Could hypothyroid cause PVC?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 39 year old male. My height is about 6 feet, and my weight is 170 lbs. I do not drink, but do smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. My problem is PVCs. About eight years ago, I went to the ER because it felt like my heart was skipping every other beat. All tests came back fine. I followed up with a cardiologist, and he found out that I was hypothyroid.

Anyway, I have been mostly symptom-free since then. I will feel the occasional PVC, but nothing like that day I went to the ER where they were non-stop. That was until today. Today, they have been on and off all day. I am anxious, and I am about to have a heart attack or something. I went for my regular 2-mile evening walk, and they did not get any worse while walking. Should I go back to the ER?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I guess all your heart tests including the echo were normal last time and you do not have any chest pain. First, we need to look at the reason. Most of the time they are benign and not a matter of worry. Smoking, stimulant drugs including caffeine if any, hyperthyroidism, and structural heart disease are common causes. At this point, I would advise that you should stop smoking and other drugs like alcohol if any. Get a thyroid test for TSH. If that is normal, then fine. If it is low, then you need to decrease your thyroid dose. Also, I suggest you Metoprolol XR 25 once a day.

If you do not respond and the pulse rate is above 70, then the dose can be increased to 50 mg. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and take medicine with consent. You should get one ECG done and upload it so that we can rule out other possibilities. So overall, most PVC (premature ventricular contractions), especially at your age are not worrisome provided we get you thoroughly investigated. So you do things and get back if you have any doubts.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

No, there is no need to run to the emergency room since you were evaluated eight years back but get yourself started on Metoprolol at least. Try to cut the smoking and see the response. If you do not respond after hiking the dose as well, then visit the ER. Hypothyroidism usually does not cause this, but it commonly leads to a slow heart rate, which is not the case in yours. Your heart rate is 80. I guess your sleeping pattern is normal without any insomnia or excessive stress. If having, then please deal with it also. Try some relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.