How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could occur frequently enough to affect your standard of life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Regular PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly when the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can cause heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If window doctors near me are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase your risk of having 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 cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start at the sinoatrial junction, located in the top right side of the heart, and descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs and then return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC begins in a different place, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs happen they can make the heart appear to be beating faster or slower. If you experience only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. If you have many PVCs and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.
If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects the way that the heart pumps blood should be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat like a beta blocker.
Even if you don't have any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These extra heartbeats can indicate a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, if they occur often enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They just want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) 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 may be able to determine if someone is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concerns.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about medication options to treat them.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent, they usually don't need treatment. If they happen frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercising.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes of the increased beats.
The majority of people with PVCs have no complications and live an ordinary life. They may increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential that you follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some people may need an organ transplant.