Connect
Long Term PAC and PVC Suffer. Need your support and guidance
Hello everyone. Thank you for reading this below is my story:
I have been dealing with PVCs and PACs for almost 20 years. They flare up once per year usually. I have had Zio Patch monitors, tons of EKGs, a stress echo four years ago, two heart CT scans two decades ago, many ER visits, etc, etc. All results were normal with the exception of showing PACs and PVC. My burden has always been below 2% when they flare up.
25-e some stats:
1. I am 55 and in good health
2. Borderline blood pressure: usually around 120-130/75-85 most normal days.
3. Borderline type 2 diabetic.
4. I do suffer from chronic anxiety and depression. Twenty years ago I suffered many panic attacks for the course of a year. But they have gone away. Mostly I deal with almost daily anxiety and worry.
5. Non smoker, no drugs
6. I do drink alcohol ( wine or beer) on weekends with my wife, only at night.
7. I am at a healthy weight. Cholesterol and Triglycerides all normal.
8. Resting heart rate: 50-60. Cardio doc states that this heart rate is normal for me.
Well my most recent flare up started two weeks ago and they seem worse. I feel the extra beat the moment I wake up they go on all day until I go to bed. I went to the ER and they did another EKG and ran a bunch of blood work. Of course...all normal. Diagnosis: PACs. Electrolytes also all normal.
In the last week, I have noticed my skipped beats increasing when I move around, go grab groceries, go for a walk, even exercise. This has me more scared than ever. My regular doctor told me not to worry, but I am seeing an electrophysiologist (EP) tomorrow. I did see an EP two years ago and he told me I was fine and prescribed Flecianide to take as needed. I saw the side effects and they scared me off so I never tried them. Eventually, the extra beats went away.
I have also tried Metropolol and they did not work. They also made my heart rate slower so my cardio doc told me to stop taking them.
But as stated, they extra beats are back and I am more scared then ever, especially with them increasing with movement or exercise. I have never fainted or felt dizzy from these. I only catch my breath and feel extra alerted.
Finally, my palpitations also seem to increase considerably after I eat a meal. Is this normal?
Any advice, recommendations, encouragement, support please.
Thank you and my apologies for any typos or writing errors.
RR
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.
Connect
Heart calm has little potassium and 3 dif magnesium’s . Non are Citrate. That one is not what most Drs recommend..
Thanks for responding to me . You have to do what’s best for you .
Yes the Gastro issues are horrible, non stop daily . Have over 7 diagnoses ( even went to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville in 2021 .
6 th Gastro now is in Orlando an hr from me . I feel for your wife .
I’m really a medical mystery at this point.
Hard to enjoy life . My hubby and I are in a 5 night vacation now but these illnesses don’t take a vacation unfortunately.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsHello JC76. I really appreciate your posts and comments. Very helpful.
Sadly, I am now going through my newest phase of PVCS and PACs. They were quiet for a couple of months and now they have restarted. What is concerning is that I can feel 3-4 in a row of the extra beats, then my heart rhythm is normal for a few beats, then I get 2-3 extra beats, then normal again for a few. Sometimes during the day, I can go for almost 30 seconds with no ectopic beats, then boom, they come back. They are really bad in the morning and now they are causing grief in the evening. I went into the clinic a few days ago and they ran a EKG. The EKG showed normal sinus rhythm with one PVC. The doctor then listened to my heart and he stated, he could hear 3 or 4 PVCs. Again, he told me that given my past workups, tests, exams, etc...all is normal.
I started taking 12.5 Metropolol in the evening with dinner. This is what my Electrophysiologist ( one of the top EPs in my state) recommended. I can't take two day as it makes me too tired and lowers my heart rate too much.
What is weird is that if I am doing house chores or running errands and my heart rate goes up a bit, the PVCs and PACs go away and the moment my heart rates comes back down, they restart! My resting heart rate is between 50-60 and my EP says that is perfectly normal.
As I have stated before in my previous posts...these damn PVCs and PACS really increase my anxiety and fear, which of course leads to more. I am simply tormented by them when they flare up.
I have this deep fear that the PACs and PVCs are going to lead to Afib or something worse, but my EP keeps telling me that this will not happen since my heart is structurally fine and my stress echo from 4-5 years ago was perfectly normal.
It is frustrating, maddening, and makes me very sad when these damn ectopic beats restart their assault.
Thank you for reading,
RR1967
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYes, you are fortunate to work with someone that understands the importance of mental health. Sadly, doctors know very little about nutrition as well and that can have an impact on our health for sure. Let's just hope that progress is made in the right direction moving forward.
Thanks for your reply!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI made several posts regarding the mental health side of treatments and stress just as important to patient as physical. I think sometimes medical doctors only look at medical side and not mental health but both affect each other and success of treatments.
I am lucky to be at Mayo Jacksonville where my psychiatric PA works very closely with my cardiologist, heart failure, and EP specialists to address and treat mental health issues as well as physical as both affect each other. I see her every 6 months but is available via portal and phone any time I need to address an issue or need assistance.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSeveral posters have mentioned the heart calm. I did research it and the ingredients are the ones that are rcommended for helping with PACs and PVCs.
@rozy288 I take all these supplements separately already with exception of potassium. I wanted to take it but my EP stated I was at the high end of normal on postassium per my blood test and recommended I not take more. For me the one supplment that seems to have affected my PACs and PVCs is magnesium. And that supplement recommendation came from my Mayo EP.
Regarding the Co-Q-10. You will see a lot of discussion on types of Co-Q-10. Many researches including supplement companies show that Co-Q-10 is hard for body to absorb unlike Ubiquinol (spell) which is a higher more absorbent form of Co-Q-10. It is more expensive though but I take both.
The only confusion I have on magnesium is my Mayo EP recommended Citrate type and I see some posters saying a a different type is better for PVCs and PACs. I am going to ask my EP their opinion. My citrate version seeems to be working but this is me and we are all different.
Good luck, I am lucky I don't have gastric issues but my wife does so and it affects her quality of life drastically.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsSometimes but not always . Woman’s hormones play a huge role in PVC’s . Whether on period or pregnancy. Mine went up by 1000’s sorting those times .
Also now at 62 I’ve had horrendous gastric issues that kick up mine . Gastro Cardiac Syndrome. I do take Heart ♥️ Calm Supplements from Vital Biologics for years when it gets bad . Three diff magnesium w Q-10 and potassium. Google it .
It works well .
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsStress matters significantly - I believe stress can kill. I had a doctor tell me as well that stress doesn't play that big of a part. When I get stressed, my blood pressure goes through the roof - I tend to be an axious person by nature and stress definitely matters!
I'm not able to attach a link, but there is an article from medical news today that confirms stress management is part of taking care of our heart disease. I have taken up doodle art - it's mindless and empties my brain of worry, which calms me down. I also exercise and make a point of eating healthfullyl.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions@brendas1954 I think your experience with your PVCs answers your question.
My HF, EP, PCP all say to reduce stress as will affect your PACs and PVCs. Those are Mayo Jacksonville and my EP is world reknown EP who gives seminars to others along with writing several books. He is now involved with extensive research.
Stress more PVCs less strss less PVCs. Exactly what happens to me!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactionsrr1967
We all need to find something that helps reduce stress. For me that is exercise. For others like you it probably is something else that you enjoy. Brining down the stress level is going to help. My EP, HF, and PCP all tell me to exercise not only because it reduces my stress but helps with heart failure and keeping me fit.
Just try to find something you like to do and enjoy it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsDid you go for a sleep study? I was referred by the cardiologist. Awaiting results.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction