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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually starts your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. Your doctor might prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially the case if they are caused by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart beating an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more evident if you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase their risk.
If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you have many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can cause stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These heartbeats can be harmless, but it is important to consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, located in the top right side of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur they can make the heart feel as if it's beating faster or slower. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, like beta blockers.
Even if you don't have any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They would like to know if irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them have no heart or health issues. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's functioning.
A doctor will usually be able to determine whether a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine the patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any concern.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling, or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medications that may be able to control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere 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 a beat or has a few extra beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other reasons for the extra beats.
the window doctor who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can lead an ordinary life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A regular, healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating, exercising, and 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 found. Some patients may require a heart transplant.
