Cardiac Patients and Stress
Stress is a problem which, when unchecked, can cause a host of problems and this has been confirmed in a study which appeared in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study, which looked at the cardiac consequences of performance anxiety, an argument with a loved one or doing math calculations and its related stress, found that "what goes on in their heads could have consequences for their hearts as well."
The results of the study indicate that certain heart disease patients are more vulnerable to the physical effects of this psychological stress. Anxiety, depression and anger were seen as contributing to heart-related problems. Investigators found that one-third of their patients had temporary changes in heart rhythm or restricted blood flow, even when they were placed in artificial situations where they role played the aforementioned problems with anxiety and stress.
One of the professors indicated that "we believe the phenomenon of mental stress-induced reductions in blood flow to the heart is much more common than has been previously recognized." Psychological stress was seen as playing a potentially lethal role in arrhythmias, blood clotting, and spikes in blood pressure. The stress may bring on, it's theorized, spasms in the small blood vessels of the heart and reduce blood flow.
In order to help cardiac patients in a complete treatment plan, the researchers suggest, it's necessary to come up with real-life solutions patients can use every day to avoid this dangerous predisposition to stress.
Related Topics: Learn & Live Quiz from the American Heart Association, Why Men and Women Handle Stress Differently
Technorati Tags: heart disease, stress, high blood pressure
The results of the study indicate that certain heart disease patients are more vulnerable to the physical effects of this psychological stress. Anxiety, depression and anger were seen as contributing to heart-related problems. Investigators found that one-third of their patients had temporary changes in heart rhythm or restricted blood flow, even when they were placed in artificial situations where they role played the aforementioned problems with anxiety and stress.
One of the professors indicated that "we believe the phenomenon of mental stress-induced reductions in blood flow to the heart is much more common than has been previously recognized." Psychological stress was seen as playing a potentially lethal role in arrhythmias, blood clotting, and spikes in blood pressure. The stress may bring on, it's theorized, spasms in the small blood vessels of the heart and reduce blood flow.
In order to help cardiac patients in a complete treatment plan, the researchers suggest, it's necessary to come up with real-life solutions patients can use every day to avoid this dangerous predisposition to stress.
Related Topics: Learn & Live Quiz from the American Heart Association, Why Men and Women Handle Stress Differently
Technorati Tags: heart disease, stress, high blood pressure
138 Comments:
I have recently been diagnosed with SVPT, with rapid heart beats and possible faiting and pressure on the chest. What does SVPT stand for?
None
I am a 25 year veteran Firefighter/Paramedic who had a very nasty run in with PTSD in the late 80's and early 90's. I would have attacks of panic the would spawn episodes of SVT @250 bpm +. I was hospitalized and told I could never return to the one thing I really loved...my job. After returning to school to find a new path and loads of meds and hours of therapy, I returned to work as a Firefighter/Paramedic. I did not havve any trouble with my symptoms until I boldly tried to advance my career by quiting my job and attending an international fire academy. The year since has brought about familiar symptoms and mental distress. Currently, I am suffering with PVC's that are very recurrent or you might say constant. I have checked with my MD and was Rx'd Zoloft once again. Is there any cardiac complications that could be lingering out there that I am not aware of?
I'm not a cardiologist or an MD, so I can't advise you there, but you might want a full work-up with a specialized center, if you have the insurance and the wish to do this. PTSD is a nasty disorder and it can recurr, but use the methods that have worked for you before and try to take small steps this time. I know how it feels to feel really well and to want to conquer new worlds, but then your body reminds you that you've bitten off too much.
You can do it, just take it slow.
SVT stands for: Supraventricular Tachycardia. Not sure about SVPT.
I recently went to my cardiologist because I had been experiencing a change in my heart beat pattern. The cardiologist had me wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours. The results of the monitor showed that I was having PVCs. The cardiologist said they were nothing to worry about. What causes PVCs to happen? Do they resolve themselves?
Hello!!
Finally went to the ER last night after 3-4 days of "heart flutters." Found out the were PVCs. Have a history of PVCs, but never this bad! NOW for a birthday gift (birthday in 3 weeks) I have this flutter to contend with!!
I was in the emergency dept, on a gurney, laptop on lap, with leads everywere, pulse ox on my toe (hard to type with it on my finger) attempting to studying for a statistics test the next day!
The doctor who flew in like a world wind, ask me if I was under stress??XX??!!?? Hmmm?? I do stack marbles and jump thru hoops!! Maybe I am not the superwomen I thought I was!! Maybe the old body is trying to tell me something!! BUT I will sit down and take a second look at my vitamins/herbs/supplements including splenda, caffeine and teas. I will have to do research but I will take a second look at ALL that I place in my mouth. I enjoy diet cola but I make sure it is caffeine free.(1-2 week) I allow myself one Starbucks on
Thursday evenings for class. Drink lots of tea (decaf)Made an appointment the MD, will keep you posted
Well wish me luck, I should probably get started on chapter three of my thesis. Will keep you posted hfj
I am always looking for answers to my PVC's other than stress. I have been on medication, had 3 ablations which at one point aleviated my problem and now it is back again. I see a cardiologist that at first suggested counseling.I know that is not what I need. I can throw up to 40,000 pvc's in a 24 hour period per my holter monitor. I am looking and so is my cardiologist for other answers and ways to solve my pvc's. I do not touch caffeine, I am a very laid back type of personality any help or suggestions as to all this craziness would be great.
i have had pvc's for 20 years i know stress causes them i usaully get them when the stress is over but now i seem to have them with a vengance i,m on a 4 day holter moniter as we speak they are driving me in sane i wonder if there will ever be a cure
I have had pvc s for years, too and recently am having a particularly bad spell. Has anyone noticed a relationship to heartburn, reflux? I seem to have all of these things together; heartburn, gas, reflux and pvc s. Magnesium supplements usually control my pvc s very well, but not this recent attack.
