How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people without causing any issues. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. window doctor starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to affect your standard of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but you should consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the top right-hand side of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin 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 and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heartbeat over 24 hours. He or she may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time to see how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers.
Even if there aren't any other symptoms however, you should have PVCs checked 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 occur frequently enough, can weaken the heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They want to know if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who experience them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concerns.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could be able to control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercise.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes of the extra beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous 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 your body.
A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also important. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. Certain people may require a heart transplant.