This was the best video I’ve seen from the patients perception. Thank you. I was in for an ablation the end of Feb. 2023 to correct PAC’s (I was also showing PVC’s but the PAC’s were worse. So he was going to correct that only on this procedure) during the procedure my heart went in to some pretty significant afib so he had to stop. (I wasn’t under general and you need to be for afib correction) he also found ‘flutter’ he did correct the flutter in hopes that would calm the afib and it did not. So now I’m in a holding pattern for 3 months waiting for that inflammation to resolve then he’s going back in. I’m also show a lot of PVC’s now and Sinus Rhythm w/Supraventricular Ectopy (which I believe to be the PAC’s), tachycardia and bradycardia… I too feel exhausted ALL the time. And I experience hard heavy beats in my heart that are sometimes scary. I have to really motivate myself to just get out of my recliner to do anything. But I keep making myself. I can not wait to have all this resolved. Thanks again for your awesome documentation video. Congratulations on your success!!!
Having an ablation in 6 days, pretty nervous about it. Your video was very helpful and I am going to proceed with more confidence. Thankyou for sharing your story❤
@@bryansalerno6078 it went great so far. Been 1 month, doc said I can still have a fib off and on over the next couple months but so far have just seen normal rhythm.
I had PVC ablation in the UK Feb 2024. I wish we were put under anaesthetic here, but we are awake with light sedation. This made it simultaneously the best and worst thing to happen to me. It was not a pain-free free experience at all, but the immediate relief from the symptoms is brilliant. Keith, I've never heard someone talk about PVC symptoms like you, the degree of which was similar to mine. I wish I saw this a year ago because I feel really validated. All the best in your future.
I have had occasional PVCs since I was 21. I am now 47 male and about 2 weeks ago I started getting them constantly out of nowhere. I am extremely fit and exercise 7 days/week lifting weights and cardio, have never been overweight and am extremely active and eat a very healthy diet. I get none during my workouts. When I am sitting down or lying down they happen nonstop. Like 1-2 every minute. I cannot live like this anymore and feel like I am going to die. Had a 3 day monitor last week and still waiting for the results. The earliest apt I could get with a cardiologist is 11/30. I can't believe they make people wait months for these appointments. It's crazy. They gave me propranolol (a beta blocker) to take in the meantime. I hate it. All it does is make me extremely tired and dizzy and does not help the PVCs. I still get them constantly. I have become depressed and don't want to go anywhere or do anything. I have pretty much been camped out at my parent's house because I am afraid to be alone because my constantly flip-flopping heart makes me feel like I am going to die. Anyone who has endured these is so incredibly brave. We should have a weekly support group meeting.
I know that feeling. Mine was to the stage where I was having 20 per minute or more (the day of surgery, it was over 30 per minute). You are strong. You will make it! In my case, eating foods rich in Potassium (salmon, avacado, potatoes), in moderation, helped with the symptoms some and helped keep my spirits up. My Electrophysiologist cautioned me against excessive supplementation with Potassium. There is significant risk in overdoing it. I'd say it would be a good idea to learn and know the dietary guidelines if you are going to add more to your diet. Keep your chin up!
@@winninginthewind Thanks. Did you every try any of the antiarrythmic drugs and if so did they work for you? If I need an ablation I'm hoping to take a drug if it actually works in the meantime to aleviate the symptoms.
Try talking to your doctor about a cardio-selective beta-blocker, Propanolol was my first try and it's terrible, but the doctor was telling me he thought I had anxiety. 2 weeks later, having been in trigeminy for most of it, I was given Bisporolol, which is better therapeutically, but the side-effects are rough.
Your symptoms are very much like mine except I think I get a lot more PVCs than you. I was given various beta blockers and even a calcium channel blocker, and they did nothing. I'm currently on flecainide and an anti-coagulant for Afib, but the flecainide is no longer helping with the PVCs. There is always that fear in the back of one's mind that you'll collapse or die, even though that isn't reality. I think the stress makes them worse. It's totally normal for them to go away when you're exercising, and then come back when you're at rest. To me, the worst part is that they seem to get worse in the evening; I don't want to go to bed because lying down makes them feel much worse, with the skipping and thumping that I can feel all through my body. Can hardly get any sleep with that going on. I had an ablation 21 years ago for tachycardia, so I know what to expect (it's really no big deal), and now that I've developed Afib I'm going to have another one. The electrophysiologist said he'll try to find areas to ablate for the PVCs, too. Unfortunately the procedure is two months out, and I've got to put up with this until then. Take care and try not to worry so much. If PVCs are your only problem, you're not going to have a heart attack or die. It's just a really scary thing to put up with.
Going down this path now. Just got through with 14 days of monitoring. I’m a 30% misfire guy. Going to the electrician in about 3 weeks. Wish me luck at 71.
Thank you for this video i am scheduled for an ablation on Dec 11 2023 and was nervous about it but after watching your experience with the surgery I am a little bit less apprehensive about my procedure
Thanks for the video. I have the same issue and will be having an ablation sometime before the end of the year. It's encouraging to hear how much more energetic you felt after. I am 63 and fairly active, but I know this is dragging me down. Looking forward to being a "new man"!
Just got results of three-day Holter and it showed 86,000+ PVCs with a "burden" of 20%. Did a 24-hour Holter in June 2023 and the burden was 11%. Tried a beta blocker but just could not tolerate it (Metoprolol). My guess? Ablation is in my future. I hate this pounding in my chest. And most days I take a NAP - argh. I do not have time for naps. Hope my situation improves and I have renewed energy like you did! Thanks for your candor and "historical" video!
Thank you so much for sharing. I am going in for my ablation in a little over a week and hearing a good story including the recovery really puts my mind at ease. I was pretty cool with it already, but I may have my wife watch this because she's a bit freaked out. I love that you feel better than you have in 10 years. I felt that looking back I wonder how long I had my PVC cardiomyopathy issues. I remember being a skiier then one year my legs just had no strength and nearly ruined my trip - that was 10 years ago and made me think I'd never enjoy skiing again. Maybe that's not necessarily true. Your story about your 2 doctors is a great one to take note of. You have to be your own advocate. Doctors may go to school for decades but they aren't running around in your body 24-7, you are. You are the best QA to know if something is off. Trust that. Get other opinions if your issue isnt being addressed. Thanks again!
