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Suggest Treatment For Premature Ventricular Contractions

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Posted on Tue, 11 Nov 2014
Question: I've had benign PVCs since my early 20s (via holter monitor in the EARLY 90s). I'm now 43. They have gotten worse and sometimes "chain" together for many beats vs a few 10-15s long vs only 1-2s from my 20s... during this time, I can't swallow or breath. I've gone to a cardiologist many times but my heart just won't do it on command. I have this happen about 2Xs a day this bad and it does "flip flops" 20-30Xs a day. Sleep does help, but if I get less than 6 hrs sleep, it's doing it all day long. I've asked to be Holter Monitored yet no one wants to seem to do it. I asked to be kept overnight for observation (when it caused me to pass out and crash my car and an ambulance took me to the ER). No one wants to do it. I'm afraid one day, it will start skipping and not stop and ill end up in some form of Vfib and die. How do I get help?? My insurance is willing to pay for it.... And im under the care of a cardiologist. I can't get him to holter monitor me. He seems to want to look for all these other sources outside my heart. He gave me an echo... pretty much normal except 1/4mm thickening of L ventricular wall - which is said was ok. Thallium stress test for 15mins. Completely normal. Do I need another Cardiologist? what should I do. It happened a few minutes ago, and I passed out. My partner almost called 911, but I started breathing within 10 seconds after passing out. Oh, lastly my Dr did try alpha and beta blockers. It did little help
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Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Yes,ask for another doctor to assist you...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.

1. If your doctor does not agree to run Holter monitoring, I advise to change doctor and ask the new one to get the Holter monitoring done.

2. It is important to run this test as major arrhythmias should be ruled out. If no major arrhythmia, then, your mind would be set at peace as nothing serious would be diagnosed.

3. Betablockers will help improve heart rate. You should monitor for signs of hypotension though.

Hope it helped!
Let me know if you need further assistance!
Dr.Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Answered by
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Dr. Benard Shehu

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2257 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Premature Ventricular Contractions

Brief Answer: Yes,ask for another doctor to assist you... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns. 1. If your doctor does not agree to run Holter monitoring, I advise to change doctor and ask the new one to get the Holter monitoring done. 2. It is important to run this test as major arrhythmias should be ruled out. If no major arrhythmia, then, your mind would be set at peace as nothing serious would be diagnosed. 3. Betablockers will help improve heart rate. You should monitor for signs of hypotension though. Hope it helped! Let me know if you need further assistance! Dr.Benard