Are you suffering from PVC's or an ectopic heartbeat?

Have you ever felt like your heart skipped a beat? Or perhaps that your heart actually beat an extra beat? Whether it was an isolated incident or has become a regular occurrence, PVC's (premature ventricular contractions -- also know as ventricular premature beat (VPB), ectopic heartbeat, or extrasystole) can be extremely unsettling and downright scary for those who suffer from them.

The good news is that PVC's are almost always harmless. Nevertheless they tend to feel dangerous to those who have them and it can be hard to cope with the cycle of fear, which leads to stress and anxiety, which often then leads to more PVC's.

So while this group may not be a cure for PVC's, I hope that it will be a useful tool for educating each other and learning to cope with this sometimes extremely uncomfortable heart arrythmia.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Are You Stuck In PVC Hell? Where To Find Support And Advice!

My apologies to everyone who has left a comment on the blog without receiving a personal response from me. It turns out that this blog gets a fair amount of traffic, which is flattering, but also too bad in the sense that it means there are many more PVC sufferers out there who are looking for answers.

The past couple of years my PVCs have been much less intense. Still frequent, but not as intense as when they were disrupting my sleep and quality of life. I don't really know why, since I actually went through an extremely stressful few months last year. I was amazed that I wasn't more plagued by PVCs. So I'm just crossing my fingers that it lasts, realizing that an unexpected PVC "attack" can suddenly plague sufferers without any apparent reason.


To new PVC sufferers who stumble across this blog:

  • Remember to read through all the comments in each of the posts on this blog. When I was writing more frequently at the height of my PVC problems, I wrote a lot about my experience, what to expect with them, and how to best manage them. Many others shared their advice and experience, which is always useful since everyone's PVC experience is unique.
  • Don't forget our Cardiac Arrhythmia Support Group on Facebook. I'm the admin, so just request to join the group and I'll let you in. We currently have almost 400 members who are also suffering from PVCs and are there to offer and receive advice and support on a daily basis.
  • I also want to remind everyone about the Skipping Hearts forum, run by one of our readers named Jeff. Another great resource and place to find support!

So, speaking as someone who has been to PVC Hell and back, hang in there and find solace in getting support and encouragement from fellow sufferers who know what it's like!


56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Claudia thanks for the blogg. I am new to this PVC and it is so fustrating to notice the disbelief of my doctor and family members. Any way, thanks for the info. Its weird how after reading some of the bloggs, I walked up five flights of stairs and my fluttering of my heart stopped. Thanks for the info. I will follow up with my Cardiologist.

Documentary Production said...

We are in the pre-production stages of a PVC and Palpitation documentary. We need on camera interviews who are willing to tell their story to the world. We also hope to raise awareness in the medicine and research community to do more. Please email us Info@TruebaMedia.com with the Subject Line: Heart Documentary

issie said...

Wow, I have only had this condition for 4 to 5 months and it seems to be getting worse. My Dr sent me for the 24hr ECG halter then told me it's nothing sinister and put me on Beta Blockers, 2 weeks later they were just as bad again, so she put up the dose, 1 week later still the same, now I have a referral to see a cardiologist. I only read this blog last night after I booked my appointment, now I feel really depressed that I, along with all of you have to live with this, it's not right! I can't even go upstairs to my childrens bedroom without palpations being out of breath, how is that a livable existance??? Cathy

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. I have had PVCs on and off for about 10 years. I am having them all day everyday at the moment which is making me a bit miserable because I am also in the middle of a miscarriage. This is my second miscarriage and I am feeling quite sad - I want to lie in bed and pull the blankets over my head but the more I stay still, the more they come and they are making it so difficult to sleep. I just wish they would go away and let me grieve in peace! Best of luck to you all.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I have had these ectopic heartbeats for over 20 yearsm, but it only used to be occasionally, sometimes I have them for months, I am not stressed they can come on at any time, but when I am having a run of them they are worse after eating and if I get the fluttery feeling they can make me feel dizzy, I never used to get the dizzy feeling but I get it now sometimes, I have had numerous ECGs over the years and they are always normal my GP always sends me away, I am thinking of trying to get to see a cardiologist just tio check my heart is ok does anyone else have these symptoms

Anonymous said...