@@CountryBoyTnn Pretty well. I could tell the difference right away - it was like my heart was 'quiet' for the first time in a while. They did have to wake me up during the procedure to get the PVCs to appear, that sucked a little. Post, my wounds healed up as predicted, almost 100% now. I did get a bacterial infection in my throat, I think from the intubation, so I am on antibiotics which cleared it up. Can't wait to be clear of that and blood thinners and start exercising.
I’m on the verge of tears. 🥲 You have described my life with PVCs. I came searching specifically for a video that was PVC ablation and here you are! This is so incredibly helpful and encouraging. I feel like this condition is so dismissed by medical professionals. I told my cardiologist that I’m experiencing a level of fatigue I’ve never dealt with in my life and he said “that’s not associated with your condition”. Ugh! I’m getting ready to have my first visit with an Electrophysiologist. Your information will help my journey! Thank you.
I had my PVC ablation also 7 days ago, Im just 37 years old and I can tell the difference before and after ng procedure. I've been diagnosed with PVC's 5 yrs. Ago until recently I had also similar symptoms like yours Keith like chestpain, shortness of breath and fatigue. Iv'e been in and out of e.r. and ICU because of it and my potassium is always low even if I'm eating foods with high potassium (now it was explained to me by my EPS cardiologist that my heart is using too much potassium because of the PVC's because our heart is a muscle-that's why I always have hypokalemia). I've tried different meds like beta blockers, TMZ etc. But I cannot tolerate it's side effects which made me a good candidate for ablation.. Now I'm glad that I had it (but I was awake during the procedure and it was extremely painful everytime they will ablate the tissue in my heart). My cardiologist explained to me that I need to be awake during the almost 4hrs procedure because sometimes if you are sleeping during the procedure the PVC's might not show because you are at rest so I need to be awake the entire procedure. It's not easy though but the pain is worth it. My chest feels quiet now that I have to check my pulse every now and then just to make sure I'm breathing. There are still timea that my O2 sat would drop while I'm asleep maybe I also need to undergo sleep study for that. But overall I can say that I'm on my road to recovery now. Thank God.
Thanks for sharing, very helpful. Am going through this now, trying to get referral for ablation. My potassium wasn't low, but definitely felling the fatigue/symptoms from >20,000 PVCs/day.
I am so thankful I found your video. Your experience is exactly what I have experienced. I am 3 days post pvc ablation. I have spent hours researching trying to find others that I could relate to, most videos made me feel more scared. I wish I had found you prior to my ablation because I wouldn’t have been so scared. Thank you for making this video!
Thank you for this helpful and comforting video. I'm 33, male. I've been dealing with PVCs since 2021. Recently, I had an episode of palpitations and went to the emergency room. The ECG showed a delta wave, which had never appeared before in any of my previous ECGs, Holter monitors, or stress tests. They told me I need to see an electrophysiologist, which terrified me. I couldn't sleep for five days, worrying there was a major issue. Watching your video has been a real relief. I'll wait for my appointment with the EP specialist without fear. Thanks for sharing.
34yr old male, had my ablation for pvc and VT 6 days ago. It was in a hard location by an artery and valve deep in my tissue. I feel great today and no pvc have returned yet. Hope everyone going through this has great results! Thanks for the video, really helped me leading up to surgery!
Great to hear!! Hope your doing well! I’m scheduled for an ablation for afib. I Get a lot of pvc’s and occasional afib, Neither is fun to deal with and I’m ready to feel normal again!!
This is priceless info. & info. from your experience !!.....VERY kind & generous of you to share !!...Thank You Sir !! I, aswell, experienced PVC's aswell - 16 yrs. ago & then quit on their own, (whole other big-long story), & for the past 2 yrs, have been experiencing occasional 4000rpm periodically at nights, (whole other bid-long story), ....that said, why I appreciate info & experience from others on heart issues - Thanks Again & hope all continues to go well for you.
Thank you for sharing this story with us. I just left my doctor and he is sending me to a specialist who will probably do an ablation on me and your video was very informative and helped me understand what is about to happen and it eased my mind on having the procedure. Thanks again
Great and helpful video. Wish I saw before my procedure which was three days ago. Doing well, some chest discomfort, but already having normal heart rhythm. Amazing! I felt same as you, wanted to fix it rather than use meds to control it. I am a 66 year old female. Very happy so far that I did this, however I did not have anesthesia, was told I needed to be awake as the anesthesia would or could suppress my PVC’s. It was tolerable but holding still for two hours was the hardest part. Thanks for this video even good to watch afterwards knowing other people have my exact problem.
My ablation is now 7 days away. Glad I found your video. I too have no gumption, no desire to do anything. My count is low, but I do have bradycardia. Today has been beat, beat, skip, repeat all day. I will remember to ask about caffeine. Now I take Xanax because the calming also eases my heart nerves and I’m concerned if I take Xanax getting anxious about the procedure, they won’t identify the bad area (s).
@@CountryBoyTnn It was fantastic. Have not felt a PVC since, use my Samsung watch to verify. Entire change in energy, mentally outlook has flipped so I'm looking forward to summer instead of dreading it. Multiple doctors did not think it was a problem, needed to get to major hospital and they recognized immediately I had a serious problem, were concerned it may have already caused cardiomyopathy, and since cardiac MRI showed it hadn't, scheduled ablation ASAP.
I can tell you this about the Xanax. Xanax helps with anxiety. So if you take it daily, even .5 MG 1 time a day, for awhile you gain a tolerance. And with this start creating rebound anxiety. Anxiety can cause palpitations and skip beats. I know because this happened to me. And then the week I got a Holter monitor I decided to stop the Xanax. My heart was doing a Disco beat to a Heavy Metal rhythm. When I finally got results for the monitor they mentioned I had PVCs. I asked when did they mostly occur. They said in the beginning...when I had stopped the Xanax. I have not taken Xanax since. And I was able to get the PVCs under control with diet change and 6-7 days of cardio.
