Connect
New to PVCs
Hi, so I've been trying to research what I can about my newly diagnosed PVCs, I'm a 61 yr. Old man, have chronic pain (unrelated) and have been on opioids for over 10 years. I'm really not sure how long I've had this heart issue,I know that I've occasionally felt them for years but until recently I had no idea that I'm actually at 25% burden!
I think I've had every test there is, eco ultrasound, MRI with contrast, with stress test, etc.
Apparently my cardiologist has no idea where or why I'm having them and basically there's nothing structurely wrong with my heart, so he's starting me on 25mg metoprlol, I've only been on for a week now.
My question to anyone out there who might know is this, in my short research it seems that maybe I should be looking at ablation rather than going down this medication for life thing with this high % of burden??
Then again since they don't know where it's coming from maybe that's not possible??
I just like the idea of possibly "fixing" the issue rather than covering it up with yet more pills!!
Maybe I should get a second opinion from a electrophysiologist? Which is where they'll probably send me after squeezing every drop from me first lol!
Anyone else out there who went through a similar situation?
Blessings and thanks!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.
Connect
@mrspudhead
I was going to recommend a Electrophysilogist (EP) but you mentioned it yourself.
I had tons of PVCs and I see a EP who treated one in my RV with ablation and fixed it. I have them in LV but prefers he treats it with medications. The medications cut my PVCs in half.
You mentioned your cardiologist does not know where they come from. Have you had a holter monitor test? That will tell you cardiologist where the PVCs are coming from. That test would reveal where coming from.
I first saw a EP back in 2006 when my local cardiologist was treating me and wanted me to see a local electrophysiologist. I wanted to get a second opinion on my diagnosis and treatments and went to Mayo Jacksonville to see a EP. I have been treated there every since. I had a ICD/pacemaker inplanted in 2006 and also was referred to heart failure doctor by my Mayo EP who is excellent also.
From my experience with PVCs and my treatments my suggestion is to see a electrophysiologist. I have had several holter monitor tests and they were used to find the source of PVCs and decide the burden on heart.
Most people get them on occasion.
Are you worried about some thing? Stress can cause it.
Electrolytes (magnesium and potassium) can help.
Thanks for your comment!
You mentioned a holter monitor, yes that was actually the first test I had which apparently led to all the other tests??
I keep being told everything looks pretty good but the cardiologist has no idea where their coming from, I keep hearing "well, sometimes we just don't know" 🤔
The only thing for sure is I'm constantly having them.
Like I alluded to, maybe they're just going to squeeze everything they can out of me before they send me to someone else?
My last appointment last week to go over my MRI went like this...."we don't have the results of your MRI yet" 🤨
I live in Boise ID which is probably not a hot bed of renowned specialists.
But like I said, I'm not looking forward to another lifetime prescription and I don't understand why they don't know where or why this is happening.
Thanks again!
Thanks for your comment,
I used to feel them on occasion but apparently now they're constant, 25% of my total beats.
Stress? Well yes actually this whole thing has me stressed out now, lol!
Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely look into those!
Thanks again!
I t9 a new to having PVC's, and Dr has started me on Metropolol. I was feeling very fatigued when I first experienced them but the side effects of medicine has been just as bothersome. I always walked often, but the tiredness and heavy duty sweating from walking makes it harder to motivate myself to walk since these started and since on meds
You: '...Maybe I should get a second opinion from a electrophysiologist?...'
Yes, I would encourage you to do that. The reason is that your current cardiologist is mystified...he/she has no answers. Another set of eyes, more expert, might see something in a recent ECG that shows clearly that you have a defect in your heart's conduction system. Well......you DO have a defect, or else we'd not be discussing the formal diagnosis of PVCs.
Even if your ECG is clear, an EP with a few years' experience may suspect you have a certain type of defect or arrhythmia that is masked somehow. He/she will be able to test for that.
My cardiologist started me on metoprolol, a statin (20 mg of atorvastatin, a small starter dose), and a DOAC (direct-acting oral anti-coagulant, like rivaroxaban or apixaban, Xarelto and Eliquis respectively). I also felt lethargic and, as a former runner, found it hard to run at a decent pace...if at all. When I reported this change, the cardiologist insisted it wasn't due to my medicines, but he also said he'd hate to see me lose my conditioning, which was excellent at the time, and to keep at it. My story is longer, more involved, and suffice to say that I no longer run, but mostly to protect my heart from the strain he said I imposed on it in earlier years from competitive running and undetected severe sleep apnea.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHey, thanks, I think that's the direction I'm going to pursue.
I hope you have yours under control and doing alright.
I was never a athlete or anything but I did very strenuous work most of my life, I was a auto body tech for about 30 years (probably not great for my lungs) and rode dirt bikes in my spare time. Always considered myself in pretty decent shape other than the last 10 years dealing with chronic pain.
Suddenly everything seems to be going to hell, this PVC BS, having kidney stone issues, a failed occipital neurectomy in Feb, I'm exhausted!!
My cardiologist wants me to take a sleep study but I said right out I won't wear a CPAP so that's kinda not happening.
Sorry to hear that, yeah that's the last thing I need is more medicine to make me sweat! Being on pain meds (opioids) is about all I can stand with the sweating!
I'm also getting pretty lethargic and unmotivated to do anything 😔
Try to hang in there mate and keep moving!