Hi I have had them since I was a teenager. Had all the tests 8 years ago and nothing wrong. Told benign. I find drs a bit disinterested. It's a real shame that there is no decent treatments for them, it's do annoying. I never feel short of breath or dizzy with them tho but have heard other people do. I never get a tachycardia either, thankfully, but I do sympathise I hate the buggers! Let me know if u find any good treatments!

Anonymous said...

I'm a medical researcher and a sufferer of ectopic beats. I have been admitted to A & E on three occasions with prolonged daily ectopics accompanied by acute weakness and low blood pressure. So. in my own interests I have investigated this condition. After establishing that there was nothing functionally abnormal with my heart - treadmill tests, echocardiagram, ex-ray etc., - I researched the nutritional connection. This proved the most beneficial line of enquiry. Every patient who has persistent arrhythmias/PVCs should ask to have their magnesium, potassium and calcium levels investigated. These three nutrients are known to have an integral role in maintaining heartbeat regularity and any deficiency in any one of them, or imbalance in their proportions, can have a profound effect on heart rhythm. Thyroid function should also be investigated as this too can be instrumental in arrhythmias. We also now know that acid suppressing drugs like omeprazole ( a proton pump inhibitor) can seriously deplete the body of magnesium and set up a cascade of depletion and nutrient inbalance. So if any of you are on these drugs you should probably talk to your doctors about intake, dosage, and blood tests for nutrient deficiencies. I have been able to reduce my arrhythmia by about 95% by supplementing on the three minerals above, while giving up omeprazole and converting to Ranitidine ( an acid blocker that works by a different mechanism). We are beginning to believe now that very many PVC cases are the result of nutrient deficiencies. Eden.

Anonymous said...

For me it was glutens. I went 16 years with 1,000 plus pvcs daily. Never got a break. Amazingly enough, went gluten free to try to help another issue. After 10 days I was PVC free for the first time in 16 years. Two yearsbstraight with no pvcs unless I mess up on my diet.

MIke said...

I've had these symptoms for a couple of month, and today, finally saw a cardiologist. I am scheduled to have an Echo, tomorrow, and a holter Thursday to Friday. I am scared. Every article I've read, so far, talks about SDS, or "Sudden Death Syndrome". I'm an X-smoker, and in my younger days, well, let's just say I was a little recreational. I'm married, now. I have three kids: three, nine, and eleven. I grew up without a father; now, I'm afraid they may share the same fate. I'm sorry to seem so pessimistic. I was just diagnosed, today. Thank all of you for the wonderful information. Claudia, thank you for the website. It is the most optimism that I've found so far.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, I just stumbled across this blog too as I have a nasty cold and am suffering from palpitations. I've had palpitations for a few years which I've attributed to peri-menopause. They are particularly bad now while I'm sick. I'm due to get an echo even though I have no problem exercising, and I work out a lot. I have been increasing my minerals too and will look at that more closely too. Thanks for the blog! Diane

Robert from Chicago said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Does this really work was u allergic to it

kennspinn said...

Hello all I have been suffering from what I call chronic PVCs and pacs. 10 to 15 a min all day. I go to a electrophysoligist sorry misspelling that but anyway he gave me a drug called Flecinide. I started taking it and got my life back. I mean not even one PVC or pac. I was loving life but now they have returned and I guess Tue medicine stopped working. I called the doctor today to see what is going on.I just simply can't figure out how to leave be with these so called benign condition.

Unknown said...

First time poster,
Goiing on 6 mon of these pvc,s cant seem to
Beat them .. Just want to get my life back
Nobody seems to understand..
Im really dont think that im gonna die
Its just that theyre all over the place( one day they will do it when im up, then it will be when im sitting)
So i dont know from one day to the next whats in store for me....

christine said...

Hi,

I came across this website while looking up skipped heartbeats. so I haven't officially been diagnosed with any type of ectopic heartbeats, but about 3 weeks ago I got a fluutery feeling in my chest followed by a really hard heartbeat, I didn't think much of it until it happened again that night and then again about 5 times in one night and I started getting really scared, for the next 3 days I was getting the fluttery feelings up to 15 times a day and I started getting panic attacks again (I suffered with panic disorder about 8 yrs back) I tried to put it down to stress and anxiety as myself and my partner have started to attend counselling, after a few days I went to my doc, she said all seemed normal, normal heart rate and bp. after another week of continued attacks I went back, she says she cant find anything wrong,but booked me in this week for bloods and next week for an EKG. this whole experience has left me terrified, I cant sleep at night sometimes not getting to sleep till after 4 in the morning, all day long im dreading the next attack which sometimes leads to panic attack too. hearing about other people going through the same thing helps in some way but knowing that I may have this forever is really depressing, im only 32 with 3 young children, and im scared of having a serious heart condition. im sorry for the long post, but I really needed to get that out

Unknown said...

