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 heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can happen often enough to interfere with your quality of life. window doctors may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially when the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. This isn't common but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. 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 notice symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location that is the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may feel like it is racing or pounding. If you experience only just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the heart's blood flow - must take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to identify if someone has PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for different reasons, like after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used in the event of any suspicion of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could help reduce the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more frequently during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other reasons for the increased beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They may increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to sleep enough and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some patients.