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Sudden PVCs with congenital heart disease
I have CHD which was corrected at 6 months old. I had regular checkups until about 16 when I was discharged and sent on my way. I am now 26 and am suddenly getting severe episodes of what the ER doctor told me were PVCs. I am quite slim, so I can see these flutters in my chest as well as feel the thumping and flopping. Today for example I had at least 32 PVC episodes within the span of an hour. The ER doctor told me they were benign. I just had an appointment with a cardiologist but it was mostly a “get to know you” visit. They fitted me with a holter monitor for 24 hours. However, I did not experience any of these PVCs during that time. I am still awaiting results. I will also be going in on August 3rd for a heart ultrasound. I have read from an article from this site stating that onset of ventricular arrhythmias in adults with corrected congenital heart disease can lead to sudden cardiac death. I am worried and every doctor I see seems to brush everything off and try to get me out of the door. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Hi @lurxh and welcome. PVCs can be disconcerting. You're wise to persist with follow-up given your history with CHD.
As per this article from Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ventricular-contractions/symptoms-causes/syc-20376757
"If you have occasional premature ventricular contractions, but you're otherwise healthy, there's probably no reason for concern, and no need for treatment. If you have frequent premature ventricular contractions or underlying heart disease, you might need treatment."
I believe it may have been this expert blog post and video that you read.
- Congenital Heart Disease Arrhythmias March to Their Own Beat https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/congenital-heart-disease/newsfeed-post/congenital-heart-disease-arrhythmias-march-to-their-own-beat-2/
I'd also like to connect you with @tplefka @eileena @kenny48 @sue225 and others to see if they may have some suggestions. My suggestion would be to keep asking questions. You are worried and your concern needs to be taken seriously.
What is the next step? Will you be monitored with a holter again?
The cardiologist I saw on June 26th is a specialist in adult chd. He did seem a bit nonchalant about the whole thing, seemingly blaming my history of anxiety. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt until I at least get my holter results. I was told I would receive a call by today but I am still waiting.
As I stated I didn’t have any noticeable PVCs while being monitored, although two days later an episode began lasting about 6 hours with near constant fluttering. When it finally subsided I was left with what felt like a knot underneath my sternum with a sharp pain associated with it. It is gone now but as I am writing this I feel the fluttering slowly coming in and out.
I am also assuming that the ER doctor who diagnosed the PVCs is correct. While discussing this with other people I became wary when they asked about the pattern. With it being every other beat, second, third, etc. I honestly didn’t know how to answer because to me it just feels like a chaotic fluttering with no discernible pattern. Sometimes these flutters last about 8 seconds, subside for maybe a minute or two and then come back.
Also I am concerned because this whole ordeal began about 20 days ago and has already caused a lot of interruptions for my career and daily life and I won’t have any other appointments for another 30. My fear is that if this is serious that I will be left here waiting when I should be getting it taken care of.