How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you're experiencing many PVCs The doctor may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into the lungs, and return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC starts at a different spot that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat or feel like it skipped one beat. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems. They want to know if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who get them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes however, they might only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized in the event of any suspicion of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about medication options to treat the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to look for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart problems. the glass doctor are more likely to occur as you age, and could be more frequent during exercise.
A doctor should conduct an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the increased beats an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and can live the normal life. They could increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and manage stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important that you follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in some individuals.