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PVC's after childbirth
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MedHelp Member's Question

PVC's after childbirth

by karen23, Jan 27, 2005 12:00AM
Sorry for another PVC question!  I gave birth to my 2nd child 9 weeks ago - I am having PVC's mostly when I go out - it seems like with any exertion I get them.  I recall something similar happening after the birth of my first child.  Also, they seem to be anxiety related.  I am in a very stressful marriage.  After my first child, my GP sent me for stress, holter and echo.  Everything was ok.



1.  Should I assume that everything is ok based on the tests done after my first child, 3 years ago?   The PVC's that showed on my stress test were rate related ie. at a high rate, PVC's would start.  This time, my heart rate doesn't need to be high.

2.  Sometimes I feel a little lightheaded with the PVC's, but I suspect it's from the anxiety they create.  Could that be true?

3.  Can you explain how anxiety can cause a PVC?  

4.  Could I be getting such an increase due to poor conditioning (the last half of my pregnancy was very sedentary - I am trying to get back into shape now - I need to lose about 40lbs!!!)

5.  Could they be related to having a glass of wine?  Sometimes that seems to trigger them - I hate the idea of giving up the occasional glass of wine with dinner!  I have stopped drinking coffee and eating chocolate for the most part.



Thanks for any advice you can give.  

Regards,

Karen



Doctor's Answer

by CCF-M.D.-MJM, Jan 27, 2005 12:00AM
Hi Karen,



All questions all welcome, don't worry about that.



1.  Your assumption is probably correct, but I would still see you GP and let him make that assessment.



2. It is normal to briefly feel light headed during/after a PVC.  You blood pressure transiently drops with PVCs.



3. Anxiety is usually associated with increased adrenaline (epinephrine) levels.  Adrenaline levels makes several changes to your hearts conduction system and contractility-- it makes your heart speed up a little and prepare to contract faster.  This irritability can lead to PVCs in some people.



4. I have never heard that association before, although I strongly support your efforts to get back into shape.



5. Unfortunately, alcohol triggers PVCs in some people--as does fatigue, anxiety, stress, caffeine, chocolate, tea, etc.



I hope this helps answer your question.  Good luck.
Member Comments (12)

by karen23, Jan 27, 2005 12:00AM
To: Dr.
One more question:

6.  Why does this happen after childbirth?  THX

by LynnSB, Jan 27, 2005 12:00AM
I'm not a doctor but I have done a lot of research on my own about palpitations and plus I work in a medical/science field --- so you can take this as an educated guess as to what can be going on when a woman has an increase in palpitations or begins to have them following childbirth ( I am assuming you have a structurally normal heart).  You might well be hypovolemic -- that can exacerbate or precipitate palpitations.. especially if you are nursing.. MAKE SURE YOU ARE DRINKING LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER! Also, after pregnancy and post pregnancy ( especially if you are nursing and I HOPE YOU ARE! ) can deplete your magnesium and that could be responsible for the increased palps. Talk to your doc about these ideas. If he or she pooh poohs the magnesium idea, do your own research.. at the very LEAST increase the magnesium in your diet ( eat some almonds!) and please drink lots of water. good luck!

by mmfd, Jan 28, 2005 12:00AM
To: Karen
THIS IS JUST MY OPINION SINCE I AM NOT A DOCTOR ALTHOUGH I AM AN RN, but one of the biggest triggers for me was lack of sleep.  I would have many many more PVC's then.  Most new mothers don't get enough sleep, what with getting up every few hours to nurse and change the baby.  It sounds almost too simple but I think it might be a factor!  Is this ok for you now, Worried Silly???

by worriedsilly, Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
To: mmfd
I dont know why yo have to keep dragging this stuff around.  I dont care what you post.  My only observation is reading the board and all the fuss that was stirred up over Hanksters comments, is the fact that you pretty much did the same thing he was accused of.  At least he said it was only his opinon.  You may be an rn that is NOT a doctor and your NOT qualified to diagnose people or write out  rx for meds.  I can claim to be an rn and Im not.  Bottom line here is the doctors opinon is what counts.  So ramble on with whatever you wish.  Just remember people that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.  Good luck to you.

by karen23, Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
To: Lynn/mmfd
Thanks to you both for your suggestions.  I think there is probably truth in both of them, because I am guilty of not drinking enough water and I am definitely sleep deprived!

by suzh, Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
To: worried silly
i'm not sure why you jumped down the throat of mmfd.  i too have pvc's and his comment was right on the money. lack of sleep is the biggest contibuting factor for me.  he was very clear about it just being his opinion and anyway i thought that was the idea, to share experiences to try to help one another.  this site has been great for me, to hear about others and to know i'm not alone in this.

by suzh, Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
To: worried silly
sorry, i just reread the thread and realize that mmfd has some issues that i'm not aware of.  i just wanted to give my opinion too, that lack of sleep can be a factor.

by worriedsilly, Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
To: suzh
Thats alright.  Yes this is meant to share similar experiences.  The thing between mmfd and myself is a long story and best left not drudged up.  I wouldnt have said anything to mmfd but I got invited so to speak....lol

by mmfd, Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
To: worried silly
I don't think you are funny at all.  I don't know why you keep attacking me.  NOT ONE single person has ever complained that I posted inappropriately but you, not one.  And my only other issues, besides you, are heart and respiratory.  And you are not going to stop me from posting.

by worriedsilly, Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
To: mmfd
I dont care if you think I am funny or not.  I wasnt trying to be.  I also dont care if you post or not.  You matter to me none the less.  You directly brought me into this in this post.  I simply stated you in my opinon were trying to sound like a dr.  We are entitled to our opinons.  Now are we not?  You need to get over me expressing what was only my opinon and move on.  Geesh I would hate for you to be nurse....you would probably posion me through my iv.

by Busy-Bee, Jan 31, 2005 12:00AM
Hey Karen.

I've been dealing with PVCs since I was 17... I'm 50 now, so that's a long time to be noticing patterns, triggers and such.  Like you, I've been checked for disease and abnormalities and none have been found.  What I do see from experience is that I'm prone to them from chronic stress and homone fluctuations- which are a stressor in themselves.  Around ovulation as well as menstration, hormones trigger the activity- for me any way... yours may be the hormone fluctuations of pregnancy.  I'm now going through perimenopause and having lots of activity.  I'm taking a beta-blocker which helps in frequency as well as force reduction, thereby peace of mind as well as physical comfort.

On bad days, I just tell myself it's temporary and rhings will be better in a few days.  One BIG help for me has been taking Isoflavone suppliments.. just picked up some 40mg tablets at Walmart and take one a day.  They have helped me for three years now- even more than my meds... which I continue to take as well.  Being an over-the-counter suppliment, it might be something you could try for a month or two.  I saw an immdeiate difference.

Best wishes!

Bev
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