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Managing and Living With PACs and PVCs
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Dec 1 8:09am | Replies (209)Comment receiving replies
Hello, I have posted in this forum several times and I am thankful for your help.
I am still suffering and dealing with daily PACs and PVCs, all day and most nights.
Just to refresh: 56 years old, non smoker, vegetarian, proper weight, male, and have been dealing with PACs and PVCs for over 20 years. Blood pressure is good but I take 100mg of Losartan every morning. Borderline type 2 diabetic. Suffer from chronic anxiety and mild depression.
Since this past May, the PACs and PVCs have become much worse. Numerous ER trips since then: all blood work normal, chest Xray normal, EKG normal with the exception of PACs and PVCS.
I wore a Zio patch in June and it showed normal sinus rhythm with PACs. 1.5% burden. I do see an electrophysiologist and he says I just have a lot of PACs and that everything is fine. In the past six weeks they have become even worse so I was given another Zio patch and I am waiting for the results. I did get a second opinion from a cardiologist at a heart clinic and they said I have to learn to live with these ectopic beats and that they are just a part of who I am and they increase with anxiety. Right now, I feel like my burden is at 10%. I can easily feel them when I check my pulse: anywhere from 6-9 times a minute to maybe 2-3 a minute.
They are worse in the morning and after I eat a meal. Sometimes in the evening the quiet down a bit; sometimes they do not. Exercise does not make them go away and I have become very scared to work out as I can feel them. Cardio and EP says not to worry!
Medications:
1. Tried two different beta blockers. No effect but they lowered my resting heart rate from 50s to the 40s. Had to discontinue.
2. Tried Flecanide 25mg twice a day. No effect, but I was really lethargic and had to discontinue. I felt like sleeping all day.
3. Tried 120 mg of Diltiazem..no effect at all. Now I am on 240 mg of Diltiazem, started almost three weeks ago, and no effect at all.
I can feel literally every skipped or extra beat and they are driving me crazy. I feel like I am losing hope. Not sure what to do. They PACS and PVCs are preventing good sleep even if I take Klonopin or Hydroxizine before I go to bed. I have been told that magnesium supplements are not affective, but I also eat a lot of veggies, soy, and fruit every day. No allergies and I have reduced my consumption of alcohol to once a week during the weekends. None this past weekend.
I do see a therapist and we have tried CBT, etc. No help at all.
Ablation might be my next step if they get to 20%. Or even a different type of anti arrhythmic.
How do you folks with chronic ectopic beats cope with all this? What have tried that works even a bit to reduce them. I know they will never go away, but I need just a bit of relief.
Thank you!
Replies to "Hello, I have posted in this forum several times and I am thankful for your help...."
Hi 713j...thank you for the prompt response.
How do you manage your PACs and PVCs all these years, especially when they seem like they are firing off willy nilly for no reason? I have had my potassium levels checked and they are normal. I do drink coconut water and soy milk every day. I have also tried the 4-7-8 and it does really nothing. I just spoke with the nurse who works with my EP and we are going to discuss the magnesium option.
Thanks!
RR
I also take magnesium and drink low sodium V-8 for potassium. Tai chi and chi gong help with the breathing and anxiety.
Hi @rr1967, you may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with your previous discussion titled: "Managing PACs and PVCs" -https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/managing-pacs-and-pvcs/. I did this so you could reconnect with the members who you previously discussed these ongoing concerns with: @713j, @gloaming, and @dcw.
Have you tried taking Magnesium. My electrophysiologist advise to take 400 mg a day which suppose to help with PVCs. Also potassium was mentioned to you but I would check with your electrophysiologist before taking potassium to make sure you are not taking too much. Mine did blood test and advise not to take potassium supplements as my potassium levels were normal.
Can you clarity what PACS are? PVC stands for premature ventricular contractions which are caused by errand electrical signals. My doctors say PVCs are normal for even healthy hearts it is when they get to a point that they affect you both physically and mentally.
I am not sure who told you magnesium supplements were not effective but my Mayo Electrophysioloigist recommended taking it and has been shown to help. I take magnesium tablets and a medication called
One thing you have to learn is not to dwell on the PVCs. Stress also causing PVCs and when you get stressed over the PVCs it will just increase them according to my doctors. Find something that occupies your mind.
When my PVCs act up I get 1-2 every ten beats. What I do is try to relax and concentrate on something else and do relaxation exercises. Have you tried the deep breathing exercises of Yoga? They can really calm you down.
I take Mexiletine which helps reduce PVCs. Asked your electrophysioloist about it. Also asked him or her about anxiety medication which can help with the stress you are having over the PVCs. I take a medication called Escitalopram which helps reduce anxiety.
Good luck and remember to check with your doctors on any suggestions you get as we are all different and what works for one may not be good for you.
I have had them for 20+ years. With every hospital visit, the nurses are told by my cardiologist that I have PVC'S and PAC'S and I'm very aware of them. I also take Losartan. I take metoprolol too, twice a day. I've had heart cath, echocardiogram, stress test and all normal. I figure if the heart cath was clear, he said healthy heartbeat with no blockage, then I'm OK. My doctor said everyone has them, even him, but that some people were able to feel them more than others. He also said if there were no other issues going on.....short of breath, chest pain, sweating, nausea or vomiting, passing out, dizziness etc, then they were harmless. He also said unless they were coming every 5 seconds and lasting more than a few beats, it was really nothing to worry about. It's just the upper or lower chamber of the heart opens or closes sooner or later than it should. I can go days and days without them then I'll have a day where I might have them off and on for about 4 hours. I've often wondered if it's because the blood is thick is the reason it's sticking so to speak but I take an aspirin daily. Maybe I should get on my treadmill daily to see if getting the blood flowing would help. My cardiologist said magnesium was good for the heart. Be careful of potassium supplements
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I have the same. I'm on an event monitor. Probably with the same diagnosis. Have you tried to increase your potassium? Coconut water or milk can help. I going to try that. I'm 74 years old and have these for 50 years. Also try the 4-7-8 breathing technique to help with anxiety. I also take 200mg of magnesium glycinate.