How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. window doctors can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. People who experience chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart seem to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node located in the top right side of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may appear to be beating faster or slower. If you experience only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps blood should take their PVCs seriously and talk to a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as 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 may indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if someone is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used when there is a concern of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could help reduce these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercising.
A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other reasons for the additional beats.
Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and can live an ordinary life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines it is important to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in certain patients.