How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically regulates the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs The doctor may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor if they are frequent or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience only a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If window doctors near me have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
People who have had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing 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 signs it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could point to problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel weak. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's working.
A doctor may be able to determine if a person has PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine 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 identify cardiac problems if there is any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk to your doctor about medications that can control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to check for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercising.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are a result of physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other reasons for the increased beats.
The majority of people with PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live an ordinary life. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important to follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a transplant in certain individuals.