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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase their risk.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by taking enough rest and working out.

If you have lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.

Normally, electrical signals start at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. window doctor near me contract to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.





When PVCs happen, the heart may appear to be beating faster or slower. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. But if you have a number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine the heart's rate over 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.

If you've had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood should be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

Even if you don't have any other symptoms however, you should have PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like heartbeats that flutter, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. Exercise can trigger them, but many athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's working.

A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used in the event of any suspicion of heart disease.

If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about treatments that could help control them.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You might also get an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercises.

A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI is possible.

The majority of people with PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead an ordinary life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require an organ transplant.