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Asymptomatic high volume PVCs and traveling
My husband is 55 and experiences high volume PVCs over 2 years now. He is taking a beta blocker, because he refuses to take the heavy drugs the heart surgeon prescribed while on the waiting list for an ablation. He now decided he doesn't want the surgery either, convinced he'll find his natural balance with meditation, supplements, acupuncture, other. His PVCs decreased from 22% to 6% but lately they got worse. Now he wants to plan a 20hr flight to visit his older parents in a 6hrs difference time zone. I am concerned about the effects of a long flight and the exhaustion after the trip but don't actually understand the real risks. Should I exercise my veto? Any people in a similar situation who have taken long flights like this and how to recuperate afterwards? Or is this simply irresponsible? Thanks.
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I know you would LIKE TO exercise your veto, and not unreasonably. But, this guy sounds like he likes to tinker, to figure things out for himself, and to learn as he goes. What will he learn if he does it your way?
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1 Reaction@gloaming you're spot on. Thanks for helping me get out of my own way, I appreciate your feedback.
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2 ReactionsI have had PVCs on and off for around 40 years. I've had them rarely and sometimes in clusters approaching a dangerous amount. Doctors had always noted that PVCs are benign. Yet I learned this year, as I was diagnosed with Atrial Flutter and AFIB and Stage B heart failure, if PVCs occur very frequently - such as more than 10% to 15% of daily heartbeats over a prolonged period of time - they can cause the heart muscle to weaken and dilate over time, leading to a condition known as PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. They are also not benign of you have other heart issues. We don't believe that's what happened to me. But, fixing the problem is something for the experts.
So my question would be - has your husband had a complete cardiac work up with echocardiograms, stress test, etc., to get a good baseline on his heart? PVCs with a healthy heart is one thing. PVCs with a heart with other rhythm or physical changes may be another.
I don't say this to scare anyone, but I wish I had a baseline workspace 10-20 years ago. I'm 75. But, I was always considered a low cardiac risk because my lipids are perfect.
I would not argue with your husband but maybe learn what he knows and see if his doctor has explained all of the risks over time and performed all of the tests necessary to get a complete picture of his heart health. Also, PVCs can be very annoying and can take the joy out of life.
Best of luck.
As someone who's experienced more than my share of PVCs and PACs, I can relate to the discomfort that "even" the 6% burden must impose upon his QOL (Hopefully his sleep is not unduly affected.) I also can't quarrel with his resistance to surgery; it's no fun. But it sounds like he and his doctor have settled on a reasonable plan to treat those conduction problems with the scheduled ablation. He might want to check with his doctor to see whether there are any precautions he might take for such a long flight – for example, staying hydrated, compression stockings moving about in the cabin, etc. In any event good luck!