@@Lesspaw41 But my reason for taking Valium, then Tranxene, and finally Xanax, was PVCs that were disabling. In 1973, after bouts of hours beat, skip, beat, skip, doctor tried Valium and sleep, PVCs gone. Through the years I’ve been prescribed these benzodiazepines only when PVCs were triggered. Now, 50 years later, they didn’t do the trick. Thorough exam including cardiac MRI to determine if 78 years of PVCs weakened my heart seriously (oh, also I had SVT all my life), and doctors determined time to do something major. Now, 6 weeks later, I’m weaning off benzodiazepines because of danger dropping them suddenly, have not felt this well mentally and physically in ages. So what works for you is not a cure all for all. 78 years of SVT and PVCs - something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
I just had this procedure done 2 days ago and am feeling much better already. Only one small area needed ablation, but I had PVCs of ~20,000/day (20%). No pain whatsoever, and I was asleep for the entire procedure so felt absolutely nothing. If you've had a colonoscopy, it (most likely) will be a lot like the anesthesia that you're given for that procedure. My fatigue level was probably at an 8/9 pre-procedure, now down to 1/2, and looking forward to feeling even better as my heart heals. Very glad to have done this, and appreciate the insight for the author of this video on his experience in having this!
Super glad to hear and see your procedure went well and you obviously improved! 👍👍👍 And, I am glad you figured out the doctors fairly quickly. Not all doctors are the same in every part of medical practice. I have been to the ER 3 times earlier this year and NONE of the doctors caught my issue with my blood pressure spikes going over 220/110. Turns out it was mostly my diet where when I drank a fruit smoothie, within a few hours my pressure went to stroke level. I had to figure this out on my own. I was put on two different BP meds and was actually told sometimes they just do not know what causes it. After some research, I learned most doctors do not have a clue about nutrition and had very very little instruction in it as part of their education. Since then, I changed my diet to a ketovore diet and increased my potassium intake. My BP has dropped and I took myself off one of the BP meds and I am loosing my excess weight. Things are looking up! Now, if I could find primers and my favorite powders!
Keith thank you with all my heart Kind Sir (no pun intended) I’ve been a subscriber since early on my friend and you just further confirm your selfless, considerate & educational approach right here with your personal health condition You Sir are a true diamond in a mountain of good, pearly specialist rifle channels on YT Your precision, yet down to earth humility, attention to absolute detail, yet relaxed smooth style coupled with articulate communication in ear warming tone - without the overbearing music so often accompanying even reasonable YT channels is a pleasure I look forward to learning from You have an innate ability to transfer knowledge in a non-condescending empowering context Keith - please carry on just as you are Sir May God richly bless you and keep you & yours in the best possible health brother Warm regards From a brother in the Deep South of Down Under Australia 🇦🇺 Tasmania
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I was suffering with the same symptoms that you described for years and thought I was having panic attacks. You explained everything so clearly. I'm looking forward to feeling better soon. Thanks again and take care.
I had an ablation for AFIB back in 2019. However I’m trying to see if another ablation would work on all the PVCs I’ve been having. My PVCs really scare me. But I hate it when I go to the VA doctor (cardiologist) and he says it’s normal… to just “change my diet and exercise” but with my PVCs and fluttering heart rate it makes me not want to do anything. I used to run a lot too, but now even walking scares me. PVCs mixed with anxiety sucks so bad! But I really enjoyed your video and I appreciate your content.
How amazing it would be to never have another PVC, SVT attack or palpitations again…. Id do anything.. anything to get them gone. They are like a demon and have destroyed any life i ever had
I recently (4days ago) underwent an ablation and mapping. I had had heart issues for about 10 years. I went for yearly checkups with a electrophysiologist. EKG, EEG, Stress tests and an extended halter monitor. I'm an ex smoker which doesn't help matters. The strange thing is I never felt the PVC's. But from testing we knew they were there. About a year ago I started feeling the fatigue issues. Shortness of breath. It was time for my yearly cardio check up in late August of last year. My heart efficiency numbers had dropped by almost 50%. That meant the valves were starting to get out of sync. So I go through another battery of tests. My Dr. concluded there were no blockages or muscle tissue issues. Simply put I had a few short circuits in my heart. As time drew closer for my procedure I got covid. The procedure was postponed for a month. I go in back in late November for another try at it. The anesthesiologist after listening to my lungs wouldn't proceed. So I spend the next couple of months undergoing sleep studies and raspatory therapy. Turns out I had sever sleep apnea. Finally the pulmonologist cleared me to proceed. I arrive for the procedure, prepped and taken into the OR. Unfortunately I wasn't having any PVC's so they had to medically induce them. The procedure ended up being just over 5 hours long. I was held overnight for observation. During the night while under observation I thought I had a heart attack. SCARED the crap out of me. Chest pain, pain in my right shoulder and neck. I was told that it wasn't a heart attack but pain in the heart from inflammation as they ablated multiple spots. The neck and shoulder pain were from being in a very uncomfortable position on the OR table. (I'm rather large 66 year old man. 6'2" and almost 300lb and those tables are nothing but a flat slab of steel, very narrow with no padding) Like I said at the top I'm now 4 days out and this has been a game changer. My energy level is through the roof. I resumed my walking routine this morning. BUT HERE'S THE REAL WINNER. My psychological outlook, health, call it what you want is nothing short of remarkable. I'm not living in a "fog" anymore. We won't know for certain if the ablations will hold. I will undergo more testing in about 2 months. The Dr. was looking for a 70% reduction in "extra beats" that lead to the PVC's. I was fortunate of have an electrophysiologist from Johns Hopkins do this procedure.
