What Do Isolated PVCs And PACs In Cardiac Test Results Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 18 Mar 2015

Question: I recently had all cardiac testing redone for reassurance about palpitations. I was given a holter monitor 48 hour, stress test, echo and ecgs. All came back normal but showed 15 isolated unifocal PVCS and 200 single PACS. It also showed my heart was in bradycardia 25 % of the total time. I have a resting heart rate around 54 BPM. During sleep it went as low as 41. This scared me about the low resting heart rate but my cardiologist says it's normal. My echo showed a structurally normal heart with some trace regurgitation in a few spots. He said this is also nothing of concern. I had blood work done and everything has come back normal including cholesterol and glucose. My B12 level showed 217 which said normal but I've read that is low. Can this be causing these symptoms? Please help I'm worried even though my cardiologist says my heart is very healthy. Are the pvcs and pacs common. I suffer from anxiety. Also I have noticed when I stand up to urinate my heart will beat slow and sometimes hard until I'm finished. I can feel it in my throat. Is this normal

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing abnormal

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

Isolated PVCs and PACs are common finding in healthy adults. Up to 500-700 a day are not considered to be abnormal.
If you don't have complaints like dizziness and tiredness during physical activity then the resting pulse of 54bpm is quite normal. And usually heart rate goes down during the sleep, and 41 bpm during deep sleep is not abnormal. It is seen in healthy adults quite frequent. The same is with the resting heart rate from 50-60.
There is a reflex on heart rate during urination, so nothing to worry.
Also there is nothing to worry for vit B12 level. But if you concerned much you can use vit B12 containing supplements for a month.
You should know that all these findings are normal and not caused by anything else.

Hope I could help you

Wishing you good health

In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask

Regards,

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

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (15 hours later)

Hi Doctor Thank you for your response. I have another question. I noticed when I wake up in the morning I will get quite a few PACS and my heart rate seems irregular. Fast and slow. It lasts a few minutes until I get up and walk around and do some deep breathing. Is this a common thing? It is very scary and uncomfortable. Could my cardiologist have missed something? I've had the tests done twice in the last 6 months
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.

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sick sinua syndrome is not probable

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

It is not abnormal to have some extrasystolies shortly after waking up.
And some percent of tachycardia is also considered to be normal.
I don't think that your doctor has missed something.
In case of sick sinus syndrome you wouldn't have adequate pulse increase during physical activity, which your doctor surely would have noticed on holter. So I don't think you have sick sinus syndrome.

Wishing you good health

Regards,

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

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (32 minutes later)

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. My cardiologist says my heart muscles are strong and I shouldn't worry because it can handle pvcs and pvcs. I just get worried when it feels irregular like certain beats feel like the heart struggles to beat

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing abnormal with your heart

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

The amount and type of extrasystolies which you have don't cause neither ventricular tachycardia nor atrial fibrillation.
Your heart has no reason for stopping.
I assure you there is nothing to be concerned. You don't have heart problems, forget it and live happy

Wishing you good health

Regards,

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

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (1 hour later)

Thank you doctor you have put my mind at ease. Is there anything I can do when I get the PACS in the morning that will help me make them go away?

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome back

Detailed Answer:
You can take a deep breath

Regards,

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

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (0 minute later)

Is it safe to take supplements such as omega 3, vitamin C, vitamin b12, and magnesium?

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can take the supplements safely

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

It is quite safe to take the supplements you have mentioned.
My advise will be not to take them for a long time, vitC for 10 days, the others for 2-3 months.

Wishing you good health

Regards,

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

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