How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually starts your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. People who experience chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress levels by having enough sleep and working out.
If you're suffering from many PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node which is in the top right-hand side of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs and then return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you only have a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
If you've had previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat for example, a beta blocker.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they happen often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They want to know if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who get them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
A doctor may be able to identify if someone has PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, however, the window doctor may only notice PVCs when examining patients for a different reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used in the event of any suspicion of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about medications that can control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercise.
A doctor should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are caused by physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the increased beats an invasive heart catheterization or an MRI could be conducted.
The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, 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. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow your doctor's advice regarding eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in a few people.