I am a 46 yr old male and I been suffering from what I call missed beats scince I was 21 years old and im still alive with no heart problems as per my docter.I had countless stress tests, blood tests, scans, EKGS you name it. My blood test results are amazing as my dr said. Cholesterol great.I recently lost 70 lbs.I take bp meds and nexium . I take zanax when needed.At this point In my life I still search for a way to stop them but guess what they are still there. I get missed beats on and off.I think the key is to learn and train yourself first to accept the wierd feelings in your chest and second this is most IMPORTANT not fear them.Fear ,worry ,what ifs are like adding lighter fluid to charcoal. Im getting better at this but what still gets me sometimes is when I been miss beat free for a while then they come back with fierce power and I forget how to cope for a bit.missed beats that come several in a row is still rough for me. I refuse to let it take over my life.im fighting it by not fearing it.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone -

I have had PVC's every day of my life for the past 33 years. They are so frustrating and annoying, and have affected my entire adult life. Any type of excitement will flair them. I have been on numerous medications, but the only one that has helped a bit are the beta-blockers. I have had every cardiac test known even 4 cardiac ablation attempts. The problem was every time I got on the table they would stop, which frustated not only me, but the electrophysiologist as well. He said that he can't ablate them if he can't see them. I'm really at the end of my rope. I sympathize with all of you.

Unknown said...

I started getting these extra beats in December last year when I started a steroid nasal inhaler for a heavy cold. Despite stopping the inhaler the beats have continued and are REALLY stressing me out to the point where I don't feel I can carry on. I have paid to go privately and had a cardiologist listen to my heart and do a 3 day holter. He said he could see about 4 ventricular ectopics per day and reassured me that my heart is fine and completely normal. I'm only 31 (but overweight) so his advice was to live my life and forget about them which I was doing well at until this week. Suddenly I am now getting about 50-60 per day so a massive increase and I'm so scared. Do you think there is something wrong with my heart now? Am I going to die? How many a day is still considered normal? Please help me. Chloe

Unknown said...

Hi Chloe, Im sure your heart is perfectly fine! I been suffering for years. Your body is functioning normal in the circumstances. The more you fear them the longer and more they will be around. Your creating a habit of fear and feeding adrenaline to your fire.You know your heart is healthy. When you feel these missed beats let them come and practice not caring. Practice accepting them . You will get relief if you can truly relax towards them. Good luck

Unknown said...

Hi Paul. Thanks for replying, really appreciate it. I'm trying it find it so hard, I am a real worrier as is my mum (my brother died in an accident when he was young and she has been over protective since then) so I have grown up with her saying that I'm overweight and I will be putting pressure an my heart and damaging it so already had a dear of heart problems and now it feels like she is right. How many do you get a day? Is 50 a lot? Thanks Chloe

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hi Chloe. I recently came across this blog in an effort to find answers for my situation. If the cardiologist has determined your heart is otherwise healthy, then 50 is perfectly fine. If they become painful and not just a "sensation" then, of course, report back to your doctor. But most everyone has benign pvcs at some point. I agree with Peter. Anxiety will make them worse. Relax them away. Good luck.

KbK said...

Hi, My name is Kris. I am 40. Literally at my 40 year physical, I mentioned to my MD that I have been having Palpitations, on and off most of 10 years. He did an immediate EKG, and said it looked normal, but he did hear a palp in my heart during an exam with his stethoscope. He refered me to get an Echo, Holter Monitor and a stress test on physical. Nothing serious.
Then my cardiologist told me I had PVC. It most likely is stress and anxiety related. I have had anxiety disorder my whole life. I have been on Klonopin for 15 years: 1mg a day. Anyways, I have good days and bad days. Doc doesn't want me on beta blockers due to risk in depression. Im curious if anyone out there is ok with exercising? I work out daily for 20-30 mins on elliptical. Im 30 lbs overweight, and staying under 1200 calls a day. I feel great after work out, but my fears of falling, fainting and heart attack PLAUGE me! Im so glad I found this place. Hope to connect! Much prayer to you all!!!
Kris

Unknown said...

