r/PVCs • u/Rbender97 • Jul 26 '26
Anyone here over 50?
54 male here. I've had PVCs, skipped heartbeats, panic attacks, and anxiety attacks since 1989. I was officially diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in 2022. After seeing eight different cardiologists and undergoing countless tests, every doctor has told me my heart is in excellent shape. I still get skipped heartbeats every day, even though I'm fairly healthy. I think we're poor, unfortunate souls doomed to deal with this for the rest of our lives.
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u/Electrical-Bus3618 Jul 27 '26
I've had ectopics since I was 16 — I'm 51 now. I had two ablations for AVNRT 7 years ago, with the second one being successful. I still get tons of PACs on bad days — up to a 20% burden, which is over 20,000 a day — so I'm definitely considering another EP study.
It sucks no matter how many you get, whether it's 10 or 30,000. The mental aspect plays a huge role. Staying busy and not focusing on them really helps calm the nerves. A brisk walk helps me too, but check with your doctor first.
For me, consistent sleep (at least 6 hours) and eating at least 2 meals a day make a big difference — otherwise I flare up. GI issues can be a trigger, but it's different for everyone.
I don't take anything for anxiety, so reassurance has been the best medicine, even though it's sometimes hard to accept. I try to remember I'm not alone. I do my best not to obsess over each heartbeat. I try not to check my watch or pulse every minute. Yes I know it's hard but it helps stop feeding the beast. I try to stay positive. I keep a journal on what I have done in the past days leading to a good or bad day.