How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by many people without causing any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel to lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health issues. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase their risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress levels by taking enough rest and exercising.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, may make your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
windowdoctor , electrical signals 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. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs and then return to your heart to start the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you have only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. But if you have a number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heartbeat over 24 hours. They might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heart rhythm over time to see how many PVCs you have.
People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular can be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who get lots of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine patients for a different reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used in the event of any suspicion of heart disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that may be able to manage them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are caused by physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI is possible.
Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body.
A regular, healthy diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.