Anyone have PVC's( skipped and flip floped heart beats)???

Question

I have Mitral Valve Prolapse, and have been having lots and lots of pvc's lately. I go to the cardiologist once a year, and was just there in dec, and he said everything was fine. I have always had them from time to time, but the past 2 months or so, some days I can have several a minute. They are very disturbing. I really started noticing them pretty soon after I got off my antidepressants. Does anyone out there suffer from these, and are there things I can do to help myself from getting them so often?? I get scared sometimes when they are happening that something is majorly wrong, then I make it worse by getting anxious! Any advice with this will be very helpful!
Thanks.

Answer 1

Throwing an occasional PVC is quite normal, most people don't know it when they throw one.
The problem is that when you start throwing multiple pvc's you can get into trouble, If you start throwing pvc after pvc this can lead to ventricular tachycardia and it not treated you could go into ventricular fibrillation.
Try to avoid caffeine, sugar and anything that can be considered a stimulant. next time this happens just try sitting in a quiet place and try and relax, getting anxious or anxiety is fuel for the fire.
Does your doctor have you on nitro tablets? this can help, my last trip to the hospital via ambulance I was throwing 15 pvc's a minute, the paramedics didn't want to take any chances so they hauled me off.
When I got to the hospital they started monitoring my heart, gave me an injection to relax a bit and put me on oxygen, apparently it did the trick because they sent me home that night,
Like I said be careful with multiple pvc's, better to be safe then sorry.

Answer 2

Does your Dr. know about the past couple of months and how your symptoms have worsened?
I too have SVT with PVC's, mine is accompanied by mitral valve regurgitation and I have taken a beta-blocker for years that keeps my heart rate more regular and helps with the pvc's.
Since you see a cardiologist I'm hoping they've already had you wear a halter monitor ( you wear it for at least 24 hours and it records all heart activity).
It's so frustrating when your in the office and they run an ekg and you don't have any episodes, that's why the halter monitor is nice.
Have you kept any kind of record of what makes your heart act up, with me it's when I eat to quickly or a little too much, if I'm over tired, stressed, the usual emotional triggers. The one constant is about three days before I get my period I throw more pvc's and whenever I have an infection (like a sinus infection) it gets going. Sometimes it's like an early warning system but at other times it can be very frightening and I worry that I'll go into a rhythm that I can't get out of.

So what to do about them, well one thing is to try and calm down when you notice them, take a few slow deep breaths in through the noise and blow out steadily throw your pursed lips (yes like lamaze).
Another thing you can try (sounds odd I know) is called a valsalva maneuver which basically means to bear down as if you were trying to have a bowel movement.
You could also try putting a very cold washcloth on your face, we've done this in the ER when someone's heart is racing and won't slow down.

The only reason I even gave you some ideas is because I know you are going to call your Dr. and let him know you are having increasing episodes and you feel the need to be re-evaluated. Make yourself heard and if you don't feel heard then by all means get a second opinion, you know your body better then anyone and if somethings not right, listen to it!
I hope this helps.

Answer 3

I've never had PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) but treated people who had them many times. My best advice is for you to set up another appointment with your cardiologist. PVCs, left untreated can become very serious, or even deadly. I'm not trying to scare you, but I do want you to know the truth. If you start having a hard time breathing, get chest pains especially while you feel these going on......call 911 immediately. Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

I have them. I know they can be really annoying but they are not dangerous when they are on their own. It's when they happen consecutively (Many of them in a row) that they are dangerous.

You can avoid getting them by avoiding caffeine and stress.
If they are problematic you can go on a low dose medication called a beta blocker which can help decrease the frequency of them.

I would make an appointment with your cardiologist and let him/her know they are becoming more problematic so they can help you out :-)

Answer 5

Try to relax when they happen anxiety can make it worse. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and stress (ha ha) stay hydrated. It will take your body a long time to adjust to being without antidepressants. Get your Thyroid checked. I have the same problem they can start you on medication, but try to go without for as long as you can