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Managing and Living With PACs and PVCs
Hello all. I have posted in this forum before and I thank you for your advice. I appreciate more support please.
I am about to turn 56 and I have dealt with PACs and PVCs for the past 20 years. The come and go and now they seem to be getting worse. My cardio, regular doc, and electrophysiologist all say that I am fine and that I have too much stress and anxiety (which I do..I suffer from GAD and depression.) They all say that PACs are benign and that most PVCs are benign.
I had an exercise stress echo in 2019 (all normal). Several EKGs this year...all normal. Another Zio Patch Heart Monitor that I wore for a week. Normal sinus rhythm with PACs. My PAC/PVC burden hovers between 1.5 to 1.8 percent. I have had a recent chest xray and plenty of blood work. All normal. I am borderline type 2 diabetic and my cholesterol and triglycerides are all normal. I do take blood pressure meds and it is well controlled. I try to be active almost every day and I do practice CBT for my anxiety. My resting heart rate is about 55 and my cardio says that is normal.
What else can I do to reduce the PACs and PVCs or manage them? Some days they are fast and furious and some days they simply come and ago. But they are ruining my daily life and causing more depression and fear. They are awful in the morning, reduce a bit in the afternoon, and reduce a bit more in the evening.
My cardio again states that they are fine and to not worry.
I have tried a beta blocker (made my heart rate too low and I was too tired) and a pill called Diltiazem. Really had no effect and made me too tired. I don't qualify for any procedure and the one pill they are still offering me is Flecianide but that one has WAY too many side effects and I have had at least two cardiologists warn me from taking it.
What are you experiences, advice, etc?
Thank you!
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My cardiologist wasn’t impressed by the sudden end of my ectopic beats after starting taurine. My Primary, however, got very excited and said he was going to research it.
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5 ReactionsWow! Am amazed that 2 cardiologists advised against Flecainide because of the side effects.
I had continuous really negative discussions with cardiologist who wanted me to take it and my refusal.
Finally got new cardiologist.
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1 ReactionAs I said, I take 500mg of taurine added to my magnesium glycinate. You have to experiment and find what works for you. Some people report magnesium taurate works for them. I prefer to have control over how many mgs of supplements I’m taking. I take 200mg of magnesium glycinate but I also drink 32oz of electrolytes daily which also contain magnesium. You can research this then experiment for yourself and see what works.
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1 Reactioncappcoach, why did your cardiologist not impressed. It could be something to research like your PCP is doing.
Many things cardiologist are learning now help like magnesium. It was never mentioned 10 years ago now seem all are recommending.
I don’t know. He also doesn’t believe that postural ectopics are a thing. He thinks people just don’t know what their heart is doing until they lie down at night. My Primary said he’s 1000% sure postural ectopics are real and he thinks they are related to a vagal phenomenon. Specialists of all stripes get locked into what they learned in med school and many are just not aware, or interest in things like supplements. It’s rare to find an open minded doctor. So I do my own research. And my primary physician ROCKS.
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3 ReactionsIs taurine still doing the job for you?
Yes
500mg daily? Did you notice the improvement right away or did it take a few days?
Yes daily. I had improvement in a few days.
Do you also take coq10? How much what brand? I started taking the turaine 3 days ago had some reduction in pac/pvcs we’ll see what happens long term.