How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs and have no issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly when the PVCs result from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by having enough sleep and working out.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. This procedure is performed by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In some instances it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might need to see your doctor if they are frequent or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right portion of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then expand to push blood into your lungs, and return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. A PVC starts in a different place in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat or feel like it skipped a beat. If you only have one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that alters the way the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and talk to a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat like beta blockers.
Even if you don't experience any other signs, you should still get PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience them often may feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health issues. repairmywindowsanddoors can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for different reasons, like after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about treatments that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
When you have PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side 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, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercise.
A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beats the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI is possible.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a heart transplant in some people.