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Is There A Correlation Between Heart Murmurs And Premature Ventricular Beats?

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Posted on Fri, 16 Nov 2012
Question: I was wondering if there is a correlation between heart murmurs and premature ventricular beats. Also is PVC's XXXXXXX if you have not other symptoms.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (55 minutes later)
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Murmur and premature ventricular beats are two different issues. They have no direct relation – both can result from a same cause.

The first step is to see a cardiologist

These ectopic beats could be normal in some persons. However more INVESTIGATIONS are needed.
     24 to 48 hour ambulatory monitoring (Holter) is done to analyse and plan for further management.
     ECHOcardiogram is necessary to see the heart valves (muscle (Cardiomyopathy) and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality)
     Treadmill exercise ECG (TMT) is done to exclude Ischemia (reduced blood flow)
     Laboratory work-up is routine - like blood counts, sugar, urea, electrolytes (potassium in particular), thyroid (over-active) etc.
The treating doctor may suggest them based on the situation. There are advanced techniques of investigations of increasing complexity more (some of them invasive) – which are rarely needed.

There are many CAUSES –
     Anxiety / Alcohol / Tobacco (smoking, chewing) / Caffeine (too much coffee, cola) are common causes.
     Medicines may be responsible – like phenlephrine, pseudoephedrine used for ‘cold’ / salbutamol, salmeterol used for asthma / Illicit ‘drugs’ like amphetamine are notorious to cause abnormal beats
     Rarely, there are abnormal nerve paths (pass tracts) in the heart..

A specific TREATMENT for the beats may often not be necessary.
There are several drugs - acting by different mechanisms - the specialist will decide tailored to the individual. Beta blockers are generally started – eg. Metoprolol – slow release and small dose – will benefit.
Your doctor will suggest proper prescription and follow up


Take care
Wishing you speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (14 hours later)
Thank you, I did call my doctor yesterday, the office was closed and will follow up on Monday. However, I read blogs on this stating that pvc's correlated with heartburn and digestive problems, is there a correlation? I read several that stated there was, but the respondents were not doctors? Is there any truth to this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (8 hours later)
Hi

There is no direct correlation between the two.
The two may, by chance, be there in one patient.

Good luck
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Anantharamakrishnan

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1966

Answered : 4505 Questions

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Is There A Correlation Between Heart Murmurs And Premature Ventricular Beats?

Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Murmur and premature ventricular beats are two different issues. They have no direct relation – both can result from a same cause.

The first step is to see a cardiologist

These ectopic beats could be normal in some persons. However more INVESTIGATIONS are needed.
     24 to 48 hour ambulatory monitoring (Holter) is done to analyse and plan for further management.
     ECHOcardiogram is necessary to see the heart valves (muscle (Cardiomyopathy) and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality)
     Treadmill exercise ECG (TMT) is done to exclude Ischemia (reduced blood flow)
     Laboratory work-up is routine - like blood counts, sugar, urea, electrolytes (potassium in particular), thyroid (over-active) etc.
The treating doctor may suggest them based on the situation. There are advanced techniques of investigations of increasing complexity more (some of them invasive) – which are rarely needed.

There are many CAUSES –
     Anxiety / Alcohol / Tobacco (smoking, chewing) / Caffeine (too much coffee, cola) are common causes.
     Medicines may be responsible – like phenlephrine, pseudoephedrine used for ‘cold’ / salbutamol, salmeterol used for asthma / Illicit ‘drugs’ like amphetamine are notorious to cause abnormal beats
     Rarely, there are abnormal nerve paths (pass tracts) in the heart..

A specific TREATMENT for the beats may often not be necessary.
There are several drugs - acting by different mechanisms - the specialist will decide tailored to the individual. Beta blockers are generally started – eg. Metoprolol – slow release and small dose – will benefit.
Your doctor will suggest proper prescription and follow up


Take care
Wishing you speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck