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What Does The Following Cardiac Test Result Indicate?
Question: I had several cardiac tests done twice over the past 6 months. The most recent tests were done last month. I did a stress test, echo, ECG, 2 holter monitors etc... The results of the stress test and echo came back normal showing a structurally normal heart. My holter showed 200 PACS and 15 single unifocal PVCS. I have a resting heart rate which goes around 54 which worries me but my cardiologist says it is normal and my heart is healthy. Also during sleep my heart rate went down to 41. I get worried because when I wake up in the morning I get a lot of what I think are PACS. for example this morning I could feel a lot of them and my heart starts racing. Is this a common thing to happen in the morning? It scares me because my heart will feel fast and then slow.
Brief Answer:
I recommend you to relief your anxiety!
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX! Thank you for asking on HCM! I read carefully your medical history and based on the exams performed may be concluded that:
(1) You don't have clinical data for the presence of heart failure (normal cardiac ECHO, no presence of dyspnoea);
(2) You don't suffer from ischemic heart disease (no chest pain, normal Stress test, normal ECHO);
(3) You don't have medical data about complex arrhythmia: life - threatening ventricular arrhythmia (Holter monitoring shows only 200 PACs and 15 PVCs that are clinically insignificant and no one will take into consideration as the heart is structurally normal).
So as you don't suffer from any of the three major cardiac syndromes I am happy to assure you that there is nothing serious with your heart you should worry about.
The only thing I recommend you is to find ways to relief your accumulated anxiety (after all those stressful medical exams and consults).
It would be helpful to perform more outdoor physical activities, heave a healthy diet, avoid vicious habitus (smoking, taking hard drinks), sleeping better. And if all those couldn't help; to try an anxiolytic drug like Alprazolam (but you should consult a specialist in the field first: the psychiatrist).
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings from Dr. Iliri
I recommend you to relief your anxiety!
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX! Thank you for asking on HCM! I read carefully your medical history and based on the exams performed may be concluded that:
(1) You don't have clinical data for the presence of heart failure (normal cardiac ECHO, no presence of dyspnoea);
(2) You don't suffer from ischemic heart disease (no chest pain, normal Stress test, normal ECHO);
(3) You don't have medical data about complex arrhythmia: life - threatening ventricular arrhythmia (Holter monitoring shows only 200 PACs and 15 PVCs that are clinically insignificant and no one will take into consideration as the heart is structurally normal).
So as you don't suffer from any of the three major cardiac syndromes I am happy to assure you that there is nothing serious with your heart you should worry about.
The only thing I recommend you is to find ways to relief your accumulated anxiety (after all those stressful medical exams and consults).
It would be helpful to perform more outdoor physical activities, heave a healthy diet, avoid vicious habitus (smoking, taking hard drinks), sleeping better. And if all those couldn't help; to try an anxiolytic drug like Alprazolam (but you should consult a specialist in the field first: the psychiatrist).
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings from Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi Doctor Thank you for your response. I have another question. My first holter showed 925 PACS over 48 hours 2 bigamy cycles and 3 couplets. No runs. Is this still ok? My cardiologist says it's not significant and I just want to make sure. My last holter last month only showed the 200 PACS and 15 PVCS.
Also one other thing I forgot to mention is that my holter over the 48 hours also showed that 26 % of the time I had bradycardia and 12 % of the time tachycardia. I know the tachycardia was due to anxiety . The lowest heart rate went to 41 during sleep. My usual resting heart rate is 54-60. Cardiologist also said this was normal. Are these normal findings? I asked about SSS or heart block and he said neither were even considered and my heart is healthy. Just wondering if the bradycardia is normal at 26 % of the time.
Also one other thing I forgot to mention is that my holter over the 48 hours also showed that 26 % of the time I had bradycardia and 12 % of the time tachycardia. I know the tachycardia was due to anxiety . The lowest heart rate went to 41 during sleep. My usual resting heart rate is 54-60. Cardiologist also said this was normal. Are these normal findings? I asked about SSS or heart block and he said neither were even considered and my heart is healthy. Just wondering if the bradycardia is normal at 26 % of the time.