Thank you for this! I'm only 36 and I recently (2-ish years ago) noticed something was off. I finally went in and I talked to a "plumber" after realizing my heart was "skipping a beat", but he thankfully listened and gave me medication to try and then eventually referred me to an "electrician". I just saw the EP today, and he is recommending I'd look into getting the ablation, the sooner the better. My pvc is 20%. I will be doing awake ablation since the pvc will go away if they knock me out making it hard to zap it. I'm not too worried about the awake part since I was awake during my cataract surgery. As long as they can make me comfy and calm, well be golden. I'm excited to get it over with and start feeling normal again. I have come across gut issues during this so this will be one less thing to worry about and hopefully less anxiety. So I should be getting cured in about a month 😊 Glad it worked out so well for you!
Wow, just found your channel through this video. I have been suffering frequent (every 3-5 beats) PVCs since my daughter was born in February 2022. I have an ongoing playlist of my own going with updates and just to comfort others that are experiencing PVCs. My burden is similar to what yours was, I too, have seen two cardiologists, one is an EP but he didn’t push for the Ablation. Basically said what you did (from your online research) that PVCs aren’t dangerous and I can either take meds, do ablation or deal with em, up to me he said and appt was over. I am trying everything under the sun to at least reduce them, jogging/running for 20 min seems to be the most effective. I’ll run in the AM and for a few hours after I only get maybe 5-10 PVCs a minute. Much appreciate your ablation story, very well done. I am very fearful of any kind of surgery so an ablation is IMO a last resort, at least for me. I will continue to try a few things and give it until at least next summer before I decide if an ablation is worth it. Thank you again for this video, it truly is very helpful.
Glad to hear that is done and behind you Keith, and even more that it worked so well. To hear that you are back to jogging, says a lot. I hope this marks a point where you have heard the last of it. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Keith, I have been learning a lot from your channel-especially enjoyed learning how to find "touch point." You are intelligent and well spoken, and this is your best output yet for many reasons. My wife is an RN with experience in cardiac ICU in Salem, and she also appreciated your story. Best!
Thanks so much for your great explanation of PVCs and treatment. I've had this for a decade and at 66 years of age, finally had to quit my heavy equipment/truck driving job. We don't really seem to have a medical system in Canada. I've had so many stress tests and the PVCs never show up as evidence. My GP booked a Holter Monitor but the earliest available date was six months out. Our doctors say PVCs are not a problem. On bad days I would miss every second beat for an hour. Just had to lay down and wait, right. Two years ago I started getting serious Atrial Fibrillation. I've had four sessions when the pain went from chest right through to the back and thought that the end was near. AF is 50% higher across the world since the Covid vaccinations, so it's likely that was what is causing my AF. I'm taking Nattokinase to dissolve the spike proteins and hope to eliminate this problem. Thanks so much for your thorough explanation of PVCs and the possibility of treatment. 👍
Hi Keith, My wife had similar problems and corrective surgery. I am also a newish reloader. I love your heart health message and reloading tips, good health to you. You are a real assest to reloading world and glad you had positive results.
Great video. Im on the Reddit Afib because i have Afib. A lot of posters there have PVCs. Seems more difficult to understand. Your approach can be applied to AFib as well. If it's not life threatening and you don't need emergency surgery take your time and do your research. You alone are responsible for your health. Consult with your doctor. Scour RU-vid for your condition. Top institution have videos on RU-vid. Through my research starting a year ago i found a new technology pulse Field Ablation was soon to be approved in the US. I was a little naive about how long it would take to approve and commercialize. So i was able to get into a trial in NY. Scheduled ablation early March. Approved Pulse Field Ablation is rolling out now in rhe US. By mid year should be available at major hospital centers.
Just found your video. 65y/o male, my symptoms sound very similar to what you experienced. Although I believe that I have far fewer PVCs than you were experiencing. I haven't been told a number, but I am guessing in the low 10s of thousands compared to you 100s of thousands. However, I still experience the chest pain, weird feeling in my chest, fatigue and other things you described. Also when I sit still or lay down the PVCs seems to get worse with me as well. I just want to thank you for taking the time to share your story, and articulating it so very well. Your story really helped my thinking as I approach some of the same questions that you wrestled with. Thank you Keith.
Great video, I had the PVC ablation and I’m feeling better after the first day. My feeling and thoughts are identical to the way you describe what your experience was like. I’m a 53 year old male so I’m definitely looking forward to a somewhat new beginning. I miss exercising and work.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Let me just say that I was worried about my PVC’s to the point of depression and what I had done to cause this. Educating yourself is key and you have been a god send in understanding what I’m feeling and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Waiting for my appointment to see what my options are but I too wore a monitor for21 days a Chad two stress tests. Be well!
Hi Keith! I am 29 years old with *very frequent*, drug refractory, PACS. Thought benign 20-25 years ago, my doctors are now realizing it is a totally mitigatable risk factor for new onset AFIB, and even cryptogenic stroke. So happy the EP community is seeing these as non benign before things like atrial remodeling are allowed to set in. It's quite a waiting game now, but I had an ablation for AVNRT 11 years ago, I know what to expect. Wishing you the very best!
I have the same problems as Keith, and 20.000 PVC/daily. I consider Ablation, but are still in doubt. After seeing this fine video, I will act now and get my ablation a.s.a.p. Thank you Keith.
Thanks for this video, how can i get info about the hospital and Dr that performed this on you successfully?.....my EP dr told me PVC ablation had lowest chance of success so glad to see this successful case
Afib is sometimes a body’s stress signal for other underlying conditions. Something as simple as a mineral deficiency can show up as paroxysmal Afib. In such cases getting an ablation is just kicking the can down the road. And hence the high rates of reoccurrence >50% according to some studies. I sincerely hope it’s not the case for Keith and that he’s cured for good 🙏
Great video. There is very little out there for PVC ablations and I was so happy to have found your video. I am considering ablation. Verapamil and Propranolol just aren't cutting it. We've tweaked these meds and I still have multiple PVCs all day.. bigeminy, trigeminy and who knows what else. So tired of hearing cardiology and EP say they are benign, yet they completely take over your life...make you feel like crap; chest pain that you try to discern if its your PVCs or are you actually dying this time; the lifestyle changes because you are trying to learn what sets you off and you avoid it like the plague, yet still at times, there's no rhyme or reason, and it's just a terrible 'PVC day'. I keep time as to things "before my heart stuff started" and after. You know how it is. Anyway. Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad to hear things are better - gives the rest of us hope!
