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PVCs Causing Chest Pain and Lightheadedness

Posted by elody @elody, Oct 3, 2025

Hi all,

54 (f) here. I've love to hear if anyone else is managing something similar.

I had a calcium score of 283 about 6 months ago (unrelated it turns out) and had some sharp chest pain and lightheadedness for several days. I went to the ER and spent a few days in the hospital. The good news is my CAD is limited to one spot in D1 of my LAD, and weirdly I have none anywhere else, and obstruction is 30-40% after a CT with contrast. That feels like winning the lottery to know while I can still do something about it. So we are upping my statins to the highest level and doing some Lp(a) and ApoB test next month.

All that being said, they ruled CAD out as the cause of my chest pain and other symptoms and suspect PVCs. I have a high PVC burden of probably around 12k-17k a day with 6-7 every 30 seconds. I'm on a monitor now for 2 weeks to confirm that number. They started me on metoprolol to slow my heart down, and an echocardiogram confirmed there are no structural issues.

So all that being said, anyone else go through this? I'm watching how they respond to caffeine, etc. But there doesn't seem to be a relationship. I do feel better however with the new drug. Just curious if anyone else has navigated this.

Thanks to all in this group. I have learned a ton!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

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Mentor
Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Nov 4, 2025

Hi, @elody You mentioned starting statins and metoprolol as well as monitoring your heart for a couple weeks, hopefully to learn more about PVCs that have been happening. How are you doing since you created this discussion a month ago?

You also mention chest pain. Is this what prompted checking your cardiac calcium burden?

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nikkib33 | @nikkib33 | Jan 7 3:57pm

I am 38 going through the same thing. My PVC's are getting worse and very painful causing me to have severe chest pain for hours and shortness of breath. Thinking about switching doctors because I'm not getting the help I need. I have been on several different heart meds none has helped me resolve the issue and it's starting to get scary. Just trying to find a solution because I feel like I'm suffering.

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jachrist | @jachrist | Jan 7 4:47pm
In reply to @nikkib33 "I am 38 going through the same thing. My PVC's are getting worse and very painful..." + (show)
Profile picture for nikkib33 @nikkib33

I am 38 going through the same thing. My PVC's are getting worse and very painful causing me to have severe chest pain for hours and shortness of breath. Thinking about switching doctors because I'm not getting the help I need. I have been on several different heart meds none has helped me resolve the issue and it's starting to get scary. Just trying to find a solution because I feel like I'm suffering.

Jump to this post

I was misdiagnosed and was treated as an asthmatic for 16 years. Iam a
former firefighter and Arson Investigator and my breathing kept getting
worse. All this changed when I experienced a sudden cardiac arrest. I
demanded a referral to Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
I do not know where you live but Mayo has saved my life. If distance
hampers your ability to get care then maybe your Primary Dr can forward medical records to Mayo.

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acnacf | @acnacf | Feb 3 6:02pm

My husband had frequent PVC's and when meds didn't work he ended up getting an ablation...well 2. His PVC's were coming from the outside of his heart so had to have a second one done. He is doing great! Ablation was almost a year ago and no more PVC's!

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