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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2017)
4 B SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Mixed Signals on Heart Rhythms DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old man who recently ex- perienced three episodes of light- headedness. After testing, my cardi- ologist determined that these were not likely to be cardiac in origin. My concern is with the result of my 24-hour Holter monitor, which showed a little more than 1,000 isolated PVCs in 24 hours. I have been told that this is either “dire” or “not an issue.” I would appreci- ate your comments on this and any discussion of treatment for frequent PVCs. -- J.G. ANSWER: Normally in the heart, the electrical impulse starts at the sinoatrial node, often called the pacemaker of the heart. The impulse proceeds down clearly de- fi ned pathways (think of them as wires) to the atrioventricular node, where it waits for the mechanics of the heart to catch up with the electrical system. The electrical im- SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Th is is a good time for the usually outspo- ken Lamb to be a bit more discreet. You still can get your point across, but do it in a way less likely to turn off a potential supporter. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Good news: All that hard work you put in is beginning to pay off . But you need to watch that tendency to insist on doing things your way or no way. Be a bit more fl exible. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You might want to delay making a deci- sion on the future of a long-standing relationship until you check out some heretofore hidden details that are just now beginning to emerge. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your reluctance to compromise on an im- pulse then travels down the bundle of His to the Purkinje fi bers, which stimulate the ventricle. Occasionally, in everybody, an electrical impulse will come from a different part of the heart before the normal SA impulse. If it comes from the atria, it is called a prema- ture atrial contraction; and if it’s from the much larger ventricles, a premature ventricular contraction. These are clearly distinguishable on an EKG. A PAC is early and narrow (since the impulse will go through the AV node), while a PVC is early and wide (since it does not, and must travel cell to cell). My opinion is that frequent PVCs at your level is somewhere between “not an issue” and “dire.” One study showed that people who had no known heart disease but more than 30 PVCs an hour (720 in 24 hours) have an increased risk of heart disease over people with fewer than 30 per hour. The overall increase in risk is not large in abso- lute terms, however. Although there is treatment that can reduce PVCs, it’s not clear that this reduces the risk of heart dis- ease, and some treatments actually increase mortality risk. I recom- mend treatment for frequent PVCs only if there are very bothersome symptoms that are clearly related to the PVCs, or in the very infrequent event of someone with so many PVCs that the fast heart rate dam- ages the heart. The booklet on abnormal heart rhythms explains the more common heart-rhythm disturbances in great- er detail. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach -- No. 107W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada. with the recipient’s print- ed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. DEAR DR. ROACH: What is Demodex of the eyelashes? Can it affect other parts of the body? Is it deadly? -- Anon. ANSWER: Demodex follicu- lorum is a mite, a small (0.1 mm) arthropod that lives on human skin in hair follicles. There is debate whether they cause disease, specifi - cally infl ammation of the eyelids. Most opinions I read suggest they do not. However, there are reports of eye symptoms in some people with more than usual amounts of Demodex, which can be treated with medication. In most people, Demodex is considered part of the normal fl ora, like the bacteria and fungi we carry around as well. portant issue could backfi re without more facts to support your position. Weigh your options carefully before making your next move. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Th is is a good time for ambitious Leos or Leo- nas to shift from planning their next move to actually doing it. Your com- munication skills help persuade oth- ers to join you. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Relationships -- personal or pro- fessional -- present new challenges. Be careful not to let a sudden surge of stubbornness infl uence how you choose to deal with them. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might need more facts before you can decide on a possible career change. But you should have no prob- lem making a decision about an im- portant personal matter. SCORPIO (October 23 to No- vember 21) You’re respected by most people for your direct, no-nonsense approach to the issues. But be careful you don’t replace honest skepticism with stinging sarcasm. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A newly emerging situation could require a good deal of attention and some diffi cult decision- making. However, close friends will help you see it through. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Family matters need at- tention. Check things out carefully. Th ere still might be unresolved ten- sions that could hinder your eff orts to repair damaged relationships. AQUARIUS (January 20 to Febru- ary 18) Of course you deserve to in- dulge yourself in something special. But for now, tuck that bit of mad mon- ey away. You’ll need it to help with a looming cash crunch. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A temporary setback in your fi nancial situation is eased by changing some of your plans. You’ll be able to ride it out quite well until the tide turns back in your favor. Siuslaw N ews ! AD IT DAY E R TO www. the siuslawnews.com E -E DITION • S PORTS • T OP S TORIES • O BITUARIES • W EATHER • F ORUMS • B LOGS