Hi Jada, you may be surprised but there has actually been a LOT of information on PVC ablation published over the decades but it tends to be highly technical. The people who publish the research are called Electrophysiologists. There are thousands of them around the world and they are based in Universities, Hospitals and Cardiac Research institutions. They have their own forums, professional bodies and conferences where they publish and talk about their research. They are the ones who actually perform the ablations. I suffer from PVCs too. Though my ectopic burden is low (about 1%) I feel them often throughout the day and they can be hard to ignore sometimes. I'm particularly interested in Pulsed Field Ablation. If you haven't heard about this you may want to look into it. PFA is still quite new and under development but it seems very promising and potentially safer than RF or Cryo ablation. Personally I'm quite excited about it and I'm watching keenly to see how the technology develops.
I feel my body kind of bounce when laying down ,but i dont havs shortness of breath, work 12 hour days,not week, not dizzy, 45 minute walks in the early morning.
Thank You, Thank You Thank you, Just what I wanted to hear. Your story was exactly my story. I'm scheduled for the procedure in a month but the symptoms and experience with the doctors were the same. I was finally assigned to a rhythm cardio doctor and he was why didn't they refer you sooner. I now feel better about my decision to do the procedure.
I have pvc and i do get chest pain and dizzy . Im off to tbe cardiologist next week cant take beta blockers due to low blood pressure anyway. Thinking about doing this
While, the analogy of the electricians versus plumbers is quite common, I think you will find that most electrophysiologists or EPs are specialized similar to surgeons and don't see patients on a regular basis. They work with you prior to your ablation during your ablation and follow-up, but after that you are usually referred back to your regular cardiologist.
I’m having my ablation for PVCs in a few hours. I’m so nervous. I hope I don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. I’m not sure yet if they’ll put me under general anesthesia or no anesthesia at all. I guess I’ll find out very soon. Hopefully I won’t experience any complications afterwards.
I'm dealing with pvcs and episodes of SVT. I see my EP cardiologist in August. I'm on 3 different meds for this but it's not helping. Still dealing with pvcs all day. I have a loop recorder implanted & record multiple pvcs. I'm moving forward with an ablasion. I'm exhausted.
I had an RF ablation at Mayo Clinic in 1992 for SVT (39 years old) now I’m in Bigeminy 100% of the time and waiting on a call from my electrophysiologist to schedule an ablation for that at 71.
Fantastic video. 3 quick question if you don't mind. You say that you used to take a potassium supplement for your pvcs, but I thought magnesium was the supplement of choice for these. Also, what excact supplement did you take? My question stems from the fact that I have some pvcs, but they aren't on the order yours were, so I'm trying to quiet them without surgery. Second, you said you noticed more pvcs with less sleep? Interesting. Less than 8 or 7 or 6 hours produced this? And my last question is about your comments on hard heart, like where you could feel your heart beat in your neck, ears, throat and chest. I have this as well, but at a normal 72 heart rate and no pvcs, and my cardiologist could not tell me why it is. Pvcs, to my understanding, don't cause the heart to beat harder (except for the single hard beat after the skipped beat), just differently, even lighter between the hard beats. Do you still have hard heart beats at times, and if so, what do you think the cause is?
My Potassium supplement included a balanced amount of Magnesium. I was using Keto K1000, but remember that my doctor warned me to stop because any kidney malfunction could lead to a sudden death... My PVCs were significantly worse when I got less sleep. While I still feel my pulse in my neck occasionally, I don't have the thunderous beats after a stoppage anymore. I'm not a doctor, so I, like you have no idea why my body does certain things, just that they happen. I wish you all the best, Keith
Thank you Keith. I've just been diagnosed with PVC's so I'm trying to educate myself with every aspect of this condition. Your video has provided so so much insight, I'm so grateful to have found you (your video)
Thanks .. I'm day out of my ablation .. a little discomfort in my chest but other then that no pain ... I feel great .. sleep was better and I really feel like going and doing something .. of course I have to wait for a few days .. the warden (wife) is watching lol .. Thanks for the video
Great video, thanks for taking the time. I'm a healthy 80 year old male, and recently was confirmed with PC's exceeding 20% of the time. My excellent "Plumber", forwarded me to the "Electrician".. [great analogy] and cofirmed what was going on with a 12 lead electrocardiogram. Which is not normal in a "Plumber's" area (great heat surgeon, but focused on blockage, not heart rhythm). My PVC'S seem to have been induced by a serious dehydration event, and suddenly showed up, plus other current meds that blocked testosterone. Thanks, you confirmed new feelings of some tiredness, even though I'm asymptomatic. And it correlates with when i only sleep 5-6 hours. I'm very active (or was) and currently having troubles walking more than 5K (3 mi), but used to walk 10K plus (8 mi) twice a week last year. Iplan to have ablation next March, since no immediate rush. Thanks for sharing and adding cinfidence to my decision.
I have my ablation tomorrow. I have PVC's over more than 10 years already. Sometimes every 2nd-3rd beat, and then sometimes none for hours/days. They come and go. And of course i don't have any now right before the surgery.
10 years?! That's insane! I've only been diagnosed this past month as the last 2 months they've been practically nonstop, but the palpitations were so intermittent I didn't go in cos I thought it would be pointless if they couldn't catch them. It is my fear as well that they'll do their disappearing act before surgery (assuming I'll even have surgery) as he warned. Good luck with the surgery and I hope they detect it.
I just turned 69 in March. Decent shape. Had ectopic beats for over 20 years. Recently ( December 19, 2023 ) had surgery for a leaky Mitral valve that had 50-60% regurgitation. Was a minimally invasive procedure to repair it. Was hoping that the ectopic beats / pvc’s would’ve been corrected as well. Not the case. Heart rate is 39-54 usually. Have about 10 pvc a minute. So around 20% While in Cardiac rehab on an exercise bike for 40 minutes and going all the way to level 15 my heart rate only got to 68 bpm even tho I was sweating and breathy heavily! Wore a Holter monitor for two weeks that came off last Friday. Have an appointment in two days ( April 5 ) with Cardiologist to review the results. Thank you for this video. I will feel a lot better if he recommends ablation because of it.
