daily pvc's - suffering for years

Question

I've been feeling my pvc's for years (since Nov 1999 to be exact) and like most people on here, I've had every test in the book done. While I am now convinced that I do not have any sort of heart disease, I am also upset that in the last three years or so, they've intensified and increased to the point that in recent months, I have been having them daily. I feel anywhere between 10 and 40 per day. On my last holter in Spring 2007, I felt only 10 but the holter registered 21. I'm guessing that if I now feel say 20 or 30 a holter would actually read possibly double that.

I understand from reading the posts that pvc's/pac's in a structurally normal heart pose no increased risk of death etc..., but would anything explain why through the years, the frequency of them (as I feel them) is on the rise? Can aging increase frequency?

Also, I've been down every avenue from betablockers, to magnesium injections etc... and nothing seems to work. I take fish oil etc... I've now seen an electrophysiologist who to my surprise, is willing to perform an EP study and ablation if anything is found.

I've read about the risks of ablation, but am nearing desperate straights because I am highly symptomatic and these things are ruining my life. What are the realisitc chances of having a sucessful ablation for pvc's/pac's?

And lastly, is there any new treatement, genetic or otherwise, that cardiologists are starting to look at to treat this? I'm curious if treatment options are heading in a new direction or if the same rules apply.

This discussion is related to Cause and Cure for PVC's.

Madge270 · Answer

Do you by any chance mean Holy Basil? I think I've heard of that somewhere, but never tried it.

I first noticed PVCs last year and Holter monitor showed I get about 8500 PVCs a day. Fortunately, I don't feel them much at all, and lately they've been a little less frequent.  I hope they don't get progressively worse, because I already have a lot of them.

SassieLassie, which kind of enzymes helped you?  There are many kinds of enzymes.

My favorite probiotic is Culturelle. I've taken it for years (long before I developed PVCs.  So while it doesn't help the PVCs, it has done a lot to make the irritable bowel problems I've had much better.

jeff607 · Answer

I dont know if this will help anyone but its worth a shot. i have been haveing pvcs for about 5 years now they started of slow like maby once or twice a year. after the third year they increased alot. once every 3 months to 10 a month now i have them every day almost all day the worst is before bed . I went to GNC its a health store that sells all kinds of good stuff .Anyway i talked to a very smart lady who told me to try these pills all natural HOLLY BASIL pure extract from New Chapter you take 2 in the middle of a larger meal once a day and i noticed a diference the next day ! I still get them from time to time but not near as much as i did before. make sure and talk to your doc first.
Maby someone can tell me why these pills help

Bon-Bon · Answer

Hi Painter.  I've taken pro-biotic supplements before per the advise of a gastro doctor.  They were extremely beneficial and helpful to me; esp. after a round or two of anti-biotics that really messed up my digestive track at one time and for a long period of time.

I'll attempt to explain it the way it was explained to me at the time.  

PRO-BIOTIC:  PRO means "FOR".  BIOTIC means "LIFE" hence, "FOR LIFE".  

Pro-biotics are beneficial, good, healthy bacteria that normally live and thrive in our digestive tracks.  It is suppose to.  It helps to keep and maintain bad bacteria in our digestive tracs to a minimum.  Our digestive tracs are responsible for, I believe it was said, 75% or more of our immune system.  But, sometimes for various reasons, the balance between the good and the bad bacteria can become out of balance and when that happens a whole host of illness's can come about, if left unchecked.  Replenishing good bacteria, esp. after a round of anti-biotics is usually a good idea.

ANTI-BIOTC: ANTI means "AGAINST".  BIOTIC means "LIFE" hence, "AGAINST LIFE".  

Anti-biotics do not distinguish between "good" or "bad" bacteria.  They are against life period.  So they seek to kill and destroy bacteria.  Now, there are absolutely times that we may need to take an Anti-biotic to rid ourselves of some harmful bacteria.  It has been know to save countless lives.  I am not against "ANTI-BIOTICS".  But, when we have completed the anti-biotic.  It is a good idea to help your body to replace/replenish the "GOOD" bacteria that it may have killed as well.  And taking a good quality PRO-Biotic can be very helpful.

painter207 · Answer

What's a pro-biotic supplement? As far as these two suppliments, how are they helping you? Do you have the pvc's much less? How often do you feel them?

SassyLassie · Answer

I have those darn things too, all tests are normal. I have taken digestive enzymes and they do seem to help to some degree, so does taking a good Pro-biotic supplement. I have a hiatal hernia and this causes my PAC's to act up. If I eat too much and then slouch in a chair, I will surly get them. Also, if I drink water and then lie down, they come. So, for me, alot of it is digestion related. Try the enzymes and the pro biotic, they will help.

painter207 · Answer

This might make you  feel better. I have a pvc every 10 beats. Talk about making you crazy. I hav them every day and every hour for the last 2 1/2 month.I also have tried Magnezium,potassium and much more to no avail. Has anyone tried 'digestive enzymes' for relief?

Barbmag · Answer

I know for me, the episodes have def increased with age. But, my cardio still reassures me that they are benign. And I get sometimes thousands a day...v,v frustrating. I asked my cardio the last time I saw him if there are any new meds on the horizon for PVC's, etc and he said there were not, unfortunately. I wonder why?

Jerry_NJ · Answer

I think at your young age, which is young enough that I think it isn't the cause of your increased PVC frequency, ablation should be considered.  You should have another 60 years to live and that's a lot of quality-of-life ahead of you. Get your heart fixed if the EP thinks he can do it.