I had a really fast, hard heartbeat last nite and just happened to be in Walmart. Went over to the blood pressure machine and my pressure was 165 over 101 and my pulse was very high as well. It lasted for less than 5 minutes but scared me. Does anyone know if their blood pressure was up when they had their pvc's? I've had "flutter" and a couple of palpitations in the past as well but never took my blood pressure before. Within 15 minutes my pressure was at 141/95, pulse of 106 and at 3 hours it was at 119/76, pulse of 86, which is my normal give or take. I wore a monitor about 3-4 years ago and everything was fine, but I'm going back again to have it checked. Just wondering about the whole blood pressure thing. Thanks!
Last night I experienced a rapid heart rate after I over ate. Has anyone ever had this happen to them???
After 3 years of having chest pain w/ flutters, fast heart rate, and then loosing consciousness (resulting in 36 stitches once, a black eye and other bruises) and having no answers or wrong answers from cardiologist. My 3rd opinion finally gave me an EP study and found that I was having PVC's. I think we are on the right path but I am not sure if this completely explaines it. I would like advice because I am anxious to resolve this problem. I have already been forced to retire from the police department and I am only 33. One Doc told me I need to learn to live with my limitations but do I have really too?? I should add that this all started when I was 4 months pregnant with my second child. When I was 6 months post partum they also diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Disease and my thyroid had just about completly failed. I am on relacement but still loosing consciousness Is it related?
Hi everyone,
I need some help deciphering all this...when they say heart fluttters/palpitations - can I have those without any other symptoms? I'm 29yrs old with no family history of heart condition. I am overweight though.... For the past 3 days I'm have what feels like "mini muscle spasms" in the left side of my chest. They come and go throughout the day. I have NO other associated symptoms. Would you consider this alarming? My pulse is normal and steady even during the spasms. I don't want to waste the doctors time and ressources over paranoia...but at the same time, I don't wanna mess with my heart. Any input would be appreciated. Thank-you!
I have PVC's daily as well and in response to the person with reflux: I have reflux and a doctor has actually told me, and I've also read it in a book that indigestion can agravate these! I can tell that when I have a particularly bad day with reflux (forget my medication), the palpitations are worse--more frequent. Mine are also associated with anxiety (and maybe a touch of hypochondria--dare I admit it?)
To the last post on this page I say, go to the doctor. Though it may be nothing, do it--you're not wasting anyone's time. You're certainly worth the comfort in knowing nothing is wrong.
--Heather
hello i just fininshed my holter and was dx with pvc also..dr says no worries very common but here take aativan twice a day...are you under stress??
I was also diagnosed with PVC's just about 4 months ago. The doctor said they were harmless but offered to put me on beta-blockers, which I declined, b/c I am not a big fan of scripts, and he said they can cause fainting spells. I have stopped caffeine and artificial sweetners. I cannot seem to find any underlying cause. Somedays I go through with barely any, others it seems almost constant. Also, I often notice pain or stiffness in the left side of my body after a long spell of PVCs, as well I often have clogged ears, (crackling, popping, etc) Has anyone else with PVC's experienced any of these things? I am 18 years old and hoping to get rid of this, any suggestions (supplements, etc)
Thanks!
After many years of one diagnosis after another, Grave's disease, fibromyalgia, atrial fib, spondylitis I cannot accept the old brush off that it is stress. It is underlying illness causing dysautonomia resulting in palpitations and so many other uncomfortable symptoms. The cause all goes back to an abnormally functioning immune system.
I had a bout with A-Fib about a year and a half ago caused by stress, caffeine, and decongestents. I had never had any health issue in my life. It caused me to be scared to do things I never thought twice about before, exercise, travel, ballgames. I still have PVC's when I am stressed usually after the stress is gone, and sometimes when I eat gassy foods like beans or fiber. This is driving me crazy, Physically my doctor says I am great but when your heart likes to miss beats and go faster it makes you nuts. Anyone else feel this way.
Yes. That feeling is the worst - you just cannot ignore it.
Not unusual to get PVCs and other heart beat irregularities after eating, it is triggering the vagus nerve.
I can sympathize with all of you. I myself am having "issues" with my heart. I am 34 year old mother of 3 and stress is definitely a factor. I have have an incrediblely stressful job. I run a 4 bed OR unit for Labor and Delivery with 8 people under my supervision. Stress that's a deadly word. It's amazing what the MD's say stress does to your body. Again I am only 34. They say they can't find anything wrong with my heart with the 12 lead but I am on a holter monitor, a beta blocker, a benzodiazepine and have been cardioverted in the Er 3 times in the last 4 weeks. PVC'c and tachycardia are not normal for a 34 year old with nothing wrong with my heart. I think doc's tend to diagnos conditions that they are unaware of with oh that's just PVC's. It is not ok to have these on a regular basis. That is not normal for your heart to fire off in this manner. They say stress is the number one killer in america. Maybe they are right and we should all quit are jobs and eat bon bon's on the couch while the children run the world. The fact is stress is a part of life and the bottom line is we HAVE to learn to deal with it in a manner that benefits our body.
