Q:
I am 58 and athletic. I always take my pulse and up to two days ago my pulse was always regular with no pauses. My resting pulse is usually 60-75. I have controlled blood pressure with 20 mg of Lisinopril I take once a day which I have taken for about 4 years. I also take 40 mg of Simvistatin daily for cholesterol for years as well. It scared the hell out of me. My doc was out and they said go to urgent care. All tests were negative but the EKG showed I had premature ventricular contractions or so they said. Is this now a permanent situation for me and is it dangerous? I have no physical symptoms at all. It does make me anxious as hell since my pulse has been regular my entire life until two days ago.
A:
Any time a new symptom crops up, it will have to be investigated. PVCs indicate that change. In addition to an EKG, you need blood tests to make sure your electrolytes, magnesium, calcium and thyroid levels are all normal.
One of the many reasons for a new arrhythmia is the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), and since you are being treated for 2 of the risk factors (high cholesterol & high blood pressure) for CAD, you probably should have a stress ECHO.
Check these links:
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/ca-blog/598/
Your risk:
http://www.cardiac-risk-assessment.com/app/risk-assessment.php
Hope this helps,
Dr T