I wish I’d watched this video BEFORE having my ablation! I just had the procedure yesterday. The way you describe your life with PVCs felt very very familiar. My procedure was a bit different. I was awake and I was not having heavy PVCs at the time. In my case they gave me adrenaline and boy did that do the trick. Once they could trigger the PVCs they went in for the ablation. Since I was awake and with light pain meds I could feel things. The only painful part was the actual shocking/burning part of the procedure. Honestly, it did not feel good. That said it wasn’t too long. Prob about 5-10 “zaps”. Then they added some more adrenaline, and could verify “success”. I’m pretty stoked about this all and wish I’d done it earlier.
Omg!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!! I’m scheduled to have my ablation April 18 2023 and I’m so ready for it! I could’ve cried when you were explaining how you felt before because that’s how I’m feeling and been feeling for at least 7 years no energy just tired all the time and wanting to do things and just can’t because I’m tired all the time. I try to explain to my hubby and daughter how I feel and I know they don’t know or understand but if they only knew the everyday struggles I have been facing for years. I’m praying I can feel good again and get my life back fully. Thanks again for sharing! You really hit home
I have a 15% pvc burden so pretty high. The Calcium blocker has not seemed to help. Now i am dizzy a lot and have head and chest pressure (no blockages) ... Wondering if the symptoms are from pvcs or meds. Doctoe thinks meds. But scary pressure in head and chest.
Hi Keith. I found your video presentation to be very helpful. The pre surgery symptoms are exactly what I'm feeling now. I'm 59 with PVCs about 13% of the time. You gave me a good sense of what the procedure entails and what your experience was like. I love the (-2) day Keith, (+2) day Keith, and (+92) day Keith videos knitted together into a cohesive story which I found to be very compelling. I've recently been told that by my cardiologist (plumber) that we will first see how we do with adjusting the meds. If that doesn't relieve my symptoms sufficiently, then I'll be referred to another cardiologist (electrician) for consideration of ablation therapy. Thank you again so much for the information and the context. Very well presented!
Thanks for being open about your procedure and the results. I had an ablation in 2020 for AFib so I know some of what you went through. Hope all continues to go well. Thanks for the video. Be Safe
Thank you! I have SVT and had 1 failed ablation the last of February - I went into AFib when my heart was stimulated with drugs to induce the SVT! Had another Ablation April 1st - all was good until July 22 when I had some SVTs that lasted awhile! So my Electrophysiologist wants to see a full recording of my Loop Recorder so I had to transfer the ability of the Dr who placed the Loop Recirder to the Dr who did my ablation! He is surprised I think that I am having these episodes this long after my ablation and wants to see if I might have Afib! I’ve tried to research but I am more confused now than before! I think my situation is different from yours but your video was awesome! I’m waiting to see what the next step is! Than you for this video.
Thank you for the video, I liked how you did it from the three perspectives, and you are right that there is not much out there in the way of PVC ablations vs. AFIB. As someone who suffers with PVCs myself, but under the 10K threshold, this brings up a question: Since in most cases, it is my understanding is that PVCs are brought on by anxiety. If that is true, after ablation wouldn't they just find another pathway to eventually resume if the anxiety is ultimately not addressed? However, I do understand the catch 22 issue that as the burden goes up, in addition to the quality-of-life issues, one also risks heart damage.
The video was great. I am 65 with what my doctors call Constant PVCs. My PVCs pretty much occur at a constant rate independent of my heart rate. Very rare. After the diagnosis and the doctors looking for other heart issues that may have contributed to the PVCs with every piece of test equipment that was chargeable (Total ~$16K) I was let go. The stress test was interesting. Because my PVCs are constant, the faster my heart rate, the more efficient my blood floor. Therefore, walking was tiresome. But I was a chatter box talking with the test team while running at max and feeling like I could do that all day. Odd! I know. My CPVCs occur at a rate of a little over 20,000 per day. I have my own test equipment where I can Holter a 24-hour test and download the data. I upload the data to an AI computer which determines the report. I started the DIY version immediately after the hospital version. The results matched almost exactly. Therefore, I was comfortable with the verification of the results. I do run tests about every month to every three months. Not much has changed. I noticed that my low heart rate at night has been down to as low as 24 beats per minute. My sleeping heart rate may have been so low that my autonomic system kicked in and provided a pace maker which is exactly like what the CPVCs act like. My Electrophysiologist Doctor was pushing to wait until my symptoms get much worse before considering ablation. He also told me that drugs would not be effective. This is because the drugs slow the heart and in my case that would make the symptoms worse. From what I have read, leaving the high number of powerful PVCs without remedy for a long time (~5 years tends to weaken the heart muscle and can result in an enlarged heart permanently). Many doctors recommend ablation early when the PVCs are above 20K to avoid the weakening / damage to the heart. I am researching and plan to readdress next year with a more adamant approach for ablation. I chatted with the technicians at the hospital and many patients were returning for a second ablation. I thought there might be an issue with the surgery. With your video, I learned that this is normal in cases of multiple morphologies. That helped. I am now researching Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons in the area. I could not find evidence that Electrophysiologist actually performed surgery. Maybe you could clarify which or if both participated in your surgery. Thank you.
EPs perform the ablation. If you have 20K PVCs daily then you are a prime candidate for ablation. EPs debate the exact number but some articles I've read suggest as low as 5K daily should consider ablation.
Thanks for sharing. Looking great for 50 year old. LVEF of 45% (borderline) apparently due to my PVCs (15% burden). Cleaned up my diet and alcohol and the PVCs have greatly reduced. Still considering the next step to take. 😢
Thank you for this information. As you said there is very little out there on ventricular ablation for pvcs rather than atrial ablation for afib. My cardiologist said the risks are much greater for ventricular ablation. Are you able to comment on the risks, as advised to you, which you had to consider before choosing the procedure.
