I first noticed PVCs about three weeks ago during a particularly vicious attack of heartburn. The heartburn went away, but the palpitations did not. I went to the doctor who ordered a Holter monitor and discovered I was having them many times a day, several times a minute. They were happening more often then I realized. It felt as though my heart would beat very forcefully and then flutter. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when they happen. Luckily, I have not experienced any shortness of breath as some have. I do notice sometimes I feel the need to cough as some have described. My pulse rate does not seem to change in response to the PVCs. But it looks like I need to make some lifestyle changes--more exercise, less caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. I do feel relieved that I've been diagnosed and they are not life threatening.

The doctor would never confirm it, but I say stress caused my PVC's. I was exhausted by them. There were days that I would sleep like I was drugged. Finally, the doctor gave me 50mg of Flecinaide twice daily. In a week I noticed a difference in two weeks a huge difference! Don't give up there is help!

I am 57-years old and have never had PVCs before. I have had other issues and have semi-regular EKGs, but none has ever shown a PVC until yesterday. I am under a great deal of stress due to the severe illness of my son the past 9 months, and have also gained a lot of weight in the last 6 months. It seems that I wake up most nights after an hour or so of sleep, and then can't get back to sleep. I finally fall asleep for 2 or 3 hours just before dawn, and some days I get so dizzy around noon that I have to nap for an hour or two. I do consume a lot of caffeine, but if never bothered me before. I have HBP, but it is well controlled by meds.

I am a 74 year old male who has had either PVC's or PAC's (no doc has been able to distinguish which) since I was in my late teens. They are everything you all describe. Thinking back to when I was about 18, I remember an old family physician prescribing a very low dose of Valium for my condition and it worked for me. Over the years I have mentioned that to my many Cardio doctors and they just laughed. Bottom line, I've been living with this condition for what seems like forever, but I'm still here.

My PVCs started this past October. I am an 80 year old woman, who has had A-Fib since I was 47. Now that I get PVCs I don't seem to have A-Fib. My symptoms are shortness of breath, weakness, a severe ache in my upper back that makes me have to lie down, and a very slight headache in the temple, right side usually. I am able to sleep with the problem and the back ache. I had a 30 day monitor test to confirm what I have. My electro physiologist gave me no further info other than I have PVCs. I lose many hours of several days a week because of this problem. Because I have it so often, it is more debilitating than A-Fib. I have been unable to attend arthritis exercise classes often, have missed dinners, plays, appointments, etc., because I feel so weak. It is a most aggravating condition.

I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse not quite 1 year ago. It all started with that. I was put on Metaprolol, which slows your heart rate, and lowers your blood pressure. Within the last few months, I had an episode, of tingling feet and hands, and could feel my heartbeat skipping beats. It would have pauses which made me feel short of breath, and felt like a huge lump in my throat. I went to ER, and the Dr. said I was having PVC's. My heart rate was in the 40's just lying there in the ER. I was honestly scared to go to sleep, because I know everything slows down even more when you're sleeping. It really hasn't gotten any better, but only seems to be getting worse. I really am getting concerned and hopefully going to be finding me a cardiologist soon.