PVC's

[sheplu]

I haven't posted since March when I started getting pvc's and pac's.  Went to cardiologist and halter monitor and stress test was normal.  I was fine for a while then the last couple of weeks they started up a lot.  It's mostly like a blip or whatever in my chest and not so much the thumping.  A couple of times I got up to do something and when I sat down felt the pvc's and took my pulse and is was really racing and my pulse was skipping beats.  This only lasted about a minute or two then back to normal.  I don't know if I should call the cardiologist and make an appointment because I know she thought I was very nervous when I went to her last time and maybe this was the cause but I would like to sit down and have all this explained to me.  Is this has pvc's work and are they something I should just try to ignore.  I'm supposed to go away next week and I'm afraid to go.  I think I'm being rediculous but can't help it.  Can someone tell me if I'm being stupid or not?  Thanks   Louise

[sheplu]

Thanks for your reply.  Since I just starting getting these in March, I'm trying to get used to them.  I see I started much much older than a lot of other people and I guess I have that to be thankful for.  I am trying to ignore them (lol) and I'm sure as time goes on, I will.  I am going away next week and I was a little fearful that I would get sick with these things while I'm away but I'm going to do what everyone here has been telling me, ignore them and get on with my life.  Thanks again.

[GranRon]

I've had these things just about as long as I can remember, from the time I was 15.  I am now 65.  I, too, would sometimes get runs of them and become very frightened that my heart was going to stop.  Well, as several cardiologists have told me, it won't.  There really is no such thing as a "skipped beat".  They are premature beats and the long pause until the next beat feels as though the beat was skipped.  I did not take any medication for the condition until the last 2 years when I started blood pressure meds.  Trust your diagnosis and get your mind on living your life.  I also agree with upbeat633 that every so often something new and different occurs which causes new concerns just when you think you've adjusted to your arrythmias.  By the way, the heart has a triple backup system.  If the SA node fails, the AV node takes over.  If the AV node fails, the ventricles initiate a slower than usual beat on their own.  Also, every heart cell can initiate a beat on its own.  Quite an extrodinary electrical system.

[sheplu]

Thank you both for answering me.  It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one that gets so nervous about these things.  I did call the cardiologist after I posted and they called me back and said being my tests were fine, when I get the pvc's and skips to take another Atenolol.  They did say if I get dizzy or have chest pains, etc. to call them but I don't have any of that.  I guess I'm just going to have to try to get over the fear (lol) and get on with my life.  Thanks again for your support.
Louise

[upbeat633]

I've had pvcs for about 27 years and I still can't completely ignore them. Like ljd, I've been to many doctors, cardiologists and recently an electrophysiologist (a cardiologist specialist). Heart is structually normal, information is still the same-benign, advice is still the same-try to live with them as best you can.

The trouble with pvcs is that they are like a child trying to get your attention. If the thumping doesn't work, then it's the long pause, if that doesn't work, then it's the flutters, if that dosen't work how about coming in couplets and triplets, or bothering you all day long especially when you are at rest.

I think the reason that pvcs cause fear and anxiety (aside from the fact they occur in our hearts), is that the sensation we get from them can change and we wonder if something more serious has developed. Even after 27 years of them I think I've had all the sensations one could imagine, and then I get something new.

[ljd]

I have been to 3 different cardiologists.  They all say the same thing- as long as all of your tests have come back normal, all you can do is try to ignore the PVC's.  They are benign and hopefully they will go away on their own.  Unfortunately, I think we all become afraid, but you have to try to get past that ( I am still working on it) and just keep living your life.