Premature atrial contractions: Anyone have any helpful info on this?

Thank you Amanda @amandaburnett , great Healthline article on enlarged left atrium. An update on my post after cardio visit Monday; cardio doctors consensus is that enlargement is result of sleep apnea (silent Afib) which probably contributed to PAC, and enlarged atrium maybe stretching the mitral valve.
I have used CPAP almost two years now and used during Monitor test. No Rx have been suggested, just plan another echocardiogram in a year and report any symptoms like those listed in your Heathline article. If diagnosis is correct, I may be a poster child for not avoiding sleep apnea!

@sqwiz Hi and welcome to connect, ill see you have some positive word already but so you also can realize your not alone. I too have had the symptoms you mentioned except for me that was the area that was not the main problem. I had Ventricular Tachycardia which was dangerous. But as I've said many times when you start to think about heart issues you become more aware of different things that probably went unnoticed before. I had a pacemaker and during my checkups is when I found out about PVCs since the device recorded them. But my doctor never was concerned about those and he said if I had a long run like im. talking many minutes he may address it but mine was never an issue. But you can feel them and he also said most people have them. but don't notice. Same with skipped beats just a normal occurrence.

Now I also have sleep apnea which can make heart issues worse so keep up with that therapy. Even now since my transplant I still use my CPAP even with a new heart the apnea did not go away and I want to do everything possible to help not have future issues. So even if it's mild it will help keep your heart healthy. Please if you have any other questions ill be around.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

@danab

Thanks Dana for the wonderful information... I think that after reading your response, I also get PACs as well as PVCs...I too, have a mild case of sleep apnea
I couldn’t handle the CPAP machine......

Hi Robbie, if my sleep apnea proves to be the CAUSE of my enlarged atrium, PAC and valve leak, I would encourage you to challenge your sleep doctor to find you a CPAP mask that works for you. My heart conditions were discovered after an EKG and subsequent echocardiogram; and doctors initially thought the PACs caused the enlarged atrium because that was all they found during my holter monitor test that could possibly explain enlargement. Since I was using by CPAP during the monitor test, I most likely am not experiencing more severe Afib or apnea irregularities that would better explain the atrium enlargement. Hoping their explanation is correct and enlargement has stopped so valve leakage does not increase, or other issues evolve.

Hello @robbie1956,

I see that you had a difficult time using a CPAP machine. At Connect we have a discussion on the use of the CPAP. Here is the link to that discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sleep-apnea-29d741/.

As you read these posts you will see the many changes and accommodations that were made by others to adjust to the CPAP and the masks.

If you care to share more information, how long did you try to use the CPAP?

@sqwiz thanks for the information....I may try it again....my PVCs and PACs are bothersome, sometimes scary...the CPAP machine I tried was a leviathan....but maybe they make a smaller one now...my last echocardiogram was normal with EFR 65%....I can’t begin to tell you how I admire so many people on this forum, like yourself and others who have had more severe heart ❤️ concerns than mine....everyone’s courage and concern is so admirable
Thanks again for replying and good luck to you..🐸

@hopeful33250 hi Teresa, thanks for replying...I only tried the CPAP for 1 night....it was very invasive...at least I found it to be that way....having to go to the bathroom 2 or 3 times a night with it on, well....but as I said to sqwiz , I will try for perhaps a smaller version of a CPAP if there is one, and I will go to the link you provided.....so grateful for your reply and very thankful for all of the kind support from yourself and everybody......this is a nice place to come to.....

First of all, thank you to everyone for the tons of information. Still does leave me slightly confused though.... As my other posts have gone into more detail. I have had 3 heart attacks in the last 18 months and from that i've been told i'm now in stage 3 or "c" heart failure. The entire time feeling what was best described as missing heartbeat and then like it was trying to catch back up. In august in was in the hospital overnight for increasing chest pain. While laying there i felt a "good one" and they came running in asking me if i was ok. Told them it happens all the time. Heard nothing more. Was reffered to a heart failure doctor who asked me about palpitations and told him what i've been feeling and that instance. He ordered a holter monitor for 48 hours but for up to 7 days. after 36 they called and said my regular cadiologist (which i have no faith in) looked at it and saw nothing but the the ordering doctor would look over it and to keep it on. A day and a half later they called back and said he saw a number of PAC's but that they weren't anything to worry about and send it back. On my next appointment he said he saw over 30 of them and a PVC but that it's "normal". Since i don't recall ever feeling anything like this before i find it hard to be normal. Did suggest getting a sleep study done cause he was sure that a lot of my worsening symptoms could be explained by sleep apnea. Did that and it came back that i don't have sleep apnea. So now with that and being what they call "in fluid overload" he wants me to go in and get a right side cath done. So not sure if it's these PAC's or whats going on.

@robbie1956 Yes on the CPAP there are lots of different options for masks. I have tried many and usually I too have a few bathroom visits a night and mine has the ability to disconnect the hose from the mask which makes it easier to go I just leave theask part on so I don't have to re-adjust the mask itself. Hope that may help.
Dana

I was recently told by my cardiologist that I have Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC), and not to worry unless they come frequently. I also have SVTs, are these related?? I was put on a Zio heart monitor for 3 days - will get results Monday morning. I recently bought a stethoscope (my cardiologist suggeseted I know more about my heart). My husband and I can both clearly hear what sounds like a comletely skipped beat, and what sounds like an extra beat. The skipped beat is more often and happens several times within 2 minutes of listening. It's disconcerting. Any idea what we're hearing??