What causes an episode of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)?

Posted by robbie1956 @robbie1956, Sep 14, 2020

Always wondered what causes an episode of PVCs; not just a daily skip or run of 4 or several skips...but an episode that lasts on and off for days or weeks but then just seem to subside and go away for quite awhile....

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@ksaverett

I have had occasional PVCs for many years. However, I had a hysterectomy 3 months ago and since then I’m having them every day and some spells of one or two a minute for hours. I’ve gone back to the cardiologist and all blood work and holter monitor were normal of course showing the PVCs. I have been prescribed 25mg Metoprolol. How do I learn to live with these that they won’t kill me according to my doctor. They’re causing me extreme anxiety which makes them worse. PLEASE I need advice. I feel I’m spiraling. Did the metoprolol help with any ones PVCs?

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@ksaverett I wonder if your PVC's are a result of such a sudden hormonal change from the surgery, in which case it might stabilize. Interestingly, my PVC's stopped with menopause! I always had them more intensely before a period.

If you can tolerate the beta blocker, it might help. But it might also camouflage improvement that happens with time!

PVC's are very uncomfortable but "benign." I wish you good luck!

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@windyshores

@ksaverett I wonder if your PVC's are a result of such a sudden hormonal change from the surgery, in which case it might stabilize. Interestingly, my PVC's stopped with menopause! I always had them more intensely before a period.

If you can tolerate the beta blocker, it might help. But it might also camouflage improvement that happens with time!

PVC's are very uncomfortable but "benign." I wish you good luck!

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Thank you. I kept my ovaries but I still know my hormone levels have changed. I’ve also been told since I’m slightly anemic due to reasons requiring the surgery that may be the cause too. The increase has completely stopped me from living my life. I feel I can’t even leave the house. In my mind I can’t accept that I’m ok.

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@ksaverett

I have had occasional PVCs for many years. However, I had a hysterectomy 3 months ago and since then I’m having them every day and some spells of one or two a minute for hours. I’ve gone back to the cardiologist and all blood work and holter monitor were normal of course showing the PVCs. I have been prescribed 25mg Metoprolol. How do I learn to live with these that they won’t kill me according to my doctor. They’re causing me extreme anxiety which makes them worse. PLEASE I need advice. I feel I’m spiraling. Did the metoprolol help with any ones PVCs?

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I have what’s called Wolf, Parkinson White Syndrome. It’s a birth defect that was causing me to black out (no warning symptoms like fainting would) one second your okay, the next second you’re on the floor, wondering what damage you caused to your body. I tell you about my WPW because it triggers my heart beat to go into a short circuit between the SA node and the AV node triggering Tachycardia in my right ventricle. In the meantime, a heart beat will go thru the normal way. Then my poor heart goes into overdrive it’s getting two different signals to squeeze the right ventricle. That’s a Major problem since the chamber isn’t full of blood before it’s commanded to squeeze. So what has this all to do with your problem? Anxiety, if you keep worrying, you’re part of the reason your making your heart beat faster. You’re supplying adrenaline, that’s the chemical your body supply’s when someone or something scares you. That sudden jolt you feel that’ll make the hair on your arms stand up or the back of the neck, that’s what adrenaline does to the human body. With me so far? Metoprolol is a drug that reduces the body’s ability to produce adrenaline. The high the dosage the less adrenaline is made. I was taking 100mgs daily and you could set off a bomb behind me and I wouldn’t even flinch. The problem taking that much is the side effects, I’m down to 25mgs. I’ve been on Metoprolol over 15 years and the more poppers (palpitations) in a row I’ll up the dosage to 50mgs. My poppers are very quick, 8 fast beats in a row to up to 20. Any more than that can trigger one of those beats to jump into the short circuit and my hearts off to the races. I’ve been clocked at 197 bpm, in what they call Pulseless Ventricle Tachycardia. Go ask your pharmacist and see what they say, then use that information and tell your doctor. So calm down, take a deep breath, exhale slowly and grab a bowl of your favorite ice cream and relax!!!

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Hi, new to group. I have NSVT - Non sustained Ventricular Tachardia. My heart rate will do from 48 to 200 in an instant, and then almost immediately settle down to a normal rate. I have been on metoprolol 37.5 mg, a statin, and a baby aspirin for about 6 months, amlodipine for years, . Also a proton pump inhibitor (omeprezole) for 6 months. Anyone else have NSVT? It scares me every time. I see it happen in real time on my Apple Watch. My cardiologist doesn't seem overly worried, but I am. I would love to know how dangerous NSVT is but never get a clear answer. I also have recently had shortness of breath for the first time ever while walking ( I walk every day). Is this a side effect of metoprolol?

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@sue225

Sometimes I think in my case there is a link between acid reflux and PVC's.

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I have both of these and I think there is definitely a link. Especially after I eat. Tried to take a ten look but my blood pressure went to low. Felt terrible. Fr. tried me on cardinal and my heart wad beating so fast. Very scary!!

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@helent

I have both of these and I think there is definitely a link. Especially after I eat. Tried to take a ten look but my blood pressure went to low. Felt terrible. Fr. tried me on cardinal and my heart wad beating so fast. Very scary!!

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Although I do have ventricular tacycardia also. And for the most part, all of these flips and flops are well -controlled by low dose metoprolol for the last six years.

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Spell check didn't do me any favors on last comment.
I was put on atenolol & my blood pressure went too low.
Doctor put me on cardizem & my heart rate was beating super fast. Very scary!!

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@sue225

Sometimes I think in my case there is a link between acid reflux and PVC's.

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I think that use of PPI's does deplete magnesium which can cause PVC's. Google it

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@nash123

I think that use of PPI's does deplete magnesium which can cause PVC's. Google it

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I dont take PPI's.

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