Learn More About PVC's

Found this great website about PVC's.  Have a look at: Heart Rhythm Society - PVc's.


One thing they mentioned is they are very normal.  And, you can learn to tolerate the PVC's.  I think that I have been able to tolerate!  The site is great because it shows a visual of the heart & a heart beat with a PVC.  This is what mine look like at cardiac rehab!

Another reading I found interesting introduced me to more PVC vocabulary:

Yes, many people have multifocal PVCs.  For any one person, however, a holter monitor can determine if you have unifocal or multifocal PVCs.

A great look at PVC's can also be found at:  Ventricular Arrhythmias - PVC's 

This site gives great definitions and pictures of different abnormal heart beats. 

And last, another site about PVC's - Premature Ventricular Complexes (PVCs)

FOUR Months after Open Heart Surgery

This is my four months after surgery update!  At this point of my recovery, there are days I forget that I had surgery!  Below is a list of things that remind me!

*  After a shower when I see my 10" scar in the mirror!
*  When I walk my son's English Bulldog and he sees a rabbit!
*  When I take my "handful" of meds!
*  If I lift more than I should - 25-50 pounds
*  At rehab when I have my crazy PVC's
*  When I walk around the block - uphill - I feel the PVC's
*  When I get a hug at school or church from people that have not seen me.

And, when I go to bed at night - I am sleeping well!

My cardiac rehab should be over in two weeks & I should play my first round of golf on April 25th!!!

PVC Triggers

More research.  How about reasons?

Found this interesting article about PVC triggers at Yahoo answers:

* Anxiety/Stress
* Chocolate
* Caffeine
* Cocaine or other stimulant
* Calcium/magnesium imbalance
* Dehydration
* Exercise
* Hormonal imbalance
* Hypercapnia (CO2 poisoning)
* Hyperstimulation of the Vagus nerve
* Lack of sleep/exhaustion
* Overeating
* Low copper
* MSG

 I'm looking at a couple on this list! 

PVC's and more PVC's

I am on a mission!  Had cardiac rehab today & the PVC's are back & persistent!  Here is what I have noticed -

FACTS
After I was kicked out of rehab for the 3rd time I was put on 100 mg of Metoprolol.  The other variable is I'm back to work (41 more days but who is counting till retirement) and coaching - so long days!  The cardiac rehab is now in the afternoon, instead of in the morning.

WHAT I HAVE NOTICED
At rehab I am now throwing PVC's during my first 20 minutes on the treadmill.  When I was on 50 mg of Metoprolol, exercising at 8 AM at rehab, and not working I would get passed the treadmill with no PVC's, but would have them when I took it up a notch on the rowing machine or elliptical.  My heart rate is now showing PVC's at 90-100!

So, what is next.  I have 4 more rehabs & I am finished - the game plan is to not get kicked out & wait till my cardiologist appointment in June.  Until then, I will continue to workout, wear my pulse monitor, and be careful.  I also found this interesting article about supplements & PVC's at:
The American Heart Association & PVC's

Below is the discussion:

Re: Bigeminy after heart bypass Posted: Apr 10, 2008 8:41 AM   in response to: heartofwisdom	Reply
Work with your docs but I take supplements that has reduced my PVC's by 95% and on most days, I feel virtually nothing. I've had bigeminy PVC's for over a year. 2 to 3 capsules of Omega 3 fish oil 1,000 mg each (cheap $10 for 3 mo supply) 2 250 mg Magnesium (cheap under $5) 100 mg CoQ10 $$$ very expensive ($36/month) 1 to 2 bananas/day for the Potassium 2 750 mg Coral Calcium/day ( $9 2 mo supply) I also take a Multi Vitamin Eliminate all caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) Also, when the PVC's come for a visit, try coughing hard a few times or hold your breath and bear down and tighten your stomach/ab muscles for 5 to 10 seconds. repeat if necessary. It has never failed me I must tell you that until I started taking the Fish Oil, Magnesium and the CoQ10, none of the cardiologists meds worked so I know that the supplements work. For a fast, soothing relief, soak in a bath tub of Epsom salts (loaded with Magnesium) your body will absorb the Magnesium. Hope that this helps

Interesting!  Will need to print it out to take to my cardiologist.  I have started to take Omega 3 fish oil - 1200 mg per day.  I seem to be OK on it, I only feel like swimming upstream once a year!

Long Day!

Trying out the new heart.  Today was a long day.  At school by 6:15 AM, classes throughout the day, track meet at Elizabethtown, home at 8 PM!  Fourteen hour day!  I'm trying to eat better & get to bed early!  And will take a day or two off from track practice, but must get to a couple cardiac rehab.


The next 4-6 weeks will be the busy part of the schedule!

First All Day Track Meet

This was another test of my recovery - the first LONG Saturday Track Meet.  Our Black Knight Invitational is not a real long Saturday, but long enough to see how I would feel after a day of competition.  Since our staff was in charge, Coach Bowers & I were in charge of clerking the track events.  Breakfast at 7 AM with the coaching staff, to the track to set up for the meet, meet starts at 10 AM & ends at 3-4 PM.  Also, running (fast walking to check out the pole vaulters competition).

Things went well & of course I was tired & took a good nap when I got home!  The track meet went well, the boys & girls teams won the team titles, & the pole vaulters were awesome!  Both the boy & girl events were won by Hempfield kids! 

Sunday was an easy day - Church in the morning and Phillies baseball & Master Golf Tournament in the afternoon! 

I have 5 more days of Cardiac Rehab - hope to get in two this week!  Will have a busy week in school & track practice.  Will try to coach Monday, Wednesday & Thursday, with rehab after school Tuesday & Friday.  Have a church meeting Tuesday night from about 7-9 PM & an extra pole vault practice at Prestige Gym from 8-9 PM.

Hope to find time for exercise & relaxation!