Hi Chloe sorry I didn't respond faster. 50 is not alot at all. Some people have thousands. I have had probably one every other beat for hours at times and other times 3 or 4 the whole day.No disrespect to your mom but she planted a seed of fear and doubt in you that you have to learn to put behind you.I highly recommend you and Kris to look up the cds and books of Dr Claire Weekes. She saved my life. She talks about palpitations and missed beats so clearly with a clear understanding. She talks about why our body does what it does and how to cope. I first read her material and absorbed it like a drowning man needing air.god bless you and good luck. I have been dealing with this stuff for years. Contact me anytime my email is petemartucci111@gmail.com

Anna said...

I'm 29, a wife and a mother of 2. I was just diagnosed with PVC's. My cardiologist did a 30 day monitor and an echo. He said they are benign & that I'm fine. I, however cannot get passed these. I cannot make myself believe my doctor. I'm constantly checking my pulse. I'm terrified to be alone. I don't wanna SOE & leave my babies. I don't know how to be "ok" with these. I don't sleep anymore... They are running my life :(

Unknown said...

Hi Anna I'm sorry your going through this. People just dont understand what its like unless they had experienced them. Even some docters dont understand. Its your fear of them that keeps them strong and constant.Your story sounds like my story when I first started. Email me anytime at petemartucci111@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hi my name is maria. I just started feeling extra PVC. I am only 30 years old. The doctor says there normal that everyone has them at one point in life. I can't sleep just thing that the doctor is wrong and that there is something wrong with my heart.

Anonymous said...

I'm Keith and I've been suffering from these for some years now but it was only this year that I found out what it actually is and that took 25hrs in hospital after a prolonged and heavy attack.

A little bit about me first. I'm 44 with 3 daughters (12 from previous marriage, 6 & 3 from second - xmas joy at moment). The only other medical condition I have is a hiatus hernia for which I take omeprazol to keep the reflux under control. I've recently been told I have a bordeline underactive thyroid.

I started knowingly having ectopics about 10 years ago. It was initially put down to a muscular skeletal problem and I actually found some relief by having regular chiropractor adjustments. I soon learned that the Chiro was motivated by getting me back every few weeks so moved to an osteopath instead. That certainly helped me understand my body better and the massage / stretching did me a lot more good than chiro. After that I moved to 1:1 pilates once a month and that has really improved my flexibility.

On to the ectopics then. Like i said the first time it really bothered me was about 10 years ago and i was told muscular skeletal and go away. I had it a few more times and became increasingly worried until I took myself to hospital again with it. I had an ecg, was told all was normal and it was probably muscular skeletal again. I knew myself that it wasnt but I do think there is a contributory factor there. Why do I say that? Well thinking about when I suffer from events I have generally be poor at doing my daily stretches and the events co-incide with periods of stiff back.

Earlier this year I had a really bad event which was getting worse over a couple of days and was making me really concerned. I visited my doctor who experienced the ectopic while taking my pule and listening to my heart and she sent me immediately to hospital. I was put on an ecg machine again and was fortunately still having the ectopics during that. Being in hospital and being monitored made me get some sleep and generally helped me to relax a bit and withing 24hrs the ectopics had completely gone again. I got the same old story about they are "mostly harmless" "normal" and "nothing to worry about". Easy for them to say when they are not going through it.

Anyway I'm going through another episodic event now and it got me thinking about what else is going on when the palpitations start.

1. generally feeling run down and more tired than normal - been very busy going into the year at work and youngest not sleeping well.
2. more reflux than normal - been poor at taking my stomach meds recently
3. general stiffness - been behind with my stretching routine
4. more alcohol than normal - it's almost christmas and there have been more nights out lately
5. more caffiene than normal - stopped coffee earlier in the year but I've been drinking too much tea lately. Used to be on 4 espressos a day and went cold turkey in March. Still drink tea though.
6. poor posture - i generally find that they can be worse when sitting / slumping on the sofa.

It's good to come across this site and hear some of the other stories to know I'm not alone with how I feel. These is truly horrible when it comes one - it's unpleasant, stressful, frightening and generally debilitating. They are very hard to ignore but i know that ignoring them is the best way to get rid of them. I believe there is a link with my reflux problems and it was interesting to read another post linking them with thyroid issues.

Hopefully through this blog I can help and be helped by the rest of you. It is reassuring to know I'm not going through it on my own.

