Question:
Anybody else have cardiac problems?

I'm nearly a year out from surgery, and have gone from 391 to 200. (yay me!) Last Wednesday, I felt a strange "blooping" sensation in my chest/stomach area, as if my heart suddenly ballooned to a huge size, then subsided. At first I thought it was gas, but I happened to take my pulse, and every time I felt the "bloop" my heart skipped a beat. I broke all speed records getting to the ER, and they diagnosed PVCs, premature ventricular contractions, and said they were uncomfortable but nothing to worry about. I went to my PCP and he sent me for blood work, echocardiogram, and 24 hour Holter monitor. I hope to get the results tomorrow. My lung doctor said that when you lose a lot of weight, your heart can be starved, and react in strange ways. OK, the question is, did anybody else have this problem? PVCs or other heart arrhythmias? What did you do for it? What did your doctor say? I'm sitting here, chewing my fingernails, and hope you all have some words of wisdom for me! Thanks much!!    — mwilson523 (posted on August 8, 2006)

August 8, 2006
Mary, I am 15 months out and have lost about 125 pounds, and I had what sounds like the same thing you have with your heart. I called my family doc and explained the symtoms to his nurse thinking they would tell me to get to the ER, but she just said to hang tight and she would call me back. My heart was skipping beats and beating irregularly and my blood pressure was sometimes down to 78/56 and I couldn't bend over and get up without getting dizzy. Anyway, I waited thinking I might die before I hear back, and then when she did call back all she said was to cut my Norvasc in half. I was shocked but I did that, and within two days my heart was fine and my blood pressure, although low at times, is back to a more normal level. I think that you will be fine, but do whatever the doc says to do. I have since had a blood workup and have seen my doctor and all is well. Good luck my dear. Carol
   — Carol M.

August 8, 2006
I have almost the same thing it's P A C it's very disturbing and anoying!!
   — Janine Greenwood

August 8, 2006
I have been dealing with pvc's for over 18 years and yes they are very annoying. I take inderal and it has helped control them and make them less frequent. Sometimes they take my breath away but I find that very deep breaths help me get through. I haven't had wls yet, I was concerned that I may not be approved because I already have them. I know all the Dr.s say they are harmless, unless you start to pass out, but they still scare the crap out of ya. Good luck...hope all is ok
   — dancemum6

August 9, 2006
Hi, I, too, had something similar happen about month or so after wls. I had "fluttering" in my chest, irregular heartbeat, and a little dizzy. It continued for an hour, so I went to the emergency room. Of course, they were slow to get me in and hooked up to an EKG, so by the time they finally did, it had subsided. Had bloodwork done, though, and I was slightly low in potassium. Just something to check. I have had no further problems.
   — buglebird

August 9, 2006
I wold consult a cardiologist to be sure. i had a pain in my chest and went across the street to m pcp, and he did an EKG, which showed I was fine. Your PCP seems to have it under control. My cardiologist gave me a clean bill of health just last month, so I am not overly concerned.
   — Novashannon

August 9, 2006
My husband and I both deal with PVCs and like everyone else has said, they are very annoying. They are not dangerous. Your heart isn't actually skipping beats as you might think...but will do two beats in rapid succession, then be quiet until the next beat. It just feels like skipped beats. That second beat is the premature beat. There are meds you can take if they annoy you too much. I figured the meds in the long run were more dangerous than the PVCs themselves...so thus made my decision to just live with it. Regards~
   — Statuesque

August 9, 2006
Hi Mary, Congrats on your weight loss! I have not surgery yet but have had PVCs for 5 years. The feeling is exactly what you describe. When they started I was terrified something was really wrong. I had all sorts of test and the dr told me not to worry about it- that everyone has occasional PVCs and some people are more sensative to them than others. I tried to ignore them but couldn't. I finally asked for meds and I was put on Inderal. Since then I rarely feel any. The dr also told me that PVCs can happen when your heart gets irritated from things like stress and changes in your weight. Good luck with everything, Amy H.
   — AmyinMA

August 9, 2006
I dont know how old you are but almost every woman I know who is over 40 has started having pvc's with the hormonal changes. We are all nurses so we are really more aware of this stuff than the average person. I started noticing it about a year out as well, did the holter monitor, and an echo, and confirmed Yes, I was having pvc's it was not dangerous or harmful to me. and the cardiologist recommended no treatment. In being more aware of my body, I noticed it was most frequent shortly after eating. at one year out I was getting a little more "adventurous" and maybe having a few things I should NOT have been having IE sugar. While I was not full blown dumping I was having pvcs. I modified my behavior significantly. Still, if I eat too fast, or have sugar, I will feel the pvc's and feel really sleepy and warm. I have an article on dumping that I can email you if you would like that explains the phenominon.
   — **willow**

August 9, 2006
Thank you, everyone, for your answers! You've made me a lot calmer and more accepting! I am still waiting for word from my doctor, but the PVCs seem to have calmed down a lot, I just get an occasional "bloop." I guess I just have to put on my big girl panties and deal with it! Thanks again!!! -- Mary
   — mwilson523

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