PVCs
10-10-2024, 02:07 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2024
Posts: 2
PVCs
Had a series of PVCs a few years ago following a red eye flight and for awhile after (fatigue/stress induced maybe?). Was grounded for awhile why working through FAA evaluations and deferrment. Used all my sick time. Workups showed no issues, and was put on a low dose beta blocker by doc and got faa blessing. Always was told they're harmless (easy to say unless you've had them).
Since then I rafrely have them but they are always on my mind. They've taken some of the fun out of the job for me because I avoid red eyes even though they would better my schedule. I try and avoid long flights (in case they happen) but I want to get past this and take advantgae of what the career has to offer with WB flying.
Anyone have any words of encouragement or personal strategies for overcoming these things?
Since then I rafrely have them but they are always on my mind. They've taken some of the fun out of the job for me because I avoid red eyes even though they would better my schedule. I try and avoid long flights (in case they happen) but I want to get past this and take advantgae of what the career has to offer with WB flying.
Anyone have any words of encouragement or personal strategies for overcoming these things?
Yesterday, 08:56 AM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,205
Nothing burger, if the docs say you're fine. Don't get anxiety over what's a minor nuisance in the grand scheme of life.
Try diet modifications, and careful with supplements. Especially caffeine and fish oil.
Try diet modifications, and careful with supplements. Especially caffeine and fish oil.
Yesterday, 07:24 PM
#3
Perennial Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 12,181
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532991/
Now if you are just talking "a series of PVCs" as in a few PVCs every now and then on several occasions , that is truly a nothingburger. That's you and pretty much everybody else. If by "a series of PVCs" you mean multiple consecutive PVCs, that's a little more interesting:
So yeah, assuming the FAA looked at your work up and OK'd it, you really are at no greater risk than the general population (the majority of whom are also having PVCs without even noticing them).
So if you have your symptoms controlled with reasonable levels of beta blockers I certainly wouldn't lay awake nights worrying about it.
Epidemiology
PVCs are common among the general population. The estimated prevalence ranges from 1% to 4% on electrocardiogram and 40% to 75% on a 24 or 48-hour Holter monitor.[6] Young and healthy adults have shown a highly similar frequency rate of PVCs in contrast to the older segments of the general population.
PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are termed doublets while three consecutive PVCs are named triplets. It is important to note that three or more consecutive PVCs are classified as ventricular tachycardia. If the PVCs continuously alternate with a regular sinus beat, the patient is in bigeminy.[3] Likewise, if every third heartbeat is a PVC, then it is named trigeminy.
PVCs present as heart palpitations in most patients. They are usually benign and do not require treatment.
PVCs present as heart palpitations in most patients. They are usually benign and do not require treatment.
Prognosis
Healthy patients without structural heart disease who experience infrequent PVCs have the same prognosis as the general population. However, those with frequent PVCs (> 1000/day) are at risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy.[12]So yeah, assuming the FAA looked at your work up and OK'd it, you really are at no greater risk than the general population (the majority of whom are also having PVCs without even noticing them).
Those experiencing frequent PVCs or symptomatic PVCs should be evaluated to identify the etiology. In many cases, excess intake of stimulants and/or lower levels of potassium and magnesium is the cause of the PVCs. These patients can be easily managed via minimization of stimulants and/or repletion of electrolytes. As well, these management options are viable for those who have asymptomatic and infrequent PVCs but still find them bothersome. Both types of patients also benefit from the minimization of stress.
The medication classes used to treat frequent and/or symptomatic PVCs include antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Commonly used antiarrhythmics include amiodarone and flecainide.
The medication classes used to treat frequent and/or symptomatic PVCs include antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Commonly used antiarrhythmics include amiodarone and flecainide.
