After Afib - PVC’s

[Francis1899]

I’ve had Afib for 12 years, well controlled with Metoprolol and Eliquis with one intervening, successful thermal ablation 18 months ago.

Two months ago I began having palpatations and my cardiologist simply increased the amount of Metoprolol. That proved ineffective.

Two weeks ago I put my EP’s feet to the fire 🔥 and he put a Spider RX-1 cardiac monitor on me. Ten days in - readings indicate NO AFIB - instead, multiple PVC’s. I’ve read these can be benign but not always - especially if there are existing other heart issues (I have a small congenital hole in my heart and a small leak in one valve). Can anyone offer their experiences or knowledge regarding multiple PVC?

Thanks. 🙃

[mjames1]

Yes, in general harmless, and in fact, almost everyone has ectopics in varying frequency. That said, a good ask for your ep in addition to your cardiologist.

Jim

[Francis1899 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks, Jim, so much. I’m meeting with EP Thursday. More of his feet to the 🔥 😊

[AfibSufferer]

I get multiple PVS sometimes (I had an ablation for AF 2 years ago). My cardiologist confirmed as PVCs and said they are benign so try to ignore them. So that's what I do. If they get too noticeable to ignore then a spell of deep slow breathing usually stops them.

[Francis1899 in reply to AfibSufferer]

Thank you so much for your comforting response😊

[kalgs]

I had a cryoablation three years ago for a fib. It was successful and no a fib since. I’ve had a topics on and off for the last three years. Recently, I had a Holter monitor for seven days. It indicated over 60,000 ectopics over a seven day period. I’ve been told that these are benign and are no danger to me. I’ve tried a beta blocker but it’s not controlling them. I am awaiting the results of an echocardiogram that I had last week. These ectopics are not affecting me physically. It’s great for the cardiologist to say the harmless, but I do find them debilitating on occasions in the sense that they wake me up.

[Francis1899 in reply to kalgs]

Thank you for responding. It’s good to know I’m “not in the boat alone”. This blog is informative and comforting. I will meet with my EP Thursday to learn of my monitor results and how we will progress. My EP seems on point to find the basis of my PVCs.

[ian16527 in reply to kalgs]

I have some and they wake me up too. I sometimes get them for weeks all day then just the odd one or two in the following weeks with a few svt's thrown in. I dont get as many as you seem to be having though

They may be benign but they are annoying - I also have a heavy chest when they are on but have had them for 40 years on and off since I had a central line inserted into my arm during surgery which went too far in, and into my heart which caused VF until they pulled it out

[Francis1899 in reply to ian16527]

Ouch to the central line! So sorry! I thank you for your response. It is somewhat comforting to know I’m not the only one periodically struggling with Afib, PVC’s, etc😊

[Sustainedvtach270]

Besides slow nasal breathing, physical activity, to eat food rich in potassium and magnesium will help. PVC's are usually due to a lack of those minerals.

[Francis1899 in reply to Sustainedvtach270]

Great information! Thank you so much😊

[sponable98]

My first ablation in 2011 was to address excessive PVC's. I also had Afib at that time and had another ablation for Afib about 3 months later. (I was 54 then, no other medical issues). The PVC ablation worked and I no longer suffer from episodes of 20-30+ pvc's per minute. I suffered through these episodes for 13 years with numerous cardiologists advising that they were benign, nothing to worry about. I do not believe they are benign in these amounts and I suspect they lead to my Afib (Though EP and cardiologists disagree). Excessive pvc's exhausted me similar to my Afib experiences! Good luck! Hope my experiences assist you in some way.

[Francis1899 in reply to sponable98]

Your response mimics my thoughts exactly‼️Thank you so much for taking time to address my comments. . I imagine that excessive beats (or whatever EP’s and cardiologists called them) (benign they may be) are not good for our hearts. I can see another ablation in the works for me - NOT anxious for that procedure again at my age (82)

[CuriousCat9]

It really does depend on the amount, so please don't ignore an increase. I've had PVC's for years and was told everything was fine, don't worry, etc. At no point was I advised that if I felt them increase or had the feeling of constant anxiety (a knot in my chest without reason) to go back. The advise is always - try to ignore them, so i did! My ectopic burden is now 50%. ( That's 1 after each normal beat). They are constant - no break. The cardiologist and electrophysiologist have confirmed that they are the cause of my heart failure, and im due an ablation next month. So yes, usually benign but above a 20/30% burden, you need to be on a 6 month check.

[Francis1899 in reply to CuriousCat9]

I agree with you wholeheartedly (no pun intended)😊. I take EVERYTHING to do with my heart very seriously. To me, nothing is benign. My EP is hellbent to find out “why”. I meet with him Thursday and the 🕷️ monitor comes off tomorrow after hanging onto me for two weeks. Thanks for your good words and taking time to share with me.

[Francis1899]

TO all who are dealing with Afib and PVCS: my opinion is - if your doctor tells you “ your PVCs are benign - forget about it or don’t worry” I’d consider finding another doctor.

Identifying the cause(s) of and treatment for PVCs has eluded most PEs and Cardiologists, but That doesn’t mean these irregular heart conditions are harmless.

The Cleveland Clinic, with campuses in Ohio and Florida, is world renowned for their work on Afib and associated heart issues. Two valuable sources of information can be found at

Heartatccf.org and my.clevelandclinic.org

Best wishes to everyone for positive heart health❤️