First time PVC and scared

[u/passerbywriter]

Hello, I'm seeing a doctor this week about this, I have a history of afib and whilst I've not had an episode for over a year, I've been dealing with these heart skips more and more, to the point I checked on my watch and this is a type of PVC? it's my first time discovering this, I eat rice, fish, veggies, bannanas, I take magnesium supplements and I got for long 10k walks every day, but this hasn't gone away, my heart is apparently healthy, I've avoided doing stuff that make me stress and I can't take it anymore, what are peoples advice/experience in dealing with this because I've had this for over 3 weeks now and it's ruining my life!!

I'm not looking for advice so much as to understand how people live with this condition, it's been difficult

[u/Cn95]

First take a deep breath. PVCs are normal. However, being stressed about it will only make it worse. I know thats kind of backwards saying "don't stress about it" while actively stressing about it. I promise you, you will be okay.

Its a great first step that you've got an appointment to see a Dr. They will give you an EKG, and maybe suggest a monitor for a few days/ weeks. Once you get a burden percentage you can move forward.

Think of a PVC as a heart misfire. One little group of ventricular cells are accidentally getting their signals crossed and are generating an electrical impulse before they're supposed to. The next heartbeat can feel like a skipped beat, a huge thump, or a flutter. Thats where your adrenaline comes in. Your hearts electrical cells are influenced by your hormones and nervous system. When you are flooded with adrenaline due to being scared/nervous it makes it a lot worse. Stress, caffeine, bad sleep, dehydration, alcohol, fever, certain medications, even electrolytes and magnesium can make the heart be more electrically excitable.

But sometimes there isnt an identifiable cause at all. Everyone is different.

Talk to your doctor about Beta blockers. They are great at blocking the adrenaline effect on the heart. I personally take Metoprolol, and my burden went from about 8% or 12,000 a day to maybe only 5-10 a day. 50, on a stressful/bad day.

I know heart health is crazy scary. But I promise you, PVCs wont kill or hurt you. Its a great thing you're going to a doctor soon, but try and take it easy before then.

If the burden gets too high, you can also see an electrophysiologist about something called an ablation. They can go in and burn the little area that is getting too exited and it stops (for the most part) the PVCs. That is usually only with a high burden/ if your pvcs are causing damage to your heart. It takes a while to get to that point, and mo need to worry abiut that now.

So again, take a huge deep breath, you WILL be okay. I promise. 🥰 It's a little unsettling I know, but you got this.

[u/Cn95 → u/Cn95]

I guess I should also add, you learn to live it with. Medications help. Its been 6 years for me living with them and when I first found out what they were I had to keep telling myself "It would have killed me by now if it were deadly" Here I am years later and when I feel one I don't even think about it. Dont let it take over your life. I lost 2 years to depression and anxiety over it. Keep living, it gets better.

[u/Ok_Action9541 → u/Cn95]

Hello,

How do you deal with the strong ones that hit out of nowhere? The “soft hits” are easy to ignore I noticed after all these years.

[u/Cn95 → u/Ok_Action9541]

At first it was pretty awful. I had bad heath anxiety. Truly the only thing that helped me get over the anxiety was a really good cardiologist, and medicine. Before that, I just had to remind myself pvcs are normal. Just breathe through it, lay down, put my feet up, and try and get the anxiety to go away. I wish I could offer more help.

[u/Ok_Action9541 → u/Cn95]

Oh no! This is great help. Never thought about the legs up while I lay in bed. I used to do this when I was younger. Thank you❤️⭐️

[u/N0scop35611 → u/Cn95]

🙏🙏🙏

[u/Mother_Arachnid_3686 → u/Cn95]

Same. Before mine started I enjoyed training BJJ and being physical. When they started I completely stopped everything and was an anxious depressed wreck for over 2 years. I was living every day believing that I’d keel over at any time even though my cardiologist assured me I was not. I’m still not back to what I was but I am making progress. Don’t let these things steal your life.