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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any 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 part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually starts your heartbeat in a region known as 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 also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they can occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can cause heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing one beat, or even fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine may increase the risk of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your physician may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you have many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can result in stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and return to the heart 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, they make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you have only just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
the window doctor who have suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them have no heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and see how it's working.
A doctor may be able to identify if the patient has PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized when there is a concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about treatments that could help control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle modifications. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs can increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercises.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are caused by physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beats an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can live the normal life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is essential that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some people.