I am a 31 year old male, in decent health. In light to this article I would share my recent experience with stress/anxiety and the heart. I was in a stressfull classroom environment last night; reviewing for a timed test. I have always felt that I have some sort of anxiety problem; and last night it got the best of me. I started feeling tightness in my chest and numbness and swelling in my left arm, during the review before the test. About an hour later, during the test I was feeling worse. I hung in there, finished the test. Now two and a half hours from the time the symptoms started I got checked a school medic and the only thing that he found was elevated BP. The symptoms continued for another hour and a half after the test ended and I saw the medic. I ended up in the local ER and got checked for Heart Attack. All results came back normal and I went home with some motrin and valium. Today I feel better (the arms still feels a bit sore/weakend) but I wonder if the next test will bring on the symptoms again.
Take a half of a valium before your next test and it will calm your CNS and help you to feel normal. Good luck to you.
I have been diagnosed with PVC, but I am confused about how I can feel fine one day and then the next day I have symptoms constantly. Is PVC just a general term that doc's give for the condition of flutters or missed beats? My check is sore and I sometimes feel numbness or discomfort in my left arm afterwards. What else could cause this so I can research to see if the doc's are missing something?
I have been diagnosed with PVC but I am confused about how I have days I feel fine and other days where the flutters and skipped beats are constant. Is PVC a general term doc's throw out there? What other conditions could this be so I can research to see if the doc's are misdiagnosing me. I can't image that my heart functioning like this is normal. After bouts, my chest is sore and I have numbness or pain in my left arm and shoulder. This can't be normal.
I have been diagnosed with PVC, but I am confused about how I can feel fine one day and then the next day I have symptoms constantly. Is PVC just a general term that doc's give for the condition of flutters or missed beats? My check is sore and I sometimes feel numbness or discomfort in my left arm afterwards. What else could cause this so I can research to see if the doc's are missing something?
I stopped breastfeeding my 10 mo old, b/c I was feeling exhausted. Within three days I started feeling palpitations and a week later ended up in the ER w/the diagnosis of PVC's. I asked about possible thyroid problems and have been diagnosed w/Hashimoto's. I'm told only hyperthyroid will cause PVC's, but I've noticed my heart rate and blood pressure are low. I'm wondering if anyone else had PVC's as well as Hashimoto's? I'm so afraid...what an ugly feeling.
after being asleep for some time I awoke with fluttering in my chest...since I am not a big believer of running to the doctor I dont have one...I decided to try and figure out what it was...I traced my steps throughout the day and found I had had something I did not usually have and it was a PepsiMax which contained either asparatame or splenda so I bought a few diet pop and sure enough it was the asparatame...I have stayed away from it and have tried all different kinds of nonsugar sweeteners and they are give me the flutter.It is very scary and it is passed on as my grandson has it too. I think it is vey dangerous to use these sweeteners.
I have had PVC's for a year. I am under a great deal of stress (I am a Correctional Officer in a Maximum Security Prison) and I am a single parent. I think that stress may be the greatest cause of PVC's. I did not have them until I started this job. I think that all of us need to rethink our lives and try to lives and make major changes and see if that works.
In response to Ashlee... I recently began experiencing PVCs again after a several year period of not having any. In the last few days I have had quite a few. One thing I noticed is that my ears seem blocked as well. This is new, and possibly unrelated, but I was intrigued by your post. FWIW, I suppose it could be stress related, but stopping all caffiene seemed to fix it for me last time. I have been a bit less careful in the past few months with caffiene, so will go back on the regimen and see if it works. Good luck!
I am 64 year old and a year ago I started to have rapid heart beat. During the day, I am fine but when I go to bed at night, my heart start to beat fast but not every night. It's scarry. What should I do? I saw a Cardiologue and he didn't tell me too much. Not sure what to do.
I was diagnosed with PVC's approx.20 years ago (age 45)also bad headaches since teen years.My doc told me pvc's were not bad enough for medication.
About ten years ago (another doctor)I was told that I had hypertension and prescribed Propranolol & hydrochlorothiazide (water pill).
What a miracle the side effects were no more headaches and no more PVC's.
Now thatI have Diabetes, beta blockers are no longer the drug of choice for diabetics, so I may end up taking an ACE inhibitor. Hopefully I can still take a small dose of Propranolol to keep away the headaches and PVC's.
My fist question is has anyone that is experiencing PVC's ever taken Metabalite 356. Remember, the original one that they found out was bad for you? About 11 years ago after I had my 1st child I took Metabalite for less than 1 month. It speed my heart up so fast that I quit taking it. Ever since then I have had these episodes that I recently found out were PVC's. I noticed that they were worse when I was pregnant and got worse with each pregnancy. I have three children. I have also gained weight with each birth. After my 3rd child they have not subsided and I now have them all the time. I notice them more when I am laying down in the evening, but I think that is because I am so busy throughout the day that I don't notice them as much. I also noticed that the seem to happen at the end of a breath. I ended up in the ER on Sat. eve. because the episodes for going on for over 6 hours and at the time I didn't know what they were. I was taking asprin when I had a bad spell and it seemed to help and Sat. I took 2 excedrin because I didn't have any asprin. Well Excedrin has caffine so I guess that is why it was so bad. At least I now know what these are and that they are not harmful unless they happen ever 2-3 beats. Mine are about 15 beats apart. I just wonder if it wasn't the Metabalite that originally caused the problem.
If anyone would like to comment please send an e-mail to me at Slater1995@aol.com. I like to find out more about these PVC's. Thanks.
I have just been diagnosed with pvc's and am yet to see the cardiologist. My 3 yr old son has them also -- constantly and they don't seem to bug him. Me, I think I am having a heart attach. I have chest pressure, weird crazy feelings. I am majorly stressed out, have acid reflux and anxiety. I don't know how much of what I feel is anxiety and how much is my heart. It is frustrating to me.
I do think that regarding stress we have to limit our kids activities, own less stuff and just make life easier. I do think stuff and activities make stress. (As I sit here looking at my son's 50 dinosaurs all over my family room floor).
