Managing and Living With PACs and PVCs

I am 75yo female. I have had arythmias for about 15 years or longer. First noticed them when I had stents placed. Have hardly noticed them until lately. I do have a very stressful life taking care of my husband who has dementia, and now this stupid election. They have been bad off and on for a month. I've worn a monitor twice but the times I was wearing them were not heavy with arythmias. So cardiologist says no problem. Well, they ARE a problem. Scary. Mine are worse at night, maybe because I'm reading or doing crosswords, so more noticeable. I do notice that they are worse when I don't eat regularly. I have what seems to be hypoglycemia, but not sure. Do not have diabetes, but have low thyroid. When I don't eat for more than 2 hours they get very bad. But I need to eat protein when I do, not sugar, so not sure what the problem is. I decided yesterday to be very careful about what and when I ate. Very careful. And last evening I had absolutely no arythmias! I was so elated, hoping I'd solved it. But today, as I was about to eat my well scheduled lunch, my husband did something to make me freak out. So, no matter that I ate well, I've been having terrible difficulty all evening. I read that that is due to adrenaline release. Anyway, it is driving me crazy. Oh, and I take Hydroxyzine. Used to take it very infrequently, but finding I need it more and more. It does calm me down and allows me to sleep.

Usually the ablation stops the unwanted arrhythmia, but flutter is one example that can be 'substituted' when an ablation is performed for AF (atrial fibrillation). Also, you can get PACs resulting from an ablation, and yes, SVT as well. It is usually the fault of insufficient mapping in my opinion, although the electrophysiologist who performed your procedure might disagree with me, maybe even for very good reasons.

Over on afibbers.org, we stress constantly that one must do research to find the very best, most experienced, and most skilled EP in one's area, even if one must travel for up to a day. Just as there are mediocre teachers and piano players, there are mediocre EPs.

Some people have a sensitivity to adrenaline, and they should be given beta-adrenergic blockers to help keep the rate down when there is an arrythmia.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22318-beta-blockers
Others have a Vagus nerve sensitivity that drives their arrhythmia, particularly AF (atrial fibrillation). I don't have much background in that, but I do know that some use Vagus nerve stimulating actions to help. There are YouTube videos on that.

I wonder if it would help you to have a blood glucose meter to see if you are indeed having hypoglycemia. And a device to monitor heart such as a smartwatch or Kardia. I use the Kardia myself. It costs about $99. Then you can bring info or even send info to the doctor.

Hello mjj151.
Thank you for sharing your information. 15%..wow... I think I am at 10% now, but my cardio keeps telling me I am fine. We have tried beta blockers and calcium channel blockers...no help at all. Now he wants me to try Flecanide which is very scary medication. Not sure what to do anymore as I am tormented every day and evening with them. I have seen a cardiologist and two different electrophysiologists and they all say I am fine. No...I am not fine...

Thank you for your kind advice. I have tried the Kardia, but my arrhythmias weren't coming often enough for it to work. Hard to keep your fingers on it at all times! The Holter monitor works well, but I only had it for one day and I wasn't bad on that day (of course!). And I'm a chicken when it comes to sticking my finger. But it may come to that. It's just that knowing won't really help. I already know from years of experience that I need to eat regularly or bad things happen. But my symptoms are getting worse. That is the thing that worries me. But then, I'm pretty old, and have had a good life all in all. You do really suffer with these things, though, and I feel so bad for all the young people on here.

Hello I received my Zio patch results yesterday. Predominant normal sinus rhythm with PACs and PVCs. Nothing remarkable per the cardiologist. PVCs very rare and PACs were occasional.
My PAC burden has increased from 1.5% in June to 3.4% in October per the Zio patch. I did have three very short runs of SVTs ( 8 days total) and I have been told these are benign.

I am worried why my PAC burden has more than doubled since June. Though my cardiologist and EP keep telling me that PACs, even at 10% burden, cannot hurt your heart at all. I see my EP in a couple of days and hopefully he will have plan on what we can do to at reduced the PAC burden.

One doctor told that regular exercise will reduce PACs and PVCs.

Thank you,
RR

Usually the ablation stops the unwanted arrhythmia, but flutter is one example that can be 'substituted' when an ablation is performed for AF (atrial fibrillation). Also, you can get PACs resulting from an ablation, and yes, SVT as well. It is usually the fault of insufficient mapping in my opinion, although the electrophysiologist who performed your procedure might disagree with me, maybe even for very good reasons.

Over on afibbers.org, we stress constantly that one must do research to find the very best, most experienced, and most skilled EP in one's area, even if one must travel for up to a day. Just as there are mediocre teachers and piano players, there are mediocre EPs.

@janepastvan I was offered a patch monitor for a month (I only did it for two weeks but could have done a month). Maybe that would help. Or a smartwatch?

My kid has type 1 diabetes and had to prick her finger 15 times/day when a child. I think of her when I test my blood sugar! Like you have occasions of low blood sugar. I know that eating something sweet without fat or protein will result in a low blood sugar in about 2 hours. I have to remember to include protein and/or fat with white rice, white potatoes etc.

Hi

Has anyone's cardio mentioned that it could be a thyroid issue? Either hyper or hypo?