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

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.

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??

If you have a cell phone with a camera, consider getting a free heart rate monitor app for it; it lights the camera light and you put your finger over it and the camera lens and the app the graphically shows your heart beats, most apps with sound, and you can SEE the beats STRENGTH so you can see each beat, and if there are extra ones that are only 1/2 as powerful, and of course you can see the missing beats. I commend your doctor for suggesting you learn more about your own body! And the free cell phone app is a grand way to learn! (I have AFIB and keep tabs on it this way)

Another option if a heart monitor test doesn't capture anything is that you can ask your cardiologist if she/he can get you a device called KardiaMobile, which is a mobile single lead ECG device. It syncs with an app on your phone. If you're experiencing symptoms you just grab the device, and place your fingers on it and it records your heart activity and stores it.

I had A-fib for years and finally had an ablation to correct it, but I still have PACs, PVCs and SVT left over. My cardiologist said it's all benign, but even after 8 years I still hold my breath in fear when these anomalies happen, because they feel too much like the old A-fib.

Another option if a heart monitor test doesn't capture anything is that you can ask your cardiologist if she/he can get you a device called KardiaMobile, which is a mobile single lead ECG device. It syncs with an app on your phone. If you're experiencing symptoms you just grab the device, and place your fingers on it and it records your heart activity and stores it.

I had A-fib for years and finally had an ablation to correct it, but I still have PACs, PVCs and SVT left over. My cardiologist said it's all benign, but even after 8 years I still hold my breath in fear when these anomalies happen, because they feel too much like the old A-fib.

jddart, are you on blood thinners?

I was on Pradax, which goes by different names, but it's been deemed dangerous here in Canada because it has no antidote, and my cardiologist feels my condition is improved enough that I'm just on a baby aspirin a day. I've had no more A-fib since the ablation

jddart, are you on blood thinners?