I also find if I can distract myself I feel fine.
Wow, I had no idea that so many folks had stress related PVC's, my doctor calls them "extra-systoles, but, no matter what they are called, they are scarry. I seem to get them mainly after I eat or have a drink of water. I have been told it is due to my hiatal hernia, as it pushes through the diaphragm and causing the heart to get off its axis, this can also cause the rapid heart beats, etc. By the way, those that say your PVC's are accompanied by heart burn, reflex, I would not be surprised if you had a hiatal, you might want to check. I am thankful I do not usually get them that much, sometimes only once a week, and when I do get them, they last a few seconds, still, enough to make me worry, but, I am a worrier anyway.
I also seem to get them when I am under lots of stress or depressed, the more I worry about having one, the better the change of that coming to pass. Walking sometimes helps.
Oh yes, they can also be caused by food allergies.
Well fellow "flutterers" I wish you all the best of luck in getting them controled, I know how I feel when I get them, scared out of my mind.
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). A rapid heart rate, usually with a regular rhythm, originating from above the ventricles. PSVT begins and ends suddenly. There are two main types: accessory path tachycardias and AV nodal reentrant tachycardias
This answer is for the gal that says she has PSVT. Hope it helps.
My uncle was in the hospital recovering from having a kidney stone removed and he had gotten constipated from the pain medication he was given. The nurse had given him a suppository and shortly after, he said he felt like he could go to the bathroom and when he did, he was straining and passed out and nurses called it "vagal response". He died of a massive heart attack. Can someone tell me what vagal response means?
My uncle just died of a massive heart attack while in the hospital recovering from a kidney stone they had removed with laser surgery. He had been constipated for a week from pain med. and the nurse had given him a suppository and while he was in the bathroom straining he passed out and the nurse yelled out "vagal response". What does that mean?
I have been having irregular hearbeats since yesterday and am really worried. I'm a 32 year old male with no pre-existing cardiac problems. I read up on PVCs and found out that they could be caused by
1) stress 2) caffeine 3) over-exercising 4) potassium (other minerals?) imbalance.
I have been under a bit of stress lately, which drew me to the caffeine. I do 45 mins of cardio daily, but during the last few days, I've been doing these "surges" of really rapid cycling for 20-30 seconds, waiting for my heart beat to decrease by 20 bmp, and then increasing the tempo again for 30 sec once the beat hits 140 bmp. I have this feeling that I wont be doing that again :). Finally, I ate 2 large bananas yesterday and had two cups of coffee.
I started noticing the flutters yesterday, and have been having them all day today. When I pay attention, i get a skipped beat or flutter every couple of minutes or so. I am really worried, and am wondering whether I should see a doctor. I dont have any other symptoms like faintness, or shortness of breath. However, I feel a sensation in my chest. It's not heaviness or anything, but just some discomfort.
I was wondering if what i have is indeed PVC, and whether this is temporary. Finally, should I wait a few days before going to see a doctor? I would grealty appreciate any thoughts.
I am a healthy yet overweight 37 year old female and have been to the ER twice in the last two weeks with an irregular heart beat. Both times the ER doc has said I was having PVC's. I haven't had anything like this since I was 30 and really overweight. They have seemed to return since I've gained a fair amount of weight in the last year, over 30lbs. I lost my husband in August of 2006 and have been struggling to make the life for our children and I manageable... I too feel them more at night when I am lying down, and have to sleep somewhat upright on the couch sometimes so I can get some sleep. Does anyone else feel this? I seem to have one every other beat at night... but much less during the day.
For the gentleman who ate the bananas and does interval cardio training, I heard that sometimes adrenaline can trigger them if you are working out with bursts of high intense cardio and that they usually go away after a day or so. You may want to ease into that kind of workout more slowly. It's always good to follow up with your regular doctor just to be sure there isn't any underlying condition.
I have been reading most of these blogs and am amazed by a few of them. First one is 40,000 in a 24 hour period?? That is a significant problem. Being cardioverted 3x's in a 4 weeks another problem!! My advice to some of you folks is to find a better cardiologist, not a doctor! While PVC's can be very normal for some people, it is a red flag for others. Secondly, no one seems to suggest exercising to strengthen the heart muscle. Cardio training will help diminish PVC's. Also your diet is a important factor also. Lay off the caffeine and simply eat heart healthy. Stress is another factor that can cause PVC's. Be proactive in your medical conditions. Voice your concerns with your cardiologist!
Remember the problem with America today is obesity, have you looked in the mirror lately?? Maybe your heart is trying to tell you something, overweight or not.
Well there really is no such thing as being a healthy "overweight"! Being overweight increases the stess on your heart. It is not healthy! PVC's can be caused by a number of reasons. Particulary a stimulant such as caffiene or diet pills. Eating bananas does increase your potassium. However unless you have a low potassium problem it will not make a difference. Cardiac training is always good for your heart. It is important to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program. Simply brisk walking will be a good cardio exercise. Stress is another big factor. Now when it comes to children having PVC's my question is how do you that your child is having them? He definately should be seeing a cardiologist. PVC are not a general term. Every heart arrythmia has their own term and diagnosis. PVC'S are premature ventricular contraction. Meaning exactly that. Your ventricles electrical pathway fires before it should. Thus causing the mass confusion in the heart and essentially ticking it off! PVC's is your heart's way of saying hey I am mad something is wrong. No one should be experiencing left arm numbness or tingling let alone radiating pain from PVC's those are symptoms of possibly more complications. Look folks, this is your heart were talking about. Not a minor ailment such as dry skin. Pay attention to your body. I agree exercise, loose weight, eat properly, limit caffiene and stimulant intakes, and decrease stress. These are all simple things to do in order to take care of such a vital organ!!!
