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Are PVCs Related to Myocarditis?

Have you ever had heart palpitations that seem to come out of nowhere? You might be having PVCs, or premature ventricular contractions. PVCs are irregular heartbeats that may feel like your heart did a flip-flop or is beating to the beat of its own drum.

While occasional PVCs are generally harmless, they can indicate a serious underlying heart condition that needs attention. Unfortunately, some doctors may not take PVCs seriously and brush them off as a minor issue, leaving patients frustrated and unsure about their health.

One such condition that may cause heart palpitations is myocarditis. Although typically viewed as two different heart conditions, PVCs and myocarditis sometimes go hand-in-hand. In fact, PVCs may be one of the first signs of underlying heart inflammation.

What are PVCs?

The heart is equipped with its very own electrical system. This system controls the regular beating of the heart. The sinoatrial node (SA node) in the right atrium sends electrical signals to the heart’s upper two chambers, telling them to contract. Then, these electrical signals travel down the heart to the atrioventricular (AV) node, which signals the ventricles to squeeze.

In people with PVCs, the ventricles contract before they’re supposed to, disrupting the heart’s normal rhythm. While some individuals don’t feel PVCS, others experience symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness.

What is myocarditis?

The heart’s wall is made up of three layers. The epicardium is the outermost layer, and the endocardium is the innermost layer. Between these two layers, you’ll find the thickest layer of the heart, which is made of muscle. This layer is called the myocardium.

“Myo” means muscle, “card” refers to the heart, and “itis” indicates inflammation. Therefore, myocarditis is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed. Left untreated, myocarditis can weaken the heart, resulting in a heart that has difficulty pumping effectively. As a result, the body becomes depleted of life-sustaining oxygen.

When a person develops myocarditis, the body produces antibodies in response to the inflammation. Unfortunately, these antibodies wind up damaging the heart.

Research shows that the rates of myocarditis are increasing, with studies suggesting that the Covid19 virus and vaccination are contributing to the recent uptick.

The relationship between PVCs and myocarditis

Whenever inflammation occurs within the heart, the electrical system may be compromised. Therefore, it stands to reason that myocarditis, an inflammatory disorder of the heart, may contribute to PVCs.

Research shows that myocarditis causes heart palpitations. For example, a 2019 study found that over 50 percent of patients with new-onset frequent PVCs had underlying myocardial inflammation.

Unfortunately, conventional medicine rarely addresses the underlying cause of inflammation. As a result, when someone presents with PVCs, most doctors prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or antiarrhythmics. When those fail, they suggest risky procedures such as catheter ablations.

Sadly, without addressing the root cause of the condition, the problem is never addressed. As a result, there are likely many more cases of myocarditis than are diagnosed.

Next steps

PVCs are the heart’s way of signaling to the body that something is out of balance. PVCs are not a condition, but rather a symptom. If you are experiencing heart palpitations, the goal should be to identify the cause.

At Natural Heart Doctor, we start the healing process with Eat Well, Live Well, Think Well. Omega-3 from seafood will help myocarditis. So will organs such as heart and liver. Sunshine is part of our healing protocol along with other “biohacking” strategies.

The medical team at NHD is highly skilled at helping our patients get to the root cause of their symptoms. Each person is unique, so each person requires their own myocarditis healing strategy. We start with a detailed health history, followed by extensive lab work, and a customized plan. There’s no guessing with our practice. If you would like to learn more, consider a complementary 20-minute strategy call with one of our expert health coaches. We would love to help you get to the bottom of your health concerns.

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About Dr. Lauren Lattanza NMD, FACC

Dr. Lattanza Office Visit with Patient

Dr. Lauren Lattanza Fees

20 Minute Virtual Call: $250

Initial In-Person Appointment:

Follow Up In-Person Appointment:       

As a Naturopathic Physician, I am trained to treat the whole person and get to the root cause of disease.

I went to Arizona State University where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a depth in physiology and minor in Spanish. After my undergraduate degree I was working on prerequisite classes towards medical school, which is when I came to learn that my values identified best with the principles of naturopathic medicine. I knew that I wanted to help patients identify the causes of disease and be able to offer treatments which would improve their health rather than simply treating symptoms.

I dedicated the next 4 years to the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona where I attained my Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. I served as Class President all 4 years, Board of Trustees – Student Trustee, spoke as the Club President for our branch of Toastmasters, and was voted by my peers and attending physicians to earn the Outstanding Leadership Award for the Class of 2020. Throughout medical school I took it upon myself to work alongside MDs, DOs, chiropractors, and functional medicine practitioners in addition to naturopathic physicians.

As a Spanish speaking student, I was able to volunteer with community clinics around Phoenix and provide free healthcare to low-income families. Due to this combined exposure, I came to find my passion in treating cardiometabolic and digestive disorders that are all too common, yet largely preventable. I took the opportunity to learn the broad spectrum of healthcare so I can ensure that I am able to provide my patients with the best options.

