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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and can be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers 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 heart chambers 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 starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating one beat, or even fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. window doctors fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. People who experience chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the risk of developing them.

If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you're suffering from lots of PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, however, you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then expand to push blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different place that is the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left-hand side of the heart.





When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. These include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

Even if you don't have any other indications, you should still get PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time, when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. They can also occur with training, even though many athletes who suffer from them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.

A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for different reasons, like after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease if there is any concern.

If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that may be able to control them.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart issues 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 the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more often during exercising.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other causes of the increased beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can lead a normal life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.

A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications, it is important to follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy, exercising, and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need a heart transplant.