eat too much or fatty foods that also aggravates things. I agree that reporting your "normal" PVCs isn't necessary, but by all means if you develop any new symptoms, such as chest pain or fainting along with them by all means being it to your doctor's attention. Good luck and keep posting. :-)

[Athena423]

Thanks for your knowledge and answering me. Knowing all you write, it makes sense I guess. My meds consist of Hyzaar, Toprol XL, and Norvasc. I have had hypertension since age 29. Since I'm 64 now and never had the symptoms knowledgeable to me, it was new and concerning. I wasn't really stressed out, just plain sick with a general malaise with the skipped beats felt in my chest and into my throat. I hope the symptoms don't return, but if they do I won't bother reporting it. If it's normal, it's normal. I'll deal with it. Thank you for your info, I really appreciate it!

[Elli126]

Hi. If you read the posts on here and do some reading online you'll see that PVCs, PAC and other rhythm issues are indeed considered "normal" meaning just about everyone has them but not everyone feels them. Most of us here have been dealing with them a very long time. I have for nearly 3 decades. (And I'm still here). Chances are you may have had them as well but haven't felt them before and they have become exacerbated for some reason. Your Echo and stress test were good and in a generally healthy heart these things are benign. Have they had you wear a monitor yet? The amount of PVCs you're having per day makes a difference if they recommend medication or not. Doctors usually don't become concerned until you are around the 20k per day area and even then they really don't worry about them much. Mine fluctuate in amount and intensity I've had weeks of non stop 20k per day and weeks where I barely have any. In addition I deal with PSVT too. I know it sounds easier said than done and believe me it took me years, but you have to try not to get too nervous and upset by them, it only makes them worse. And trust your cardiologist to know what they're doing. Ask for the monitor and see where you stand on the frequency of your skipped beats and even get a second opinion if it makes you feel better. Oh and keep coming here and reading the others posts, you will see you're far from alone. Keep us posted on how you're doing.