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What Causes Premature Ventricular Contractions?

Posted on Wed, 18 Feb 2015

Question: Hi I had all my tests done on my heart including holter monitor, ECG, stress test, and echo. All 5 eats came back normal according to the cardiologist. He found that I had 15 single pvcs, and 130 PACS single as well. My average heart rate was 71. The highest was 163 and lowest was 41 during sleep. I am concerned because my resting heart rate is around 52-56. This morning when I woke up I had the etopic beats and I would get some slow heart beats and some fast heart beats in between. This scared me. It lasted several minutes. I do suffer from a lot of anxiety. Dr. Says my anxiety could be causing this. How do I know of this is something more dangerous like afib? My heart rate is slow when I'm resting but increases s properly with movement

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You don't have atrial fibrillation, Holter monitoring didn't catch any...

Detailed Answer:
Hi Franck!
I read your query very carefully and understood your concerns.

My opinion is that you have experienced PVCs in the early hours of the morning. It's a well known fact that PVCs are intercepted as fast beats (palpitations) which are followed by compensatory slow beats.

You don't have atrial fibrillation as long as Holter monitoring didn't catch any. My advise is to stay calm and to control anxiety because stress and anxiety may increase the number of PVCs and PACs.

Also you shouldn't worry about your heart rate. Your heart seems to react properly with physical activities (normally HR is around 60 bpm at rest and around 120 bpm on physical activities.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (6 minutes later)

Thank you doctor. My first holter showed many pacs. I believe that's the ones I was feeling this morning. The first holter showed only 1 PVC and the second showed only 15 isolated PVC. I believe it is the PACS I'm feeling at rest because the come more frequent. Is it normal to have these in the morning or at bed time? Are they still benign

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should keep in mind that PVCs and PACs are always benign.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It's very difficult to differentiate PVCs and PACs without ECG or Holter. However if what you experienced today was similar with what you experienced in the past, than most probably it was PACs.

You may experience PVCs and PACs during all day, but they are more frequent in the morning. You should keep in mind that PVCs and PACs are always benign. You have nothing to fear about them.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (3 minutes later)

Thank you for explaining that Dr. XXXXXXX You are a great doctor

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It was nice to help you.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
It was nice to help you.
Wish you Health!
Dr. Benard

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

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