How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that usually starts your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor might 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. Regular PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
repairmywindowsanddoors can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In certain cases, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left side of the heart.
When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. But if you have a number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.
If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and talk to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding caffeine, alcohol 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 do not have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that flutter, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if the patient is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, however, they may only be able to detect PVCs when they examine the patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the prescription decongestants, as well as the reduction of stress could help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about medication options to treat the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If they happen frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You may also undergo a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercising.
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 in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other reasons for the additional beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of 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.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can result in the need for a transplant in some people.