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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any issues. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to interfere with your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress levels by taking enough rest 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. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In certain cases it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs happen, the heart may feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding 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 experience frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who experience them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses 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 may be able to identify if the patient is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems if there is any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medications that can control them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You might also get an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have 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-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercises.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are window doctor for the extra beats the heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in some individuals.
