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PVCs are taking over my life

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Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
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Posted 6/24/2013 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, this is my first post. I am 32, male, non-smoker, generally good health.

I first started getting PVCs in November 2012 for whatever reason. In December I went on some mood medication and Klonopin for anxiety. Some days I don't have any, some days I have many and I am consumed with fear and anxiety. The Klonopin seems to do nothing for me. Sometimes I take it right after a PVC but by then the anxiety has me.

I have had the Holter, EKG, the 4 week event monitor and all show good. It is just the feeling that scares me; it's your heart feeling weird! It is also hard on my wife when I become afraid and withdrawal. I know I'm not the only one who gets them, but when the only treatment is supposed to be reassuring myself that is harder than taking a medicine for it. My wife had these issues when she was pregnant but she is the kind of person who can just "not worry" about things. I envy that. I figured that joining a community with others would help.

Sometimes I think they increase as a side effect of the Klonopin, which again is not helping me much.

I am glad to have found this Forum.

Mike
Posted 6/24/2013 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike,

Please know that you are not alone. I have been dealing with PVC's and SVT for about 20 years (I'm almost 30). PVC's feel horrible, and are very scary. You did the right thing getting it checked out. It's good to hear that everything came out ok. If you are still nervous about it, you can request a echo cardiogram, where the doctors will be able to see if there is anything structurally wrong with the heart. If that comes back fine, then there is really nothing to worry about. If they are occurring a few times in a row, doctors will sometimes recommend beta blockers to help "control" them. Things that usually help PVC's are exercise and relaxation (easier said than done sometimes smilewinkgrin ) I also have suffered from a lot of anxiety because of my PVC's, PAC's, and SVT. I have tried something called biofeedback, which is a relaxation technique through controlled breathing- google it when you have a chance. This sometimes helps, depending on the situation. I also envy your wife, and everyone else who don't worry too much about things. Let me know if you have any other questions, and welcome to the forum. turn
Posted 6/24/2013 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I think the hardest thing was that they started this late in my life and there was no "easy answer" other than they just happen.  I do my best to keep up on exercising, spending time with my family and my hobbies to keep relaxed.  My job is very stressful and I'm in the process of changing positions to something less stressful which I think will really help also.
Posted 6/27/2013 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I can understand where you come from. To suddenly develop these can be frustrating, but no where near uncommon. Heart arrhythmia's can develop as you get older (ie atrial fibrillation). Unfortunately, the cardiovascular community has yet to have a firm answer as to why these (PVC's and PAC's) happen, but research has shown that they aren't anything to be too concerned about. Keep your chin up. Keep doing things with your family, exercise, and hobbies. I have found that when I withdraw from everything, I notice everything pertaining to my heart that much more, which in turn causes my anxiety to dramatically rise. It's better to keep yourself involved and your mind off your heart. Stress will cause them to occur more often, so your job move may be beneficial.

Post Edited (Laura730) : 6/27/2013 11:24:41 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/27/2013 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
That's pretty close to what I've been feeling. I'll have a strong one and become obsessed with it. Give an anxious person access to the internet and watch it snowball! I have been doing some breathing exercises lately which seem to be slowly helping. But you are right, focus too much and you will find something wrong...that something may be nothing at all. It's great to have you folks to talk to. I think my friends and family were getting sick of hearing about it!
Posted 6/27/2013 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
mikemurder,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.   That old, nasty problem that scares so many - PVCs !  skull We all have them; some of us never know we have them and others can feel nearly every premature beat.  My husband was dx at 23 years old and he is just 65.  Never had a problem with the beats.

This is one of the most common forms of arrhythmias.  It is due to the premature discharge of an electrical impulse in the ventricle, causing premature contraction.

Therefore, it is named "Premature Ventricular Contraction," or PVC.  A PVC is premature because it occurs earlier than the next regular beat should have occurred.

High stress, anxiety, stimulants such as coffee and sodas with caffeine as well as pregnancy may cause PVCs.

Call us or call 911 immediately if any of the following symptoms occur along with heart palpitations:

  • Chest pain
  • Fainting or feeling faint or dizzy
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Sweating
  • Feeling confused or disoriented
  • Back, neck, stomach, or jaw pain or tightness

These symptoms, occurring together with heart palpitations, may indicate a more serious heart condition or a medical emergency.

Big Breath, I think you going to be ok.

Kindly,

Kitt

 
Posted 6/27/2013 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
I'm working on it...Thank you
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