How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts 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 feels like it's fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing a beat, or fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles expand to pump blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel as if it's skipping a beat or pounding. If you have only just a few episodes and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. If window doctors got a large number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
People who have had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that alters the way the heart pumps blood should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, like beta blockers.
Even if you don't experience any other indications however, you should have PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They want to know if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who get them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's working.
Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether someone has PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for different reasons, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease in the event of any concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you 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 fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, speak with your physician about possible medications that can control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may want to check for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercise.
A doctor should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. To determine if there are other causes for the extra beatings an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications, it is important that you follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This can result in the need for a heart transplant in certain people.