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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I have pvc episodes when they are strong, debilitating, chest shaking and last for hours. I go for a month or so between episodes. During the good month I have pvcs but not ones that are strong. Itake sotolol 120mg and losartan with pradaxa and amlodapine, I have never met with someone who has my condition before. Thank you for all your comments they help me understand how this works for other people. Also gives me questions for my cardiologist

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I to suffer with PVC'S and tachycardia. It's very unpredictable. I'm on metropol and flecinade. It's very frustrating. I understand

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I too have PVCs and have found that they often start when I have acid reflux or when a capsule gets kind of stuck in my esophagus. I now pop in a Tums when I think it might be acid reflux and stopped taking that gigantic capsule of Magnesium. That seems to have stopped the worst of the PVCs but I still get the occasional run of them. I don't have tachycardia so can't comment on how that might exacerbate the PVCs.

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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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No, I had to stop it so my brain functioned better and fatigue went away. I only took a pill two days a week. On those days I only rested!

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@chuckkerns

I have pvc episodes when they are strong, debilitating, chest shaking and last for hours. I go for a month or so between episodes. During the good month I have pvcs but not ones that are strong. Itake sotolol 120mg and losartan with pradaxa and amlodapine, I have never met with someone who has my condition before. Thank you for all your comments they help me understand how this works for other people. Also gives me questions for my cardiologist

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Since early Jan it is has been none stop PVCs, SVTs, PACs as well as a couple of A-fib events thrown in for good measure. I have a monitor for tracking and am approaching the last week of 4 and then I send it in. I hope to go through what was talked about was a double ablation. You go in on one side of the heart for the A-fib(that would be the 2nd A-fib ablation for me) and then you go to the other side of the heart and do an ablation for the PVCs. etc.
I cannot stand it.

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Hi, I just want to know where you stand now. I’m having the same thing. See EP on 4/15. Thank.

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I have had PVCs since being diagnosed with LBB 2000 which caused heart failure.

My PVCs are a very stressful issue as I am always afraid they will go into VFIB. I have had many of those and got shocked by my ICD/Pacemaker. So stress is a big issue with me.

My norm for PVCs is one every 10 beats with on going 2-3 PVCs at same time. Couple of weeks ago they worsen to 1 every 3 beats. Very stressful and informed my EP and Heart Failure physicians.

I had injured legs during a Sprint Triathlon entry and could not exercise. I notided the PVCs got worse. When I could start exercising again my stress level went down and the PVCs did lesson but still many more than before.

It looks like stress has a great influence on my PVCs. I need to work on that but when you have been shocked as many times as I have it is really hard not to worry. I do take magnesium per doctors recommendations and mexilitene (spell) which neither seem to help. I am also on esitolopram for anxiety. Got to rely on EP recommendations but at 76 not a good feeling to have this many PVCs and not be stressed about it causing more PVCs.

I do understand others anxiety and it's affect on quality of life.

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@jc76

I have had PVCs since being diagnosed with LBB 2000 which caused heart failure.

My PVCs are a very stressful issue as I am always afraid they will go into VFIB. I have had many of those and got shocked by my ICD/Pacemaker. So stress is a big issue with me.

My norm for PVCs is one every 10 beats with on going 2-3 PVCs at same time. Couple of weeks ago they worsen to 1 every 3 beats. Very stressful and informed my EP and Heart Failure physicians.

I had injured legs during a Sprint Triathlon entry and could not exercise. I notided the PVCs got worse. When I could start exercising again my stress level went down and the PVCs did lesson but still many more than before.

It looks like stress has a great influence on my PVCs. I need to work on that but when you have been shocked as many times as I have it is really hard not to worry. I do take magnesium per doctors recommendations and mexilitene (spell) which neither seem to help. I am also on esitolopram for anxiety. Got to rely on EP recommendations but at 76 not a good feeling to have this many PVCs and not be stressed about it causing more PVCs.

I do understand others anxiety and it's affect on quality of life.

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Sorry for what you are going through. I can't make any comment that is helpful really. I have paroxysmal afib. I take magnesium as well, and drink low sodium V-8 in the morning for potassium (it uses potassium to substitute for salt). For me, I have discovered a GI trigger and find that taking Gas-X (simethicone) can help as well as avoiding reclining after eating. But none of this may be relevant for you! In terms of stress relief I agree on exercise: I walk and do tai chi. I want to get in a warm water pool....

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