Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)

Hi welcome to Mayo Connect. I have experienced PVCs but they were not really a problem for me since my main problem caused me more issues. So based on what i was told they have to get to a certain duration and repatition before treatment. But i decided to write because i know my fears were made worse by my stomach issues and as time went on it seemed i was having arrythmias when actually it was stomach reflux. As the drs told me the top of the stomach and the heart are right on top of each other. So what i thought was actually my heart acting up was my stomach. I had a pacemaker so it made it easy to record when i felt something and when they download my pacemaker i found out when it was and wasn't my heart. I think once you have any heart condition we become so sensitive to whats happening in our bodies it can be a blessing and a curse. I hope that helps.

Thank you so much for responding. I’m definitely struggling with the psychological aspect for sure. I feel as though my peace of mind has been taken away from me and I have no control over my own body. I’m desperately searching for solutions to problems and just trying to understand what is happening in my own body.

I'm sorry for all your concerns.Been there, done that!.
I had AFib for almost 2 years and was on the highest dose of beta blocker the cardiologist had ever prescribed...but anything less and my heart went into a tailspin of constant irregular beats. But then I cured myself. The cardiologist said that it was impossible. But here I am years later with a steady heart. HOW I cured myself made me realize that WE have power over our medical conditions. We don't have to resign ourselves to the mercy of Big Pharma. Many people just do as their doctors say without question. Bad idea! One needs to take control and be involved themselves by becoming informed and listening to what their bodies are telling them and making lifestyle changes.
I just came back from 2 weeks in Holland where you don't see ANY overweight people. None! Most people are not even what we call normal weight. They are all slim...and beautiful due undoubtedly to excellent health. Why is it so? They bicycle and walk everywhere. There are 2 bikes for every Dutch person. No one drives a car in Amsterdam because first of all it's too slow compared to a bike. Hordes of people with babies and toddlers on board (without helmets) ride to and from work and daycares every day during rush hour. Elderly people go shopping by bike. It's inspirational! We should follow the Dutch model and get out there and MOVE. I don't know whether you do but I certainly need to do more. A Fitbit makes me accountable. (Again, taking control of my own health!).
How did I overcome my Afib, the most serious case my cardiologist had ever seen? I took control of my own health. I joined a gym and went 6 days a week. Within a month, I lowered my dose gradually of beta blocker which the cardiologist wanted me to do. I kept this up for 4 months, going to aerobics and strength training classes every day but Sunday. But very important to further take control of my own health: I stopped all stimulants; coffee, tea, alcohol, decongestants, chocolate etc.. Here I am today 24 years later with a stable heart. I do have to say that if I cheat and have a coffee (2x per year) or a chocolate, my heart races or gives me thumps. I consider it a warning and listen to my heart which is sending me a message loud and clear.
I hope you can do the same.

Hello everyone. I need some advice and support which I always get from everyone here. I am not new. I have diagnosed Sleep Apnea and it is under control with my CPAP. I have AFib diagnosed last October and is under control with Metoporal and Eliquis. I have only had two episodes.

I wear a Heart Link Monitor under my skin so my doctor can see my EKG. I have been diagnosed with Atrial Tacacardia that happens very irregularly and only lasts for seconds. He is not concerned. My Heart Link Monitor is not working properly so I am being sent another one so I can transmit what is happening to me now.

In the last two weeks I have had extra heartbeats off and on. I am used to these and have had them all my life but sporadically and sometimes none for weeks at a time. I recently went thru a very stressful episode with my husband receiving a pacemaker. The simple operation had problems and he ended up in ICU for several days. All is well now but it sent me into a tail spin because of how serious it was.

I have never had hours and hours of extra heartbeats. Some days I don't get them at all. I found that if I deep breathe, I can get them to go away. I feel the extra beat in my throat and it makes me very nervous. Can anyone reply? Is this stress related?