Anonymous said...

I have a supplement plan that has cured my ectopic heartbeats.

Anonymous said...

The plan is as follows:
Morning on empty stomach:
Rainbow light mens or womans one a day multi vitamins. Also, 200mg. of Ubiquinol.
Before lunch on empty stomach:
300 MG R-Lipoic Acid and 2 capsules of PB-8 Probiotic/Prebiotic.
After dinner:
4000 IU of Vitamin D3 and 2 super omega 3 fish oil capsules (atleast 500mg DHA).
Before bed on empty stomach:
175 mg. Magnesium Asportate and 350 mg. Magnesium Taurate.

I had around 20,000 PVC's daily and now after this regimen am down to zero to maybe 15 daily. Also,only drink alcohol once a week!!!!!!!!!!! No caffeine and watch the carbs. I now eat 1200 calories daily and am loosing weight and feeling great again. Since my heart beats normal now I feel tons of energy and am working out like the hulk!

Craig P said...

Hello my name is Craig. I am 52 years old and probably in to my second year of experiencing skipped beats and wow did it freak me out when they first started!!!. So after visits to the GP, Holter monitors, ECGs and several visits to the specialist cardiologist I have been diagnosed with'extrasystoles' or skipped beats. Apparently I have a normal healthy heart according to the experts, which is great to here but as time moves on and episodes occur I find myself doubting what I have previously been told.
Generally I find they occur mostly at rest, laid in bed, particularly if I am laid on my left side - does anyone else experience this? Occasionally they occur if I bend over - again is this typical? The best thing to do to ease the symptoms I find is jump on my exercise bike and get pedalling away as I have always tried to keep relatively fit, this seems to bring the heart beat back to a normal rhythm. Albeit that's not always easy at 3 a.m. in the morning. I am currently taking beta blockers which I think is probably suppressing them but hardwork to exercise to get the heart rate high. With the odd exception I don't experience them regularly whilst exercising - again anyone else similar?
Having read many of the comments I guess my symptoms are relatively light generally varying from a handful to perhaps 100 a day, that said still an ongoing cause of frustration and concern. Good luck to all and please if you

auntie said...

I have had pvcs for the past 15 years or so and was lucky enough to have them controlled on nadolol. For some reason in the last 5 months or more the nadolol no longer seems to be working and I am having back to back pvcs 24 hours a day! I have had stress tests and Echo cardiagrams with good results... But still having uncontrolled pvcs. They have switched my medication to a calcium channel blocker( cardizem which I am having terrible side effects from and also not controlling the pvcs.... The only difference is I can no longer feel them in my chest... I know I have them by taking my pulse .. The mess give me terrible Nxiety and I need Xanax everyday to function... Does any one else have this problem... I am so desperate for help I Sm considering a cardiac ablation which I am terrified to have.... Any advice would be much appreciated??

auntie said...

Hello Craig... I have symptoms similar to yours... Worse pvcs when laying in my left side and normal heart beat with exercise... My problem now is u am on a calcium channel blocker instead of beta blocker and am having terrible side effects from it... More pvcs with exercise and terrible anxiety.. I hate to keep switching medications but am desperate for help since nothing seems to work now!!

auntie said...

I am very interested in trying your supplement plan. I too experience thousands of pvcs daily I was on a beta blocker that provided relief for a long time but the pvcs returned. I am now on a calcium channel blocker and experiencing many side effects without much Relief. How did you come up with this plan and were you previously on any medication? I'm scared to come off the medication with all the scares of sudden death or heart attack after stopping the drugs! I am so miserable and depressed right now... I feel as though I am no longer enjoying life at all!!

Unknown said...

I just stumbled upon this to see if anyone else had the same success I did. I wore the monitor and had the Echo and was diagnosed with pvc's I also had week positive gilidan test for gluten. I went off gluten and my pvc's are completely gone! I think it has something to do with your intestines not being able to absorb the nutrient of calcium because of the damage from gluten. I also noticed my teeth which have been the worst and felt like we're just rotting away (and I bet a lot of you have this issue too) well they now feel so much strong and are not sensitive at all! My youngest daughter is not growing on her growth curve and she was given a cealiac panel and they said she did not have it. I asked them to give her the same test she gave me... And finally it came back positive.. So now we have a starting point! Hope this helps someone pvc's are terrifying... And for me used to lead to a panic attack almost everytime.

