Long Term PAC and PVC Suffer. Need your support and guidance

I’m not sure if I’m posting in the correct way…but I do need help. I’ve had PVC’s for about 15 years. I’ve had all the tests, stress, echo, ultrasounds, CT. Calcium levels at zero. My primary and cardiologist both tell me the PVC’s are benign. They are so troublesome to me. They are definitely impacting my mental health. My anxiety goes through the roof as soon as I feel them. A few years ago I asked my GI if my GERD could trigger the PVC’s and she said no. Now I’m reading that eating can trigger them. I see my cardiologist 1-13-25 and it can’t come soon enough. Thanks for listening I know I’m all over the place but it’s one of those evenings! Be well all.

@kiltipepper
We can pass on to you our experience in hope that helps you. I see vickif5 has already answered you with good information.

One thing I have found over my 77 years is not all doctors know the impact of mental health over physical health. Some individuals with PVCs do not have strong feelings from them and others it is a real problem.

If you suffer from GERD and is affecting your mental health the extra stress can affect your PVCs. My EP and HF told me this not my opinion. Finding ways to lower your stress and anxiety is important with PVCs that affect your mental health.

I had bad PVCs in right ventrical that my EP did a ablation. It fixed it and has not return many years later. However my LV PVCs got really bad. I asked about (EP) about another ablation but wanted to try medication first. The medication I was put on reduced my PVCs about 75%. And of course my stress level went down and I think both like both my specialst has said affect eath other.

Do you see a cardiologist or electrophsiologist (spell). If you can see a EP I would sure recommend it. My EP also put me on magnesium. But you should check with your doctors and not assume you should take because I do. But magnesium has been shown to help with PVCs and asked your cardiologist about it.

Also do not stress out on your posts. We all started where you are and it is a site to express your feelings and get feedback from others with similiar expereiences.

Just because they are benign doesn’t mean it’s not impacting your quality of life. Some people never feel them or aren’t bothered by them others are highly symptomatic. I too was highly symptomatic. I tried different meds until I found one that worked well for me. Sometimes it’s trial and error. After about a year I developed side effects from the meds and in consultation with my EP opted for an ablation. I’ve now gone from 10k a day to under 100. Feeling great. If you’re miserable - push back and ask for treatment. You don’t have to suffer.

Thanks for reaching out Vicki. I am determined this time to push back. Don't get me wrong, my doctors all have been very kind and understanding but that doesn't help at 6 at night when they suddenly flare and you feel paralyzed by fear. I'm going on the 13 of Jan and I'm going to have everything written down. All that I've learned and read and felt. I'm not going to take reassurance from them...well I will, but I want to know more about magnesium and ablation and other meds that may be better for me. I cannot walk around all day just waiting for them to jump out and send me reeling. Again, thank you for responding. I am so happy I found you all.

Thank you so much JC. I do have a cardiologist and this one I trust. I've never heard of an Ep but will ask my Cardiologist what he thinks. I'm flying through all the posts and am unfortunately happy that I am not alone. I searched for a long time to find others that are in the same predicament. My PVC's have been so bad lately that I've resorted to taking a half of Xanax at night so I can sleep. I wake and feel so much better but then feel the anxiety build as I'm just waiting to feel it start again. I feel like I'm living on pins and needles. I'm also going to ask my doctor about possibly an anti depressant. I have been on them in the past while I watched my da die from Alzheimers. That did help bring stress down. Again thank you for reaching out to me even while you too, are dealing with what life throws at you. Be well, JC and again I am grateful for you.

I just tried the xanax also. It did help. I have had PVC's since March 2024. It seems once they start they are very hard to stop. I have the KardiaMobile card and check often. I had a heart attack in 2006 and have been told I have no damage to my heart muscle. Over the years I have had stents put in (4 at the time of the heart attack and 2 over the years) I am 67 and very active around the house. Plant large shrubs 10 at a time, break out concrete patio's and walkways, yard work, washing waxing cars. I never sit down, but the PVC's are driving me crazy. The test showed me at 24%, that's 24,000/day. Now i have them at every heart beat, I believe its called Bigeminy. They gave me a couple of medicines to try and if they don't work they will do an Ablation. It definitly has a lot to do with the slightest amount of increased adrenaline. Even just a thought, conversation, TV show, eating, physical activity can trigger them.

Dear lord...what am I griping about. I can imagine how scary that all is. I do not want these to progress but they have gotten worse over the years. I get them more often and in a row. I had a Zio heart monitor on in June and the doctor told me I'm at less than 1%. It doesn't feel like that to me. Then I start imagining if the heart monitor was accurate. I'm my own worse enemy. Because I have these thoughts/doubts I'm wondering if an anti depressant will help. I'm rooting for you Jeff!! You responding to me as you go through what you're going through shows me that I'm actually pretty lucky and need to stop being a cry baby.

Dear lord...what am I griping about. I can imagine how scary that all is. I do not want these to progress but they have gotten worse over the years. I get them more often and in a row. I had a Zio heart monitor on in June and the doctor told me I'm at less than 1%. It doesn't feel like that to me. Then I start imagining if the heart monitor was accurate. I'm my own worse enemy. Because I have these thoughts/doubts I'm wondering if an anti depressant will help. I'm rooting for you Jeff!! You responding to me as you go through what you're going through shows me that I'm actually pretty lucky and need to stop being a cry baby.

I have had PVCs for several decades now. I have gone through ablations. What helped me was my EP suggested magnesium and a heart rhythm drug. Both worked to drastically reduce my PVCs. Supplements and and prescriptions though need to come from your doctors not what mine found were best for me.

With that my mind settled down and yes still felt PVCs but were reduced to an annoyance level not mind crushing.

If you can reduce your anxiety and stress it will help (at least for me and many others) you with PVCs. My EP and HP all say stress and anxiety will cause PVCs to be worse. So yes the PVCs cause stress and anxiety and the stress and anxiety can cause more PVCs.

Talk to your doctors about doing counseling, medciations for depression and anxiety, exploring hoppies and or exercise classes. Just keep trying to find something that helps you. Be proactive and speak out. I do take a depression medication along with rympthm medications.

You are not a cry baby don't belittle yourself. Know that you are not alone just keep working, asking and even seeking new medical doctors like EPs if you don't have one.

I just tried the xanax also. It did help. I have had PVC's since March 2024. It seems once they start they are very hard to stop. I have the KardiaMobile card and check often. I had a heart attack in 2006 and have been told I have no damage to my heart muscle. Over the years I have had stents put in (4 at the time of the heart attack and 2 over the years) I am 67 and very active around the house. Plant large shrubs 10 at a time, break out concrete patio's and walkways, yard work, washing waxing cars. I never sit down, but the PVC's are driving me crazy. The test showed me at 24%, that's 24,000/day. Now i have them at every heart beat, I believe its called Bigeminy. They gave me a couple of medicines to try and if they don't work they will do an Ablation. It definitly has a lot to do with the slightest amount of increased adrenaline. Even just a thought, conversation, TV show, eating, physical activity can trigger them.