Thank you, CECE 55

Recently diagnosed with PVCs and my cardiologist has me taking 10mg propranolol twice per day. I’ve been on the twice per day dose for 4 days now. The medication is definitely reducing the strength with which the PVCs occur and for that I’m super grateful. However, I noticed my chest is a bit tighter since starting the medication and my breathing is a bit different as well. Neither sensation is overwhelming but it’s noticeable. I’m wondering if these feelings are just part of my body adjusting to the medication. Any input would be appreciated. And of course, I’ve already messaged the cardiologist as well just to be safe. But it’d be nice to hear what other people have experienced if you don’t mind sharing your own stories. Thanks!!

Thanks for sharing your history, @cece55.

Extra heartbeats, most commonly known as premature ventricular contraction or PVC, are early contractions that occur when the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) contract out of sequence with normal heart rhythm. Although they are generally harmless and usually do not require treatment, PVCs may trigger more serious arrhythmias in people with heart disease or a history of ventricular tachycardia.
You may feel odd sensations in your chest like
Flip-flops
Fluttering
Pounding or jumping
Skipped beats or missed beats
Increased awareness of your heartbeat
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ventricular-contractions/symptoms-causes/syc-20376757

You might wish to view these other discussions as well:
Afib with Rapid Ventricular Response https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/afib-with-rapid-ventricular-response/
PVCs and Coronary Artery Disease https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pvcs-and-coronary-artery-disease/

There are a number of factors that can cause PVCs:
Certain medications, including decongestants and antihistamines
Increased levels of adrenaline in the body that may be caused by caffeine, tobacco, exercise or anxiety, stress
Injury to the heart muscle from coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, high blood pressure or heart failure

Have you noticed any”triggers” other than stress, @cece55?

Hello does anyone know if propranolol is stronger than Rythmol (Propeferone)? I am on 225 mg 3x daily for Afib and PVC's as well. I am experiencing palpitations all off in my throat as well so EP decided to up meds to 325mg 3xdaily. Now this have my body outright exhausted. I noticed you are taking 10mg propranolol twice. Just trying to be proactive to see what may work best for my body. Will ask EP in the next few weeks whats d difference.

That's what I've experienced (though not frequently) but the doctors said only that I have afib. They said nothing about PVCs. I didn't even know what they were until you explained them here.
Mine come on when I'm very tired or very anxious, and sometimes I think too if I don't drink enough water it brings them on also. Coffee has no effect and neither does wine. I haven't tried chocolate. My heart is perfect, I'm cmall and not overweight, and I was in perfect health before I got ill from a cold about 1.5 years ago. I think I got afib initially from a combination of bronchitis which made it hard for me to breathe, acid reflux, and maybe having six to eight ounces of wine after dinner. Now I know that once a person has afib, they have it for life, and that it's progressive, so I expect it to get worse. It is not fun. And, I feel very confused by it all. This forum helps me cope though.

Thank You for responding to me. When I was diagnosed with AFib I gave up all the stimulants I could think of. I don't drink, don't eat chocolate or sugar, try my best to stay away from processed foods, drink plenty of water and only drink caffeine free tea and coffee.
I go to yoga three times a week to control my anxiety, and go to the gym the other four. I can't cycle which I was used to doing because I am on Eliquis. I just can't imagine what is causing this sudden problem of constant PVC. I do have days or hours of no problem at all. I am not dizzy, fatigued, short of breath etc... It is very frustrating and scary. I try to tell myself, "this too shall pass".

Did you actually have a pacemaker or an implanted loop recorder - BIG difference. It sounds like a loop recorder. There is no reason on Earth to have a pacemaker for PVCs unless you were having life threatening ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (which causes sudden death). PVCs are common in NORMAL hearts but, yes, they can scare the cr*p out of you. It's not so much the heart and stomach "on top of each other" but irritation in the esophagus and irritate the vagus nerve and contribute to heart arrhythmias. A loop recorder is a tiny device implanted to record heart rhythm for up to three years ( that's how long the battery lasts) to document where heart "blips" are coming from, how long they last and if they are benign or need treatment.