I have had PVC's for 9 years now. since having them I have learned a lot about them. You can feel them more when your heart beats faster due to stress, exercise and overeating. When people eat a lot of carbohydrates (which turn into sugar) your heart beats faster to break it down then in turn you feel the flutters more. Diabetics especially have them. Any kind of food that containes MONOSODIUM GLUTIMATE (MSG) also triggers PVC's. MSG can be found in a lot of powdered flavorings: doritos, mac and cheese, taco seasoning, chicken broth, any flavored rice, funions, onion dip, ranch dressing etc. Next time you buy something with flavoring check out the label you will be surprised at how many things have MSG. Chinese restaurants had to get rid of it due to people getting Headaches from it. So eat some doritos and have a coke and man will your heart take off! Flutters happen more when lying down on your left side. The more flutters you get, the more you panic and the more you panic the faster your heart beats and then there you go, you feel more flutters.. The key thing is to relax take a deep breath and those of you who have been checked out and you are heathy then try not to think about it. When you take your mind off of it it tends to go away do something that calms you. Think about it, if you haven't had a flutter in over a week and you just realized it, what happens? You start them up again by thinking about it.. Your mind is very powerful. PVC's go hand in hand with depression and anxiety so ask your doctor about anxiety meds.
hi i am glad to here that i am not the only person with this problem. my heart doctor told me to stay away from caffine. and that in some people they would feel them and some don't, but in my case i stated ti feel them more after i started taking the med and exercising more often.MY doctor has not told me to stop exercising so i really don't know what to do. help me understand when i know that i am not crazy when this happens.
etchenI recently was diagnosed with pvc's after a two day continuous bout of them- they scared the heck out of me as I had never experienced something like this before. One week later, with NO caffeine in my diet, low dose blood pressure med and magnesium supplements and a brisk 30 min walk every night, I feel great! I'm worried, however, as I read about others who say they come and go no matter how healthy we try to live. Do others find this to be true..that we can slow them down but we will always have to live with them?
PVC's stand for Premature Ventricular Contraction. In simple terms, it is when the ventricles contract before they get the resting period to fill up with blood. Therefore, there are also known as skipped beats or useless beats. Caffiene use is a big contributor to PVCs, so is stress, not getting enough sleep, holding your breath or bearing down and other underlying issues. Everyone, even athletes, have PVCS and they are not usually going to do anything about them unless they are occurring quite often and back to back, konwn as couplets (for two) or if there is a long run of them and they are quick enough, it is known as V-tach or ventricular tachycardia (which is definitely a problem). I hope this gives you a better understanding to what PVCs are.
i was diagnosed w/ pvc earlier this year. it started off as an occasional occurance but then it became daily and throughout. My doctor put me on the 24 hour halter monitor and it was constant. He had me do a stress test. I was monitored while running on the treadmill for 12minutes straight and constantly increasing the speed and incline. they really push you to your limits. They need to see how your heart reacts to the physical stress. The whole time my heartbeat was fine and there was no pvc. So it is mostly stress induced. But the doctor also suggested that I drank too much water and I might have had a low-sodium count. Water and tea is all i drink and he suggested to start drinking drinks w/ electrolytes. well the pvc disappeared but now it's back. that's why i'm on this post to see if there are other suggestions.
I'm a 60 y/o male. I've had pvc for as long as I can remember, but worse in the past several years. Some days they seem constant, other days relatively few, and often accompanied by a strong thumping sensation in the chest.
I've tried every suggestion I can find to control them (eliminate caffeine; take magnesium, calcium, potassium supplements; carotid massage; yoga; aerobic exercise; etc., etc), but nothing has helped.
In my case, there is a familial component. My father had them, but they never caused serious health problems, and he lived to the age of 86 before dying in an auto accident. My sister has them, but is otherwise healthy.
So, my advice is this: If underlying cardiac disease has been ruled out (as it is in the vast majority of pvc cases), stop worrying about them. They pose no health risk. Ignore the discomfort, and get on with your life. That's what I'm doing.
SVPT: I think you mean PSVT. This means Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia. This is a sudden onset of tachycardia originating above the AV node. It is a regular rhythm with a rate of 150-250 beats/min. It may begin and end spontaneously or be precipitated by excitement, fatigue, caffeine, smoking, or alcohol. Usually this rhythm does not cause significant impairment, but may cause feelings of palpitations, shortness of breath, or a decrease in blood pressure, which is what causes fainting. Emergency treatment includes valsalva maneuver or vagal stimulation by carotid sinus massage, adenosine, diltiazem, digitalis, or beta-adrenergic blockers.
I have PSVT and I was just curious if it was safe to exercise? I have yet to go to the doctors for a serious treatment and Ive been avoiding going to the gym because of it but Id really like to go again and get in shape. If anyone has any info on it please reply! :)
Very helpful to read everyone's comments. My husband was diagnosed this week with PVC after being placed on the Holter monitor for 24 hours. He's having a stress test on the treadmill next week. Until he experienced problems this month he was a huge coffee drinker and he is somewhat overweight. Doctor did EKG and so far is telling him that there is no need for Beta-blockers unless he is "bothered" by the palpitations. Said his heard rate when not having the PVCs was good. What else should we know?
