steveng...
A similar question was asked on the heart forum on the MedHelp
website. Questions in The Heart Forum are answered by doctors
from The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, "consistently ranked the
#1 Heart Center in America". According to the doctor who replied:
"'Skipped beats' can be from many different things. Thankfully,
the nature of skipped beats is easily determined from an EKG,
provided you have the extra beats while having the EKG."
"Two of the more common causes for skipped or extra beats are
PACs (premature atrial contractions) and PVCs (premature
ventricular contractions). Neither one of these 'extra beats'
are associated with an adverse prognosis. Frequently, these
start for unknown reasons, but precipitators can include
change in sleep pattern, alcohol intake, large meals, exercise,
hypertension, and some medicines...Likewise, blockages are not
normally associated with extra beats."
"Other causes for skipped beats are arrhythmias, such as atrial
fibrillation. As most people are unable to differentiate
between the two when they first start, it would be prudent to
talk to your doctor about these skipped beats so that an EKG
can be performed."
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/messages/33695a.html
Another article, 'Telling the difference: PVCs and heart attack
symptoms', by Pam Sowers, cites Dr. Jeanne Poole, associate
professor of medicine in the School of Medicine’s Division of
Cardiology, on the University of Washington website:
"It is most often a benign situation if the person is otherwise
healthy. Drinking too much coffee, being under stress or not
getting enough sleep frequently bring on premature ventricular
contractions, or PVCs," Poole says. "Taking a lot of
over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamines, thyroid
problems or electrolyte abnormalities can also cause an
increase in PVCs."
"Electrolyte abnormalities caused by taking diuretics can also
be a factor."
"This isn’t to say that PVCs should be ignored. Whenever anyone
experiences a new or different symptom, it is wise to check it
out with a physician. Poole says this sign can point your family
doctor toward some health or lifestyle problems that should be
investigated."
"She adds, 'If someone is dizzy, lightheaded or passing out after
a series of what feel like skipped beats, they should get
immediate medical attention. Even without PVCs, these symptoms
should alert you that something is wrong. A long string of PVCs
becomes ventricular tachycardia, a problem calling for a
thorough evaluation.'"
"Heart attack symptoms are usually very different from the thumps
and flutters of PVC."
"Poole adds if a person who has been healthy his entire life
starts noticing PVCs, it’s worth mentioning to the doctor.
In most cases, some simple lifestyle changes may help you
reserve those heart flutters for your one-and-only."
http://depts.washington.edu/uweek/archives/2001.11.NOV_01/_article18.html
More on PACs and PVCs from Christiana Care's Heart and Vascular
Center's website:
Premature atrial contractions
"Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are beats that start in
the upper chambers of the heart and come too early. Some
people experience the feeling of 'skipped heartbeats.'
Sometimes PACs will repeat for a while, often coming every
other beat (bigeminy) or every third beat (trigeminy). Two
PACs in a row are called a 'couplet' or a 'pair.'"
Premature ventricular contractions
"(PVCs) are also beats that come too early, but these start in
one of the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart. Again,
some people report feeling these as 'skipped heartbeats.'
PVCs can also repeat every other, or every third beat. Three
or more PVCs in a row are known as a 'run' of nonsustained
ventricular tachycardia, or NSVT. While the accentuated
awareness of your own heartbeat may be distracting, PVCs
alone generally do not signify serious heart disease or the
risk of a serious heart rhythm disorder."
http://www.christianacare.org/heart_center/heart_center_diag_electro.cfm
And, in response to a post about 'painful PVCs' on the Cleveland
Clinic Heart Center's site:
"You have come to the right place in regard to dealing with PVCs.
There are hundreds of postings on this site
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/wwwboard.html
from individuals like yourself. You can read through these and
find assurance as well as suggestions for dealing with PVCs.
Let me assure you that PVCs are benign and will not cause
long-term harm. Painful PVCs may be due to the 'recovery beat'
or the beat after the PVC because the heart has more time to
fill with blood and the contraction is more forceful. Why
some people perceive them as more painful than others is not
known."
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/guide/askdoctor/painfulpvc.htm
The e-MDs website has an educational page on PVCs here:
http://www.e-mds.com/healthinfo_view/i_000000078X/
As far as the medications used in conjunction with severe cases
of PVCs, we take you now back to the MedHelp forum:
"Rhythmol can be used safely in people who do not have blockages
in the heart arteries...Calcium channel blockers may also be
reasonable."
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/messages/33601a.html
Atenol is mentioned as a treatment on this page:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/archive/13934.html
Of course, your doctor would be the best one to suggest a
specific medication for the condition, if he decides that
it is abnormally dangerous, which, for the majority of
people, it is not, as we've seen.
I hope this answer serves to set your heart at ease... : )
Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that
the answer cannot be improved upon by means of a dialog
established through the "Request for Clarification" process.
sublime1-ga
Searches done, via Google:
PVCs "skipped heartbeats"
://www.google.com/search?q=PVCs+%22skipped+heartbeats%22
"medication for PVC"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22medication+for+PVC%22 |
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