How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat in a part known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to impact your quality of living. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. the window doctor who experience chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles expand to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your heart rate over a 24-hour period. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects the way that the heart pumps bloodand must be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, for example, beta blockers.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats can point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who experience them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's working.
A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes however, they might only be able to detect PVCs when they examine patients for a different reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease when there is a concerns.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible medication options to treat them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might need to examine for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes for the extra beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can lead a normal life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential to follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to the need for a transplant in some patients.