Hi, I am a 29yro female w/3 children and an emt/firefighter. I have suffered w/snycope episodes since I was 14yrso. Just recently went to my cariologest, and he put me on a month long halter monitor. MAN those things suck! He told me that we are checking for avrt. What on earth is that? He told me that I may need a pacemaker. My episodes usually consist of heart beats of about 150-200. My blood pressure is very low. For example, I did the stress test and my begining bp was 60/40. It got higher as I went through the test, but afterwards droped right back down, and I passed out. I was sitting in class the other night and was struck with yet another svt attack. When those happen my HR goes up and my BP goes down. They have not yet converted my HR however the other night the medics were considering just that. What the heck is going on? I am told not to drive, however I do have 3 children and a job. What am I to do? Also the doc thinks that it may have something tho do with my estrogen levels? what the heck is up with that. I feel as if he is pulling things out of a hat. Is there anyone out ther who may have some answeres??? I am very confussed and scared. medic..~nm~
I have hashimoto's thyroiditis, my TSH is very low at this time and I am having pvc's constantly. They're worse when I'm stressed or nervous and of course the pvcs make me nervous so I'm going in a viscious circle. When my doctor tries to get my thyroid within normal range I feel my heart beat regularly but the more normal my thyroid levels are the more rapid my heart beat is. I went to the cardiologist last year and he said my heart was fine, even though during the sonogram it felt like it was going to flip flop right out of my chest. He thinks it's a thyroid problem. Has anyone else experienced this with the low thyroid, thyroid meds and pvc's? How do we get these pvc's to stop and just beat normally?!
im 37 years old and for the passed 2 days i think i have been having pvc i called my dotor last night because i was gonna go to the er but he said it was ok there is nothing ok about it i dont know how people deal with this and dont go crazy there has to be an answer out there we just have to find it and im gonna give it a try.we cant let them just brush us off and say its ok lots of people have it and your not going to die well i feel like im gonna die and you cant live your life that way someone must know how to stop it lets face it its not something new
I'm glad to find this site! I am 57 yr female. Last December out of the blue, I had two severe SVT attacks, then nothing. In March my mitral valve prolapse (which I'd known about for 20 years) became very severe and symptomatic. I had "ring" repair of my mitral valve (open heart) June 21st. All went well. Seven weeks later quite constant PVC's began. Often couplets, triplets, or very frequent=feel crummy. I am under cardiologist care but after one beta blocker, and even Sotalol, nothing helps. They think it is originating in the left ventrical, could even be a result of the repair. They say they are out of tricks, I'm one of 1%. Should I seek a major med centers second opinion? I see Spokane cardiology, a well respected group in Spokane, WA. I am not under stress other than the severe limitation this is putting on my getting on with my life. My spiritual position enables me to really be at peace about it. Really appreciate input! Thanks
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Please visit our Heart Disease message board and leave a question for Laurie Anderson, our expert.
Thank you!
My sympaties to all of us suffering from pvc's. However this blog page is a heaven send. I was feeling like my cardiologist may be just putting me off b/c I do not have health ins. I do not want to just die at 37. My life is finally my own. The kids are grown, the ex is remarried, I am in love. I will try to relax and enjoy life with these darned pvc's. Thank you for sharing I feel better just knowing this is common and it is scarry, but survivable.
I was just diagnosed with PVC. It is driving me crazy!! I'm on Coreg 2x a day. My cardiologist says it's not dangerous. I'm 37..... Anyone been told different?
I had a echo done on my heart and was told that my heart is normal (thank god) but a little bit of blood goes back up through a valve when it should be going down to circulate through the whole body. I was told it was nothing to worry about, but what's the affects of it?
What does PVC stand for?
I just turned 20 and have been having PVCs since Thanksgiving. Two doctors (ER and Primary) have told me they are benign and not to worry. However they are DRIVING ME CRAZY! I am a stressed college student and was a smoker. I have tried not to be stressed but when I do get stressed they get worse! Hopefully the Xanax my doctor gave me will work!
Oh and to the person that asked PVC stands for Premature Ventricular Contraction.
like the old saying..misery loves company..when you have this condition it really helps you feel almost better to know you're not the only one that has it..I too have PVC's and did have the ablation for PSVT back in '97..when I get stressed which is almost 24/7 I'll be aware of these pesky palpitations..and that makes you even more stressed..this is how I wound up on the website..thanks to all for sharing your stories with a "relative"..after all we ARE in a way related with our imperfections of the heart!!!
Dear firefighter. Sorry about the PTSD. I wrestled with just one event that caused PDS. It kind of went away for a few years, but, for various reasons recently came back. I went to a counsel - who gave me some advice. He said everytime I "retell" my story, my brain is actually buidling more "synaps" about it! And, he's right. I drift off into memories of that horrable event. He simply told me, it's OK to tell me the story, but, "keep yourself grounded." As horrible & terrible as that event was, you are here now. Feel your feet on the ground. See the room your in. Again- it was simply but works. Tell your story, but, don't drift off. I've read that you HAVE to tell your story a 100 times! So- don't clam up. But- stay grounded.
Mom said...
I am the mother of a 20 year old that just started having PVS's. I am also a nurse for the last 36 years. I took him to the ER after waiting about 6 hours to see if they would go away, but the more aware of them the more frequent they became so we went to the ER the ER MD said he thought they were completely benign and gave him an Ativan and sent him home. He sleeps well no shortness of breath, on chest pain, blood presure is ok, but he can't let it go as being "normal". I have talked until I am blue in the face we have now seen 3 doctors that have all said, it's OK, nothing to worry about, but he can't let it go. Our next move is to go to a Cardiologist next week. It does not sound like there is any one thing that has worked for any of you? I am at my wits end. It is hard for the family members of folks to see them so stressed. Any suggestions moms and dads out there?