Unknown said...

So I am 46, male, in good physical shape. When I was 36, I was placed on an antibiotic called Z-Pac which caused a full on heart attack (MI), I rushed to the ER, had an Angioplasty, and no blockage, since it was antibiotic induced (most people with PVC's and sensitive heart beats should not take Z-Pac). After recovery, I noticed I started getting PVC's and over the last 5 years they really started to bother me daily. I ran the treadmill every day, tried many diets, read hundreds of blogs, and could not shake these things. Mine got so bad that at night when got out of bed and in the morning, just standing up triggered an episode... I was frustrated and also visited cardio over and over, did halter, treadmill and still felt PVC's... So here is what made 98% of mine go away OVERNIGHT. I DID A 24 HOUR FOOD AND WATER FAST and after 24 hours, I was hungry and thirsty but I was no longer feeling my PVC's. I wondered why? Almost overnight, no PVC's it was too good to be true, so I considered that the fast had something to do with it, then it must be something else I was consuming that caused them... but what? Today marks my 30th day without ANY caffeine - I mean NONE, not a sip, not a cheat, NONE. I completely stopped drinking caffeine and 98% of my PVC's are gone. So was it the caffeine? I mean I did drink a small diet soda a day with what I thought was just a little caffeine, but the fast forced my body to go without for a full 24 hours and probably aided in some additional cleansing.

Today I decided to grab a healthy non-caffeinated drink, so I picked the all natural Kombucha drink. 15 minutes after drinking 1/2 of the bottle, I started noticing a few PVC's, so I went the the Internet and discovered that in spite of the labeling on the bottle, Kombucha has some caffeine in it. WOW, I was right, just a little caffeine causes big PVC's for me...

Try a fast for 24 hours, food and water (get medical advice first if needed) then cut the caffeine COMPLETELY. See if it makes a difference for you, it did for me and a nice side effect, no ups and downs, much better sleep, my energy is back, I wake up refreshed in the morning and am no longer tired and I am sure all of these lighted the load for the body and ease stress.

Anonymous said...

Hey People,

i also have got extrasystoles for 2 years, still having them.
The funny thing is, nobody mentions how much extrasystoles do you have.
I would say, this is really important.

For instance, i have like 10,000-20,000 extrasystoles PER DAY. Yes, the number is correct. In my case, the body position seems to trigger the extrasystoles. When i sit - sometimes every second hear beat is skipped! And i am sitting a lot. When i am standing it is much better. When i am laying, it is bad, but better than when i am sitting. I am not a doctor, but it occurs to me, like something in my belly is pressing the heart when i sit. I told it to at least 5 cardiologists, but i am sure all of you made your own experience with doctors, so it won't be a big surprise for you that these doctors though i am crazy. I bought my own ECG monitor, now i am about to show the doctors my ECG records, can't wait what they say.
Yes, they suggested to take beta blockers, but this is not a solution when something is squeezing my heart. Also, some of you had beta blockers, and these drugs stop working after some time, which is very logical. I am 40 years old male.
So again, when you submitting a comment, don't forget to mention how many extrasystoles per day.







klutz525 said...

I am your age, 64, and started having PVCs/tachycardia when I was 27 after the birth of my second child. I didn't have them all my life until they hit me one day, bam!, and I've had them ever since. There have been periods of "quiet" where my heart settled down for weeks or even months with hardly a PVC. But then they start up again, especially with too much stress or anxiety or lack of sleep, as happened before this past Christmas. I can get several every minutes.

I was on many different meds over the years, most recently Bystolic after a trip to the ER for terrible irregular heart beats. That was two years ago. It seemed to help a lot, but then on Christmas Day 2015, they came back with a vengeance due to the pre-holiday stress and traveling a lot. At times I felt incapacitated. I did some research online and found that Acebutolol (Sectral) was an older med that seemed to have a good track record and good reviews for effectiveness, so I brought it up to my new cardiologist and he said it might be a good med to try. Now I have only been on it one day, and maybe it's coincidence, but I noticed a big decrease in PVCs today after having them all day yesterday. Just felt a few in the evening after a meal, which is typical. I found that eating too much at a meal can trigger them since the stomach and vagus nerve somehow are tied to the action of the heart. I would suggest any of you interested do a google search about Acebutolol and see if your doctor thinks it's worth a try. I've read many good reviews on it, and I read the side effects are not that many or that bad with this med. I have been through breast cancer, worsening spinal stenosis, losing all hearing in one ear and getting tinnitus, and through it all my faith has helped. I have social anxiety at times and rare panic attacks, and these can make the ectopic beats worse. But I also have my faith and turn to the Lord (I am a Christian) to sustain me. I would highly recommend reading the Bible, the book of John, if you are seeking spiritual help. Despite the health problems, I feel blessed and the Lord has given me His grace to help me through it all. Being miserable has its good side...many tend to seek the Lord with all their heart in times like these, and He promises in His Word that if you do so you will find Him. Prayers and best to all of you dealing with this issue.

