How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. Instead, the impulse begins in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly when the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or consume certain foods or beverages. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In window doctors may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to a stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then expand to push blood into the lungs, and return to the heart and start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different place, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood -and should be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as beta blockers.
Even if there aren't any other indications, you should still get PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur frequently. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who experience them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if the patient is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk to your doctor about medications that can control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent, they usually don't need treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You may also undergo an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent as we age and can occur more often during exercising.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are a result of physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be done to look for other causes of the extra beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. They can increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. It is also important to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential that you follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy, exercising, and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need a heart transplant.