Here's a possible underlying cause to consider. I've had PVC's off and on for close to 2 decades. They come and they go. My last episode began in early June and had been occurring 'round the clock. I had not experienced PVC's for this long a period, but having been diagnosed with it before and told not to worry, I chose not to worry. Just before Thanksgiving I was hospitalized with diverticulitis. Entire sigmoid colon was inflamed and had perforated, so I was placed on aggressive IV antibiotics and later released and placed on two potent oral antibiotics for an additional 10 days. Since I finished with the treatment, my PVCs have disappeared. I read tonight on WebMD that arrhythmias can be caused by infection; and I was certainly dealing with widespread infection in the course of my affliction with diverticulitis. I haven't run this by my dr. so this cause & effect is up for debate; but I think it's worthy of investigation for those who feel they're not otherwise predisposed to PVC through stress or some other cause. You never know; PVC may portend and underlying condition seemingly unrelated to heart rhythm and something you'd least expect.
I am 36, in shape(jog 4-5 miles a day 4-5 days a week). I drink only 2-3 cups of coffee per day. No tea or colas. I have been having PVC's for a little over ten years. I went to my GP ten years ago and wore a holter for 24hrs and he said there was nothing to worry about. Two months ago I went to my same GP and wore the holter for 24hrs again. This time there were over 30,000 PVC's. He referred me to a cardiologist After the first visit he placed me on atenolol. The atenolol did not stop the PVC's, but they lessened in intensitity. The atenolol made me cold, dizzy, tired and difficult to get an erection. Meanwhile the cardiologist gave me a stress echo and did blood work. I have no electrolyte balance problem. What the stress echo did show is I have a weakend heart. He thinks this is what is causing the PVC's. My PVC's dissappear when I jog, but return within two or three mins. after. I can jog 4-5 miles, but find it difficult to climb a flight of stairs. The cardiologist also said that the weakend heart may have been caused by a virus that attacked my heart, and this probably happened over ten years ago when I first started feeling the PVC's.(just a theroy). Now I run the danger of heart failure. He compared the holter reading from ten years ago and said the PVC's have increased 1000%. He said that my heart may or may not get weaker and that they really don't know. I am glad I found this sight though. It is good to see others looking for answers also as I have no family history of heart failure or any heart problems at all. Now I am on coreg cr. I have just started it today and will update anyone who would want to know how it works out. Just wanted to share. Anyone else may want to ask for the echo stress test from their doc. And, thank goodness he also gave me cialis for the ED that the meds cause.
since I was 23, I have been diagnosed with IHSS. Cardiomyapathy, mitral stenosis. I have had a stree test, ekg, echo, catherizations. I have had missed beats for years and find them very unforcomfortable. But, I am told there is nothing wrong with me. I wish they could find out. It runs in the whole family. It is not stress, I know that.
Carol
Hey all, after years of dealing with the menacing skiped beats called PVC's I decided to go on a small dose of beta blocker, which has helped greatly. Like everyone here, I tried to figure them out. Was it stress, alcohol, caffeine or in my case maybe too much excercise-- yes excessive excercise can cause them. What I found is that I could not figure them out so stop worrying about them because that in itself was probably making them worse. If they are that bad take a beta blocker!
I have been diagnosed with PVCs about two months ago. I have had a nucular heart scan, echocardiogram, 72 hour holter and 25 mg of metropolol once daily. After being on the meds for a few weeks, the symptoms went away. Then my doctor took me off the beta-blocker and they came back after a few days and sent me to the hospital in the back of an ambulance with SVTs. After another round with a holter this time without meds. I started my meds right after my holter was finished. I see an EP cardiologist on the 28th of Januaury. Here's hoping they can fix me.
After a 4/06 MI, I was doing well. My Injection Fraction is up to 36%.
While feeling strange a year later, I did the Holter and found to have had 14k in a 24 hr period. Cardiologist recommened EP study. Passed out after 18 minutes. Now have a AICD in my left chest. Glad I have it. Has never ffired but has given me peace of mind ig I hit 180 BPM or slack off to 40, it will pace too.
I am a 46 year old female with pvcs and am 5 years post ablation. Thank you for this site! I have had bronchitis and just got over pneumonia about three weeks ago...and that is when I started having pvc's again. Now that I know infections can cause them I can make it through Christmas without freaking out so much. I had a bout right after my hysterectomy four months ago but they went away. It seems that post surgery I get them for about a week. My EP doctor was fantastic but I have moved. (he is in Tacoma, I am down state.)
God bless you all.
I am a Pharmacist and have diagnosed PVC's from 2 different Cardiologists. As you know, they are very annoying. They are usually set off by stress, caffeine, alcohol and there is definately a relationship to GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux disease). PVC's are not totally harmeless. Discuss with a cardiologist about potential harmeful results.
During a bout of noticible PVC's the blood pressure is usually normal or slightly elevated and the heart rate is usually low 40-48 beats per minute.
im only 18 years old and i suffer from severe depression and anxiety and im very very stressed out a couple days ago i started gettin tightness and sharp pains in the area where my heart is....i dont wanna go to the doctor cuz im scared of what they will find out....is my depression anxiety and high stress level to blame?