Unknown said...

Hello friend
Facts about VEB
For 16 years suffering from VB i couldint get benefit unless i saw a kurdish doctor by chance his name was Dr.Besaran Fattah
He was a cosmetic doctor but he has good expirience and search behind VEB he gave me and explain for me these facts all of ghese information i get from hom and actually they were fantastic bellow i give you his email as well
Let me to explain for you some important point may be useful for most

If you did all tests and all were normal so usually your beat either come from atria or ventricle if from ventricle may be rither right left
Usually these beat are boring but up to my search for last 16 years ago mo one doe because of hese beat if death happen may be because of other underline disease like Atherosclerosis or other chronic disease or some cong electrophysiological disease but ectopic heat merely not fatal but boring .

Some helful guide :
Any increse in abdominal pressure will stimulate and increase these beat like
Lifting
Heavy exercise
Heavy meal
Singing
Shouting
Or bending forword
Or
Lying on left side
Chronic stress
Some drink and food
Cafine
Alcohole
Smokong
Cola
Pepsi
Red meat

Lack of sleep

So by breaking these cause you supress these beat

However some time they get with out alarm but forget them and dont pay attension
Because any incrrase in adrenaline and cathecol amine will trigger them

Thank for D.Besaran Fattah who is living in kurdistan of iraq he was a cosmetic doctor not a cardiologist but with sound knowledge
You can contact him if you suffer from my problem
His face book is
Besaran Qader Fattah or besaran Qader Fatah by one t not double of fattah

Good luck

Unknown said...

My doctor didn't do anything past the 24 hour Holter and exercise stress test. I got a referral to a cardiologist on my own. He did the same thing and prescribed me beta blockers which did nothing. I'm taking magnesium and it seems to be helping for the last two days. I'd like to get an appointment for an echocardiogram to check the structure and function of the heart. I'm calling this Monday.

Unknown said...

Are you drinking anything with Aspertame in it? I stopped aspertame which was in diet Mounting Dew I drank regularly. My PVCS's reduced by 90% after stopping any Aspertame. After 5 years of trying almost everything, thus finally worked

RyanC said...

Hey guys. Been suffering from these things for over a year, and they're very upsetting. Had every test I could have ( echocardiogram, 24-hour Holter monitor twice, event monitors lasting two weeks twice, treadmill stress test, 20 or so EKGs ), and nothing abnormal was found. They called them normal PVCs. Today is the worst day I've ever had with them. At this point in the day ( 5 PM ), I've had about 60. Think it's a new record. They suck, but learning acceptance is something I've never been good at. One of the key tools to employ while dealing with these things is learning to ease stress, get good sleep, and eat well.

Unknown said...

I would be more than happy to do this

Unknown said...

Do u just cut out all gluten

Unknown said...

Hello! Please be assured that you are not going to die from this nor do you have a serious heart condition. I totally get where you are coming from. I am now 60 with twin boys (34 years old) and have suffered from the same feelings as you. I have had numerous heart tests even having a 4 day stay in hospital because my PVC’s wouldn’t stop! Every test, every monitor, cardio gram, echo cardio gram and even this nuclear CT scan of my heart comes up negative. How frustrating. A few weeks ago I wound up in ER because I panicked and sent my PVC’s soaring where I couldn’t calm myself down. That’s because the doctor finally put me on beta blockers and they worked so well I was totally stressed when they came back! So proof that they don’t always disappear for good but be prepared when they do. I do plan on taking some of the supplements suggested on this forum. Maybe it will help. I have been having a pretty constant “spell” of PVC’s for about 3 weeks now. After consulting with both my GP and cardiologist it’s best I just keep working through them. As we used to say “keep on keepin’ on!” So don’t panic as this only makes them worse. They come and go and can disappear for many, many years and then suddenly reappear. Oh well I say. I can do this I say and just keep going. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and the more you learn about these pesky, rotten PVC’s the more relaxed you will feel about them. They WILL go away. Hang in there. I know exactly how you feel. You will be fine! Promise!

