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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart, the ventricles, and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely and not cause any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to affect your standard of living. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly when the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident if you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen stress by having enough sleep and working out.
If you're experiencing many PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles expand to push blood into your lungs and then return to your heart and start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, located in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not treat you. However, if you have large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
If you've had an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat like beta blockers.
If you have frequent PVCs even if do not have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's functioning.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to tell whether someone has PVCs from a history and physical exam. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used if there's any concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort, or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that may be able to manage the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle modifications. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are a result of physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be done to look for other reasons for the additional beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. However, the window doctor can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in the need for a heart transplant in a few people.
