Increase resting HR, reduce PVCs?

A few months ago surfing the net, on some forum (maybe this one?) I read about a man who convinced his cardio to increase the base PM setting to reduce the number of PVC's.

I can't remember whether the intention was to reduce the absolute number of PVCs, or to reduce the affects--such as exhaustion, sleepiness, unplanned napping and gray-outs.

Does anyone know anything about reducing PVCs or their effects by increasing the PM base rate?

6 Comments

Two Questions:

by donr - 2014-04-12 01:04:26

1) Johnny, what's a LOT of PVC's? Your definition & mine may not agree, because I also have a LOT of them. My average rate for single PVC's is about 3 every 2 minutes. At that rate, I enjoy none of the symptoms you mentioned.

Now when I was running about 30% PVC's, I had nearly ALL of those symptoms. Graying out was the one I missed - but not very much did I miss it.

2) Rhythm: Where did you hear this approach to reducing these numbers?

My EP was talking terms of an ablation if meds plus my already installed PM did not stop them. The PM alone cannot do it. I take Flecainide to kill PVC's & Acebutolol to lower my HR & control BP. Right now, w/meds & w/o PM, my HR is about 55. My PM keeps it at 75 or better. That combo results in the rate I quoted above. I've been on this protocol for at least 5 yrs now & it seems to be working out well.

I don't think the PM can reduce them alone because if you raise the HR, the PM does that through the Atria & the SA Node. The PVC is a ventricular arrhythmia that can come from several placed in the AV Node region. Since no one really knows what causes the arrhythmia, There's no way to pick a HR that will keep them from occurring. They come EARLY, so the PM cannot predict their coming - at least w/ our current level of knowledge. They also seem to come regardless of the rate at which the heart is running, so increasing the HR does not give relief.

Donr

Ugh is the perfect word

by Gotrhythm - 2014-04-12 01:04:48

Who said? No one exactly. However, dr's evaluating my Holter monitor test said PVCs, quite a lot of them at one time, are what correlated with the symptoms I was reporting.

I'm glad to know that you experience PVCs as essentially benign. Certainly, most doctors think they are.

Unfortunately, that's not my experience.

Two questions/question 2

by Gotrhythm - 2014-04-12 08:04:06

Don, Thanks for your reply. As always, your explanations are clear and accessible to the non-medical mind.

And, I must admit, there's a level of comfort in knowing you have experienced what I'm talking about, and found the right combination of treatments for you.

As for where I heard of the approach, it was on the internet, that's all I know. I had hoped it was on this forum and someone might remember. When I read discussions a couple of days ago about speeding up the PM to something closer to one's pre-SSS normal, I remembered what I had read and thought it was worth asking about. I still think I'll ask the cardio if we can kick the PM from its current 65 closer to my old resting normal of 72. Maybe even 75. Now that I'm using only one lead, 2 and 2/3 years after implantation, I still have an estimated battery life of 9 years.

Except for the heart, my health is excellent. I think I could feel better, and I want to.

Ugh

by Jonny - 2014-04-12 08:04:23

Who said that PVCs give exhaustion, sleepiness, unplanned napping and gray-outs? I have a lot of PVCs and have absolutely none of these symptoms. They cause me no problems that I know of. John

More on PVC's

by donr - 2014-04-12 10:04:59

Good show & thanks for the kind words.

I am likewise a natural 72, paced at 75 & very comfortable that way.

To me there are limits on how penurious I want to be w/ battery life. We only live once & I'd just as soon be comfortable w/ my PM & its functioning, even if I had to have it replaced 6 months earlier.

Good luck at whatever you do w/ your cardio.

Donr

PAC's

by Alma Annie - 2014-04-13 12:04:54

Apparently mine are PAC's but I have a lot of them. About 12 every minute so pm shows. They are annoying as I feel most of them. Apparently most people have them but don't feel them. They are not dangerous. I don't think it has anything to so with raising the HR. It is just how the heart works. I have had 2 ablations for A-fib, which had no effect on PAC's
Alma Annie

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

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