Unknown said...

God bless you. Thank you.

Pebbles5541 said...

Hang in there! The reality is the doctors basically don’t know what causes them or how to make them go away! I only have PVCS on exertion. So basically as long as I do NOTHING but a slow walk all is fine. I really can’t take this much longer. I’ve called 911 twice, have had every heart test known to man and just got an ablation thstbwas unsuccessful. I’m ready to give up. I have no quality of life and no answers. Hoping getting on here and some support groups will help me!

Sharon said...

I am feeling so similar to you. Please let me know how you are doing. I had an EP study and they found nothing to ablate so they implanted a cardiac device. I just want them gone because I can't cope and now I am pregnant.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I just wanted to share that I had PVCs for over 4 years started on occasion then it progresses to almost everyday, I had test constantly and the Dr. Says I was fine that it was normal. I decided to take matters in my own hands and I started taking undulphured blackstrap molasses everyday and started to show some progress but I still had the PVCs. It was only when I stop having coffee and limiting sugar that my PVCs disapier. Now I don't have PVCs anymore I notice that I am sensitive to cafeine and sugar. Try substituting your coffee for molasses every morning 1tbs with warm water should help. I must to been low in iron and low iron causes palpitationd hope someone finds this helpful.

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Frank Hilliard said...

I get some relief from a combination of alcohol, a meal and a short walk. Specifically, two beers, a glass of wine, typical meal of meat and two vedge, then a 15-minute walk. This puts my heart up to 80BPM and leaves me PVC-free for up to four hours.

Anonymous said...

I also noted that they are posture related and they come after eating.

Unknown said...

Hello! I see that this comment was 7 years ago, I was wondering if the documentary ever came out? I'd love to see it!!

Unknown said...

Anna
I'm so sorry that your feeling miserable. I'm 51 and had them since last December. I had a ekg, echocardiogram, blood test and heart monitor.my cardiologist says there benign pvcs and pacs. They make me feel terrified and depressed.
I don't care that they say there benign, still extremely scary and wish they would go away.
Your not alone!! Try and relaxe and get all your testing for reassurance.God bless you
Will keep you in my prayers

Unknown said...

I hate this feeling it is taking over my life How do u cope?

Pam said...

I have had an irregular heartbeat, PVCs and PACs since 1979 when at age 28 I began having a tachycardia and PVCs out of the blue. This was a few months after the birth of my second child. I have had many tests and doctors have tried several different medications. All tests showed my heart was normal, although my EKG shows abnormal but nothing the cardiologist is concerned about. I have been told my irregular heartbeat is benign. At its worst, I would get many thousands of them a day, several every minute. In my 60s I was prescribed Bystolic as a beta blocker. It seemed to help to some degree but it caused tiredness and other side effects. Eventually the PVCs returned as bad as ever. I did some research online and found a study that showed Acebutolol (Sectral) reduced the PVC count by 70% in 8 of 14 participants in a study group (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2580866/). I asked my cardiologist if I could try Acebutolol and, after trying a lower dose that wasn't as effective, he put me on 400mg twice a day. He also recommended 400 mg of Magnesium twice a day. I researched Magnesium and found that one of the most bio-available types was Magnesium Taurate, which I order on Amazon or iHerb.com. Magnesium Taurate also helps reduce PVCs. Magnesium Oxide doesn't help since only 4% is absorbed into the tissues. The Acebutolol has been highly effective in eliminating most of my PVCs. I think that the addition of Magnesium Taurate has also added to the reduction of my PVCs. I also take Vitamin D3, 2000 mg twice a day, and Calcium Citrate, 600 mg once a day. I have read from other commentors that L-Arginine along with Magnesium Taurate or Taurine are very effective in reducing PVC count. I now may go many days without a single PVC. Occasionally I will get two or three PVCs in the evening, possibly caused by emotional or stress conditions I had recently experienced. But overall taking prescription Acebutolol along with Magnesium Taurate, Vitamin D3 and Calcium Citrate have remarkably controlled my PVCs. I hope this may help fellow sufferers with PVCs. It may be worth discussing with your cardiologist. God bless.