I’ve heard the exact opposite from mine. My friend had to have atrial ablation and it can need to be done more than once. The doctor said the ablation for pvcs is like kindergarten version of a fib ablation. He said they have to guess with a fib but with pvcs it’s obvious where to ablate.
My mom had life threatening sustained VTach and it took two ablations to get it. She also had AFIB. They solved the AFIB on the first one but were not able to get the VTach. They had to do a more detailed MRI to be able to map it before being successful for the second time. Perhaps the physician was talking more about a VTach ablation versus PVCs even though more than three PVCs are technically VTach.
I developed PVCs about 3 years ago at age 31, and nothing has kept them away for longer than a few days at a time at the best of times. At the worst, they keep me awake at night, they bang in my chest all day, and the bigeminy runs are so bad at times that I’m winded to the point of nearly passing out. I recently saw a new cardiologist who suggested ablation, and I can’t thank you enough for a thorough run-through of what the experience could be like. I have a strong feeling that I’ll be a brand new man as well if we can find the node that’s causing all of my issues. Seriously, thank you - this video means more to me than you will know!
Thanks so much for sharing! I'm 72 now and have been tortured by PVCs on and off for 30 years. When I was 45 they progressed to RVOT tachycardia, for which I underwent a catheter ablation in 2002. No more V-tach, but I was left with tons of PVCs for years. They finally settled down on their own somewhat, but would re-emerge for no reason for a week or so and then disappear again. Lying down and trying to relax or sleep is always the worst! In June my heart beat became extremely irregular and I knew it wasn't just PVCs. Went to the emergency room, and it turned out to be Afib. I've decided to have an ablation for the Afib, and the electrophysiologist is also going to try to ablate for PVCs...they've returned and have gotten bad again.
Hello from canada!!!great info video. Had 20 perc plus burden. Did 4 hr plus operation awake! Felt it all..dic from Argentina very cool,focussed. Unfortunately failed. Couldnt find key spot. Amiodarone the ... nuclear waste drug....hekps but effects as named....dropped to 6 perc..doc wants an 8 hr super deep dive surgery...we will see...quite the adventure...
I'm going for an Ablation in December and I need videos like this to calm my anxiety at 62 I've been through ovarian cancer I have an underlying lung disorder and I'm on abuterol as needed because I can't catch my breath now under a care of a Cardiologist for atrial fibrillation I'm currently on Diltiazem 120mg and it works I've also had that machine on my chest so your truly making my comfort zone ease a bit
Thank you so much you just help me make my decision I have bradycardia the doctor wants to do PVC Ablation for my irregular heartbeat I’m feeling dizziness fatigue shortness of breath lightheaded fluttering
Thank you for the informed video. Just had my Ablation 5 days ago. And they didn't find any PVC'S during the surgery. Very frustrating now!!! As I sit here and type this message the PVC's are kicking my butt. Seeing my Cardiologist tomorrow for follow up. Stress test is next to see what happens. Wish me PVC's. This has put a big SNAG in my life lately. Need to get this resolved and get back to my normal life. I'm very active myself and can't do much. Thank you again. There is hope!!
Keith, thank you so much for sharing this. I was born with tetralogy of fallot and had open heart surgery at 2. My surgery was successful and for over 30 years, I was completely normal, not a single complication. At 34, I began having episodes of afib and my life has been taken over by it. It’s been 2 years now, I’m 36 and after two recent episodes of my heart rate skyrocketing and me passing out, my cardiologist recommended I do an ablation in fear that I may also have VT. Hearing your words and how you describe what you feel makes me feel understood finally. Like you, I can feel my heart beat and thump so much that my body actually bounces. My symptoms consume me and I cannot stop thinking about what could happen. My ablation is 3 weeks from today and though I am very scared, your video helps tremendously. Thank you.
Ive had PVCs since 2016 as well. Sometimes, it feels like my ears are going to blow off my head. Sleeping sucks and the cardiologist told me, there is no fix for them. 🤬 I’m setting an appointment with another doctor tomorrow.
I had some fairly minor heart issues a year or so back, nothing to the extent that you've been dealing with, and it's not pleasant. You always wonder if your heart is going to go completely haywire and leave you pushing daisies. But there's nothing like feeling healthy after being down. I've had RF ablations on my low back to relieve some excruciating pain and my outcome has also been quite good. The condition is still there but with the nerves unable to transmit, I don't feel the pain... well, at least not much anyway. I limped in and walked out of the procedure. It has to be repeated about once a year but it keeps me active and a productive member of society. I'm glad you got a great outcome, life has a much sweeter flavor now I'm sure.
Thank you SO much for sharing your story so sincerely and informatively. I have dealt with PVCs and supraventricular tachycardia so I know EXACTLY what you were talking about with the physical symptoms. Often just sitting quietly, my heart would start racing up to 205 BPM or decide to slow down and skip beats. I could also feel it in my chest and my neck. When first diagnosed years ago the Holter monitor showed that I had had hundreds of "episodes" in any given day which could have put me into cardiac arrest if I hadn't resumed beating. Pretty frightening! Also I was so fatigued that I'd have to sit on the steps several times to rest trying to get up 14 stairs to my upper level. I chuckled when you spoke about electricians vs. plumbers. Quite literally the Dr told me the "plumbing" of your heart is great. But your "electrical system" is all kapoot! In my situation Metoprolol slowed down my heart rate and normalized my rhythms. It was truly a miracle!!! From several dozens of "episodes" per week that I was aware of, these were reduced to only a few per month. Let me say, these were the episodes that were SO bad that they almost floored me. When I was on the Holter, often the nurse would call me up to ask me what I had been doing at a certain time because my heart was racing. Many of these less severe episodes I actually was not even aware of because they weren't too bad, but the Holter caught every one of them. I have been doing great for 7 years, but in recent months been noticing my heart racing for no good reason, often getting winded and feeling VERY fatigued. At my yearly physical I mentioned these familiar symptoms and asked for a stress test and Holter. Apparently I have a blockage now so will have an angiogram next week. So now, in my mid sixties, I have both plumbing and electrical heart problems. Depending on what they find, I may just require changed meds or I may need stents and/ or heart ablation. Uffda!! Hearing your testimonial REALLY took aware many of my fears by answering so many questions and gave me hope in an improved future! Listening to you at times brought me to tears or made me chuckle. You were a "Godsend" tonight. Tusen takk! 1,000 thanks in Norwegian
I appreciated you did this video. As you, I saw a cardiologist that sent me home without treatment and said I need sleep study. My second dr found that I need an ablation. I feel very tire most of time and I hope is PVC's. I have: 1 PVC 2 normal beats with medication. Previous I had bigeminy, 2 normal beats and 1 pvc. My ablation will be in less than a week and you give me hope. Thanks.
