How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. A lot of PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you have many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right side of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs happen, the heart may feel as if it's beating faster or slower. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your heartbeat over 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
People who have had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. window doctors include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat like a beta blocker.
If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs don't have any issues. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to determine if someone is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems when there is a reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist has determined 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 decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that may be able to manage the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people who have other heart conditions. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more frequently during exercise.
A doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To determine whether there are any other causes for the increased beats, a heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
A regular, healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential to follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. Some patients may require an organ transplant.