Managing and Living With PACs and PVCs

Hi @rr1967 As some of the others have mentioned Magnesium and Potassium are important to Heart health. As it sounds like you watch your diet Im kind of a firm believer in using foods rather than supplements, but I have taken supplements when diet did not work. The tough part is to have a good level but not overdo it. Have you been tested for these 2 minerals ? I know when my arrythmias got hard to manage my EP Cardiologist was watch them very closly trying to get the levels as high as possible.
The other thing I found helped as it was a contributing factor was alcohol. I finally gave up completely as it just was not worth it. I'm glad I did as it was a requirement when I had to face transplant and it's not allowed with transplant drugs. I know you're not close to needing that, but it is something that affects heart rhythm. So if you already have a EP cardiologist maybe as them their thoughts on magnesium and potassium. I hope that helps. I also had episodes of PVC's which were not to your level, but I know they are not confutable.
Blessings

Hello! I have posted here several times and I appreciate all the feedback and support.
Recently, my PACs seemed to become worse, again. I can just sit in a chair and just feel the extra heartbeat 6-10 times every minute. My electrophysiologist has reviewed all of my labs, tests, etc and simply states that I have PACs and need to learn to live with them as they are benign, but worrisome.
We tried Diltiazem and that did nothing. Now we are trying Verapamil.
I know that PACs will never go away, but I am simply trying to find way to reduce their frequency or impact. Even as I type this out, I am feeling them. I ran to the ER last week and of course, all results were normal.
I am not sure what else to do and I feel like I am losing hope.

Thank you,
RR

Hello I received my Zio patch results yesterday. Predominant normal sinus rhythm with PACs and PVCs. Nothing remarkable per the cardiologist. PVCs very rare and PACs were occasional.
My PAC burden has increased from 1.5% in June to 3.4% in October per the Zio patch. I did have three very short runs of SVTs ( 8 days total) and I have been told these are benign.

I am worried why my PAC burden has more than doubled since June. Though my cardiologist and EP keep telling me that PACs, even at 10% burden, cannot hurt your heart at all. I see my EP in a couple of days and hopefully he will have plan on what we can do to at reduced the PAC burden.

One doctor told that regular exercise will reduce PACs and PVCs.

Thank you,
RR

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!

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.

Hello JC76

PACs are premature atrial contraction as they originate in the atria instead of the ventricles. According to my cardiologist and EP, PACs are very benign, in fact, more benign than PVCs, even if you have quite a few of them.

I have been attempting the deep breathing exercises but they do not seem to help.

I am meeting with my EP tomorrow and will ask about magnesium, mexiletine, and Escitalporam. I do take hydroxizine at night, but when I take it during the day, I am simply too sleepy...even on a low dose.

Thank you!
RR1967

For what it's worth....magnesium taurate 400 mg daily works best for me. I sometimes take an extra 200 mg if my heart gets "touchy". Mag oxide didn't help at all and had unpleasant GI side effects. I also drink no sodium V8 vegetable juice at least once daily. It has potassium in it for flavor enhancement instead of sodium. Not a cure, but it seems to help. Seems like everybody responds differently to different "remedies". I also take dofetilide and diltiazem for afib. Over the years I also learned that worrying about the PACs and PVCs was sometimes worse than the arrythmias themselves. It took me a while to get to that point.
Good luck to you.

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!

Hello! I have posted here several times and I appreciate all the feedback and support.
Recently, my PACs seemed to become worse, again. I can just sit in a chair and just feel the extra heartbeat 6-10 times every minute. My electrophysiologist has reviewed all of my labs, tests, etc and simply states that I have PACs and need to learn to live with them as they are benign, but worrisome.
We tried Diltiazem and that did nothing. Now we are trying Verapamil.
I know that PACs will never go away, but I am simply trying to find way to reduce their frequency or impact. Even as I type this out, I am feeling them. I ran to the ER last week and of course, all results were normal.
I am not sure what else to do and I feel like I am losing hope.

Thank you,
RR

Hello! I have posted here several times and I appreciate all the feedback and support.
Recently, my PACs seemed to become worse, again. I can just sit in a chair and just feel the extra heartbeat 6-10 times every minute. My electrophysiologist has reviewed all of my labs, tests, etc and simply states that I have PACs and need to learn to live with them as they are benign, but worrisome.
We tried Diltiazem and that did nothing. Now we are trying Verapamil.
I know that PACs will never go away, but I am simply trying to find way to reduce their frequency or impact. Even as I type this out, I am feeling them. I ran to the ER last week and of course, all results were normal.
I am not sure what else to do and I feel like I am losing hope.

Thank you,
RR