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What Causes Frequent PACS And PVCS?

Posted on Fri, 13 Nov 2015

Question: I have been feeling an increase in my benign Pacs tonight. They are worrying me and I was just wondering if these are really benign or if they are worrisome. My echo and stress test 2 months ago was clear and showed a structurally normal heart only PACS and 15 PVCS

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
PACs and PVCs on their own never cause cardiac arrest and death...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!

PACs and PVCs on their own never cause cardiac arrest and death. This is why PACs and PVCs aren't worrisome and are considered benign.

As long as ECHO and stress test were normal you shouldn't worry, you have a normal heart. I suggest to run other tests to find out what trigger or aggravate those arrhythmias.

If you were my patient I would recommend:
- Blood work (to exclude electrolyte imbalance and anemia)
- Hormonal analysis (to exclude any hormonal anomalies especially hyperthyroidism)
- A healthy life style and diet
- A regular follow up with cardiac examinations once a year to reassure you that everything is going on the right direction.

Hope this was of help!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (7 hours later)

Thank you for your explanation. Is there a reason why the etopic beats happen more at night? Last night I was getting so many before bed. Is that normal? My cardiologist has told me everything is fine with my heart but I can't understand why I am getting these etopic beats. Is it true almost everyone gets them?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX!

Cradiac ectopic beats are felt more at night because it's more quite and your brain is more aware of minimal rhythm change.

It's true that almost everyone has ectopic beats, but someone is more aware of them than the others.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (48 hours later)

Doctor I have one other question. Is it possible that an etopic beat feels like a double beat instead of a pause? Is this normal? I thought I felt a double beat for one beat when I checked my pulse. Today I have had a lot of anxiety. Also is the anxiety causing the etopic beats or do the etopic beats cause anxiety?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Anxiety can cause ectopic beats will increase your anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX,

Yes it's Normal to feel an ectopic beat like a double beat (instead of a pause), especially if the ectopic beat is immediately after the normal beat.

It's a well known fact that anxiety can cause or trigger ectopic beats and on the other hand the ectopic beats will increase your anxiety.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (14 minutes later)

Thank you doctor! Is this beat more dangerous?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No it isn't dangerous.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

No it isn't dangerous. It's benign as other ectopic beats (PACs and PVCs) only when you check the pulse it feels a different way. You shouldn't worry about that to.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (21 hours later)

Doctor I have one last question and then I will close the discussion. I wasn't feeling well this morning as I was a little anxious and my heart was racing. I could feel some etopic beats. I sat down for a while and my heart calmed down. When I was calm I put my hand on my chest to feel my heart and I noticed every once in a while I could feel one or 2 heart beats on my hand through my chest but only once in a while. So every 30 seconds I could feel a stronger heart beat. Is that normal. They did not feel like an etopic beat more like a more forceful beat

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX,

Although it looks different you shouldn't worry, this is typical for ectopic beats. My opinion is that there is nothing to worry about those ectopic beats.

You should focus on the treatment of anxiety and acid reflux. This will be of help on stabilising your arrhythmia.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Doctor Thank you for your time and patience that you have spent with me. I really appreciate it as I try to get past this difficult time. Is it common to have slight bradycardia with etopic beats? Is that normal? With a healthy heart.

Also how can I tell the difference between etopic beats and a more serious arythmia? Will I know if it's more serious?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It's normal also that ectopic beats to be followed by bradycardia.

Also you should know lifetheeatening aŕhythmias from symptoms and examinations. As long as your examinations are normal you shouldn't worry about those arrhythmias.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

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