An outsider can sometimes influence in ways we can’t. I’d ask the doc about a local cardiac help program, so many hospitals have this, not just for rehab. It can include exercise, diet, and stress relief. And convenient hours. It can be ordered so insurance covers some portion or all.
Initially, it doesn’t even need to be power walking, just sustained. One mile at a 20 min pace isn’t as onerous.
The PVCs aren’t always serious, in themselves. As you know, it’s the cycle.
If he needs caffeine in the afternoon, what his lunches are can be part of the problem. A walk after lunch can help. Make sure the cardiologist is looking at all his labs, not just catdiac.
For other reasons, I’ve been looking at afternoon exhaustion and so often, when no specific physical syndrome, the advice points to reasonable exercise. Not just for the physical plusses.
I get major medical anxiety. I now take zoloft and I’m doing much better. I have to take enough xanax to take down an elephant before big tests. My mom was my age now (51) when she had quintuple bypass surgery. I had quite a few discussions with my doctor about feeling like a ticking time bomb. My c-reactive protein is off the charts high. So, I’m doing what I can - lost weight, exercise, vitamins like magnesium, vitamin C, co-q10, etc. I’m also fixing my diet. All of that for sure is helping, but the exercise and zoloft were my real help. Yes he golfs, but maybe an aerobic exercise daily will help him as well, after I get off my peloton I always think okay, my heart didn’t explode, I’m making it stronger.
Has he been evaluated for sleep apnea? That can cause cardiac issues, but it would definitely contribute to his afternoon fatigue and lack of alertness. (DH uses a CPAP for very severe sleep apnea.)
I also wondered about apnea, (based on the afternoon drop,) but don’t see PVCs in the research. Plus, wouldn’t the 24 hour monitor have picked overnight PVCs up?
Yes - he has sleep apnea and uses a CPAP - for about the past 5 years. Not overweight - but was always a snorer.
He just got back from seeing a different cardiologist in the same practice - so I guess that counts as a second opinion. More reassurance that the PVCs are ok - but also scheduled a stress test in 2 weeks. Added a 2nd bp med. He was 146/96 at the dr today - which I happen to think sounds fine for a 60 year old man. Dr says goal is 135/85 based on him being pretty healthy and family history of heart disease and high bp.
His reading of 200/something at the Rite Aid pharmacy last night was clearly wrong! Dr. told him to get a quality bp machine to use at home.
She insists he drop all soda - even caffeine free. And now he has agreed to do that! I think that alone will help. And to limit his salt intake.
Only light exercise until he has the stress test. He would have it sooner, but we are about to leave for vacation. I take it as a very good sign that dr said to go on vacation and do stress test when we return.
I loved the idea about cardiac rehab program - as a pre-emptive measure and I am going to research that now.
Seriously! I have been waging that war for years - I do not drink soda - always order water at restaurants. I am very excited to see if that alone helps.
Also recommend avoiding drinks like Vitamin Water. I was having periodic issues with irregular heartbeat that seemed to come and go randomly. Finally made the connection between drinking Vitamin Water (and other products with additives and dyes) as well as MSG. Cutting those products out made a huge difference. Perhaps switch from full caffeine to half-caf.
^^^Also some of the Vitamin Water type products may have ginseng or other stimulants. I also think excess sugar is inflammatory in the body and cannot help PVCs.
If he gets bored with plain water, try making some pitchers of the fruit, herbal, or cucumber infused waters ala spas and such. No chemicals, no real calories. You can find all kinds of recipes online.
^ I have pvcs- tested and found to be idiopathic- no medication needed, worse during early menopause. Cardiologist did mention magnesium can sometimes help.
FYI my primary offered me medication, which I declined and got to cardiologist asap.
I think he tried magnesium with bad results, but don’t know if he discussed reducing dosage.
I think turning 60 + family history = anxiety. Lots of great ideas, But he is pretty resistant to change. Happy we are about to go on vacation - I can monitor meals, beverages, etc. and lots of relaxing and walking.
I just got my monitor off – he has to stop with caffeine, and sugar is very reactive too. If he can value feeling fine more than the soda, he’ll make more progress. I also take 400 mg of magnesium but I don’t know that it matters much. I would take away his blood pressure cuff until he’s off caffeine. CHecking all the time is counterproductive.
Have his thyroid checked, check his salt and sugar intake.
I see a major diet overhaul coming. Starting with the soda. He just asked if I thought he could have soda on vacation, because after all, it is vacation, and I just wanted to throttle him.