What is this called? Is it dangerous?

[mike7430]

Context: Healthy, fit, 20 yr old male

So I've had PVCs my whole life, seen doc about it and there are some irregularities with my heart but nothing immediately threatening (I've had no treatment but am supposed to get yearly checkups).

Yesterday, I had basically a string of PVCs that was a little scary. The pattern was a normal beat, irregular beat, then long pause. This happened 6 or 7 times in a row, whereas previously it was just a one-off thing, or if I had a few in a row I could stop it by coughing. Well this time, my heart wouldn't respond to me coughing and it happened like I said, more than just a few times in a row.

Basically I want to know if this can just be a benign thing that can happen or if I should see my doctor over it.

[lpinck]

Hi mike, so I am a 29 year old female who is a nurse, also has the same issue. Some background: I had SVT which is an irregular heart rhythm that is caused by the ventricles and my rate went up to almost 300 beats per minute. Long story short I was flown by a helicopter to an ICU where I was medicated and eventually after years of multiple heart ablutions made a normal rhythm. I now have PVCs as a result to the surgery. I get strings of PVCs, I am on medication to help stop them from occurring however I still have about 300-500 a day per my implanted “loop recorder” (a device implanted in my chest to continuously record my heart rhythm) and from what I know as a nurse PVCs as they do feel scary, are not dangerous. When they occur frequently is when they become an annoyance and even then are not dangerous. However, as many times as I hear they aren’t dangerous the way they make you feel is terrifying. I’ve almost passed out, I get dizzy, short of breath etc from them happening in a row. I have panic attacks and suffer greatly from them. A doctor will tell you they are benign and you’re fine, but if they are contributing to your anxiety and effecting your daily life, in my opinion, they aren’t fine. Magnesium as a supplement helps them. Other prescribed medications such as beta blockers help them. If all that fails you can get an ablation to stop them. I would request a halter monitor to see how frequently yours are and what your rhythm is like. Request a 3 day one not a 24 hour one. See what that says. Get a cardiologist and not just a primary doctor. Don’t stop fighting for yourself

[meadfoot]

I have awful ectopics and pauses too like you. They are scary and feel dreadful, the pauses are the worst as there is the fear that the heart won’t kick back into action. I have them far too regularly and seem to have them in clusters then free of them for a little while. They are hateful things. My EP has tried to catch them on a seven day holter monitor but typically my heart behaves perfectly while wearing one.

Do you have an EP (electrophysiologist a cardiologist who specialises in the electrical activity of the heart), if not I would most certainly ask to be referred to one. There are lots of them to choose from. Ask your GP to refer you if your aren’t under a specific specialist for your cardiac care. Best wishes.

[EngMac in reply to meadfoot]

rom my experience these can be caused by back issues. If you spend lots of time bent over a computer or other devices, you may have spinal issues. A chiropractor may be able to help. Before you embark on the drug/ablation route, you may wish to explore this.