Managing PVCs

[Stu13]

Hi

Three years ago I had an ablation for my long standing PAF. Touch wood, I’ve not had a full blown episode since. However over the last 12 months I have been getting an increasing amount of PVC episodes. These often last for two to three days and are really debilitating. Sleep is almost impossible. Eventually I do return to sinus rhythm. My EP is aware and I’m awaiting at CT angiogram. I’m interested in hearing about other’s experiences of these and would welcome any suggestions on how to ease the symptoms. 

[BobD Volunteer]

Box breathing. Use stomach (diaphragm not shoulders. )In to slow count of 7.hold for 4. out for 7 pushing diaphragm back to spine. Hold. Repeat max 6 breaths per minute for at least five minutes. Works like magic. If it doesn't you aren't doing it right. With practise it is easy to get even slower with benefit. My best was 3.5 breaths per minute. Took maybe a month to get rid of them completely.

[Stu13 in reply to BobD]

Cheers for that Bob.

Have tried slow breathing techniques before, but yours seems quite specific. Will definitely give it a go next time, thanks

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Stu13]

Dr Sanjay Gupta. York Cardiology sent that one out on a video about five years ago.

Interestingly enough I understand that the principle is used by US Navy personel on carrier ops to help going to sleep. You can imagine how noisy that must with F18s et al banging down onto the deck all night.

[Jetcat in reply to BobD]

very interesting. I’ll give it ago when my ectopics visit me again.👍

[Stu13]

Fascinating fact Bob, the military are often open to innovative approaches to improving performance. Quality of sleep is so vital to them as well as us in the AF world!

[MaryCa]

If you're not on warfarin add coenzyme q10 and magnesium taurate to your supplements. The q10 definitely helps me with PACs PVCs, it reduces inflammation. Loads of research on google scholar about it's benefits in relation to AFib. Definitely worth a try. You'd be aiming for 200mg. My pharmacist says it's perfectly safe to take with Xarelto

[Stu13 in reply to MaryCa]

Hi Mary, thanks for the response. I already take magnesium (citrate) which I think does help to reduce episodes. Never heard of CoQ10. Will definitely look into it

[MaryCa in reply to Stu13]

Magnesium taurate is better according to Dr Sanjay Gupta London cardiologist

[Ppiman]

Yes, following my ablation for atrial flutter in 2019, my ectopic beats slowly increased until they are now frequent, sometimes accompanied by a mild tachycardia (85-120bpm). They often feel much like AF, to me, which has also come my way in latter times, although when that creates fast tachycardia (150-200bpm), it does feel much worse. The ectopic beats can sometimes become so frequent, and in runs, as to be very hard going.

In terms of stopping them by relaxation and breathing, I have had no luck whatsoever. For the last two months, I have had some success, however, taking 1.25mg bisoprolol daily.

Steve

[Stu13 in reply to Ppiman]

Hi Steve

Thanks for your response. It seems you have episodes worse than me. I feel your pain. I’ve also tried the slow breathing, but to no real effect. Although I will try Bob’s suggestion (above) next time. I used to be on Bisoprolol up until just before my ablation, was then switched to Sotalol 6 months before. It certainly keeps my rate down and I suspect does still help to suppress potential AF episodes. I just find the PVCs more uncomfortable as their random and often violent nature can be particularly unsettling. 

[Ppiman in reply to Stu13]

When you say “violent” nature, how does that make you feel? The most I get is a kind of “thump” or sinking sensation.

I cope well with mine overall and life carries on much as usual, thankfully. The bisoprolol does seem to be helping, but it might just be one of those calm periods. It’s a very variable condition.

Steve

[Stu13 in reply to Ppiman]

I suppose “violent” is a bit dramatic, but the feeling is one of very pronounced thumping that does take my breath away, sometimes three or four per minute. Then settles down until the next wave, usually a couple of minutes later. These episodes tend to be random in nature and last about two days. I’m currently in sinus, feeling ok. All very strange!

[Ppiman in reply to Stu13]

Strange is the right word, indeed. I get what you describe but much less often and then it feels much like AF, although that with a high heart rate is much more troublesome.

Steve

[ColbyLH]

I tried almost

Everything when having 24k PVCs a day…only symptom was fatigue…The only thing that worked was Flecainide,,,50x2/day…within a week PVCs dropped to about 100/day…or less…that was in 2017…still holdind…(knock on wood!)

[Stu13 in reply to ColbyLH]

Thanks for your comments. My experience seems quite light compared to yours. I feel your pain. I used to have Flecainide as a pip for my AF but it stopped being effective. The Sotalol at the moment seems to be keeping it at bay

[PleasantPink]

My EP cardio recommended Magnesium Chloride , he said that is the one most easily absorbed. I take SlowMg two times a day & have had very good results reducing both PVC's & PAC's. Some will still breathrough depending on my activity & diet, but for the most part this has been helpful.

I do have sleep issues & am in the process of adjusting to APAP ( like CPAP but automatically adjusts the pressures rather than a constant flow ). I had no idea I had mild sleep apnea. It was the cardiologist who questioned the connection between that & my Afib history. You may want to discuss a sleep study with your doctor as well. Poor sleep is a nightmare all by itself.

[Stu13]

Thanks for your reply , interesting information on Magnesium Chloride. Got to say I thought all magnesium supplements would be useful, but it seems some are more than others in terms of benefiting heart rhythms.

Sorry to hear about your sleep issues. Mine is usually ok, just when the PVCs kick in, it really is a struggle.