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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
I’m 68 yo male. I started having PVCs about 2 years ago. Never treated. About a week ago, the PVCs got worse, was having runs of trigeminys aka every 3 beats. I’ve counted up to 20k per day. Resting heart rate is 60. Cardiologist recommended a series of tests. EKG sinus rhythm with occasional PVCs. Lipoprotein A elevated at 90 nmols/l. Stress test normal. Echocardiogram is still pending. I’ve stopped caffeine and the occasional red wine. Never been a smoker. One thing I noticed is my PVCs are suppressed by exercise. Even just by walking slowly. The PVCs don’t really cause any real discomfort. Just worried about the cardiomyopathy effect long term. Has anyone experienced this and how did you manage.
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alspvcs9, I have cardiomyopathy also. Tons of PVCs. I had one ablation on right side of heart which fixed the PVCs from that side. The ones on left side got worse and worse. I have LBBB which was the start of my PVC problems.
Had a ICD/Pacemaker put in 2006 at Mayo. On my 3rd one now. I also have a reduction of PVCs during exercise. I think one thing is we are doing something that relaxes us and also our minds. Plus I think the heart responds differently when exercising.
I feel mine with a resting pulse rate. It is why my EP raised my normal resting pulse rate from 54 to 70 using the pace option on my ICD/Pacemaker. It did lower the PVCs but still tens of thousands of them over a 3 month period (Pacemaker monitor results).
Had the holter monitor and found 3 areas in LV causing the PVCs. I am 76 with Heart Failure (cardiomyopathy) so EP wanted me to try magnesium but was already taking. EP then decided to try a heart rhythm drug called Mexiletine. I am on the lowest dose to start. We will monitor the PVCs and raise the dose if needed.
Mexiletine is a drug that leaves the body quickly so you have to take 3 times a day every 8 hours. It is not like the other rhythm drugs that are toxic and stay in body for long periods of time even after you stop.
The issue with PVCs is they cause stress. And have been told stress will cause more PVCs. So when we worry about them will make them worse. Dealing with them psychologically is important also and there are many ways to help lesson the stress. I take a anxiety medication which has helped.
My PVCs don't bother me unless I have a couple in row. That is when I really feel it and thus try to do deep breathing exercises, and try to relax not stress out.
Good luck!