pvcs and echocardiogram treadmill stress test

[Marie1968]

I am 40 year old female, quite physically fit, high stress job, otherwise healthy.  I have had anxiety issues since I was very young. As well, I have always had, off and on over the years... heart palpitations and am quite used to them.   In the last year or so of weightlifting I got the occasional palp during exertion, which was unusual and caused me to check with my doctor.   I wore a 24hr holter and the report indicated 14 pvcs within a 24 hour period, 2 episodes of bigeminal pvcs.   the doctor says the 14 isn't the issue but the 2 episodes of bigeminal pvcs require further investigation.  I am scheduled for a echo treadmill stress test and I am really worried.   could this condition be benign?  what possibly am I looking at here?   any advice at all about the test or similar experiences?   any input would be appreciated.    

[greendave]

Hi there
I also consider myself physically fit and am certainly in a high stress job but I know from experience that the 'anxiety issues' can and do produce symptoms independent of the level of exercise stress.
I stress my body a lot up the mountains for long periods and my ability to cope varies tremendously so lesson no 1 is to listen to your body and ease back when you feel your heart rate/breathing increasing under loads that you would normally have no problem with. Some days I can get to the top easily with no stops wheras others i have to stop regularly - frustrating but that's how it is.
The stress factor is very significant and sleep patterns etc will be affected - think of those high stress presentations with the resultant palpitations or those long meetings trying to appear calm when inside you are feeling anything but with irregular heartbeats.
So - been there, done that , got the tshirt and yet still love the mountains and will never give them up.
So what i am trying to say is your poor little body reacts to the same loading very differently from day to day so listen to it, respect what it's telling you and be kind to it.
Your rewards will be some fantastically good days and on the bad days just take what's on offer.
dave

[upbeat633]

It's good to have things checked. But I have had almost constant bigeminy for months and months. 20,000 to 30,000 pvcs/day is not uncommon for me. The doctors are still not worried.

I hope that gives you some peace of mind until you can have your own tests done. I'm pretty sure you will be fine given your strong physical activity history.

[Marie1968]

yes they are going to do this all at the same time.   a combo test.    

[Jerry_NJ]

I believe you are talking about two separate test:  Tread mill stress test, and echocardiogram.  I believe their main functions/tests are: treadmill stress test measures via EKG how well you heart is pumping under stress which implies information about how well you heart is getting oxygen, i.e., heart artery check.  The next step is a Nuclear (Treadmill) stress test.

The ecocariogram provides a sound detected "picture"of you heart in action, at rest, and tells a lot about the structural condition of your heart, including valve operation and blood flow.  

These two tests are painless, well the stress test may make you sweat, and are fundamental to a full physical (non-intrusive) examination of your heart.

Good luck in finding any problems, there may be none.