How dangerous are PVCS

Hi, As a former Pacemaker / defibulator patient (I now am 7 years post heart transplant) I went thru a rather serious condition of VTs or Ventricular Tachycardia. A rapid heartbeat of the lower chambers of the heart. I also had PVC's occasionally some days more than others. usually, it would only last a few minutes to maybe 15 min or so. I would verify what I'm saying with with your doctor as everyone is different but mine always said they were not a problem. More bark than bite as the saying goes. He said if they got really excessive, he would treat them but mine were no way near that level. I don't know what excessive is but the concern of it leading to cardiac arrest never was mentioned in conjunction with PVC's. Now for me the real problem of arrythmias where my heart rate would go into like a quiver and ranging from 160's -220's was my problem and that would require a shock at times or just pacing out. I mention that as comparison to the PVC's as my doctor never associated them with a serious problem. In my case they sure got me thinking something worse was going on but those never did in the 10 years I hat VT's before my transplant. Hope that help as being anxious can bring them on. The body's funny when we get over anxious we can actually cause them. Kind of weird. I got good at checking my pulse in my case when I was having a real problem my pulse rate would increase and when it was real bad i could not feel a pulse so with the PVC's they were not anything like a real problem in my case.

@jackiet
Of course, be glad to help!
Yes there are a lot of different forms out there for magnesium. A lot of people take it to assist with digestion. My EP asked me to try it for reducing PVCs.

He suggest Magnesium Citrate. Why that form? He said was the most easily absorbable. Now a lot of poster will say that form it is used for digestion and that is true. My PCP said to try the citrate form and if causes digestive issues the Glycimate (spell) was almost as good. I did not have any digestive issues. I take 400 mg a day.

There are many other forms and all have specific benefits but the most absorbable are Citrate and Glycemate (spell) per my EP.

I am truly touched that I could help you by my posts. My last 25 years have been a long and stressful journey. Anything I can do to help from my experience I am happy to do.

I have had heart failure and PVCs, PACs, incidents of tachacardia since 2001. I have had a ICD/Pacemaker since 2006 and on my 3rd one. I have an excellent EP at Mayo Jacksonville. He actually is the Director of Electrophysiology and Pace Clinic there.

He suggested 400 mg. Be advised they come in all dosage sizes. The 100 mg size is small and they get bigger as dose goes up. But please remember always check with your doctors about taking supplements. My wife takes 400 mg of magnesium citrate also to help with her digestion. That was prescribed to her by her gastrologist.

I was really having issues with PVCs and the stress being caused. Per my EP he said stress will cause more. He put me on a medication very low dose that I now take 3 times a day but has really reduced my PVCs and have not had a tachacardia episode since taking it.

I take Magnesium Glycinate, 200 mg once per day. I have no idea if it makes a difference but my PCP liked the idea when I asked about it, so I read Dr. Google (:0) for recommendations and I take that. The PCP ordered a magnesium level to make sure it was not too much.

@jackiet
I answered this last evening but don't see the post.

I take the Citrate form. This came from my EP saying was the easiest absorb. It can sometimes cause digestive issues in some but the Glycimate form is I am told by my EP a good absorbable form also.

It is important you work with your doctors before you add supplements. My EP recommended I take 400 mg. My wife also takes magnesium for digestive help. She takes the Citrate form also 400 mg.

There are many forms out there with specific benefits but they are (per my EP) not as absorbable as Citrate and Glycimate.

I am not sure why my post last evening did not post but here it is again.

Thank you for the kudo. I just have been through so much with my experience with this subject since 2001. Glad I was able to help others.

Hi
What meds are you taking?
Because on a 24hr Heart Monitor sowed Night H/R pauses. Changes the Beta Blocker stopped them.
I was a zombie and couldn't exert myself. The Monitor shed Day avg H/R was 186. I was sweating uncontrollable too.
Also have a BNP test. It shws the level of heart stress. Mine wemt from 198 to. 103 on 1.25 Bisoprolol to 89 with no Beta Blocker.
My Heart rate from 3.5 years ago is perfectly controlled with Diltiazen 120 CD HCL mg taken early morning continues to control also my BP.
cheri JOY

Thank you jc 76. I did get your original post and am grateful for your advice. Also thanks to sjm46.

18% of my heartbeats were PVC’s as evidenced by a week of wearing a monitor. That many would eventually lead to a weakened ability of my heart to pump blood. That is called heart failure which can last for many years of reduced energy, exercise tolerance and breathlessness. I had an ablation and the PVC’s were reduced to 1%. Then the NSVT ( non-sustained ventricular tachycardia) started. It is non ischemic( no blockages of the arteries). That’s another story which included the placement of a defibrillator last month. Out patient procedure. Feeling quite normal and happy to be protected against sudden death.

I noticed that jackiet’s last question was not answered about which magnesium to take. I have asked this question as well to a few doctors recently. I’ve had different answers. It’s interesting to know that there are several types of Magnesium & they each have different purposes or protections depending on an individual’s medical issues. For instance one may be recommended because it is much easier to digest than another. As a lay person, I can only say, it might be a good idea to find a nutritionist who knows the differences so if you try it, you are not creating more negative issues.

https://aor.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/04963-AOR-Marketing-Truth-Series-Magazine-Magnesium_Web.pdf

I was asked by a poster which magnesium I take for PVCs.

I answered the post that I take Citrate form. I also posted this recommendation to take the Citrate form came from my electrophysiologist (EP) at Mayo. This EP is the director of electrophysiology and pace clinic at Mayo Jacksonville.

I asked why that form and was told most easily absorbed. He did say some take form digestive help for same reason. I was also told if caused digestive issues the Glycimate (spell) was also easily absorb. I was advised to take 400 mg daily.

With any post regarding supplemental taking it is important to remind those considering supplements to check with their doctors to make sure applicable to them and will not contradict medications or mental or physical conditions.

Example: I was seeing posters recommending potassium supplments. I check with my EP and said no do not take any additional postassium as my blood test showed I was at the high normal limit for it.