Hi, I'm 42 year old mother of 5 no not catholic or mormon.I have been diagnosed with pvcs and psvts since 1996. had them before I ever tried metabolife. Metabolife did not exacerbate them. I did my turn with the holter monitor and had >10,000o pvcs in 48 hours. I was advised to take a betablocker but I have a history of chronic bronchitis so I hesitated to do that but later when I was diagnosed with hypertension I chose to take a betablocker and kill two birds with one stone, bonus it also got rid of my migraines. I lost weight on the metabolife and went off the betablocker without adverse reaction for 3 years until I got pregnant. 6 months into the pregnancy I ended up in the ER with a pulse of 190 and a BP of 190/98. Atenolol is a class c drug, but the ER doctor told me to get back on it, "If Your dead the babies dead", can't argue with that one. I haven't been off it since still occasional PVCs I've identified several triggers for me overeating, sleeping in a left side-lying position and eating foods with nitrates i.e. cured meats. (my last two emergency room trips involved hotdogs and corned beef in the form of a reuben sandwich). PMS and (this is a new discovery) low potassium. I'm still investigating the low potassium thing. i suspect it's been a chronic thing connected with the PMS. ANYWAY IT CAN'T HURT TO TRY A POTASSIUM SUPPLMENT OR EAT POTASSIUM RICH FOODS INCIDENTLY CAFFEINE THE OTHER TRIGGER I'VE HEARD MENTIONED IS A DIURETIC AND DIURETICS DEPLETE POTASSIUM SO IT ALL COULD BE INTERRELATED, come to think of it i suppose overeating, coffee and nitrates can aggravate GERD which is another trigger some of you have mentioned.
I don't think anyone answered the anonymous question about vagal response. A vagal responsive refers to the physiological impact of pressure on the vagal nerve, which runs from the base of the brain stem down to the abdomen. If enough pressure is placed on this nerve it can slow and even stop the heart. The straining could have caused too much pressure on the vagal nerve.
I have read each comment posted here and it has helped me but one thing that I have not seen listed is shortness of breath or being sleepy.. I have just been diagnosed with PVCs after wearing a halter monitor for 24 hrs and now waiting to go to a cardio doctor. I have always been told that I had a hear murmmer but that is all. I have been under a good bit of stress in the last 3 yrs I lost a daughter who was 39, a mother,and another daughter diagnosed with breast cancer along with a granddaughter having 2 babies during that time after running away after her mothers death.. so stress has definitely been in my life.. and you think you are coping with it .. but I did not know that stress played a big part in PVCs. I have really found this site ver helpful but I just wondered if anyone had experienced shortness of breath or sleeping or being tired .. I had complete blood work done today but cannot get in to see heart doctor until 31st of Jan.
I have had a recurrence of PVC's recently.The strange thing about the return is they only occur when I eat.The flip flop happens and if I bear down as if to tighten my stomach they seem to lessen or stop all together.Does anyone else have this kind of "only when I eat"
problem?
What a relief to see the commonality we all have! My Dr. just called back wth my 24hr. Holter results and said I have PVCs - I notice the most often when I'm falling asleep and when I wake up suddenly, or when my husband and I are arguing. I believe it is residual stress that my body is showing through my heart rate. (I basically raise 3 kids and the dog on my own 3 1/2 weeks a month.) So, on with the metropropolol, but I wonder, are there any long term side effects?
I AM 57 YRS. OLD AND @ 47 HAD ANANGIOPLASTY WITH STENTS ( NO HEART ATTACK )FOR THE PAST 10 YRS. I HAVE FELT GREAT WITH A HEART RATE MY DOCTOR SAYS OLYMPIC ATHLETES WOULD BR ENVIOUS OF .... NATURALLY I'M ON BETA BLOCKERS & CHOLESTROL MEDS & GET A COMPLETE WORK UP EVERY YEAR LIKE CLOCK WORK .... A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THIS PAST CHRISTMAS I STARTED TO GET A FUNNY FEELING IN MY CHEST AND LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS COMMENTED, YOUR BRAIN STARTS THINKING ALL SORTS OF CRAZY THINGS WHICH ONLY ACCELERATES THE PROBLEM ... IN ANY EVENT JUST TWO WEEKS AGO I TOOK A THALIUM STRESS TEST, EKG, ECHOCARDIAGRAM, LUNG CAPACITY TEST, WORE A HALTER MONITOR FOR 24 HRS. AND MY "DOC" TELLS ME EVERYTHING IS FINE .... GREAT ... THAN WHY DO I FEEL LIKE GARBAGE ?????? PVC's .... PROBABLY & HE TELLS ME NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT ... EASY FOR HIM TO SAY .... HE DOESN'T GET THEM !!!!!!! MY ONLY CONSOLATION IS THAT I HAVE JUST TAKEN EVERY TEST YOU CAN PROBABLY TAKE BUT IT STILL DOESN'T MAKE THAT BIG THING SITTING ON TOP OF YOUR NECK STILL THINK " WHEN IS THE "BIG" ONE COMING ... GOD FORBID !!!! I DO AGREE THAT FOOD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT & I ACTUALLY FEEL BETTER WHEN I AM MORE ACTIVE !!!! I GUESS WHEN YOU CAN GET YOUR BODY & BRAIN ON THE SAME PAGE, YOU MIGHT GET THIS THING "LICKED" ---- GOOD LUCK TO ALL MY FELLOW PVCers !!!!!!!!!
I am 25 and just started experiencing PVCs this last summer. I know mine was triggered by stress because it started right when my uncle had a stroke and became a 24/7 issue when my uncle declined and then died. I waited until the fall to even see a doctor because I thought it would go away after the funeral and my family got back to normal. Well the family is fine and my heart is killing me. My primary doctor put me on Topyrol(sp?) to slow my heart rate. It muted the symptoms but not by much and did nothing for the frequency. I just had a follow up with the cardiologist this morning, BP 100/70 while the PVCs were happening, and he has switched me to something else that I cannot read and I haven't filled the rx yet so not sure what it is. He did tell me that I cannot be on any of the medications for PVC if I were to get pregnant. He also said that there is a very high chance that the PVCs will get worse when pregnant from the added stress on my body. I will be trying to get pregnant in about a year so I am not thrilled about that future. He suggested that after trying a few medications that I may want to go for an ablation which could fix