I have been experiencing PVCs that lead to an aching pain over my chest. When I feel a PVC coming on I can feel my heart pound up to the base of my neck, sometimes to the point of coughing. I've been taking colchicine which I've found reduces how heavy the strong beats are and gets rid of the pain. I'm curious did you experience tightness in your chest particularly when exercising/running? Going to see a cardiologist soon and I found your video to be reassuring.
Ty for your time in making this video. I was in bigeminy until I was put on meds the. I no longer felt the “bounding” pulse of my heart but ekg’s don’t lie…. My pvc’s were only suppressed via meds… Ekg continued to show muti pvc,s…. I’m scheduled for an ablation at the end of the month ( I wasn’t told of needing a halter monitor again prior to the ablation… I will ask my EP doc) I was asked by my cardio if I wanted to also have an ICD (defibrillator) placed at the time of my ablation…( I said not @ this time) … My current ejection fraction is 24-27ish .. Again ty for your story…
I had one for a fib back in march they froze part off the heart but when I woke up I coughed my vane’s blew open my nurse froze but another nurse jumped on me to stop the bleeding. 10 months later I have lost 45 pd.and feel like a new man . Blood pressure was 195 now 120 ya it works. I would do it again if I have to. Every thing he told us about is real.thank you for sharing
Thank you this was helpful & I truly appreciate you taking the time to share. I had open heart surgery for an aortic aneurysm two years ago, and had a great surgery to repair the situation. For months now I have felt more and more fatigue, joint pain & many of the symptoms you mentioned. I’m seeing my cardiologist for treatment after finding out that I have increasing PVCs & AFIB. Your experience and reasoning for your decision is great insight! Best luck to you going forward. God bless!
Your story sounds like mine but my burden is not close to yours. Mine skip when I rest, gives me a cough. I hate it. I just want to rest and watch tv and can’t. I’m scheduled for an ablation on the 17th. I’m praying they are RVOT and east to ablate.
Thanks so much for your video. I've only had a PVC diagnosis a month ago (27,000 PVCs in 24 hour period with burden of 20%). In the last week it feels as though it has worsened. I am not keen on meds so it seems the only option is ablation. Your video has been very reassuring for a procedure which scares the daylights out of me! .(Haven't had a lot of hospital experience..🤗 ) I am also looking at what lifestyle/diet options I can improve on.
Wow, thank you for this video! I am waiting to be scheduled to see a EP Cardiologist due to heavy load of PACs. I already knew I had PVCs but not sure about how many. I learned a lot of you and your experience! 🙏🏻
I’m so Glad to find you I really been looking at videos about this PVC s I’m having them and at 70 just found out I have High Blood pressure and pvcs I do have mitral valve prolapse my daughter has it also and I couldn’t believe I’m just like you I’m sleeping sooo much today I get up stay awake few hrs ho back rest. I didn’t know why I have these PVCs I’m going to finish uour video. My echocardiogram is May 8th Do u know if it can show anything for me. God Bless you.
This is a great video. I have nowhere near that many pvcs but i do feel the symptoms and they're ruining my life. I only had 500 in a 2 week period but i feel each and every one of them.
Heartfelt video…uh…Great presentation though, really well done. So wonderful you had such a good outcome. I’m having my PVC ablation procedure this coming Friday December 2. 30% PVC burden. I also had the choice of suppressing them with drugs or ablation. It was a no brainer for me too given the meds’ side-effects. One year ago I had a 3-vessel bypass; 4 months ago a pacemaker/defibrillator. 18 months ago I was riding my bike to work 18 miles round trip, so this spiral has not been pleasant. My hope is that this ablation will (ultimately) alleviate my PVC burden like yours did, and allow me to feel like I could ride my bike to work again. I’m 67, an Optometrist, and not ready to hang it up and just “blur out.” Heh heh
I also am going for an ablation on Wednesday May 31st Have had A fib for several years. Controlled with pills. The drugs are slowly killing me. Hoping ablation will be the cure. It's been a long journey. Looking forward to tomorrow morning. Ann
Keith - Sorry to hear you had a heart problem at all, but I'm really happy with your outcome. Heart issues are what ultimately caused my retirement from flying as a CFI/II. In my case it was a sticky heart. It was fixed with a stent, followed by bypass, and then another stent. At that point I was 75 and was tired of dealing with FAA cardiac procedures, so I elected to retire. Today I fine, just old (approaching 80). I don't mean to make this about me. It's really just commiserating. Stay well Keith. Keep the greasy side down.
Thank you for sharing your video, I’m a 55 year old female. I also have heavy PVC’s and SVT’s. I just found out today that I need an Ablation and found your video very helpful. I find that one of the best resources are people who have experienced the same issues.
You’re describing my life right now today… my pvcs started with a low defenicey of iron I now have an appointment to talk to a dr of the heart for pvc’s at an institution which explain your example of a plumber or electrician it made much sense I absolutely love this video it brought joy to my heart for one knowing that one ….someone else is going through the exact same thing and to hear your story is literally describing what I’ve been experiencing for the past two years I’m over worrying whether or not while I’m asleep that it would lead to a heart attack I’m ready to talk to my dr today about this !!! I just pray to God that I’ll be able to move on and continue to have the best quality of life there is to have at my age at 44…