Brief Answer:
Nothing serious with your heart again!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again! Regarding your prior 48 hours Holter monitoring I want to assure you again that there is not any significant and complex arrhythmia to worry about. It doesn't seem to be SSS; and bradycardia during sleep time is a normal physiological finding in humans. So just relax and have a friendly talk with your psychiatrist! Your big problem is not your heart, but as it obviously looks is your anxiety. You are a young man healthy and active, and you should remain so by leaving behind your unpleasant thoughts and suspicions about this issue. Just controll your anxiety!
Best wishes! From Dr. Iliri
Nothing serious with your heart again!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again! Regarding your prior 48 hours Holter monitoring I want to assure you again that there is not any significant and complex arrhythmia to worry about. It doesn't seem to be SSS; and bradycardia during sleep time is a normal physiological finding in humans. So just relax and have a friendly talk with your psychiatrist! Your big problem is not your heart, but as it obviously looks is your anxiety. You are a young man healthy and active, and you should remain so by leaving behind your unpleasant thoughts and suspicions about this issue. Just controll your anxiety!
Best wishes! From Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Doctor Thank you I also believe anxiety has a major role in this. I was just wondering do the pvcs or pacs lead to AF OR SVT or even VT. That is what really scares me. Can this happen with a healthy heart?
I worry about stuff because sometimes I will be standing up and I check my pulse and it feels regular but then I will get a beat where it feels like my heart is struggling to beat. It is a little slower. Is this something common and a normal function of the heart? Also can bradycardia cause the heart to stop
I worry about stuff because sometimes I will be standing up and I check my pulse and it feels regular but then I will get a beat where it feels like my heart is struggling to beat. It is a little slower. Is this something common and a normal function of the heart? Also can bradycardia cause the heart to stop
Brief Answer:
We don't have existing data to suspect about complex arrhythmia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! I see that you are really scared and anxious on what can happen. PACs and PVCs may be concomitant findings in patients experiencing SVT, paroxysmal AF or VT. They may even precede the appearance of these complex arrhythmia. This frequently happens when there exists an organic substrate, thus a dilated cardiopathy, ischemic heart disease, a valvular problem, etc. But in your case the probability of inducing a complex arrhythmia is very low. So don't worry about that. Your heart has resulted normal; and no any performed exams revealed signs of complex arrhythmia (AF,SVT,VT). So there is not any reason why you should be worried about.
Hope that I could relief somehow your anxiety.
Greetings.
We don't have existing data to suspect about complex arrhythmia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! I see that you are really scared and anxious on what can happen. PACs and PVCs may be concomitant findings in patients experiencing SVT, paroxysmal AF or VT. They may even precede the appearance of these complex arrhythmia. This frequently happens when there exists an organic substrate, thus a dilated cardiopathy, ischemic heart disease, a valvular problem, etc. But in your case the probability of inducing a complex arrhythmia is very low. So don't worry about that. Your heart has resulted normal; and no any performed exams revealed signs of complex arrhythmia (AF,SVT,VT). So there is not any reason why you should be worried about.
Hope that I could relief somehow your anxiety.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you doctor for your encouraging words. I was just wondering is there anything I can do to make the PACS go away when they are occurring? Also is it safe for me to take supplements such as omega 3, vitamin C, vitamin b12 , and magnesium?
Brief Answer:
No medications are needed.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX! Your 200 PACs do not deserve any treatment; no medication would be justified in that case. The only thing I would recommend you is to go outside and perform physical activity, relief your stress. Regarding those supplements, they are well tolerated. I would recommend you can try them, but do not exaggerate. Wish you a good health! Dr. Iliri
No medications are needed.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX! Your 200 PACs do not deserve any treatment; no medication would be justified in that case. The only thing I would recommend you is to go outside and perform physical activity, relief your stress. Regarding those supplements, they are well tolerated. I would recommend you can try them, but do not exaggerate. Wish you a good health! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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