I am female, 39 and was diagnosed with frequent PVC's last summer, at that time I had 8000 pvc's per day but the echo and cardiac stress test showed a functionally normal heart. I was asymptomatic and therefore had no treatment. Several months ago, I had a run of PVC's that went on 15-20 minutes and I became lightheaded and short of breath. I went to the ER and my Magnesium was slightly low so was given Mag. Followed up with the cardiologist and was given a Beta Blocker (Atenolol). I ultimately stopped the atenolol because it was dropping my pulse into the 40's and making me feel like I was going to pass out. I am now feeling symptomatic all the time and requested to wear a cardiac monitor. The second cardiac monitor (10 months after the first) showed 11,000 pvc's (many runs of bi, tri geminy) over 2000 couplets, 9 triplets, a 5 beat run of vtach and a 15 beat run of vtach). Initial cardiologist seemed very concerned, referred me to an electrophysiologist. Insurance didn't cover the person he referred me to so I had to go elsewhere, 2nd cardiologist didn't see a huge issue, wants to put me on a calcium channel blocker. I am concerned about the huge change in the 2 monitors especially because the stress test confirmed that when I raise my heart rate I start having short runs of unsustained vtach. I scheduled an electophysiology study and possible ablation, but my husband is very concerned that it is the right thing to do and feels that it is too risky. Nobody can really say if these short runs of V-tach (up tp 250 beats/min) are an indicator of future sudden cardiac death. Perhaps if I continued on without any intervention they will just go away? I am confused because one cardiologist was very concerned by the changes where the other was not. I feel like maybe I should see a third? Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.View Thread
I did have the procedure, I was at about 19,000 PVCs in a 24 hour period. I had it done at Bethesda Naval Hospital. They had to ablate 3 areas and freeze a 4th, but I no longer have PVCs or the symptoms I was having with them. I ran two half marathons in the last year without any problems.View Thread
Hi, I did have the ablation. In the end there were three areas that were ablated and one was frozen due to its proximity to the hearts normal conduction pathway. I no longer have any PVCs and have been able to return to full physical activity. I ran two half marathons last year with no problems. I had my procedure done at Bethesda Naval Hospital (my husband is active duty military). I am so happy that I did it, I hated the effects of the medicine. Good luck!View Thread