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 occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. People with chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you're experiencing lots of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or flutter. These heartbeats can be harmless, but it is important to consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart. These signals descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heart rate over 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
People who have suffered an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. the window doctor include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if don't have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. But most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's working.
A doctor may be able to identify if the patient is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. Sometimes, they may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect 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 is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about treatments that could help control them.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes for the additional beats.
Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and live the normal life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
A regular, healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need an organ transplant.