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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually starts your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse begins in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable if you exercise, or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If the window doctor have occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to avoid certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you're suffering from many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause a stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, may make your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs occur they can make the heart appear to be racing or pounding. If you experience only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. But if you have a large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which 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 the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as a beta blocker.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any problems. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who get lots of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's working.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease when there is a concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
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-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI is possible.
Most people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can lead a normal life. They can increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and manage stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need an organ transplant.