About Dr. Jack Wolfson DO, FACC

Dr. Wolfson Office Visit with Patient

Dr. Jack Wolfson Fees

30 Minute Virtual Call: $1500

Initial In-Person Appointment:

Follow Up In-Person Appointment:       

Dr. Jack Wolfson is a board-certified cardiologist, Amazon best-selling author, husband, father, and the nation’s #1 Natural Heart Doctor.

For more than two decades, more than one million people have enjoyed the warmth, compassion, and transformational power of his natural heart health courses and events.

Dr. Wolfson is the founder of Natural Heart Doctor Scottsdale, his heart health practice in Arizona, and Natural Heart Doctor, an online resource center with natural health information. Doctors from across the globe reach out to Dr. Wolfson for training and education in holistic health practices.

He has been named one of America’s Top Functional Medicine Doctors and is a five-time winner of the Natural Choice Awards as a holistic M.D. Dr. Wolfson’s work has been covered by more than 100 media outlets, including NBC, CNN, and the Washington Post. His book “The Paleo Cardiologist: The Natural Way to Heart Health” was an Amazon #1 best-seller.

Dr. Wolfson and his wife Heather have four children and are committed to making the world a better place to live. They provide for those in need (including animals) and support natural health causes through their philanthropic efforts.

Chiropractic

Our chiropractor is an expert at adjustments and holistic chiropractic care and works closely in conjunction with the other health care experts at Natural Heart Doctor.

Call (480) 535-6844 for details and scheduling.

IV Therapy

We use specially formulated natural vitamins and minerals that are injected into a vein to prevent or treat dehydration. Ideal for people in Arizona.

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Acupuncture

Stimulate your body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being with acupuncture at Natural Heart Doctor.

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Health Coaching

Our health coaches use evidence based skillful conversation, clinical interventions, and strategies to engage you actively and safely in health behavior changes.

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Cardio Tests

We use the most advanced testing in the world to assess heart health and to identify the root cause of your health issues.

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Office Visits

Schedule an office visit with one of our cardiologists, holistic physicians, chiropractor, or health coaches.

Call (480) 535-6844 for details and scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’d like to receive an online second opinion from Natural Heart Doctor. What do I do next?

You can initiate a second opinion online through our website at any time. To begin, select the team member you’d like to speak with and open an account.

Click here for cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson.

Naturopathic Medical Doctor Dr. Lauren Lattanza. Get details.

Naturopathic Medical Doctor Dr. Tonia Rainier. Get details.

Click here for  Natural Heart Doctor Health Coach.

Alternatively, you can email health@naturalheartdoctor.com. A member of our care team will help guide you through the process of starting a second opinion.

What is the cost of a Natural Heart Doctor Online Second Opinion?

The cost for most second opinions varies by team member. This fee includes information collection, a phone or video consultation, a second opinion from a Natural Heart Doctor specialist and guidance throughout the process from your personal Care Team at Natural Heart Doctor.

Cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson’s Second Opinion Fee is $1500.

Holistic Physician’s Dr. Lauren Lattanza’s Second Opinion Fee is $250.

Naturopathic Physician Dr. Tonia Rainier’s Second Opinion Fee is $250.

Note: We apply the Online Second Opinion Call fee as a credit to any future consultations with Natural Heart Doctor, should you choose them.

Will my insurance cover the cost of a Natural Heart Doctor Online Second Opinion?

Most likely, no. Most health plans do not cover online second opinions or consultations. You are responsible for the cost of our second opinion. Natural Heart Doctor cannot file a claim with your insurance carrier, nor can we provide a procedure (CPT) code for this service.

What is the timeline to receive an online second opinion?

We do our best to schedule your second opinion as quickly as possible. Typically, it takes 5 to 7 business days after your information has been collected to receive your phone or video online second opinion.

What information do you need in advance of our call?

Our office will send you a short questionnaire to complete and return. We DO NOT need your complete medical records.

How many questions can I ask the expert during our call?

You may ask a maximum of five questions. This is to ensure that the expert has sufficient time to devote to each question. All questions must be finalized before your online meeting.

What should I expect to receive once my second opinion is complete?

You will receive a summary of our discussion along with our second opinion. The second opinion will be in written form. After you have reviewed the second opinion, a Natural Heart Doctor clinician will follow up with you by phone to address general medical questions about the information provided in the second opinion.

What if I have follow-up questions for the expert after I have reviewed my second opinion?

If you have a clarifying question about an expert’s response to one of the questions in your second opinion, and the Natural Heart Doctor clinician is unable to address it, then you may request a follow up session for an additional fee. 

Is my medical and payment information secure?

Natural Heart Doctor is strongly committed to protecting the privacy and security of all our patients. Our website meets all federal requirements for protecting personal health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All financial transactions are processed by Natural Heart Doctor securely using industry standard payment processing tools.

I would rather visit Natural Heart Doctor for an in-person appointment. What should I do next?

If you would prefer an in-person appointment at Natural Heart Doctor instead of an online second opinion, please call (480) 535-6844 for details and scheduling.

Can I schedule a follow up appointment with the specialist who provided my online second opinion?

Yes, we’re happy to help you on an extended basis. Our clinician can discuss options with you when presenting our second opinion summary.